"I still want to be a hero!" - Rose_loves_you_all_Still - 僕のヒーローアカデミア | Boku no Hero Academia (2024)

Chapter 1: Yamikumo the living quirk

Chapter Text

Izuku wanted to be a hero.

It was simple and plain, it was a heroic dream with a strong desire and determination striving against it. Izuku Midoryia always wanted to be just like All Might!

He saves those with a smile always present on his face! He was a hero inside and out, a true person who always wanted to protect, save and encourage others to strive for their dreams! To be a good person!

He didn't like others getting hurt, he didn't care for his well being as much as he cared for those who were in trouble. He didn't care for his reputation but rather his words of youth, reaching out to accomplish their goals.

Izuku Midoryia wanted to be just like him. His quirk would manifest and he'll use that power to do good too! Kaachan already had his quirk and he was going for that goal too! So Izuku couldn't be left behind in the dust, he had to try his best to accomplish that spot right behind him. He needed to become a hero just like him!

Kaachan never gave up, he was a hard worker with a tongue sharp as knives. He didn't take anything from no one, and he spoke his mind! Izuku wanted to be just like him too! He was so brave! So heroic and always gave off the vibe, "I'm the best and no one can beat me!" He was mean, but Izuku knew that he meant well.

Izuku wanted to be like his mom, with a smile sweet as the honey in beehives. With hugs as warm as the Katsudon she makes whenever it's a special occasion. He wants to be as loving as she is to him, always being realistic and true to her own nature.

But he couldn't now... could he?

"I'm sorry. Your son is officially quirkless." The doctor said, twisting his mustache, his eyes were unreadable behind those black shades. Izuku couldn't believe those words, he felt his All Might figurine fall to the ground. They're talking but he can't bring himself to care. He was quirkless?

What was he going to do? If all he wanted was to be a hero - how can he be one without a quirk? All heroes had quirks that they used to their advantage. Quirkless people usually blended into the background, long forgotten. They were killed easily because they had no ability to protect themselves or others. They couldn't be heroes.

He wants to prove them wrong. But he also wanted a cool quirk, one that he could use if he was striving to be a hero. He wanted to show them that he could do anything he wanted. Izuku could be a hero! He could save others! He can save himself as long as he believed in it! He didn't have to worry about them thinking he was weak. He didn't have to care what others thought, as long as he thought then he could do it!

"There is a possibility of him forming a quirk, but the chances of that are extremely rare."

Then he'll have to bet on that one chance. He has to, he has to be a hero!

When Izuku got to school, he could practically feel the whispers curling around him, "Quirkless." and "How sad..." - floated to his ears, and he couldn't help but space out. He doesn't want to believe in this - this nightmare of his making. He can't bring himself to believe this. He can't.

Kaachan smiles at him, he doesn't say anything but Izuku could tell what he was thinking.

"I'm better then you now. You quirkless Deku. Deku. Deku. Deku. Deku."

But Izuku still admired him. That won't ever change.

Everyone says that it's impossible to be a hero with no quirk. Mom says that it was extremely dangerous, you shouldn't do it, you shouldn't do something so dangerous. Be her hero. Be your own hero.

Izuku was selfish. He still wanted to be a hero to others, and that dream wasn't going to go anywhere. No matter what.

It appears in his bedroom, when he's six and sleeping in his blue bed. A hand reaches out to his, pressing lightly. His green eyes fluttered open, and he stares at himself. Only he's smiling and his hair was a by darker. In fact - it was purple.

Only he was standing above him, wearing a white T-shirt with a black shawl over his shoulders, and he wore dirty blue jeans, and dusty purple sneakers, the exact brand of his. Izuku reeled back, hugging his brown teddy bear closer to his body, staring wide eyed at his identical twin - but that's not right. He's the only child? At least he thinks so?

"Hi! I'm your quirk! My name is Yamikumo! I like you!" He exclaims, smiling and thrusting his hand forward for a handshake. He's friendly...

Also an intruder.

Izuku Midoryia does the first thing he should have done.

He screamed.

------

Izuku hugged his mother's side, staring intensely at his twin, who's smiling and waving back at him as the doctor took his blood. They need to check for a DNA check, to find his family. They won't have it right away though.

There's no blood. Just ink.

They're in a police station, and there's a lot of people around rushing around, tripping over their own feet.

Eventually there's this cop who asks a simple question - "What's your name and who are you?"

"I'm Yamikumo, and I'm Izuku Midoryia's quirk!"

The look on his face was incredible and shocking, Izuku wasn't sure what to feel when he utters, "He's telling the truth."

-------

Yamikumo Midoryia is "adopted" into the family, and Izuku's mother could never be happier at the thought of her son having a friend. A brother he could depend on if he couldn't come to her. Yamikumo was the closest thing he'll get to a friend, Izuku realizes pretty quick, and that's fine because he's so nice.

Yamikumo loved his adoptive mother, and acted similar to Izuku, childish and free spirited - yet strangely more mature.

Yamikumo was his age, his birthday was his, and his favorites were his. The only difference was that he could use quirks. Yes, quirks.

"My abilities?" Yamikumo asks, tilting his head so that his dark purple hair goes on his right eye, "Well, Izukun, think of a blank canvas... You can paint them, they all leave a lasting impression. You can use them and convey the emotions on them, yes?"

Izuku nods rapidly, writing word from word on what his brother was saying, "Yeah?"

"I can copy those quirks from others, on those who you call cool. Like fire - or Ice." He flickers his fingers, and true to his word, a small ember dances along his finger, he curls his fingers into a fist to extinguish them. "Like I can copy All Might's power, you can be like him too!"

Izuku's jaw dropped, he lit up, "Really!? Woah! That's really cool! What else can you do?" He presses, smiling broadly and Yamikumo reaches out to pinch his cheeks. Like how a grandmother would do to their grandchild.

"I can - er how do I say this? Intensify your emotions and convey it to others." He smiles, tapping Izuku's nose, and he feels flooded with warm fluffy comfort. He stands up, walking to Inko, who fell asleep while watching TV, pressing lightly onto her arm. Izuku watches as she physically relaxes, letting out a happy sigh.

That would be so useful during a hostage siduation! If anyone was scared, he could try to calm them down! He could fight villains with his borrowed quirks, and then he could pack it all up! He didn't have to copy and take them away!

"Is there a limit on how many you can carry? How many quirks? How come you have a physical form rather then just being a quirk in a body? Is your body real?" Izuku fires off questions one after another, and Yamikumo just smiles fondly, as if remembering something. He presses his palm to his face,

"Yes, you'll know when, my physical form comes from your desire to show a quirk. And once I do that, I can not go away so easily. My body is 85% real but I lack DNA and blood. My insides are just squishy ink. My personality comes from you, who you want to be. For example, you want to be selfish? I am selfish. You want to be loved? I can love you. You want to be a hero? I can be your hero."

And Izuku loves Yamikumo, he loves how smart he is. Loves how observant and friendly he is, he loves how reassuring he is, how protective and loving he is.

Yamikumo loves Izuku, he would do anything for his quirk user, he could love him. He could hate him. He could destroy him, and he would let him.

As long as they were together...

-------

"Please welcome Yamikumo Midoryia. He will be joining us today! In this special day of Christmas!" The teacher is speaking, but all Yamikumo focuses on is Izukun's blinding smile, and Kaachan's confused face.

He drinks it in, happy and content as he sits next to Izuku, entwining their hands in a possessive manner, openly glaring at anyone when Izuku looks away. Selfish, he was indeed. Izukun was going to be strong, he's going to be a hero everyone wants to be. They'll look up to him.

Yamikumo will make sure of it.

No one knows about him, it was made a secret. He was the brother of Izuku Midoryia, half brother from his father's side. To them, he was a human like them. Not a quirk, what kind of quirk moved and talked like them? What kind of person would say that they're not human but rather something that should be in a person?

So he said nothing.

He smiles when he hands Izuku the kitty, mews at it to see him smile and he thinks. This is worth it.

--------

The purple haired boy accidentally makes Izuku cry, and he cries and cries because Yamikumo hurt someone for his sake. It wasn't his fault Yamikumo thinks bitterly as he tries to assure his brother, the kid was about to hurt Izuku! He did the right thing! He knows he did!

His hand was bloodied, dripping with the red liquid as he kicked and punched him, over and over and over again. It's his fault - he tried to hurt him. He took out a knife and said all those mean things, told Izuku that he was still the quirkless nobody who would never be a hero.

It was self defense.

Kaachan was wary of him, but Yamikumo didn't understand. Why was everyone suddenly so afraid of him? Even Izuku couldn't look at him - until he made up with the kid he beat up. And offered plastic apologies and lies to make him feel better.

And then he felt warm when Izuku finally began to talk to him again. Because he finally picked up his brush and began to paint a new image in him. The feeling of being wanted....

------

"Woah! Look at that!" Izuku points to the TV, smiling as Yamikumo's attention redirected from Izuku's face to the TV screen, where he could see All Might brawling to hand to hand combat with a villain.

Yamikumo lets out a hum of approval, "He's pretty cool, isn't he? Do you want to be like him?" He asks, leaning forward and pressing his chin to his open elbow. Izuku nods happily, and Yamikumo smiles.

A hero was such a fickle ideal.

-----

"I do not understand."

"Yamikumo, not again...!"

"I fail to comprehend."

"Why are you still friends with that - that explosive kid? He's not exactly the nicest." Yamikumo frowns as he presses the ice pack against Izuku's back, staring at the burn marks, "It really makes me really f*cking pissed off."

"Stop using bad words! You know we can't say that! I'm still only six! You're six too! How do you know bad words!?"

"Rhetorical question, bad words make the dream work." Yamikuma says with ease, "Why do you like Kaaachan?" He openly mocks, looking towards the green mop, "I don't like him."

"Well..." He starts off pensively, "He's cool, he never gives up. If you look closely, you can tell that he's a good person!"

Sweet Izuku, always thinking the better of others, despite their bad qualities, despite their hatred and resentment in them. Yamikuma couldn't help the smile wistfully slowly forming on his face, he openly pets the top of Izuku's hair with his hand.

"One day Izukun, you have to grow up. Not everything is sunshine and rainbows..." He mutters to himself, twirling his finger into his green curls.

He's shoved into the furthest stall and Kaachan just stares at him with his red ruby eyes, filled with determination and wariness,

"That f*cker - Yamikumo or some sh*t. Is he really your brother? He doesn't seem like it. And I never seen any pair of brother on good terms with another..." Kaachan seems unfocused, rubbing his knuckles as he thought, "He's pretty f*cking weird. I don't like him. So I'm going to beat the sh*t out of him. Meeting at the back of school. Come pick his body up later." Then he walks out before Izuku can claim that it's a bad idea. Before he can say anything.

Izuku finds Yamikumo covered in blood, from head to toe, while he smiles invitingly at him. But no one died.

Not yet.

-----

Izuku starts to feel unsafe. Maybe this wasn't a good idea after all. Maybe this quirk was more of a curse rather than a blessing. It seemed that way. He fears for his mother's safety, his safety. He's explained this a million times to Yamikumo, you can't hurt people. It's wrong but he's confused. He won't bother to understand because in his eyes - it was self defense.

He was being attacked and he acted accordingly. Yamikumo wasn't trying to even understand his mistakes. He wasn't bothering on how to correct them. He could care less about them.

Yamikumo was dangerous.

He was frighteningly smarter than everyone, he had a mind of his own. He thought on his own terms and worked based on his own emotions. He was terrifying. But he was sweet to them, right? He would never hurt them right?

So why was it that... he felt like something bad was going to happen? Izuku curled up on his bed, blinking at the back of Yamikumo's back, he was sleeping beside him.

Kaachan and the others were in the hospital. Everyone was going to blame Yamikumo, Izuku knows it. So how can he stop this? How can he show him that this wasn't the right way?

How can he stop him from being arrested?

"Simple." He speaks in a gravely voice, from the other side. He slowly shifts so that Izuku could see Yamikumo's tired purple eyes, a small smile tugging his face, "You can kill me."

What?

"What?" He echoes his thoughts, slowly rising up. "Don't joke like that...!" Izuku laughs nervously, running the back of his neck, "Heroes don't kill people!"

"Hm..." Then his brother copies him, sitting up and facing him, "I don't think you can be a hero then."

"What are you saying all of a sudden? What's wrong with you?" Izuku cries out suddenly, standing up, and marching towards him, "Why are you so mean to everyone!? Why? Why? Why? Why do you want to be hated so much? I don't get it." He shakes his head to express his discomfort, "You put Kaachan in the hospital. You placed almost everyone in the hospital. Why?"

"...did you know sometimes even the simplest mistake, a simple black streak onto a painting can ruin it?" Yamikumo wisely ignores Izuku's questions, "And no matter what, how many times you try to paint it back to its original color, it's not going to? It's corrupted. It's ruined, the everlasting impression is gone and there's nothing you can do to fix it... Izuku. Do you honestly think that bad people can change in a blink of an eye?"

Izuku could only blink at his words - what was he saying? What was he trying to explain?

"Sometimes. You have to kill the source to get to the end of this nightmare. You have to..." Yamikumo trails off, smiling. "Renew the canvas."

Yamikumo falls back to his sleeping position, ignoring Izuku's confused look and settling in.

Oh something was wrong...!

Chapter 2: fire fire fire something is not right

Chapter Text

Izuku shuffled in a ghost like manner, timidly keeping his head down as Yamikumo walked beside him, his hand pressing against his brothers as he guided him through the halls. Yamikumo was smiling, per usual, walking with a little pep in his step as they walked through the school.

Everyone was watching them cautiously, they were afraid of him. But that's okay - he doesn't care on what others think, only on what Izuku thinks. What he feels and what's he's afraid of. The more fear he pours in, it makes Yamikumo feel invincible. Fear was such a powerful emotion, but it really didn't suit his eyes. He should feel happy - but he's afraid of him, isn't he?

There's no DNA evidence anywhere during the crime scene. Everyone knows who did it - but they don't have evidence. They can't connect him because all the blood was theirs. Everyone was afraid of the six year old.

Even Kaachan was looking at him, scared.

Shame.

-------

Izuku rested his head onto his arms, groaning in pain as a headache plagued his mind. Pressure against his skull, it felt like it was about to crush his head into brain matter, it felt like he was being pressed down...

It hurts.... Izuku thought, pressing his hand over his head, but he still focuses on what's in front of him. He has to focus. He has to be good enough to be a hero - even if he felt lost.

How do you talk to a living quirk? How can you convince him that hurting people is wrong? How-

(liar liar liar liar

Tell me lies lies lies to tell the right way

Sex murder red paint - it's covering it coating it until it can't be seen

Layers and layers upon layers - can't be SCRUBBED out can't be SCRATCHED out can't be SCRAPPED can't be GONE

Ruined it's all ruined no end no beginning but you see I came from somewhere. Questions pile against one another have you never considered on who I am- no blood memories over years and years old gone gone gone)

Izuku gasped loudly, shooting off of his chair and grabbing onto his head in a painful grasp. His head... it's filled with mindless thoughts, words mixing together and out. From whispers to something else.

To a picture of a smiling boy with purple hair. A black rose in his hands.

Yamikumo's smiling down at him, as other teachers rush to him, but they don't actually care. Yamikumo is smiling, something something truly was wrong.

He's saying something, "Renew the canvas."

------

"I don't f*cking like you." Bakugou growls, shoving his hand against Yamikumo's chest. He's out the hospital already, his arm was in a cast as he glares at the purple haired boy with such anger, a look that could kill. He likes that look. Yamikumo decides

"The feeling is mutual, Kaachan." Yamikumo grins, leaning closer into his space, "I really hate you."

And Bakugou does something reckless. He launches forward, swinging his fist to his face.

Yamikumo launches back, his hands immediately going to his face in pain, he still has that grin on his face. He stares up at Bakugou, "You're very lucky Izuku admires you."

-----

You always wanted a quirk. Now you have one - and suddenly you're afraid of it? It doesn't make sense, didn't you always want me? Selfish desires make selfish beings - you get what you payed for.

But it's free - since I like you.

I'll protect you. I'll take the pain away. So no one could target you. Yet - that look of fear won't go away. Even if I kick and hurt others who dare to harm you - you still look at me, as if you're really afraid of me...?

------

"Izukun! Look at this!" Yamikumo grins, swinging his arm around the green haired boy, who was busy writing into his notebook. "Looks like the Todoroki's family's having trouble! The wife in the hospital? What a tragedy!"

He's not answering again. He's still mad - isn't he?

Oh well.

------

(Violent red, vivid purple, inky black obscured Izuku's vision. There's too many layers, too many streaks too many lies.

Too many meanings, you lost yourself into painting you lost your meaning

Pointless you do this over and over and over

You keep hoping for something new every time you renew it every time you change the painting

Insane you are insane!! a distant voice cries out. He could care less. This is his meaning. He didn't need anything.

The first version - was meant to be ruined anyway.)

There's a steady shaking in Izuku's arm, and he wakes up with a groggy mind, holding his head as he sits up.

Izuku's eyes widen in horror when he realizes that there's red and orange dancing along his room. The house was on fire!?

Before Izuku could even scream, Yamikumo quickly takes a hold of his arm and yanks him off the bed, heading for the kitchen. "H-huh!? W-wait Yami!"

"No time for waiting. You have to act, now!" He urgently yells, throwing him unceremoniously into the kitchen, then dashing away, presumably to get his mother. Izuku unsteadily rises up, using the counter to keep himself upright. There's fire everywhere, he notices, Were they in the middle of a villain attack!?

But this area was usually a relatively quiet neighborhood - there's no way. So how...?

"Here!" A warm body crashes onto Izuku, sending him and his mother onto the floor. Yamikumo's wide purple eyes are filled with panic, it's the first time Izuku could see the fear in his eyes.

"Listen Izukun." He marches forward, tugging Izuku back by the shoulder and reaching for a drawer. He pulls it open and - Taking out a knife!?

"Yami! W-what are you doing?" Izuku asks, frowning as Yamikumo breathes in deeply. Suddenly, his other hand shoots forward, placing a vice grip onto the green haired boy. He thrusts the handle of the knife onto his hand, and forces him to look at the purple haired boy.

"Izukun. You need to kill me." He's strangely calm, "You let the paining get ruined. You let the canvas get corrupted. Now you have to kill my physical body to stop this."

"What!? No! No way! I-I can't do that! Don't be stupid! We can just walk out!" Izuku throws the knife away, much to Yamikumo's irritation, "Heroes don't kill people!"

"Bullsh*t." He barks back, thrusting his finger into Izuku's chest, "You don't know if they do or not! Being a hero means doing something because you have to! Killing someone because you have to! I have to be killed by your f*cking hand so kill me!"

The two of them breath heavily, each of their expressions were filled with determination, both for different reasons. Fire cackled and laughed all around them, above beside them, behind them. The knife glinted menacingly in the orange fire.

Yamikumo's eyes looked dismayed, wide and blown with fear, "Kill me before something horrible happens." Yamikumo whispers in the fire.

"No... I won't!" Izuku shouts, frowning as he pushes past him roughly. He reaches to his mother, crouching beside her as he debates on how to carry her, "I don't know what's wrong but we can get through it together, so don't worry! Maybe-"

"...I really didn't want to have to do this. I did like her."

Izuku cried out in pain as a foot slams squarely into his chest, sending him a few feet back from his mother. Frowning at the pain, he shoots up to yell at Yamikumo to question what the actual hell was he doing!?

But he freezes when he sees his brother grip onto the knife he was holding moments ago. Ice covers his nerves and suddenly - he can't move.

When he sees it slowly fall down, cutting though his mother's squishy flesh, and Yamikumo's smiles in glee as Izuku just feels despair.

Oh god, his mom was hurt. His brother just stabbed her, he just killed her - in cold blood. They're going to die, they're going to f*cking die in a fire. His mom needed medical attention...! He has to hurry! But...

Anger filled him, what - what the hell was going on!? Why did he stab her? Why did he do that? Weren't they family? Didn't they live happily? What went wrong!? Why was he smiling!? Did he know that he just took someone's life!? What kind of hero did that?

A gentle finger taps his nose - and everything in his vision goes red.

There's two corpses now, in front of him when he comes too. His mother's still cold body with several, and Yamikumo's smiling one, littered with gouged out organs and his hands...

They were covered in sticky ink, making them hard to move. He instantly dropped the knife, it clattered loudly against the tiles. The ink slowly rotted the knife, dissolved the knife into more sloppy ink.

Izuku could barely bring himself to scramble out the door, holding his head in horror - in shame as he crashed outside to the lamppost. He casts a confused and mortified look to his burning house, where two people that he dearly loved - dead by his hands.

They were dead, Izuku realized, he killed them.

By refusing to kill Yamikumo - he had killed his mother. His sweet mother, with love that could flood everyone. Izuku failed to be her hero. He failed to be useful.

By letting emotions overwhelm him - Yamikumo succeeded in his goal, making him blind to anger, so much that he mutilated his brother's body in fury. In fear and all those emotions, amplified as he took in the situation. Yamikumo won.

Izuku threw up.

Chapter 3: Fallen angel and a loyal dog

Chapter Text

It seemed like a dream. One that he could reach out and wave away - only that this was reality. His mother was dead, confirmed, and Yamikumo's hand was draped over his shoulder as they sat in the police station.

Izuku Midoriya held his head under his arms, he's just trying to focus on how to breathe rather than snapping at him. His mother was dead - it's his fault, he doesn't care though.

Yamikumo was never at fault, was he!?

"It's not that I wanted to have this drawback kid." He's trying to act like he's bigger than you, he's trying to make you scared, "You can't control your emotions, it was your hands who dug out my insides and stabbed your mom again."

It wasn't Izuku's fault, stop trying to shift the tables! It wasn't him! Yamikumo smiles at his face, reaching over to tap his chin,

"If it's your quirk - would that mean that you're the murderer? Hehe, I don't knowwww!"

This wasn't a quirk, he's not just a quirk, he's not someone Izuku should underestimate. He's dangerous and Izuku can't forget that.

"Ignoring me per usual... Don't blame me if I wanted your attention, good or bad. The truth is that if you left me alive..." he trails off, his purple eyes peering intensely at his green ones, "Your mind and I wouldn't be the same. You might have actually become a villain."

"I don't think you'd like that. I had to do it."

I don't understand your motivations, who the hell are you Yamikumo? Why? Why? It doesn't make sense.

What's your end game?

"What do you want from me?" Izuku asked, shivering as he barely let out a squeak, "It's obvious that you're something more then a quirk - who are you?"

And Yamikumo's strangely quiet, looking off in the distance as if remembering something, far away.

"Who am I? A scientist, a high schooler, though I look like you, small wee six year old. Hm..." A hand rests on Izuku's head, somehow grounding him to reality, but it's a hand that killed - no that murdered his mom.

But this was the closest thing to contact he'll get now. He can't be selfish, he can't he can't. "To be honest, I think I was human once... before I discovered that machine."

Izuku whimpers as his mind plunges into darkness, the weight of guilt overwhelms him, covering his mouth to the point where he could no longer breathe. He curled up closer to his 'brother' his twin, and just holds him closer.

The white canvas is brand new.

----

"...Midoryia household has burned down - no evidence - Lack of DNA -- Izuku and Akatani Midoriya have been taken into protective custody ---suspects foul play."

Yamikumo got away with murder.

Izuku looks at his hands, seeing them stained with ink. Yamikumo takes them softly, placing a small gentle kiss before placing them back to his sides. Izuku can't bring himself to think horrible thoughts anymore. He's no better.

He got away with murder too.

----

"My name is - uh Danshi!" A hand extends to Izuku, the other for purple haired boy, who was standing beside him. "Welcome to Ms. Ann's home!"

They're no longer close to home. They're far away from school - away from Kaachan, away from a safe haven, even if he got bruises and burns. He doesn't care - he just wants to have something familiar before Yamikumo appeared - before everything revolved around fear on what this person could do.

It's all about him, Yamikumo Yamikumo Yamikumo, it races through his thoughts and filling his mind. Fear of what he could do if let loose. Anger of what he could do to someone else.

Yamikumo smiles, but it's not genuine, Izuku could feel the dark undertones as he slaps the boy's hands away, and takes his, swerving around the blond boy. "Thanks honey bunny, but it won't last long."

Izuku doesn't like mean Yamikumo.

-----

Izuku doesn't really talk as much anymore. He can't bring himself to anyways, it's not like his dreams died with his words. He'll just be a person of action rather than words. He'll let Yamikumo talk for him, Kaachan would be proud - he really became Deku now.

Izuku, Deku, Midoriya - those are all him. Those are his names and those are his dreams. He's not going to let Yamikumo take those away too.

"Midoriya! Midoriya!" Izuku snaps back to reality, slowly sitting up to see Danshi hopping to him, "Your brother is looking for you! He's not happy!"

Izuku stares mutely at him, frowning before scoffing stubbornly and turning around, ignoring him. He's not going to go back to a wolf. He's not going to do that. No. No. No.

Yamikumo sings him happy birthday, Izuku's turning twelve today. There's a cake, a soft brown teddy bear, and an All Might poster.

"Happy birthday Izukun."

-----

"Seriously! You're no better than your brother! What - you think you're better than us!?"

Ow ow ow stop pulling his hair - that hurts. Ow ow ow ow, don't kick the internal organs...!

Izuku has grown used to this fetal position, he's used to these kicks, to those cruel words. He's used to this. It's not like it matters anyways. What matters is what he's going to be.

"Uselessss!"

Izuku's ears snap to attention, the green haired boy sits up suddenly, facing towards the blond boy. The people messing with him stop in confusion. He rounds onto the person who just said that familiar line. For a second, Izuku swears he sees Kaachan, just confused and wary, like that time in the bathroom, "What did you just call me?" His voice is scratchy, he hasn't used it in a long while...

The bullies, shocked that he had spoken, almost look scared. Had they pushed him too far? "Er..." Danshi blinks, hesitant, "Useless?"

"Can you call me Deku? Can you say it in a really angry tone? Can you?" Izuku asks, taking a step forward and gripping onto the blond boy's hand in a vice grip. "Can you?"

"D...eku?" He says unsurely, frowning in confusion. "Uh...Deku!" He shouts loudly, and Izuku jumps in fear, but there's a big smile on his face.

It's so real - it's the closest thing he'll get, isn't it?

------

"Oi Deku!" Yamikumo's eyes narrow as he bites into his purple mush. He's sitting at dinner, his hand feeding him as he reads this leather bible the old hag gave him. What the f*ck? The only two people who know that name is Kaachan and himself - who the f*ck...

"Deku go kick your brother in the shins!"

The said green mop bounced to him, stopping in front of him with that big bright smile Yamikumo had and will always love, one that he thought he would never see again - and promptly slammed his foot into his shin, the tip of his black cleats dug into his flesh. The purple haired boy cursed, falling to the ground to grab onto his leg, cradling it as he stared at the back of the retreating Izuku.

Izuku ran back to Danshi with a happy grin, "Done! I always wanted to do that!" Danshi rubs his eyes, gawking at Izuku with wide blown eyes, "What? Is there something wrong?" Izuku tilts his head 15 degrees, placing his hand behind his back as he leans closer.

The blond boy strangely blushes, shaking his head, "N-no! It's just... I wasn't expecting you to be so nice all of a sudden... especially after what I did to you."

"Ah! Don't you worry about that! I'll let it pass! Lets be friends!" Izuku pumps his fists into the air, smiling breezily. His smile didn't quite reach his eyes however, but it's not like he noticed.

In his eyes, he sees a boy with ruby red eyes and a victorious smile. He doesn't know a Danshi, only Kaachan.

That'll help him through the years here... right?

-------

"Yami."

"Hah?"

"You lied to me." Izuku said, plopping beside the boy on his bed, his arms crossed, "My quirk - you were lying, weren't you?"

Yamikumo smiles, flicking the tip of Izuku's nose, "Perhaps. You look cute like that. What did I lie about?" He asks, adjusting his body so he faces Izuku correctly, his arms flop lazily in front of him.

"How you can copy abilities. I haven't seen anything with All Might and you still have All Might's punch. I saw you do it to a teacher. I know it." Again with that cute furrow of his eyes... "So - what's the deal with it? How can you really copy it? When's the limit?"

"Oh no! You caught me red handed!" Mockingly, Yamikumo raises his hands in surrender, his hand clenches his heart, "An eye for an eye - what the hell is up with you and that - that young man?"

"What?"

"Danshi? Means young man? Seriously?" Yamikumo pouts, puffing his cheeks, "Jeez - those teachers are such liars. They try to teach you sh*t. Luckily you have me~!"

Izuku punches him in the shoulder, and the twin smiles fondly, rubbing his arm slowly, "Danshi reminds me of Kaachan. So. I'm using him to get through this hell you placed us."

Beside him, he could hear Yamikumo sigh in irritation,

"Hmmph... you still think of Kaachan?" Yamikumo frowns, "That's not right. We're like far away - how come you still think of him?"

He's my anchor.

"Cause I admire him." Izuku says simply, looking down to his twirling thumbs, "He's so cool!"

"That pisses me off."

"Huh?" Izuku turns to face Yamikumo's face, and freezes when he notices that his brother's face was stony, unreadable, "W-what's with that face, Yami?"

"Him? You admire that piece of sh*t? The one what stepped all over you - simply because you didn't have a quirk?" Yamikumo asks, glancing at Izuku, "That's not really fair you know. You admire someone you should fear - but you fear someone who protected you from that?"

"You really are cruel, Izukun."

"How so?" Izuku barks, filled with heated rage, standing up suddenly, walking away from his brother, "You took everything away! You took mom away! You took my life - my hope and my voice! How can you call that protecting!?" He asks, twirling back to point an accusing finger to him.

Yamikumo stands up as well, "Protecting, saving, or killing, none of that sh*t matters! Sometimes you have to take away toxic things! Everyone is bad, Izukun, everyone is violent - it's all hidden behind smiles and ulterior motives, do you honestly think they give a sh*t? If you want to f*cking make it, then you have to give up on that idea, it's how the world works." He becomes somewhat calm after all that, folding his own arms as he stares at Izuku's aggressive stance.

"Well it doesn't have to be like that!" Izuku's fist balls up, and he really really wants to punch something, "I don't know who hurt you to think that way - but there's so much more than that! You don't need to live in fear that everyone's out to get you!"

"Pffft." Izuku's eyebrow twitches as Yamikumo lets out a snort, "Sweet sweet Izukun... honey, that's how you get killed. Thinking all suns and rainbows - this is f*cking reality! Smell the f*cking coffee and realize what a sh*thole this whole hero place is! In my world - there was no one to save anyone! Just you and your own wits! You and your ideals. You and your dreams! There is no f*cking hope there!" Yamikumo hisses vehemently as if speaking from experience, "No hope. The symbol of hope is just a fake lie, trying to get you to believe in something that would never be true."

"...it doesn't have to be like that."

"Good night Izukun." Yamikumo falls back onto the bed with a huff, throwing the comforter on his whole body, "Turn off the light on your way out. I don't want to talk about this anymore. You don't know what you're talking about. You don't know what it's like to live like me - at the bottom. You had everything."

Izuku looked saddened by that response, but he flicks off the light - leaving Yamikumo alone to think.

-----

I'd like to think that you can use me.

Puppeteer me to do anything you like - you want to kill someone? You want to love someone? I can do all that. You can abuse me you can love me you can care for me.

I'm your guide, and you, my other me, are a fallen angel.

So lets dance in this eternal youth.

Chapter 4: Hope at the end :)

Chapter Text

"Where the hell did you go?"

"...Away from you - I'm not going through that 'burn the place down' every time you want me to kill you." Izuku growls hatefully, clenching the phone with his fingers, it threatened to smash the phone,

"I'm not going to do that again. You lied to me - for so long! I'm not going back. Stop calling me." With a final huff, Izuku hangs up, smiling a bit at the satisfying yelp from the phone.

Izuku looks up towards the tunnel and starts walking - back home.

He's fourteen now, with his big boy red shoes, and his black backpack on his shoulders, his green hair was neatly combed, for once, and he walked though a familiar place. A familiar street with a familiar tunnel and that same old house.

He's back home, with that small trace of childhood innocence - away from that bad guy. Away from the person who took that life away from him. There's a wide smile on his face, he's so happy, so entirely happy that he has a chance to maybe rekindle that fire with Kaachan. Was there even a fire? Did he still hate him? Izuku had no idea, but he was so excited to find out!

Maybe he'll punch him with those burning hands - and he'll be happy again.

A ring snaps him out of his happy thoughts, and he blinks as he pulls his phone back to his face, spotting the caller ID as "Yami <3". He scoffs, rejecting it before he mutes it and pockets it. He wasn't going to do this again, he's not going to pick up - hope for the best and dream. He's going to dream and accomplish that goal~! Izuku raises his right hand up, dancing almost drunkenly down the hall, "I'll do it without Yami!" He exclaims into the tunnel, it echos thoughout the world, making it all the more real.

"Oh?"

--------

Something is wrong something is wrong (Its painted red, tainted - red black brown sickly green. It's not right, the painting - its ruined its horrible its so f*cking ugly)

Yamikumo frowns, his feet slam helplessly against the concrete, his non-existant heart feels like its actually f*cking there. Something is wrong with Izuku's body - wrong with his nose and his pores. He's suffocating, Yamikumo realizes with a painful realization, something is killing him - because he blindly ran away whilst the middle of burning the stupid place down. He should have known that Izuku would have enough of his mental exprement. It wasn't part of the plan to have him run away.

He was hoping Danshi's scream would give him a pause and fill him with that rage. Unfortunately it seemed as if Izuku could care less for him.

if he loses everything, he'll be just like him. Alone and crying, but this time Yamikumo will be his hand, the one that he didn't have growing up.

This world, filled with such hope and happiness makes him want to puke - it's so disgustingly sweet he wants to gouge out own his brains and and slam his foot into the brain mush. Where it'll have blood and guts that would squish messily under his own foot. It's so revolting - he can't even place it into words. He definitely can't place it into words - all he knows is that he wants to extinguish that f*cking reality from his sights.

God, he's starting to sound like that blond kid again, he thinks bitterly, biting his lower lip. He's thinking so cruelly about this place, but there's no way that this world is just as good as they say.

He can't believe it, he can't bring himself to - so it's best to grab the sledgehammer and shatter it before it's too late.

Izuku will eventually realize that Yamikumo was just trying to do what's best for him. He'll lead him to the right way, a way a natural born hero was supposed to go.

And he'll be there.

"Detroit...PUNCH!"

Yamikumo's ears twitches at the sound of that familiar catchphrase, his eyes glance into the tunnel, where he spots that iconic American hero, smiling broadly over a pile of muck. Curiosity plays in his mind and Yamikumo abruptly stops when he realizes that Izuku isn't dying anymore - he doesn't feel anymore pain. There nothing and using his ability to think - he can only assume that Izuku just got saved by the number one hero.

Smiling to himself, he skipped over to the tunnel, towards the two. He stutters to a stop when he sees All Might slapping his brother's unconscious face. Worry races against his mind and he takes a step forward to confront the two before -

Izuku gasps suddenly, springing up as he pointed to the hero, "Y-you're All Might!" He rises up like a zombie, pointing frantically at him, "Oh can you - YOU ALREADY SIGNED IT!"

Yamikumo could feel the excitement roll off of him in waves, and he smiles in the shadows, he'll let Izuku have this moment of happiness, that's fine.

There's nothing burning in his chest.

"Alright young man! I must go!" That's his cue, Yamikumo takes a step forward, his step echoing loudly through the tunnel, to the end and he sees Izuku stare straight at him with his bright green eyes, glowing at him.

Oh f*ck.

Izuku immediately latches onto the flying hero like a leech and proceeds to stick his tongue out at his brother.

Ah f*ck here we go again.

At least... Yamikumo thinks as he watches the two of them fly, "I know which city he's at."

----

"Haaaah haaaah haaaah..." Izuku huffed, holding his stomach as he struggles helplessly to catch his breath. He was never as fit as Yamikumo or Kaachan - but he was more then ready to try! "All...Might..."

"Someone from this building will find you! Just knock on the door and explain to them what happened, alright young man?" The hero explains, strangely loud - he's always shouting isn't he? "Alright I'm off!"

"A-ah! Wait!" Izuku cries out, "I need to ask you something! Can a person still be a hero without a quirk!?" He asks, his eyes blown wide open as he stumbles forward.

Yamikumo isn't his quirk he isn't he isn't he isn't

"Look kid, I don't-"

A puff of white smoke abruptly explodes from the hero mid sentence, and Izuku stares bug eyed at the skeleton man it leaves behind. He had a permanent frown, his eyes were scrunched down angrily and he was spitting out blood!?

"W-what!? Are you alright sir!? O-oh dear!" He feels worry flood into his system and he scrambles forward, reaching out to the man with a worry gaze, "Sir?"

All Might? Raises his hand, "No, I'm fine. It's like one of those beach people with that inflated chests."

What?

"And kid... you have to be realistic..."

Oh....

-------

"I told you."

"Shut up." Izuku mutters, holding his head as he stares at the river, his feet dangle dangerously over the edge. Yamikumo looks sympathetically at him, sitting away from him, "You can't be a hero - so why bother trying to be?" The purple haired male asks, reaching out.

"Why are you so bent on trying to convince me that I can't? I know I can. I know it. But..." Izuku sighs heavily, digging his fingers into his green curls, almost drawing blood, "Even my hero says I can't..."

"Of course you can't. Without me - you'll be officially quirkless. With me - you can rule the world. Being a hero is just a pointless dream." Izuku could see Yamikumo's sharklike grin, "You can be so much more..."

"Stop being villainous. Don't you dare touch me too - I don't want to hear my sadness ten times."

"You sound so boring now." Yamikumo sighs, puffing out his cheeks, "Ah well. So? What happened durning your run?"

"I got attacked. And All Might sav-"

A shrill scream catches him off sentence, and the green boy springs up and launches stupidly to the sound of said scream. It's amazing how he was almost sensing that scream before he runs towards it with a wish for death.

Yamikumo couldn't feel more dread if he tried.

"IZUKU!?"

Izuku can't hear he can't see he can't act. All he knows is that someone's in danger, someone's in trouble and he has to save them.

Even if someone says that he can't be a hero, he can be a hero. He's not going to fall for those sad words that threaten to crush his dreams - these dreams that kept him together. He'd be damned if he lets another person prove him wrong!

The wind rustles his hair and he rushes past the hero barricade towards the middle of the town. There's fire on the concrete - but he doesn't let that deter him from his quest - to that villain with the slime who had someone in his grasp. He was suffocating, he had blond hair and re...

Kaachan!?

"Kaachan!" Izuku cried out, swinging his books into the sludge villain, his books spray wildly onto him, into the meaningless muck and into his eyes. The slime screeches and gurgles, intelligible words spilling out of his mouth and shying away from Kaachan's mouth and nose. Allowing him to breathe.

"Deku!? What the f*ck are you doing here!?" His angry voice was music to Izuku's ears, and he claws uselessly into the slime, digging helplessly as more and more drown him. "Y-you looked like you needed help!"

(Painting is smudged painting is wrong it's ugly and frankly disgusting)

"You quirkless sh*t! You can't do anything!" Kaachan screamed at him, "Get the f*ck away before you-" Slime covers his mouth again and Izuku shouts in dismay, "No no no no no!"

"Tch..." Yamikumo appears suddenly behind him, shoving Izuku behind him and powering up his fist. "How f*cking annoying."

He uppercuts the slime villain, causing his body to evaporate into the sky, creating a crater into the clouds. Efficiently freeing Kaachan and keeping Izuku safe, he did feel his arm explode - but luckily the ink in his body warped and reformed. Yamikumo scowls, punching downwards and watches as it reforms before several pro heroes launch towards the trio.

"You...." Ah... dear old loud and brutal Kaachan. He launches towards Yamikumo with a blazing fist and he swiftly dodges it, sticking out his tongue and pressing close to a shocked Izuku. "You didn't need to save me! I had that!"

"Hmmm?" Yamikumo picks, tilting his head as he wiggles away from Kaachan'sfiery fist. He keeps his attention until one stops the angry blond teen and offer medical aid.

Izuku feels a fist hit the top of his head and he shamefully looks down as several pro heroes scold him for running in with no plan. But he's giddy, he's so happy.

Kaachan is safe... Yamikumo saved him.

So therefore. He was right. This just proves it... he's nothing without Yamikumo. But he's happy that his friend was still safe.

By the time he slips past all the reporters and the medical first aid without any complications, he already successfully lost Yamikumo and Kaachan.

Or so he thought.

"You didn't need to save me." He growls, still keeping a safe distance away from him, Izuku smiles, but it doesn't distract Kaachan on what he's about to say, "You...and your brother of yours... I had it all under control!"

He's pouting he's mad he's angry and Izuku finds it all the more delighting. Finally, he's getting Kaachan back, he's getting his friend back! He's back and he's still the same!

"Just argh! You disappear for eight f*cking years! Just where did you two go!?"

He doesn't know?

"My house burned down. Kaachan - didn't you hear about it?" Izuku asked, frowning at the news. "Me and Yami were taken to an orphanage. Didn't you hear?" He repeats and he watches as Kaachan's face drops a bit, "No?"

"Of course I knew about that!" Judging from that tone - no he didn't, "That would explain the old hag's crying! Ah whatever! I'm done!"

He turns around and stops away, in a very angry manner. Izuku smiles, grinning at the childish actions that never seemed to go away. He turns to go his own way as well. He has to go get an hotel room before it gets dark after all.

"Fear not, for now I am here!" A great cloud of white smoke pushes to him, obscuring his vision and blinding him to the point where he could see All Might's shriveled form posing somehow.

"Huh?" Izuku blinks mutely, staring at his childhood hero with indifference, "Are you here to yell at me too?" Why was he so calm? Why? Izuku should feel a bit ashamed, sad or frightened. He should feel angry somehow... but he's not.

"Quite the contrary, young Midoriya!" He's staring at him with those sunken eyes, "I came to tell you that I admire your ambitions! Even though you had no quirk of your own... you still came to rescue your friend. Even I... was too afraid to do anything from a distance."

Izuku closes his eyes, peering though them with uncertainty, "Yami ended up saving me though... I can't be a hero without him... I can't."

That's true isn't it? Yamikumo ended up saving him - using his hero's signature punch... adding more that Yamikumo had more power. He was dangerous.

"You are a hero young man..." All Might's big hand pats Izuku's head, the weight of it makes him feel calm somehow, "You can be a hero, would you like to be one?"

Ah?

Ah!? Oh

Tears swim against Izuku's eyes and he can't belive his ears. Those words, ones that he's been waiting for years and years to be heard. To be told those happy words.

It comes from his hero, at his weakest moment. At his sea in his mind, hopelessness and despair swims in there. And at the end, there's a boat.

And a light.

His heart. It hurts...

But he's so incredibly happy. He can't describe it into words.

Chapter 5: Love you

Chapter Text

Izuku Midoriya is fourteen when he starts his life anew. With the same stains and the same stories.

Yamikumo was sprawled out lazily on the bed of the hotel he rented out after that fated moment. He was spread eagle on the bed, staring straight at the TV when Izuku walks out of the shower half naked. His head was towards the end of the bed, his purple hair sprayed messily over his face, blocking his vision.

Unfortunately, he was used to Yamikumo making everything of Izuku's as his, so he was completely neutral on the thought of his brother just sleeping with him. He realized that he had nothing to actually fear for him, but rather on the people he gets close to about Yamikumo so technically this was fine. Yamikumo would never intentionally hurt him, he was just emotionally detached.

Also Izuku was about ninety five percent sure that the human quirk would go out his way to harm Kaachan if given the chance - he was never fond of Izuku's childhood friend. Izuku trailed his fingers against the white hotel towel, squeezing it lightly,

"So. What are you planning to do here? I'm not going to be dragged off to another orphanage, am I?"Yamikumo snorts from the bed, "Yeah f*cking right. I dunno really. I think I'll stick around to humor you, honey bunny. How about you? What do you hope to achieve here?"

"Going to U.A. I'll get in there." Izuku replies breezily, walking to his backpack, and pulling out a pair of clothing. "Without you." He adds eventually.

"Hmmm? Without me?" Yamikumo giggled, sitting up from his position, pressing his hand to his mouth, "What's with that hateful tone? Still mad that I tried to persuade you again?"

"Yamikumo is filled with that said hate." Green eyes level with his purple ones, "You suck."

"And you swallow~" Yamikumo replies easily, springing up with a renewed energy and sticking his tongue at his brother, "U.A's that high school that everyone goes to be a hero, eh? Seems fun. Let's sign up together!"

"No." Izuku answers in a hard tone, shaking his head, "You don't even want to be a hero."

He shakes his head, "Nope!" he agrees, his lips make a loud popping sound at the end, "But I'd like to see how far you'd go before you realize you won't be one too."

"Wrong." Izuku deflects that negative comment, "I'll get through it. Stop putting me down." He sounds so dead, he realizes as he slips on his white t-shirt. It doesn't terrify him as much as he thinks. "Plus you can't. What are you even going to put in for name when you send in the form?"

"Simple. Akatani Midoriya." Izuku scowls at the mention of his last name, "What?" Yamikumo peers at him, a small grin graced his lips and Izuku wants nothing more than to punch it clean off.

"No, use your own real name." Izuku protests, shaking his head.

"...I don't like it. You being in an environment of happiness and friends. You hate that." Izuku frowned, pulling up his pants, "You'll hurt everyone."

Yamikumo stares dumbfounded at him, "Excuse me? That's what your so worried about? Others? This is going to get you killed one day, Izukun. I swear." He rolls his eyes in an arrogant manner, "I promise not to hurt someone unless it's necessary. Kay?" He places the water back onto the nightstand, placing his hands in his lap as he looks straight into Izuku's eyes.

His reply was instant, "I don't believe you."

Yamikumo pouts, holding out his pinky, "I prrroooomisssee. Alright? I won't touch a hair on their heads." Yamikumo trails off, looking thoughtfully away,

"Unless they touch you."

"Yami." More urgency.

"Fineeee!" He huffs like a child, swinging his fist down onto the mattress, "Unless they attack you. Wait does Kaachan count? Can I-"

"Do not apply to U.A."

"It's not like you can stop me." Yamikumo's purple eye lazily drifts off to Izuku, who was standing beside him, holding his arms close to his chest to show that he was unyielding to him, "I am you. And you are me. Double trouble eh?"

"I..." Izuku looks down in anger, it's true. He can't stop him. There's no doubt that Yamikumo could get in easily, he was almost the perfect weapon! He can't convince him, he can't, can he? "Please...?" He whispers under his breath, not loud enough for Yamikumo to hear, of course.

Why is he the one that has to beg? Why was he the weak one? Why did he have to submit to this manipulative person?

Because he was family? Because he's your friend? Cause he protected you from 'harm'? This isn't right this isn't healthy.

"What would you even put as your quirk?" Izuku quickly erases the helpless plea that most likely fell on deaf ears, "There's no record for a Blank Canvas. No one has even heard of it..." I haven't heard of it...

"Copycat." Yamikumo replies simply, smiling as he plops back onto the bed, "Simple yes? That way I can 'copy' others quirks when I touch them." He places quotations marks in the air, grinning like a fool in love, "C'mere." He reaches out similar to a koala, twitching his fingers as he gestured to Izuku.

Izuku obliges without a word of complaint. He climbs into the bed and Yamikumo snatches him to lay beside him. His brother cuddles him against the bed. His arms form a cage like structure, trapping him efficiently into his chest. He's not safe. But there's something that's been lingering in his mind. Izuku says it before he has a chance to bite back on his words

"You lied to me. You told me I had to kill you - that was the drawback. But you lied to me, didn't you?"Yamikumo didn't have to kill his mother, did he?

Yamikumo smiled at that, "Perhaps?" He purrs, hugging Izuku closer to him, placing his chin on top of his head, "I lie about a lot of things, Izukun." And he says it so endearing, so calming, Izuku should be enraged.

So...why wasn't Izuku infuriated with that? Why did he feel so... empty? Why did it seem like he didn't care anymore?

Instead of screaming, hitting him, or shoving the somewhat comforting hug away, he just curls up closer, and sighs as if he's tired of this. Izuku doesn't feel any sadness... and it's strange.

It's intoxicating, he can't get enough of this numbness. He can't forget this, the guilt of his mother's death seems to just have melt away, and in the back of his head, he knows that this was probably Yamikumo's doing.

He can't bring himself to care and that scares the green haired boy to his core.

In a way, he's a butterfly, wings as pretty as can be, stuck in a spider's sticky web. Where every time he struggles there's new threads tangling into his limbs, making it all the harder to wiggle away. The spider's spiny legs stab and spread venom to his body, making him almost perfectly still and to it's picking. He's perfectly ripe for picking.

His embrace, his warm and inviting hugs were dangerous... his mother's hugs remind him so much of this moment right now. She wishes that he would hear her voice, soft and sweet like honey, coaxing and telling him that it was alright. That everything was fine.

Izuku feels so alone. So utterly alone and stuck. Trapped into a dance he wanted to be in. He wanted a quirk. This was his quirk. Only Yamikumo was more dangerous than what others expected... He tucks his head closer to Yamikumo's chest, successfully hiding his face in Yamikumo's striped shirt, his arms shakily wrap around his mother's murderer, squeezing for dear life.

-----

Yamikumo wakes up to nothing in his arms, the rabbit had long ran away with a small white note, "I'll be back by tonight." With nothing extra. No hearts no anything. But he can't expect anything from the green haired boy. He did drive him to a break in his mental state.

Dazed from the sleep, Yamikumo rises up, holding his head, and staring at the hotel room as he puts together his mind and realizes what's going on. When he does, he sighs heavily, shuffling out his bed and grabbing his phone and jacket. He shoves his phone angrily into his pocket and tosses the white note into the trash as he gets ready.

Lovely. Another hunt.

Yamikumo isn't bothered. He's not mad. He's just... slightly annoyed at the green haired boy. Did he know that he was defenseless here? He had no protection and villains roamed this place almost constantly! He was going to get himself hurt - or worse! Izuku had no regard for his own life, all he cared about was other's safety. He was always such a caring boy, wasn't he? At least, until Yamikumo tainted him.

Was he at fault? Did training him emotionally and mentally go horribly wrong? Yamikumo was honestly just trying to prepare him for the real world. Izuku needed to see that.

Was that the reason why he headed straight for the villain attack? Straight into the clutches of death with no thought for himself? Or was he too selfless? Caring for others so much - but not himself?

Does that mean he should take bigger measures in hammering that fact though his head? Should he go bigger?

"Arrrgh!" Yamikumo grunted, throwing he door open and stomping out with vigor. Angry at himself for even thinking that this mental training could get him ready. Thinking he was too soft - oh he was drowning in constant worry.

What could Izuku be doing right now? If there's anything that gave it away, there was just the dull ache in his bones, weighing him down as he walked around the town. He was... doing something that involved pain in the arms and legs? And occasionally the chest? Was he...

Training? Awww - was his precious brother working hard for his position for the U.A? That was so precious, he was working earnestly and honestly for the chance of going into a hero school! Yamikumo couldn't be more prouder, maybe he did teach him something after all... Not the most efficient way, but ay, he'd take what he could. Maybe Yamikumo should take his plea to heart too - maybe he'll try being a bit nice to people when he gets to U.A. Yamikumo didn't have to be mean to everyone after all, he just felt like it. Being nice always meant that others take advantage over you...

Yamikumo presses a finger to his chin, looking up at the sky with a flicker of happiness. There was this squeeze on his heart - and Yamikumo can't describe it. How does he describe this feeling? Glee? At what? He didn't understand... he wasn't used to emotions trailing through him like a tidal wave. He was usually used to everything being suppressed into a ball, where he no longer felt guilt over his own actions. Was hehappy that Izuku was trying to go to U.A with his own dreams? His own determination?

Yes - Yamikumo smiles, he was like a proud parent almost, it seemed like. He was undeniably happy that no matter what words Yamikumo whispered to him, Izuku did the absolute opposite, he strived for those dreams despite Yamikumo's protests. He did things on his own will, and that was more than what Yamikumo wanted from him.

Independent - determination and a go-getter. Yes, this is what Izuku had to be in this cruel world. This is what Yamikumo was trying to instill into him - his pure and weak self. Being a pushover to Kaachan's words, protective of strangers, and being generally nice - Izuku had to realize it one day. And he'd be damned if he let some stranger tell him that it was perfectly normal to be like that in a world of quirks. He'd be damned if he let someone else takes advantage of him.

If I kills that heroic dream early, the younger Yamikumo thought as he watched Izuku trail after Kaachan with a innocent smile, Then he won't be as sad when he finds out.

Now? Yamikumo was fine with him pursuing his dream - he wasn't Izuku's parent, just a worried brother. Even if Yamikumo told Izuku that, "No, you can be a hero." It just proves that he's not going to take anyone's bullsh*t anymore. Yamikumo didn't have to worry about people taking advantage of his weaker half. It makes him a hero who strongly stands up for his ideals, his dreams. Yamikumo probably took it the wrong way - murdering people to get his point across, but they were all going to die anyways, so what's the point? What's the big idea?

He wishes he had someone like that in his world, to guide him when he was at his lowest.

Yamikumo adjusted his jacket, pulling his sleeves to hiselbows and exposing his arms as he walks down the almost empty alleyway. His steps echo lightly against the walls, his dark purple attire almost blends with the shadows. He had that stupid ass smile on his face, that always seemed permanently sketched onto his face, and heskipped merrily as if he owned the place.

"Hey!"

Yamikumo stiffened at the sound behind him, and warily, he peers over his shoulder to see a hooded figure, crimson eyesstare awestrucked at him beyond that hand that covered his face. He had messy blue hair that covered his forehead, but that hand hid most, "You... You're that kid that punched that slime villain, yeah? That vaporized him with one punch? I... I saw you on TV, you were really cool!"

(Inky red, purple swirls, and a touch of decayinggrey fills the canvas, The brush strokes are deliberateand they add layer upon layer to the canvas - but it's still white.)

"I needed a player two for a while now... what do you say?"

Chapter 6: Happiness! Ice cream and love! (Well, not really)

Chapter Text

"All right young man!"

Izuku grinned wildly as he charged against the tire pile, his body slams into the black wheels, barely able to push it over. He stumbled back from the momentum and falls over on his butt. He hops back up with a hint of determination, "Again!?" He shouts out cheerfully, glancing at his mentor.

His mentor was in a red tracksuit, one that bagged all around him and efficiently making him look sicker than what he usually looked. But he stood proudly in front of the morning sun, giving Izuku more energy than ever. Izuku was dressed in a light mint tracksuit that framed his size nicely, his green hair was neatly combed behind him as he got ready for body training.

"Yes my boy! One more and let's go get some water!" Mr. Yagi encourages, giving him a thumbs up, and Izuku let out a happy sigh and got ready to somehow knock down the tire pile with nothing but his body. He dragged his feet to a position ready to run, and charges, delivering a full roundhouse kick to the pile - which unfortunately stays standing. Izuku huffs in irritation, but there's still a smile on his face.

There's always a tomorrow, and there was plenty of time before he had to attempt to go into the U.A exam - he had about ten months. So. He could do this! He just had to keep doing this! And eventually he'll reach his goal!

"Come on my boy, let's go get that drink." A hand presses lightly on Izuku's back, gently guiding him to the drink machines and Izuku can't help the stupid grin that always stretched over his lips. He seems... happier now. Now that he has a chance to be a hero.

And Izuku calls that progress!

"What do you want young Midoriya?" Mr. Yagi smiles at him, pulling out his wallet, but Izuku ignores him and inserts his own money. "Ah... I would have paidfor that, my boy. You don't need to worry about that. My treat." Izuku shook his head.

"Thank you Mr. Yagi. But I'm trying to become more independent sir!" Izuku replies pressing the button to get his sweet green tea. The machine let out a loud whirl before a heavy object hit the bottom. Yamikumo always told him to depend on him - with money that appeared out of thin air. He always wanted Izuku to be completely dependent on him, but Izuku was no fool. He's not going to fall for Yamikumo's deceptive nature.

He peers at Mr.Yagi, "What would you like?" He asks, tilting his head as he reaches for his drink. It's only common courtesy to offer to pay for his mentor's drink.

To his surprise, his teacher shakes his head and motions Izuku to move back with a small wave of his hand, "Your mother must be so proud to have a boy like you! What a good son, if I do say myself." His hero says, reaching up and patting the top of Izuku's head. Izuku's heart jumps to his throat and suddenly he can't breathe, "I have it though, what hero am I if I let a child do that for me?"

Izuku smiles sadly, his mind goes straight to an image where his mother smiling wistfully at him. He had to think positively, for his sanity and for her. She.. would be, wouldn't she? "Yeah... I hope so."

Mr. Yagi keeps his eyes on his trainee, watching his expression shift from a happy one to mournful one in a matter of seconds. Was... his mother a sensitive topic? He inserts his money, and presses his drink all while keeping a keen eye on his boy. Midoriya was a good kid, he had his priorities in order, and he didn't seem all that depressed when he was told that he had train. In fact, he seemed as if he was more determined than ever to do

------------

Yamikumo tilts his head, "Player two? The f*ck?" He stares almost expressionlessly at the man with a hand. He didn't like the tone of this guy, the hair on his neck stood up in fear. "Please state your name, location and the reason how you found me so easily. Were you stalking me?" Did they know about Izuku?

He extended his fingers, flexing them experimentally as he openly glares, he was more than willing to fight if he had to. "Answer me, brat." Yamikumohisses out hotly, taking a step back if necessary.

(Poisonedthought it falls lies twisted twisted thoughts are lost mind is gone - this isnt you this isnt you this isnt you where did you get the idea to care for others? you lied to that boy yet you care for him why why why hwy? he's you you are him but hes weaker afraid but hes fine right now hes okay)

f*ck his canvas was getting corrupt. Izuku was far away right?

"You have quite an attitude on you... and you talk weird." The man opens his arms, spreading them upwards in a surrendering motion, "My names Shigaraki Tomura, my 'location'-" Yamikumo sees him use two quotation marks. "-is currently here. In Muftusu. And the reason why I found you soon was merely a coincidence! A lucky one..." The chuckle sent warning signs all over his body, Why did Yamikumo feel so threatened? He can't die in this world! He knows that.

But. This man. He was connected to something. There's purple swirls dancing around him, around his canvas - one that reminds him of a certain machine. A tool that he used in his world to his own research. This man however...

He holds so much anger and resentment - Yamikumo could actually feel the negative feeling almost envelope him completely, Shigaraki's canvas was completely grey. A canvas that was a pure singular color? Those were never going to change, they stayed constant, never changing and never ending. Luckily they were easy to read.

Judging from the response Yamikumo got from him, the chances of meeting him was purely coincidental. From his tone and his posture, it took no genius to know that he wasn't going to take a no for an answer. What did he want in the first place? A partnership? Yeah f*cking right - he'll let Izuku be happy and vulnerable again. Alone. Yeah right.

"I appreciate the offer - but I have no intentions to join in with a sociopath." Yamikumo says, his stature didn't change whatsoever. Isn't he a sociopath too though? What would be the deal anyways? Should he ask?

No.Yamikumo didn't want to even associate with this creepy man.

Shigaraki's eyes hardened, "Aah? Those are big words coming for a kid like you. You know what I am, kid? I'm a villain."

"No sh*t? I haven't realized!" Yamikumo blinks rapidly, switching his glare to a shocked and scared face, "Oh no don't kill my mom! She's too weak!" He cries out dramatically, placing a hand to the spot where he should have a heart.

Yamikumo snorts, bursting into laughter and bowling over, hysterically laughing, "What? You going to bully me? How childish. You gonna to throw a temper tantrum?" He plasters a fake smile on his face, inside he was hesitant - unsure but he had to bait him into attacking first.

He wasn't sure how strong this guy was. So it's best to provoke him to attack at his full strength, so Yamikumo could properly gauge on howdangerous of an opponent was - this method was one that he rarely used, and he was sucking at it. Maybe he should use a different idea? Only a man-

"I can kill your mommy if you want me to. I can kill you if I really wanted to." Shigaraki sayseerily calm, he relaxes his arms, "And I will."

With that, Shigaraki lunged forward, he was surprisingly quicker than what Yamikumo thought as his hand clamped tightly against his right shoulder. A beat passes and Yamikumo feels alarmed as he watches his skin flake away, but he remains still. What?

Why wasn't his skin molding together already? Why was he decaying? His skin should have already morphed into new skin... Why was - who the f*ck is he!?

Yamikumo delivered a punch in the gut,sending his attacker back a few good feet and booking it as fast as he could. He didn't bother listening to any following footsteps - blind fear just warped around him and he trusted his instincts to act.

What the actual f*ck was that?

------------

Izuku merrily skips back home, the sun is now setting and Mr. Yagi and him made arrangements to meet again at the same place again. All he had to do was get a good night's rest - eat healthy and get fit!

Izuku couldn't be more happier if he tried!

He could be a hero without using Yamikumo! He could be useful for once! In his thoughts, Izuku wasn't paying any attention to his surroundings, and -

Izuku crashes into a brick wall, crying out in pain he stumbles back and clutches his head weakly as he looks up.

It isn't a wall at all.

Katsuki's intense crimson eyes gazed at him passively, Izuku immediately scrambled a few more feet back, raising his hands to his head in a surrender, "A-ah! Sorry Kaachan! I didn't-. I'm sorry!" He bows his head about a million times and tries to rush past him when a rough hand catches him mid run. He pauses, slowly glancing up at Katsuki's face, that gave nothing away.

"Wait. I need to talk to you."

Izuku sits down at the same park they always go to when they were kids, his eyes wide and casted to the ground.Katsuki had ditched him, demanding that he sit there and wait for him - wherever he was going.

Kaachan had grown a lot more muscular hadn't he? He was more manly, he still had that permanent scowl on his face. He was more blunt, "Deku, you look like you got ran over by a f*cking mule. Take better care of yourself, you sh*thead."

He still had that caring component hidden under that tough guy exterior and that fire in his eyes always glowed brightly.

Kaachan seemed really good, he seemed healthy and happy - yet a bit more docile, calmer than what he last remembered of him. He was... nicer? Somewhat?

The last time Izuku saw him, Kaachan had cursed him out and Yamikumo fought back for his sake. That encounter was a day before the fire - before his life had shattered. Izukuhung onto the thought of him like a lifeline - how did Katsuki remember him now?

Now? How was Izuku supposed to deal with this? How was Kaachan like now?

"Here." A mint green ice cream cone invaded Izuku's vision and startling the boy, making him bump his back onto the light brown bench he sat on, "Mint. You like that gross sh*t, yeah? So here." Again the hand holding the treat thrusted towards him, and Izuku takes it slowly, looking up warily at Katsuki's indifferent expression.

"A-ah thank you Kaachan." He says, bowing his head as Kaachan swings his body onto the bench, his left arm is spread out above him. Izuku hesitantly reached his tongue out, taking a small lick at the frozen treat. He nipped at it, enjoying it in small bites. This was a sweet treat to his own desires.

It's sweet, it's overwhelminglywholesome just like how he loves it. It reminds him of home, where he and his mother would treat them all to the yummy snack after playing for a while. Izuku frowned, he didn't like the thought of being in someone's debt though.

Izuku would have wanted to pay - but he's not sure what Kaachan would say to that. Maybe he would be offended? "HAAAH!? You think I can't pay for something as simple as this!?" He wouldn't say yes to him though...

"I really thought you were gone." Kaachan says suddenly, breaking Izuku from this thoughts, "I'm glad you're back." What? That definitely doesn't sound like him, Izuku took a double take at Katsuki's words.

Izuku can't help the inkling of worry that ate at him, he stops enjoying the treat and faces Kaachan, "You were worried? I thought you hated me."

Katuki really scowls at that, "Of f*cking course I do, Deku. In fact, I still do! It's just - I just - I f*cking missed you, alright? Just the thought of that slimy motherf*cker near you just really, really pissed me off then hating you." He shakes his head, "You followed him like a lost duck and that really pissed me off."

"Oh?" Izuku inquires, tilting his head to get a good angle on his ice cream, his green eyes slide towards his childhood friend, curiosity swimming through them, "Why is that Kaachan?"

"If someone comes out of nowhere, I thought someone could also vanish out of nowhere. I was right."Katsukigrowls, moving hishand through his explosive blond hair, "You vanished without a trace. It was frightening. Having a friend suddenly disappear after no words. Apparently a fire out of nowhere?A burned out house that no one seemed to notice? It was strange."

"I knew that no one else could have done it, it was Yamikumo, huh?" Izuku froze, shivering from the ice cream and Katsuki's icy glare, "He did something that you won't tell me, right?" Izuku remains silent, facing away from him. That's all that he could do. Because what could he say? Yamikumo did do the fire, but there's nothing that could convict him and...

He didn't want Yamikumo to be forever out of his life.

"Then you always defended him. You never stoppedpreaching what a good person he was! It really - really made me mad. You'll never be useful if you never realize the danger in front of you."

"Yamikumo was a slimy f*cker I hate and will always hate - even more than you." He answers, folding his arms grumpily, glaring away from Izuku's eyes, "He always had a bad feeling surrounding him. You were so f*cking stupid to hang around that."

Kaachan sighs thoughtfully, looking up, "But it looks like you've noticed it too now."

And that's it.

Silence issues and Kaachan ruffles his hair like how a parent would to their child and walks away, leaving him alone at the park. It's a strange moment of happiness, one that Izuku is sure not to misplace

It's simplistic and happy. Izuku couldn't be more happier if he tried.

------------

Yamikumo was dead on the mattress when Izuku returns, his purple eyes stare at the ceiling like he often does when he's lost in thought. "Are you alright? What happened?" Izuku asked as he steps into the hotel room, his hands filled with energy drinks.

"Villains." His brother moans, "They suck, where's the first aid? Also I'm getting us an apartment, a hotel doesn't take mail - and an apartment is a much safer environment." Izuku frowns, dropping the enerdry drinks on their bed, "I thought you could regenerate?" He questions, grabbing his backpack and taking out the first aid.

"I thought so too, but his quirk decayed my skin - It isn't gone so I have to treat it. My ink blood just heals faster, and I rather not get an infection. Nasty business, you know?"

"I thought you were invincible? You never got any infections before." Izuku frowned at that hidden undertone of fear, "You have regenerating blood. That doesn't make sense at all. His quirk effects you more then the others? I've seen your arm blast off and you were fine in just a few minutes. Is something wrong?"

Yamikumo snorted as he sits up, gingerly taking the bandages from his brother, "I'm flattered you think of me that way. It's not everyday my brother appreciates my efforts." He says with a bitter tone, "I still do have a drawback though - I just rather not have you know. Even monsters have good things. I'm just immortal in this world." He pulls it out, wrapping it gently on his right shoulder wound.

"Why?" Izuku sat beside the purple haired male, tilting his head, his bottom lip pulled out of habit, "Why won't you tell me?" Yamikumo shakes his head, "Just cause." He teases playfully; but Izuku could detect that undertone Yamikumo almost constantly had whenever he was hiding something.

Yamikumo was a liar. He lied to others, he lied to him, and he lied to himself. Izuku knows that he's a good person deep down, somewhere in that inky heart of his, and he wanted to help him. He wants to help his brother as much as he could - but he couldn't. He wants to extend a hand, be his hero from himself, but he was too afraid. Yamikumo was too unpredictable, too unsure and dangerous.

If Izuku reached out, would his brother take it? Or were they too far gone?

"Oh, and they're looking for us."

"What?" Izuku glanced at his brother, "They?" He echoes, staring at Yamikumo's lazy purple irises. Yamikumo tore off the bandage with his teeth, "Yeah, I burned down the orphanage remember? We gotta go to the police station later."

"Why are you saying that so casually? You just killed innocent kids and teachers."

"I can say the same to you." Izuku flinches, "I've gone numb to this kind to thing, you know. You have too. We have to go though, regardless if we really want to go to the school." Yamikumo pats his brother's head, smiling softly, gently as if Izuku was a scared animal. "Plus I might as well report my attack. I'd hate to see that guy again." Yamikumo springs up, grabbing his jacket and tossing Izuku his. Izuku fumbles with it, before shrugging it on.

Izuku pouted, why did everyone like patting his head?First it was Mr. Yagi, then Kaachan... Yamikumo always ruffled his hair so that was nothing new.

"Oh yeah, you got attacked - what happened?" Izuku was pulled up by his arm and ushered through the door, "And won't the police find it suspicious that we ran away from the fire? Ms. Ann's orphanage was far away, wasn't it? Three hundred miles to be precise."

The crisp night air hit their faces collectively and Izuku let out a hiss of pain as the icy air practically smacked into his face, despite the fact that he was just out there earlier, training. "They won't find sh*t. No DNA, remember? Sometimes you have to love this cursed body."

"Okay... what about that villain attack?"

"None of your concern. Let's just say that he didn't like my attitude." Yamikumo's grip around his neck tightens as they hurry along the street, "I'm more worried about you - where did you go, honey bunny?"

"What if they send us back?"

He mentally cheered when Yamikumo's attention was successfully diverted, "I'm sure that I could think of something. Don't worry about that." He sounded... unsure. "We could say that we're both aiming for U.A. That's an excuse, isn't it?"

"But... wouldn't that add more pressure on us? What if we don't make it?" Izuku lets out a puff of smoke, looking to his brother for guidance, "We'd be sent back."

Yamikumo's returned gaze was flat, "Izuku. Seriously? You doubt me that much?" Izuku stared mutely at him, slowly blinking his green eyes, almost challenging him.

"Oh sweet sweet Izukun." He practically purred, squeezing the green haired boy closer by his neck. Not enough to threaten him but to somewhat ground him, "It's a free world out there! If you want to stay here, and if we don't go to U.A. Your big brother always has a plan!"

Chapter 7: Beginning of something troublesome

Chapter Text

Yamikumo grumpily walked behind a happy Izuku, trailing slowly after the overly excited boy with the biggest smile on his face. He can't even find it in himself to somehow even try to damper his mood. He did like that smile on his face after all.

Izuku Midoryia was the cutest happy.

Currently the two of them were bounding up the steps of Yuhei high school, another name for U.A. Izuku was being well Izuku and Yamikumo was shuffling behind him in his own world.

Yamikumo sighed heavily, they were still in their middle school uniform, and he wanted nothing more then to take a shower and take a nap at their apartment. But they had to take the exam right after school. Or else they'll miss it. Yamikumo was lazy, the laziest person to even try to do that - his whole body was always tired due to Izuku's mysterious training exercise that he still didn't explain!

Yamikumo was irritated with his silence - his refusal to explain who exactly was training him, but he endured it because he could see how f*cking far Izuku could try to get into the exam. How far would this mysterious person could train him without him. Does he know about me? He wonders.

He'll pass the written exam with no problem - he was a smart boy, Yamikumo had no doubts about that. It would be the physical exercise that he would have to worry about.

And when he fails, he'll go to Yamikumo's arms and he'll comfort him. He'll be a hero for Izuku's sake, and Izuku could remain safe, away from harmful people and harmful quirks. He'll be safe and Yamikumo wouldn't have to worry about him running away if Izuku realizes how much Yamikumo is willing to risk for him.

And Yamikumo wouldn't have to chain him to the f*cking bed every time he left the house. He rather not have Izuku hate him. Or develop Stockholm syndrome. Last time he did that to someone, they weren't themselves anymore.

"HEY!"

Yamikumo's eyebrow twitched, and he turned around with Izuku to see a very angry Katsuki, stomping towards them with a familiar intent. Yamikumo lets out a co*cky smile as he stands directly in front of Izuku, shielding him in a way. "Yes Kaachan?" His nickname slides off of his tongue in a easy manner.

"The f*ck are you two doing here?" Katsuki practically hissed at them, "A quirkless loser and a monster? Into this hero school?"

Izuku always had that never giving up spirit in him, how was he suppose to crush that? With that innocent smile and that good heroic courage that he could never bare to break?

Yamikumo always - always felt guilty when that happened, crushing his other self's dreams and ambitions just so he could be safe and away from harms way. But he also wanted Izuku to not give in to his words of discouragement.

God he was such a hypocrite. Wanting to crush his brother's dream, but also revive it as well. What the f*ck did he actually want?

Izuku will and always will be a hero in his heart. Kaachan on the other hand...

"Hell to the f*cking yes I'm going to be a f*cking hero! In fact I'll be number one! And I'll beat you to the f*cking ground while I do it!" Katsuki points a very menacing finger at the purple haired boy, "And you! You're f*cking quirkless! You can't be a hero, you'll get hurt then this f*ckers gonna go insane! As if he's not already!"

Izuku pouted, stamping one foot, "I'm going to be hero Kaachan! And there's nothing you can do to stop me! Not you or Yami!" Turning his heel, Izuku walks away without another word and Yamikumo remained at his spot, placing his hand on his hip and co*cking his eyebrow up with that smile.

"Insane? Me? I know what I'm doing." He lies straight through his teeth, "Implying that I'm insane is absolutely absurd. Wouldn't it be insanity for you to be constantly mad at me? Repeating the same cycle until you realize that it'll all be for nothing because nothing will change? I'll still be the manipulative bastard and you'll be an easy prey."

What was he doing?

Why was he doing this?

When had he started doubting himself?

"We'll see about that, you f*cker." With that Katsuki brushes roughly past him, making him stumble back. He drops his co*cky smile and rushes past Katsuki to get to Izuku, who was still walking with that skip in his step.

At least he was until he tripped on an uneven block and nearly crashes to the pavement. Yamikumo rushed forward to catch his princess when another girl simply presses her hand on his shoulder, making him float momentarily. One look at her face and Yamikumo felt his body freeze.

Was this her counterpart?

"S-sen...?"

--------

"Oh I'm sorry for using my quirk on you all of a sudden!" A girl was talking to Izuku. A GIRL WAS TALKING TO IZUKU. Inwardly, he screamed like a little girl in excitement, but he couldn't find it in himself to say anything back to her. He was completely frozen with a strong grip of happiness. Her warm chocolate eyes seemed so welcoming, she's really cute...

"Good luck in the exams! Let's do our best!" The girl with brown curls smiles cheerfully at him, pumping her fist up in a happy manner before continuing to walk to the entrance of the school. Ah, he didn't get to say thank you...

"That was so exciting!" Izuku finds himself smiling again for the umpteen time, turning to face Yamikumo, "Did you see that - What's wrong? You look like you just seen a ghost?" Izuku takes in his brother's shocked face, his own face warping into one of concern. He takes a step forward and reaches out hesitantly.

Yamikumo instantly smacks his hand away, his face shutting down to a face of indifference, one that Izuku was used to seeing, "I'm fine. Don't worry about me, we have to go." He grabs Izuku's arm and practically drags him toward the entrance so that they don't get interrupted with anymore distractions.

-----

Yamikumo acted as a barrier for Izuku and Kaachan, keeping them to their respective distance because there was no way in hell Yami was going to let them interact like old times. He forbid it and he rather not deal with a murderous Katsuki and a weak and defenseless Izuku again where he had to act as a parent - the peace maker only with bloodied and probably with a murderous intent.

Honestly! Yamikumo wasn't a bad person, he swears! He just has twisted ambitions and a messed up morale compass, technically he could give two sh*ts on what he wanted to be. But if Izuku admired heroes and he unable to reach that dream...

He didn't mind playing pretend.

Pulling out his purple pen, he flicks it open with his finger and immediately seizes his paper within his fingers and doodles messily on the loose leaf as he pays half attention to Present Mic explaining the rules, "1... 2... 3 ....0 point robots, best if you avoid them!" Then continues blabbing his mouth away, and Yamikumo gets the gist of what they have to do. All they have to do is fight a bunch of robots?

What quirk could he use for robots? Metal? Fire? But would that catch too much attention? He wasn't trying to be flashy, he just needed to get past this test thing. It had to be perfect.

"Excuse me! But is everyone taking this seriously!?" A loud and positivity earnest voice piped up, catching Yamikumo's divided attention, "There's this boy - " Is he pointing towards him? " - Who keeps on mumbling! If you won't take this seriously then just leave!"

What?

"Ah..." Izuku sounds deflated, almost ashamed of a habit that had died a long time ago, "I'm so sorry..." he sounded so apologetic - and Yamikumo never heard that tone of shame and defeat laced into his voice in a long long time.

("Yamikumo...please stop...")

Izuku was mumbling? Talking under his breath like old times? Before everything went to sh*t?

And this robot f*ck wanted to keep Izuku silent? For what? Some black and white test that told you, you could be a hero?

Anger traced his skin, skimming against it as he practically glared hatefully at the blue haired boy. Before he could stand up and tell him something from his mind, he is thankfully distracted by Katsuki giving off a disbelieving scoff.

"Haaah!?" Katsuki steamed, dishing out his card to compare it to his and Izuku's. To Yamikumo's dismay, he's in the same area as Katsuki, away from Izuku, who had his own little area. Aww, Yami wanted to see how far he'll go.

"Now I can't pummel you to the ground... and I'm not gonna fall for this f*cker's taunts."

"I wasn't even thinking about that - thanks for the idea." Yamikumo snickered as a plan of mischief began to formulate, he turns to Izuku, patting his arm reassuringly, "Good luck Izuku."

Chapter 8: I hate him.

Chapter Text

Izuku Midoryia has anxious, nervous to all hell as he quietly waited for the gate to open. He twisted his fingers, twining them nervously as he peered around the others who were taking the test. His gaze fell upon the girl from the entrance, smiling as she waited to get ready to fight these robots with her quirk.

He never got to thank her, she was so nice to him. A simple thank you or anything nice from people was amazing. Any praise was amazing, unless it was by his mouth. It probably meant that Yami wanted something from him.

Stepping forward, he had to thank her for catching his fall and wishing him luck - he'll wish her the best of luck too!

A giant metal wall slides between them, blocking his view as Izuku stared up at the person who called him out during the explanation for the physical exam. He had neat dark blue hair that rested upon his head, his structure screamed out neat and clean, though his glasses provided a malicious glint as the robot stared down at him.

"You! Sir! Were you just about to interrupt that girl from focusing on her quiz!?" The man shouted loudly, Izuku winched at the volume, he was right there! "That is not good! Please take this seriously! Please take this realistically! Do you think you can make it!? No one else thinks so!"

Izuku blinked at him, was... he trying to put him down? Crush his hopes before it could even begin? He could feel the judgemental stares glaring straight at him, they don't. They don't f*cking matter.

Years of bitterness of being underestimated, of being thought as a weaker brother one that was easily pickable due to his weak look. To the fact that he was unnaturally short, everyone looked down on him.

Because in everyone's eyes, he's the quirkless brother who hid behind Yamikumo, the weak that leeched off the weak. He was weak - but they don't matter.

What matters is his opinion, his dreams.

(But what if you don't make it?)

He'll make it. He knows it. He's not f*cking weak.

(Fool fool fool paint it dries and it stains and it hurts because it can't get off the skin itch itch itch itch itch.)

He feels his fingers curl up in anger, as he glowers at the blue haired boy, who did he think he is, underestimating him like that!? He had no right! He didn't know what he went through just to prove himself! He went through months of hard training! He had to sneak under Yamikumo's nose dozens of times. Izuku wasn't weak and this man doesn't know anything.

They don't matter.

But he didn't know anything, right? So he doesn't know how hard Izuku tried. So he shouldn't be too mad.

With a smile, painfully fake, he points it to the robot, "I'll see you in class." Then he turns his heel and returns to his regular position. Emotions shouldn't exist if they cause this much anger, this chained up fury and anger of years and years of feeling inadequate, weak and inferior.

This anger and hatred could be used for other things, such as pounding the sh*t out of robots.

(This isn't healthy this isn't healthy this isn't healthy stop stop stop I'm not always going to save youthepainfing the painting TAINTED ITCH IT H ITCH ITCH TOO MUCH PAINT.)

(Green is such an ugly color, color of envy color of inability to act. Color of seaweed useless plants. I hate it. I hate you so much.)

He ignores the train thought as he charges forward, barely hearing the announce shout out that Villains didn't wait before causing destruction. He finds himself in a unfamiliar city, his emerald green eyes scan through the area as he sees participants scraping through the robots as if they were paper. He doesn't see any ones he could possibly fight!?

sh*t he didn't think about this...

Izuku growls under his breath, his eyes immediately lock onto a robot that was slowly crawling towards someone, a blond boy with suave looks. Ah!? How does he even power up One for all!? How?

He really should have gotten ready to try to use his quirk! He had to be a fool to not practice it before the exam! Fool fool fool!

Everything was smashed to pieces, everything was crumbling before his fingertips, dusting away. What was he going to do!? What the f*ck was Izuku going to do?

He just went on a spiral in his head how he wasn't going to be weak! What the f*ck is this!? He can't take these words back he can't he can't.

(The canvas is a sickeningly red, color of madness, color of what you want and what isn't what you want. You hope for something new but you follow the same path.)

(Please realize that this isn't healthy. This is you. You are not healthy. You are a parasite a plague to learn and leech off others.)

Maybe he was right, maybe they were right to think so little of him. It was true. He was weak. It was pointless to try and destroy what was real.

Fear reached out, clasping onto his neck and he wants to give up. He can't breath because this is what exactly what he fears. Izuku fears to be weak. He had to be strong, he had to think. But he's trapped, there's no one. Yamikumo was right. He can't be a hero, no matter how much he tries and cries. No matter how much he desperately wants to be...

A dream can't be reality.

"Aaaah!"

Something shatters his thoughts, and he jerks his head up to see the girl with the soft brown hair, trapped under a heavy hunk of metal. It crushed her lower body and she can't move, she can't wiggle free he realizes with horror.

"I can't let her die." Izuku whispers, clutching his head, his small nails dig into his skull, the pain distracts him just enough to calm down.

"I can't be responsible." He mumbles, his body wills forward, and he lets every fear he had melt away to one singular thought.

"I can be a hero!" And he lets go.

----------

"HAHAH! f*ck you Kacchan! What? You can't even fight one? What? You too slow?" Yamikumo sneers, sticking out his tongue as he launches into another robot before Katsuki could even lay a hand on it. He presses his hand firmly onto the robot. His hand spread out and he could feel the wires and the metal inside snap. He watches as it folds it's legs backwards in a painful manner, snapping off and crumbling to the ground, no longer functional.

What number was this? Yamikumo lost track after twenty six, he stole more then twenty six robots from Katsuki, to make him fail this test. He really didn't want to deal with this guy in class. Katsuki hated his guts and the feeling was mutual. If he could somehow provoke him into fighting him...

If he didn't fight him, then he wouldn't have enough points regardless.

"YOU f*ckING EGGPLANT!" Katsuki roars, bristling in anger as he ignores the crumbled robot, launching toward the next opponent. Yamikumo, predicting this, nimbly lands and dashed past him, putting his hand in a half assed wave as he gets in front of him.

"That's just rude Kacchan!" He shouts, stopping abruptly and placing his hands on the side of his head, spreading them as he sticks out his tongue in a childish manner. "Be nicer and mayyyybe I'll let you fight! This was your idea, you know!"

Then suddenly -

Yamikumo's legs grow stiff, locked in place. A familiar spark of pain dances along his arm and he crumbles to the ground. He gasps painfully at the intense crackle of pure hurt. Like a snake that wormed into his skin, digging into it painfully and slowly as he took in the situation.

What? What was going on?

What was this overwhelming feeling of panic covering his body, making him antsy and weird? This inkling of worry - this feeling of instant regret, this horrible horrible feeling he hated so much.

His uninjured arm slowly creeps up to his frozen one, Yamikumo's body crumbles to the ground. He clutches it on a vice grip, his purple eyes blown wide as he realizes something.

Taunting and mocking didn't give pain, Katsuki didn't attack him - he knows that. His wounds healed extraordinarily fast, and his bones never really truly broke before being able to move in seconds. So that only left one conclusion.

Izuku was got hurt. Really bad.

There's ringing in his ear, Katsuki had pushed forward, passing him but Yamikumo could really care less about an stupid rivalry.

A rivalry that appeared because of that person who was currently hurt right now. It was stupid to let him go into a danger zone with nothing but his wits. Didn't he know that he was outmatched? Why did he go along with it?

Why did Yamikumo allow this to happen? He should have said no, you can't be a hero or you'll get hurt. He should have chained the green dumpling to his bed and realize that this - this was much safer then a stupid worth challenge! He should know how much he was already! He should love himself because everyone loves him!

This was what Yamikumo should have done. But he was too soft, he let him get hurt, he's probably dying or something and no one noticed him. Bleeding himself to death, alone and in a dark place where the sky would never shine.

He's probably crying, and Yamikumo can't comfort him. Yamikumo can't move, the pain was so intense so sharp he can't move.

Toxic thoughts plague his thoughts, it consumes him, covering him in destructive thoughts and memories that he so wants to get rid of. Yamikumo had failed in keeping Izuku safe, away from harm, away from the mistakes that he made. The taste of betrayal- and even if it's been years since he tore himself from that reality; it still hurts. He broke that promise to Izuku, a promise that he swore to himself.

Yamikumo's nails pierce through the skin, scratching relentlessly as he tried to use the pain as a way to stop thinking. His fingers are stained with inky black blood, they dig deeper and deeper, trying to get the invisible snake out his skin and out his body.

His thoughts are getting worse and worse.

"Hey."

A somewhat gruff voice calls out from above him, he briefly registered it as Katsuki. What was he doing here? A flash of annoyance flickered though his body, and he peers up at the blond, taking a look at his canvas.

It's blue, calm and serene, and Yamikumo wants to laugh. Since when was this boy ever calm? His eyes must be playing tricks on him. But why did his voice match his canvas? Why did he sound so calm? Didn't he call him an eggplant earlier?

"Yami, you f*ck." He calls out again, his ruby eyes glare daggers into his skin, "Calm down. You're freaking out for sh*t."

"Shut up." Yamikumo snaps with vile hatred, his emotions spilling out before he has a chance to collect himself, "Go get you're stupid points before you run out of time. Don't waste your time with me." His voice is wavy and disorienting. This isn't him - this is disgraceful.

He doesn't seem to move, "I've never seen you like this." Katsuki squats down to his height, "Never in the f*cking years we spent as children - you never fell apart before. You were always co*cky the day we first met."

Yamikumo's temper flares dangerously, "So? So what?" He snarls venomously, his nails dig even deeper, he can feel his blood squish between his fingers, "Look! I'm broken and you can laugh and bask in the glory that you f*cking won! You won his affections! You won his admiration even though I was the hero and you were the arrogant asshole! You got see me fall apart! Congratulations I hope you jerk yourself off in a sign of victory!"

It spills out of him like a river, all this jealousy and resentment. If he brought Izuku away from what he treasured most then he'll be all his. He'll be Yamikumo's and they'll be one, they'll be a single mind. Izuku who was always filled with emotions of love and courage. I am he as he is me. We will never be separated.

He hates being Izuku's quirk sometimes.

"...tch. So you are capable of feeling sh*t." Katsuki replies after a while, "But you need to calm the f*ck down. You're still breathing heavily, so calm down."

"And who the f*ck are you to tell me what to do?" Yamikumo shouts, glaring at him with resentment, as if his words were toxic enough. "Get the f*ck away from me before I do something stupid." He warns, digging his hand into his arm. He manages to get a long scratch before Katsuki forcefully pulls his hand away in a grip far away from his hand.

"You won't do sh*t." He says, almost confidently, as he stares at his eyes. "One thing I learned when we were children, you won't hurt others unless they hurt you or Deku."

Yamikumo wants to laugh in his face, he sneers and he wants so desperately to stop thinking. Stop worrying.

"What about Izukun's mom?" He asks, delicately and carefully as he takes in his childhood friends expression. It's crafted carefully into one of concern, sick concern as he worries and frets over a monster.

Then as predicted, it twists and disforms, it melts into his usual face of anger and rage, no trace of kindness to be found. And Yamikumo enjoys that expression of pure anger and hatred directed towards him. This is how it's supposed to be.

It fits him.

He closes his eyes in participation, waiting for a fist to slug him in the face. He waits for the explosions of red yellow and red, things that explode. He waits for the fury and he pain that should distract him.

It never comes.

The buzzer sounds above them and the blond is running with his enemy in his hands. Trying to get him out of harms way and Yamikumo doesn't understand.

("Hey! You and me Yami? Well get through this together! The cops got nothing on us bear!")

He can't understand.

He doesn't understand.

("G-go damn it! Just leave me before they bust you too! L-leave me!")

"I don't understand. I can't I won't understand." He whispers, quietly to himself as he sways with Katsuki's body.

Katsuki was and always will be a hero at heart. He'll always have a good intention and it doesn't change even though Yamikumo was no longer in his own world. Katsuki was a good person.

Yamikumo never hated him more.

Chapter 9: What?

Chapter Text

He must be having a good dream....

Yamikumo thought sadly as he looked at a sleeping Izuku's sleeping form. They were in the nurse's office, he was laying on one of the beds, his body stiff and leaning towards the side so he could see his green haired idiot of a brother. Unconscince and asleep almost like an angel's.

Izuku's arm was bounded tightly to his chest so that he wouldn't move it during his sleep. Apparently the nurses quirk was healing and it required the patient's energy to properly do so. Izuku's legs were a dark purple, it showed signs of bruising and oh god what had happened?

How could he let this happen? How could he let Izuku get so hurt that he, himself, was affected? How could he purposely let Izuku do what he wanted to the point where he was in a hospital bed, sleep and possibly on his way to death? Yamikumo was supposed to be the mature one - while Izuku could be him in his natural habitat. Happy, chasing for dreams that never made sense in his eyes...

What was Yamikumo doing wrong?

Was it that Yamikumo was being simply... too selfish? This was his fault after all - he pushed Izuku to this point, didn't he?

"Young man."

Yamikumo lazily tore his gaze away from his brother, and he stares at the nurse. Recovery girl, he recognized from one of Izuku's notebook, "Yes?" She was relatively short, her grey hair tied in a bun as she walked around with a syringe cane. She seemed suspiciously nice. "I'm going to heal your wounds, where are they?" She asks, her beady eyes glancing at him. Yamikumo points to his arm and both of his legs, "Everywhere ma'am." He says with a tone of respect.

Why? Why why why why

Yamikumo has a feeling that this woman was frightening when mad. He rather not got on her side. The woman nods, shuffling towards the seemingly undamaged arm and places a kiss on it. Surprise, surprise. Nothing happens. He still can't move it - he can't feel anything right now. His guess was right, this is no longer his body. That tool really did a number on him.

"Hmm..." Recovery girl grabs his arm, flopping it in her palms, if he had a pain indicator, this would hurt like a bitch. But his arm is strangely numb, as if it just fell asleep.

"It should have healed already... this is strange." She mummers, looking completely puzzled. Wasn't she a nurse?

"I'm actually more worried about my brother." Yamikumo breaks her train of thought, turning his head and frowning at him, "He's sweating and in a more critical condition then me. Can't you wake him up?"

Please wake up.

Don't leave this place

Please don't leave me alone.

(Alone, abandoned, yes thats right, you still remember, where the ink began and where it still trails. You left that trail over and over hoping to never come back - to never be there. But to be there at the same time....)

(Liar liar it consumes you until your head isfilled with ink- corrupt at its ends to the point where you ca-)

"Ah yes... I need to go get ice then..." A voice thankfully pulls him out his thoughts, and he stares at her incredulously. Ice? Was he burning up? Was she really going to leave him alone when he's in a goddamn hospital for some ice? Seriously?

"No need." Yamikumo says in a eerily calm manner, he spreads his fingers to his direction, small ice shards appear out of thin air and places it on Izuku's forehead.

He could see her face of confusion in the corner of his eye. A familiar emotion flashes through her face: panic, fear, and a new one, of caution. "Young boy, Midoriya, yes? What exactly is your quirk again?" That's a strange question..? "Copy. You can call me Yamikumo though. I rather not get confused with my brother." He replies easily and twisting his hands, "Aah? What's with that face?" He glances back at her, seeing alarm race through her skin before she swallows and regains her composure, "Nothing nothing." She waves her hand in a "forget about it" motion, and walks away.

Did he do something wrong? He frowns, worried.

Izuku...

(perfect he's me and I am him. He's mine he's my to be happy sad happy sad happy mine mine mine mine mine Izuku i love him I love him I love him)

Yamikumo sighed heavily, raising his hand to his head, fisting his purple curls and pulling it harshly back. His neck cranes painfully back and he grins at that bliss of pain. The pain does what it does best, distracts him and he can think clearly again. He looks lovingly at Izuku, who seems to stir awake.

"Nggh..." Izuku mumbled softly, slowly opening his green eyes, blinking gently at Yamikumo, and oh baby boy.

"Hey, hey, hunny bunny... You alright?" Yamikumo's tone was tender, calm as he uselessly reaches out to him, "You got banged up really bad, you alright?" Please be okay, what's wrong?

Izuku blinked, staring at him in mute horror, then something flashes through him. Realization, Yamikumo reads off his eyes.

Then he starts crying, mumbling nonsense under his breath, intentionally low to not alert Yamikumo (As if he's not ballistic already), small tears trace down his freckled cheeks and he's just so sad. Yamikumo wants to comfort him, but it was him who pushed him here - wasn't it? Pushed him to the edge, to the point where he would batter his own body to simply prove that Izuku wasn't him. That he could be his own person and not be crushed by his overwhelming presence. It's his fault, but Yamikumo can't understand.

Isn't this helping him? Isn't this helping him? Shouldn't he be happy that he someone that could love and protect him? This is what he dreamed, right? A protector that will always love him. Someone who could kill and become the most powerful person to ever live, to be his dream - to be a hero. So why? Why was Izuku so sad? Why did he seem so f*cking torn, sad as if Yamikumo was hurting him? Yamikumo's just doing what he needs - he needs a back bone - he needs to wake up! He needs to see that the world isn't all smiles! He's protecting him!

Yamikumo was a powerful person, he could protect him with his life - if he had one anymore.

Izuku was him, from this world of happiness, he was weak and pointless, he had nothing but his dreams and his soft mushy useless feelings that never made sense.

But seeing Izuku like this, bawling over spilt milk, crying for something that will never happen. Seeing Izuku like this, broken back to square one, with those green eyes of pure innocence and angellike smile, torn apart because of him. His protector that always would love him. It didn't feel right. In fact, something hurts. This didn't feel right, Yamikumo didn't feel justified on any of this. Izuku wasn't happy, he isn't seeing what Yamikumo's trying to do.

And it hurts.

------

Izuku woke up in his own bed, staring at the wall of his own bedroom, his hands curled up in the blue dulvet. Hidden away in the world because he can't handle rejection.

It's been months since that exam - months since he last heard from All Might. In a way, he was hoping that he wouldn't call, or contact him. All Might would tell him that he would like his quirk back, tell him that he was a disappointment from the beginning, that it was pointless.

Afraid that it'll all go for nothing, those ten months of training were for nothing. He wasted All Might's time and he didn't even get into the school that he wanted to go!

It was pointless to even try to hope for more. He didn't deserve to go to that school. A weight, a dead weight, someone entirely dependent on his only family now.

Izuku didn't want to succumb to this, dark cloud that always told him that it'll be okay. He didn't want to depend on Yamikumo, whose only intention is to shield him and keep him from reality. He wanted to be his own person, a person capable of his own thoughts and his own actions. He didn't want his choices to be left to a sociopath, who only cared about him and no one else.

Izuku curled up even more, twisting his body so that he would face the wall, a brown teddy bear looked at him - judgement through its eye. But it's not alive.

He didn't deserve anything. He should get up and be f*cking useful for once in his life. He was a murderer, he got away with murder and no one cares. They don't know. They don't know.

So he doesn't deserve anything.

Izuku feels so tired, he doesn't want to move. He's so f*cking lazy, he's so f*cking useless. He's just a space that shouldn't exist on this wonderful planet.

He was ruining it, tainting it.

A loud creak caught his attention, but Izuku remained quiet, facing away from the door. He could hear Yamikumo's soft padding footsteps, the tray he's holding clinks with every step, "Izukun, I made breakfast! Your favorite, pancakes shaped as All Might!"

(Black rose means death of an idea, a new beginning- holding TIGHT lost AFRAID loving HATRED but im okay, im fine i promise.)

His voice is filled with enthusiasm, but it's spoken almost cautiously, as if Izuku was glass, crumbling easily. Izuku didn't say anything, he remained silent as he looked at the wall, as if it was the most interesting thing in this room.

He failed his mother, he couldn't be her hero. Izuku can't be any hero, he failed his mentor, who spent countless hours hoping that he could be a hero. How was he supposed to be a hero if he kept doubting himself and realizing that it was all true?

"Not today either huh...?" The tray was set down somewhere near his desk, it clatters noisily on it, and he feels the bed dip as Yamikumo falls on it. "You shouldn't be too sad. We can go to other high schools! Who the hell needs a high rated school in the first place?" Izuku doesn't bother to answer, he buries his face into his bear. He flinches violently as Yamikumo presses his hand suddenly onto his green hair, his fingers thread through them, "No...? What if we become our own heroes? We can play vigilantes!"

"We could die and that's illegal without a license." Izuku replies muffled in the bear, "I want to be an actual hero."

Yamikumo snorted, "I'm illegal. And Izuku, do you honestly think I'll let you die?"

Izuku doesn't hesitate, "I wish you would." He could practically feel his burning purple eyes glaring at him in anger. It was absurd to him. It's stupid - unfathomable in his eyes. In his world, he can't die. Never. Never.

"Not an option." He shivers at the sharp icy tone. Izuku doesn't even want to look at his pissed off expression. He doesn't want to, he won't hav-

The doorbell rings loudly, echoing through the almost empty house. Yamikumo's hand goes ridged, "What the - who could that be?" He removed his hand, settling up from the bed and walking out.

Izuku's curiosity peaked, who could that be? It couldn't be the neighbors, Yamikumo had scared them off a long time ago. So it couldn't be that... So who?

What if All Might-

Izuku sprang up from the bed, practically throwing himself out the door in alarm, his posture gave off the fact that he litterly just rolled out of bed just now. He stands at his door and hastily runs over to the front door, "Yami!" The said boy jumped seven feet in the air, looking shocked at his brother, "W-what!?" Yamikumo stammered in surprise, hiding his hands behind his back as he finished locking up the door, "Izukun? Those w-were just the neighbors!" He's stuttering a mess, he's lying in a very poor way, his eyes are darting all over the place. He seemed unsettled. "What's behind your back?" Izuku tilts his head, visibly calming down after his initial shock. "Yami?"

"Uhh...." Yamikumo smiles nervously, looking anywhere but at Izuku, "The... mailman?"

Izuku narrows his eyes,"Are those the letters from U.A?"

There's a certain look in his eyes, of guilt and worry, Izuku remembers those well, "Yes... I'll go throw them away!" He says, walking forward and towards the kitchen. Izuku stops him with a hand, "I want to see them." He says, brushing past his brother to sit on their sofa, his hand reaches for the blanket, "I want to be happy for you - you want to see your results yeah? I want to be happy for you." He repeats and Yamikumo looks torn.

"You'll be sad again." Yamikumo mutters, his purple eyes swirl with guilt, "I don't want to see that again. I love you."

That saying from him wasn't uncommon, it seems extremely out of character for him, since when did he care for Izuku? He never cared - or did he? Doesn't Yami do whatever he wants - when he wants? Didn't he just want Izuku in this position of submission, where he could stay in power? He didn't care.

(hahahahahhahhehehehehhahhahahARENTYOUSPECIAL)

"It's fine." Izuku says, devoided of emotions as he pats the seat beside him, "Sit next to me and let's read the letters." Yamikumo looks at the letters in his hand, at Izuku before sighing in defeat and taking the spot next to Izuku. His arm wraps around his neck and he pulls the green boy closer to his chest as he yanks off the top to his letter. He prepares to pull the paper out when he realizes that it's not a paper.

It's a hologram.

The flash of blue blinds Yamikumo and he yelps squeakily and proceeds to throws it in front of him, onto the coffee table. An image of Present Mic flickers into existence, "Heeeellllloooo! Hey Akatani Midoriya! What uppp!?" He shouts on the top of his lungs and Akatani quirks up his eyebrow.

"Does he have to scream all the time?" Yami muttered, mindlessly petting Izuku's head, his eyes droop lazily, "Jeez... it hurts my ears."

"Congratulations! You have earned 72 hero points! That qualifies you for class 1-A! We welcome you to Yuuhei high!" Present Mic beamed happily, spreading his arms, "Currently! Our school is currently building dorms and it is required that you live in here due to the dangers of the outside world! And considering how there will be limited space..."

"I'm pretty sure you're the most dangerous thing here." Izuku says off handed, glancing up at Yamikumo to see that smart ass smirk.

"Hm." He could feel the approval from Yamikumo, he was always happy about that stuff. It's strange and unnatural but Izuku had no say in the matter.

Yamikumo did what he wanted after all.

"-and you'll be rooming your brother! Izuku Midoriya!"

Izuku froze, slowly turning his head to the hologram as it bowed and disappeared. "What?" He glances at his brother who had the same exact expression of shock.

"What?"

Chapter 10: Corrupted signs of a dream

Chapter Text

"Hahahah!" Yamikumo laughed hysterically, looking at Katsuki with a twinkle of joy, "Well, aren't you special?" He teased, rising up to push away his best friend's forehead away. He stuck out his tongue, snickering when Katsuki pouted childishly, "Yami! Stop laughing at my girl troubles! Like - like how do I deal with girls? It's so strange! She doesn't even seem weirded out when I casually insulted her, like it was normal!"

"Buy her flowers." Yamikumo says, typing important information onto the computer, they're at the office, and working a bit of overtime. Katsuki was draped over his desk in a dramatic manner. He's dressed in a green overcoat, looking upat Yamikumo, dressed all nice in a suit, "Girls like that, don't they?"

"Yami! You don't know what it's like falling in love! Don't try to offer advice!" Katsuki shouts loudly, as if he's not directly in front of him. Yamikumo cringes away from him, flashing a scowl, "Last time, we got caught and we almost fell into the water cause you offered the idea of a private date on a clift!"

"You got her to kiss you, didn't you?" Yamikumo's face morphs into a smile, genuinely towards him, "Plus I always have your back, Katsuki - kun. I saved you, didn't I?" He clicks save and fully faces his good friend, "You got the kiss! Lucky lucky! Lucky hunny bunny!"

"That's because she actually thought she was about to die! She didn't want her first kiss to never happen!" His red eyes swirl with uncertainty, crimson and full of raw feelings, "Thats horrible!"

"Katsuki - kun. We're villains. I'm a horrible person and you..." Yamikumo trails off, pressing a finger to his lip, "You're the nice cop." Katsuki simmered at that side look Yamikumo gave him.

"Yami, you suck."

"Get her red roses, they mean passion, hm?" Yamikumo grins childishly at his best friend, mischief clear in his royal purple eyes, "All girls like roses." Katsuki gives him a blank look, "Oh yeah? What about that black rose she gave you? Does this mean that she likes you more then me!?" He launches up, giving him a look of absolute horror, "My best friend!? With my girlfriend!?"

"Pffft." Yamikumo snorted, bending over in a silent laughter, "She? Me? Never going to f*cking happen. I like to be independent, and not mushy as sh*t thank you very much." He peers up at Katsuki, grinning mockingly at him, "I assure you, she's all yours. As long as she gets work done, I have no problems with her. If she hurt you though... it'll be a pain to clean up."

Katsuki rolls his eyes, raising his hand as he copies Yamikumo with a hand puppet, "Buisness, business. Let's kill those police. Let's do this. Let's do violence. Let's all be useful for King Yami!"

"Thank you my subject."

"I hate you so much." Katsuki says in a fond manner, reaching out to ruffle the purple haired male fluffy hair. His hand is so big, it's comforting to have him soft and tender towards him. He was always too much of a nice guy. So sweet, annoyingly blunt, and always so nice to Yami. They were brothers, together, street rats made into a new world they intend to do well.

"Gh...Get the f*ck out of here!" He's choking on his own blood, and Yamikumo looks apatically at his best friend, who was dying in the alleyway, "Leave already!"

This isn't fear. Being scared meant that he lost.

"YAMI! GET AWAY BEFORE THEY BUST YOU TOO!"

This isn't dread. Feeling dread meant that you know what's going to happen.

"YAMI!"

This feeling is consuming him, he's not afraid, he's not scared that his best friend is dying in an alleyway. He's not scared. He's not. He can't be - he never felt this raw emotion before. He can't be - he won't be - this isn't him. He's not scared, he's not he's not, he's not.

He was terrified.

Yamikumo jolted awake, his purple eyes staring blankly at the white ceiling above him. His fingers clench in anger as the feeling of terror flickered through his mind again. He drags his hand through his face, breathing heavily as he sits up, trying to shake that useless feeling away.

It isn't needed. This is not needed. Emotions are useless - being soft just got you killed. Yamikumo knows that. He needs to install that into Izuku, he needs to get him to f*cking understand that being nice wasn't going to get you anywhere!

But... Izuku was so nice, and Yamikumo felt so happy when he saw him smile so happily.

Growling in confusion, he twists himself out of bed - he was so tired of these conflicting emotions that appeared out of nowhere! What the f*ck was his problem, why did he feel so emotionally constipated all of a sudden? Why? It made no sense! He makes a beeline to the kitchen, maybe some milk could calm him down somehow.

He jerks open the fridge and yanks out the milk in one motion, slamming it loudly onto the counter. He doesn't bother being quiet, Izuku was a heavy sleeper - there was no absolute way that he heard anything. He pours it into a glass and throws it into the microwave, letting it heat up.

Yamikumo sighs heavily, bending over the counter and covering his face, tomorrow they had school. There were boxes of their clothing, decoration, and barren necessities packed up and all ready to go. They had to go to classes early in the morning, then later move into the dorm, which is required for class 1 - A. It sounds a bit like favoritism, honeslty, but Yamikumo's not complaining.

If it keeps Izuku in one place and makes sure that he's not f*cking suicidal, then it's fine.

A creaking of a door catches Yamikumo's ears, and he nearly breaks his neck turning around to look at Izuku's room. Seeing the green fuzz peer out cautiously, looking over him before somehow thinking that it was safe to leave the room in sneaking formation. He had a yellow bag on his back, Yamikumo narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"Where do you think your going?" Izuku jumped, his head whipping around to see Yami with a hand on his hip, "Do you honestly think you could sneak out without me knowing? Where the f*ck do you think your going?" He can't hold this harsh tone back, and he knows that it's not to Izuku, it's not his fault after all. Well... it was a bit, but Yami wasn't one to throw something at him that he knows that Izuku had no control over.

"U...um... to the beach." Izuku admits truthfully, he blinks at Yamikumo with soft emerald eyes, "I'm going to go to train... for one last lesson..."

A lesson? With that mysterious mentor he refuses to talk about?

"Hm? How about I go with you? I could use some fresh air anyways." Yami brushes past him, going into his own bedroom to get his jacket, "I'm so curious about this mentor that you refuse to show to me. He must be a good one, if he got you into the school." Izuku raises a finger, "W-well, I-I I don-"

(Howmanytimeshaveyoutriedthatyouliar?)

"Shut it, Izukun, I don't want to hear you reject me again." He glances over at Izuku, "Dress into something warm please? The cold front is sweeping in again, and I don't want you to get cold, sweetie." There's something curling up in his chest, anger, and more pointless emotions. He felt sca-

Oh. Realization dawns onto him.

"Hey Izukun," Yamikumo calls out as the green fluff popped out his room, wearing a much thicker jacket, "Did you have anyintrusive thoughts about weird things? Has it been happening lately?" The boy nods, staring owlishly at his brother, "f*ck - thought as much. I'll do that over the weekend then..."

"Do what?" Izuku asked, tilting his head in that cute adorable manner Yamikumo loved so much, he felt his heart melt, "Kill my physical form." He answers, grabbing his keys and bringing Izuku out the door.

The glass in the microwave long forgotten.

-------

"Mr. Yagi - sensei!" Izuku called out, stumbling over his own feet as he hurried over to a very unhealthy man with blond hair. He wore baggy clothes and looked very skinny, as if he was a stickman. Was he a previous hero that lost in battle or something? Was he like an old hero who inspired others? How did they meet?

Yamikumo frowned, what the f*ck? He was expecting a buff person, someone that had unlimited stamina, like how his body would feel after a whole day of training. He was expecting, All Might or something! Not this, very sickly man... Was it alright for him to even be out here, at this time?

Izuku stumbled over his words, talking faster then he could think and Yamikumo could barely keep up. Something about not being able to keep up with something, he couldn't control something or some sh*t - he could care less really. But...

This man is not what Yamikumo was expecting.

"Hello, who might you be?" The man directed his attention to Yamikumo, who stood behind Izuku, staring at him while he thought. Blue eyes practically tore him apart, inspecting him - he didn't like this. Even if he's being kind, he didn't want to hear it. "Yamikumo Midoriya." He answered simply, practically glaring at him, this is what tore Izuku from him and into training?

While he's over all happy that Izuku was training and attempting to get better, he didn't like the limited time he got to spend with his brother. Izukun was his after all, like hell he's going to share him. "Mr. Yagi yeah? How about we go for a quick fighting match?" Yamikumo smiles, tilting his head as he gauged the man's expression. "Let's see whose better, hm?"

"Y-yamikumo, that's not a good idea - he's not a fighter - he's rather a - a mentor! This is my brother Mr. Yagi, please e-excuse his manners!" Izuku quickly got in between Mr.Yagi and Yami, "Please don't pick a fight Yami..."

Yamikumo stared mutely at Izuku, "But he's teaching you, right? So... He should be strong enough to take me, right? So fight me, Mr. Yagi?" He glances at the blond over Izuku's shoulder, smiling invitingly. "So?"

"I'm here just to train your brother, young Yamikumo, he's a very hard worker, you know that?" Mr. Yagi smiles at him, "He never gives up. He's such a good pupil - would you like to train with us?" Yamikumo glares at him, a bit annoyed that he was brushed off. But at least he's complimenting his brother, "Why? Why ask me?"

"You seem lonely." Was his reply, Mr. Yagi seems to be smiling at him, fighting against his permanent frown, "You want to be included. You love your brother, there's this look of envy in your eyes." Yamikumo lip twitches to right. What the f*ck? "Would you like to join us?" He asks again, holding out his hand for him to take. Izuku looks happily at him, beaming happily and Yamikumo hates that look.

Chapter 11: My secret

Chapter Text

Izuku can't wipe that stupid smile off his face and Yamikumo finds it adroable. He can't bring him to bring his brother down as he messily ties up Izuku's tie. It's awkward and doesn't want to tie properly though, but Izuku's smiling so innocently.

(itsruined)

"Hey hey Yami!" Izuku asks cheerfully, looking at him with big doe eyes, "Did you have fun with Mr. Yagi? It was fun huh? Right? Right? Do you think he's cool? You seemed nicer after that run, was it because you were tired? Yami? Yami are you excited!?" He pumps a fist in the air, Yami can't help the chuckle that escapes him, "Hey you seemed super nice with Mr. Yagi! Can you do that for this school year? Can you? Can you? Pleassseee?"

Yami snorts, ruffling the green haired boy's hair, "I was nice? I literally challenged your teacher to a duel. How is that nice?"

"But you brought us smoothies and stuff! That was nice! And you didn't insult him either!" Izuku makes it seem like Yamikumo's a righteous jerk, "That's super rare!"

"That's because he's a sick man." Yami replies, leaving Izuku in his room as he grabs onto his bag, "As much as a monster I am, I do have standards."

"But you were nice, right? Right? So can you promise to be nicer for this school year?" Izuku presses, launching himself onto Yamikumo's arm, looking at him, "Please?"

"Are you trying to get me to not fight everyone?" Yamikumo narrows his eyes, tugging his arm harshly away from Izuku, "You are aware you're talking to an arsonist, right? It's pointless to hope."

"Please?"

"No."

"I'll... uh... buy more lemon candies!"

"I own the money sweetie. No."

"Uh...please?"

An inkling of an idea forms in Yamikumo's mind, and he smiles, "How about this? You stop jumping in suicide situations?" He presses a finger on his chin, leaning forward to Izuku, "And then I'll play nice? Or try to, I'm not perfect."

Izuku's eyes light up like Christmas, "Yes! Absolutely! Anything!" His smile is blinding Yamikumo, the light - it burns.

Izuku slams into him again, hugging him tightly, "Thank you! Thank you!"

------

Walking to school was like going through Deja vu, with Izuku skipping merrily to class, spinning around occasionally to smile at Yamikumo and the latter walking sluggishly behind.

If he keeps turning, he'll get hurt and most likely fall over his own feet. Yamikumo should probably walk beside him. Being overly excited for something like school, seems extremely worrying, who the f*ck cares about school?

But Izuku's parading around as if he won the lottery - it's absurd but again, Yamikumo's not complaining. At least he was in a safe environment where nothing bad could never happen in a long while. At least he was safe.

(youcantprotecthimforevermonster)

Purple eyes glued onto the back of the teen, worry engulfing him as he let horrible - terrible thoughts roam and coat his mind. What if others hurted him? What if Yamikumo glances away for a second and suddenly he's gone? Or worse, he's crying because someone lied and betrayed him? How would that make him feel?

Wouldn't it beef him up, somehow? Would Izuku become stronger in a way? How would he take that betrayal?

(yourestillmadaboutthat?)

Yamikumo was him, technically, so when he went through that messy patch, he was torn, wasn't he? He couldn't breathe for the longest time, he fought and dug away to escape that plane of reality so he can live without looking at the aftermath of trusting someone. How exactly different were their worlds?

Yamikumo never met an All Might in his world, never met the hero with a big smile and a sense of justice. He never met that Shigaraki guy or Recovery girl, so there were some differences in his world. He knows that they're could be different and the same at the same time...

But what about the traitor, that was destined to lie and twist Izuku's world? Tear him apart and look at his insides, at his most vulnerable moment? Was that person still going to do it?

(Youknewitallalonghuh?)

Yamikumo doesn't want to hurt Izuku - more then what he already did. He doesn't want to push him to his breaking point, to the point where he doesn't even care for his own life anymore. He doesn't want others to make him cry - to laugh, to make him guilty. That's his job. He didn't like the thought of someone else doing that...

What his role in this world?

(Protectorjokersaviorblackrosesmea-)

"Hey... isn't that the guy with the really powerful quirk?"

"Woah! It is! He really smashed the robot to pieces huh?"

"Heard he got hospitalized after that."

Yamikumo noticed how Izuku stiffened just slightly, looking down as he now hurried to class, his feet shuffling quickly against the tiles. Yamikumo took that time of distraction to openly glare at the people who were talking about Izuku, didn't they have common decency?

Talk sh*t get hit.

Yamikumo rolled up his right sleeve, ready to walk over there to knock his lights out when Izuku suddenly looked back at him - he immediately regained composure and smiles nervously at him, offering his balled up fist as a wave.

When Izuku turned back around, Yamikumo sighed breathlessly, glaring silently at the trio who didn't even notice him, "You survived today..." he mutters below his breath-

He can't breathe actually.

He slowly realizes that something is horribly wrong when this lump of something in his lodges throat, his eyes widen as he slows down even more, choking on that icky feeling and glances up at Izuku, to make sure that he's not looking. When he has confirmation that he's not looking, he hurries off to the side and visibly dry heaves, his hand slams into his chest violently, and it comes out.

It runs messily out his mouth in waves, its sticky and smells revolting, it's rancid, horrible rotten ink that flows out of his non-existent stomach and stains the dark green grass. It splatters noisily against the greenery, it really ruins it. It gets all over his black shoes but thankfully misses his uniform. When Yamikumo's finished barfing out that sticky stupid ink, He hastily wipes his mouth, growling lowly as the smell floated up to his nostrils, he cringes away in disgust, and runs back behind Izuku.

The aftertaste is revolting, it tastes like the stomach of fish, rotting slowly over the burning flesh of a human body.

Yamikumo hates the fact that he knows that taste well.

A part of him was disgusted with the fact that there was now a f*cking blob of black ink that appeared in his throat, another was disappointed to see that there's just a blob of ink ruining the soft green. The other part was super glad that Izuku had no idea about it. And there was the good reliving knowledge that it was going to melt away in the sun anyways.

Izuku didn't know about this.

He didn't need to know these horrible thoughts festering in his head, those thoughts turning into pure ink and coming out him like an outlet. Something to be used and exposed to horrible terrible things - Yamikumo was already doing enough sh*t to him, he didn't need anymore baggage.

He feels non-existent, he feels like an actual painting, moving along to his own march, behind his owner. He feels like he isn't real and it's true. He's not real. He never was, but Izuku won't know that. He won't need to feel this useless and sickly as long as Yamikumo's physical form is here. He feels like his whole body is melting, falling apart at its seams. The threads were already snapping...

He just needs to survive school, then he can off himself later at night. Alone with Izuku, in their dorm, knowing full well that the boy can't say anything about it to others. Izuku was good at keeping secrets, wasn't he?

He really needed to clean his canvas soon.

------

Izuku's thoughts ran wildly, as he merrily hopped to class, oh my god, he was finally getting to the school of his dreams! He could be a hero, and even if it was with Yami, that was awesome!

Maybe if Izuku couldn't save him, he could save him with a help of friends!

If... if they didn't get scared off by Yami or creeped out by Izuku's overly happy nature that creeped out most people...

Yeah... he was fine wasn't he?

Izuku's ears tinted violently red, and he whips his head around to see Yami, now covering his mouth? Was he getting nauseous because it was his first day and he had to be nice? Yamikumo was usually upfront and a jerk to everyone, and since Izuku made him promise to be nicer, was he feeling sick?

Oh god, did he ruin Yamikumo's first day already!?

Izuku slowly starts to slow down, until he reached Yamikumo's side, and places a hand softly on his back, "Are you alright?" He asks gently, peering imploringly at his brother. His brother looks at him, covering his mouth with his hand, his whole frame is shaking, "Are you okay? Did I make you upset by making you promise something? Now you have to worry all about everyone and how they feel? Did I ruin your day?"

Yamikumo blinks at him, "I wasn't even thinking about that but thank you for making me paranoid." He says muffled, and Izuku instantly panics, "D-don't worry about it! Here!" In his haste, he digs in his pocket and pulls out Yamikumo's favorite lemon candy. He gestures to Yamikumo's clenched up hand, and the boy reluctantly opens his hand to accept the candy. "Now you got something sour! Kinda like you." Izuku adds, sticking out his tounge and happily walking beside him. Smiling like a lovesick fool as he walks towards the class of his dreams.

Was Kacchan in that class? He was aiming to be a hero too, right? Oh this was so exciting! Maybe that girl he saved was also in there - though he was afraid of the robot boy would be in there. He... didn't really like Izuku did he?

Oh and he had the audacity to say, "I'll see you in class." Straight in his face. How could Izuku even say that!? Sure he was mad and all, but it was so arrogantly confident and rude, saying it so bluntly to his face. It's something Yamikumo would do, while smiling up with layers and layers of lies and confidence.

"Here we are..." Yamikumo stopped abuprtly, his eyes trailing up to the huge door labeled, "1 - A", "That's bigger then my ego." He states very plainly, using his fingers to unwrap the candy and pop it in his mouth. Izuku beams at him, smiling in the most innocent way possible. "Are you ready!?"

Yamikumo takes in his expression, staring before chuckling fondly and ruffling his green hair, "Alright. Of course Izukun. Let's be heroes, hm?"

Chapter 12: Your secret

Chapter Text

The moment Izuku and Yamikumo enter the room, there's yelling and shouting at the end of the room from the place they walked in. Izuku flashes a smile at the view of Katsuki Bakugou smiling arrogantly at the Robot boy, he currently had his feet on top of the desk - which was insanely disrespectful - but Kacchan was in class! In here! Now they can all be heroes! Izuku felt his ever growing smile stretch a bit more...

"Do not place your feet on the desk! Don't you think it's extremely rude to the upperclassmen who built the desk? How long -"

"Haaah? What? Why the f*ck should I care about some extras!?" Katsuki interrupts, his grin almost predatorily - like. His ruby eyes narrow towards the blue haired male, "And what f*cking school did you come from?"

He pauses, and places his hand on his chest, "I come from Somei private academy. My name is Tenya Iida!" There's something honestly endearing about the way he introduces himself, Izuku smiles in appreciation - but it snaps back into curosity as he hears Katsuki retaliate back.

"Somei?" There's this undertone of mocking laced with Katsuki's voice, "So you're a damn elite, huh!? I'll have fun crushing you!" Izuku smiles fondly, remembering back in elementary school when he threatened the foreign exchange students, thinking they were a threat against the all mighty Kacchan.

Izuku feels a twinge of pity as Iida sputters, "C-crush!? That's a bit cruel... Are you sure you're aiming to be a hero?" Katsuki scoffs, rolling his eyes before they settle directly on green haired boy. Iida follows his gaze and stands in disbelief at him, "You're..."

Almost immediately, he could practically feel and see everyone in this room snap their necks and stare directly at him, Izuku feels very claustrophobic, shrinking in himself and instinctively grips Yamikumo's sleeves. The purple haired male was already glaring at everyone.

"O-oh! U-u-um...!" Izuku does not want attention.

(Rats they move constantly, ripping shredding tearing eating everything they see. They move squirm squish wiggle move muck, just like you.)

"Hello!" Iida shouts suddenly, Izuku jumps back in reflex, as Iidamakes a beeline forhim fast, "I come from Somei private academy! My name is Tenya Iida!"

"Y-you said that already..." Izuku mumbles quietly below his breath, peering up curiously at him, he seemed like a nice person...? Izuku thought he was very scary...? "My name is Midoriya. It's nice to meet you Iida - kun." He smiles, grinning up at him. Maybe... he's a nice person?

"And you are?" Iida chops his hand through the air, pointing at the purple male beside him. The said male seemed unimpressed, his face is strangely tense, mixed with an emotion Izuku couldn't read, he tilts his head in slight irritation, but doesn't snap.

"Yamikumo." He says simply, calmly - not like him at all, "Call me Yamikumo."

"It's a pleasure to meet you both!" Iida says, this time directing his hands to Izuku, "Midoriya - kun, you realized that there was something else at the practical exam, didn't you?" Izuku could see Yamikumo raise an eyebrow in question in the corner of his eyes, "I misjudged you." Iida continues, looking away from Izuku in shame, "I hate to admit this but you are better than me!"

"Actually... I didn't realize anything?" Izuku frowns, looking puzzled at him, tilting his head in confusion.

"Oh wow! It's you!"

Yamikumo whips faster then him, scowling at the new development but the brown haired girl doesn't seem all that deterred as she cheerfully greets Izuku, "The plain looking one!" She points to Izuku, which prompted a scowl on Yami's face. Izuku felt a blush creep on his face, 'it's the nice person!' He thought, smiling giddily as she talked, "You passed just like Present Mic did! You broke through that in a flash! Break! Break! Break!" She raises her fist in a cheer, and Yamikumo snaps.

"Hold up." He hisses vehemently, turning on his heel, glaring at Iida behind Izuku and pressing his finger directly onto Iida's chest, poking him harshly, "You were the one who called out Izukun during the exam explanation, did you drive him to push past his limits? How dare you act all friendly now because he's 'better' than you? He's better than everyone in this class!"

Yamikumo twirls around, pointing at the warm girl, "And you, Sen - san, you stay the f*ck away from him." He growls, ignoring the protest of "that's not even my name!", taking a step forward past Izuku, "Don't act so-"

"Akatani."

Yamikumo freezes, hearing Izuku's voice sharply sting him. He co*cks his head back as he listened to Izuku's stern voice, "You promised." He says simply, his green eyes boring into hispurple velvety one. Yamikumo has a mini staring contest with his brother, before rolling his eyes and looking away. He doesn't say anything, but Izuku's happy that Yamikumo didn't press on, and actually listened to him. For once in his life...

He suspects that it won't be forever.

Yamikumo scoffs childishly, folding his arms. Izuku smiles friendly at everyone, his icy demeanor melted. He returned to his bubbly self in seconds, "I'm sorry about my brother, Yamikumo's actually pretty nice once you get to know him!" He tries to defend while Iida continues his

"About as nice when I shove my foot in his ass!" Katsuki hollered, butting in the conversation, "He'll be f*cking nice then!" Yamikumo sticks out his tongue at him.

"Kacchan, please be nicer!" Izuku asked, tilting his body to get a good look at him, "Let's all get along?"

Yamikumo snorts rudely, rolling his eyes again, "Why? You were just laying there." Yamikumo says, folding his arms, "You weren't going to do anything." The teacher glared at him before sighing heavily and climbing out the sleeping bag. Yamikumo's arm was wrapped possessively around Izuku's, keeping the boy close.

He combs a hand through his hair and stares at the rest of the class, "It took you eight seconds to start finding me. You're all a bit lacking, aren't you?" His voice is painfully monotoned, Izuku notices. "I'm your homeroom teacher, please call me Aizawa - sensei."

Izuku blinked, what? The brown haired girl was confused too, staringpuzzled at the teacher, "You all seem to be out of it, I see. That'll get you killed."

He reached in his sleeping bag, pulling out a uniform of some sort, Izuku instantly recognized it as the gym uniform of U.A. He inwardly fangirls in excitement, he was going to school! In his dream school! He can be a hero! Aizawa doesn't even look at him before shoving the blue pia, "I know this is sudden, but please change into these and let's meet outside."

--------------------

Can a canvas be a god?

I wonder about that sometimes, if I could rule over these people... help them realize somethings aren't as happy. They shouldn't be smiling so carefree like that - ignorant of their blessings, unaware of their true potential. Everyone was so capable of whatever they want, and they chose to throw it away.

Can I be a god, the one that controls the strings? And helps the lost findtheir way? I could be a shepherd, leading them all to salvation... but.

I'm not looking to save anyone, I'm aware that I don't have to save those people, filled with false hope and dead dreams that will never come true. I know and will not save them - I'll let them burn in where I came from. The between - the way I became like this. Can I be filled with organs again? Can I be human again? Where I don't have to fake breathing for you? Where I don't have to feel or promise uselessthings to you?

Where I don't have to lie to you, and pretend to be someone I'm not?

Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.Get out.

you run constantly through my mind, i wish the world would just go away. my hand is just like yours, my voice is just like yours. my eyes your freckles, they'reall mine. you are me and I am you. If I could just stop thinking about you, I would have left you alone. You don't need me. But you do, and I really want to kill you. But... you are me and I am you.

That's how the story ends.

but the paints not dr-

-------------------

"Quirk Apprehensionquiz!?" Yamikumo thrusts his pinky into his ear, twisting it out as he stares at the teacher unimpressively, "But what about the opening ceremony?" Iida asks, deeply frowning at the news. The teacher sighs tiredly, as if this was the 100th time he was saying it, "When you're a hero, you won't have time for small things like that. The school's personal moto, "Plus Ultra!" Use it to your full extent and pass this ball toss with the use of your quirk."

Aizawa pulls out his phone and a ball, pointing randomly at in the crowd. "You, how far did you get in the ball throw?" He asks.

Katsuki points to himself, "56 meters." He says very plainly.

"Now try doing it with your quirk." He tosses Katsuki the ball, and Yamikumo snickers a bit when it fumbles in his hand, prompting the angry blonde to whip his head towards him in a glare. "Who the f*ck are you laughing at, you eggplant f*cker?" Yamikumo laughs openly now, holding his stomach as he pretends to wipe a fake tear from his eye. He doesn't say anything to him through, he could feel Izuku's cautious stare on his back. Instead, he smiles co*ckily at his childhood friend, encourage him to throw the ball.

Was that his new nickname now?

"So... I just throw it? With my quirk?" Katsuki asks, unsure as Aizawa just nods, "Yes."

Katsuki takes one look over to Yamikumo, staring directly behind him and turning around, "DIE!" He throws it, the color of orange and yellow flicker and Yamikumo can feel Izuku freeze, "Die?" He questions cutely, Yamikumo doesn't even have to look behind him to know that he's tilting his head in an adorable way. Yamikumo sighs, smiling stupidly as he imagined Izuku telling him those questions.

"Kill them Yami? Are you sure?" He looks so cute and innocently at him, imploringly as he holds the knife unsteadily, he's nervous, and that's fine, "What if they scream too loud? Won't we get caught? Um... please die?"

Sen got an infinity score (Her quirk was an anti-gravity one?) Which was amazing - sure. (Later, he realizes that her name is Uraraka - but he prefers Sen, he won't forget her that easily.)

When Izuku's called up, he's already shaking, nervous as he shifted from one foot to another, he shuffled, looking down at the ball. Yamikumo smiles reassuringly at him when he looks back. "HA! Crash and burn Deku, you quirkless sh*t!" Katsuki yells beside him, and the shorter male's mood plummets a bit. Rude. But Katsuki's always rude, isn't he?
"Quirkless?" Iida asks, pointing at Izuku, "What are you talking about? He has a powerful quirk!"

What?

"I'm sorry - can you repeat that Iida-kun?" Yamikumo asks, turning to the boy in glasses, "He has what now?"

There's a cold knife cutting him cleanly in half and Yamikumofreezes when he no longer hears Izuku's name in his own head. Never in ten years had that ever happened before. He frantically looks at Izuku, who looks just as confused as him. "H-huh?"

"I erased your quirk."

Yamikumo hears Aizawa say, and he glowers angrily at him, "Your quirk was going to cripple you." Aizawa's jet black hair was now floating, defying gravity with his grey scarf, it shoots towards Izuku, wrapping securely around him and reeling him forward to the homeroom teacher. "You won't be any use in the field if you end up useless every time you use your quirk. No one's going to save you if you keep getting hurt trying to save others."Yami would like to say otherwise.

The scarf drops and Izuku's thrusted another ball, his mind is once again invaded with the thoughts of Izuku, "Try again."

---------------------

Izuku feels a bit disheartened, but he keeps the ball in his grip as he steps back into the ball throwing area. Aizawa wasn't wrong, he knows that all teachers just want the best for him, right? So... He has to find out a way to use his quirk without breaking his entire arm, he looks down at the ball. Was it wrong to give it his all? Was it wrong to just try and try to past through this impossible obstacle? How could he use this quirk without the drawback? There's no way.

So he does something stupid.

He throws back his arm, and throws the ball, concentrating all the power in his index finger and it launches far -way further then he did before. Izuku smiles brightly in happiness as it flies and soars. He looks back at Aizawa, who has a surprised look on his face, grinning innocently, "I can do it!"

"Midoriya - kun! Your finger!" Iida calls out, worry coats his tone as he looks at the smiling boy. "Yay!" Uraraka cheers, pumping a fist up and encouraging him, she's smiling brightly.

"WHAT THE f*ck!?" Izuku jumps at Katsuki's roar, he turns to see his childhood friend charge angrily towards him, his hand spreaded out as small explosions danced along his skin, "You have some f*cking explaining to do, Deku!"Izuku feels fear race against his skin and he takes a hesitant step back. But Katsuki crashes into thin air, crumbling to the ground before two grey scarves could even get to him. Yamikumo has his hand spread out, a dangerous glint in his eyes as he literally drags Katsuki back with a wave of his hand. Izuku recgonizes the quirk he's using, he saw it on T.V, air compression would allow the user to grab things and pull them or push them against each other. It always made Yamikumo air-headed afterwards.

He's being tugged around like a ragdoll, it's mainly on his right arm as Yamikumo drags him directly in his face. His eyes are glowing with a poorly hidden anger.

Izuku shivers from Yamikumo's icy demeanor, the purple haired male whispers into Katsuki's ear, just for the two of them, and he sees Kacchan's fist curl up in anger at his words. "That's enough." Aizawa interrupts him, walking over and picking up the blond by his hand, back to his feet. "Please refrain from getting expelled on the first day by injuring another student."

"That... was a bit weird, what did you say to him?" Someone asks Yamikumo, but he doesn't answer him, he's purposely ignoring him.

Yamikumo's gaze won't leave Izuku's back - that's right, the purple haired male didn't know... did he?

------------------------

"Logical ruse."

Izuku doesn't feel safe.

------------------------

Words mean nothing here.

"You lied to me." It's a faceless person, yelling at Yamikumo in his memories, it shifts into Izuku's green hair, "Insane! You're insane!"

Yamikumo smiles at him, "You knew it all along, huh?"

Izuku doesn't ever feel safe - that's right.

Chapter 13: To each their own

Chapter Text

("I love you.")

(Yamikumo smilessweetly at the person shrouded in black roses, small buds at best, a dark blush is present on his face, "I love you." He says again, to them, to his love)

(The flower wilts away)

----------------

The dorm is huge, Izuku marvels excitedly as he wanders in, his eyes wide with a sense of joy, the living room was huge! It was a giant middle ground, with a TV set in the middle and a kitchen in the far right. The left hall was decorated with a pink and girly sign that spelled, "Girls" while the right had a similar design and the word "Boys" decorated even fancier. The TV set came with dark cyan sofas, and everyone filtered in - holding their own respective boxes, "Yo, Midoriya - kun, the place's pretty awesome huh?" Kaminari says, flashing a smile with his thumbs up, his right hand holds a brown box against his body.

"It's way better than the orphanage, that's for sure!" Izuku cheers, pumping his right hand up, he smiles brightly in joy.

"Orphanage?" The yellow haired male questions and Izuku turns fully to him, he nods, "Yeah, orphanage, Me and Yami had to go there after mom's death." He sees a flash of fear flicker across his face, "A-ah, sorry, I didn't mean to trigger anything, sorry." Ah? Why was he apologizing? What did he do wrong?

"Trigger?" Izuku questions, tilting his head, "What do you mean?"

"He means that bringing up mom might have brought up bad memories." Yamikumo replies, pushing past him and shoving a clear box in his hand, "Stop spacing out, start helping." Yamikumo pauses, glancing around, "There's so many cameras, huh?" Is all he says before he turns his heel and walks away.

He keeps his sentences relatively short, and Izuku shrinks slightly, obeying without a word. Yamikumo's anger was loud and out there, he was such an open book. So it was best to obey without a complain - he doesn't have a choice.

This is his dream - Yamikumo's only allowing it because he wants to see it crash and burn, Izuku has to remember that. He's not your friend, just someone misled and taught different things that a villain would listen to. He was never truly on his side, he just pretended to be. Izuku had to remember.

Kaminari falls quiet, following the green haired boy into the boy's dorm, "Is your brother that blunt, Midoriya - kun?" He whispers, as if afraid to talk any louder, the boy would hear. They walked into the dorm hallway of theirs, and Izuku shook his head in reply, "Yeah... but he's a good person... I know he is."

He knows that he is.

When Yamikumo's quiet, it's a time to be scared. When Yamikumo doesn't reply with a sharp tongue, and spaces out, it means that he's planning something, and Izuku knows that it's never a good thing. He knows that personally by experience - he still remembers the screams that Danshi made when he told Izuku to kick him in the shins, the bugs crawled all over the boy Izuku had come to recognize as a friend. So when Yamikumorushes in after Izuku places down his box, he slams shut their dorm room door, Izuku can practically feel the anger that rolled off of him in waves, Izuku knew that feeling well. He stared in a very calm way up at a pacing Yamikumo, he was seated in his bed while his brother bit his nails and tore them off until they bled.

His hands are an inky black already...

It's a while before he finally looks at Izuku, "Where did that quirk come from?" He asks, carefully, deliberately sweet. Izuku remains quiet, turning his nose stubbornly, he pulls on his white t-shirt sleeve, "Izukun, sweetie, I need to know if you got into illegal activity. Where did you get that quirk from?" Yamikumo approaches him fast, bending to one knee as Izuku folded his legs over his blue jeans, his arms follow his actions. He's not going to fall for this again, this useless cycle, he was going to keep his promise to All Might. He's going to be a hero and Yamikumo didn't control his life. He won't let him try again.

Never again.

(Lost mindless rats, cant be MOVED, cant beSOUGHT cant be BOUGHT)

Yamikumo recognizes the look in his eyes, and he just sighs heavily, "Did you get into legal trouble? I'm not f*cking around, if you gotinto contact with him, it was Mr. Yagi, huh?" His tone turns dangerous as he glares away from Izuku, "He didn't look like trouble..."

Izuku immediately flies into his teachers defence, "Of course not! Mr. Yagi doesn't do that! I'm trying to be a hero! Why are you accusing me of something like that if we're in a hero school right now!?" Izuku protests loudly, his fist clenching up in irritation. His brother sighs heavily, as if it's a pain to explain to him, "I don't know - maybe the fact that you seem overly happy but avoiding me at the same time? Then you suddenly get a quirk - that isn't me. Do you know how suspicious that sounds?" Yamikumo's hand lashes out, grabbing on tightly onto Izuku's wrist andyanking him roughlyonto the ground with him. Izuku lands with an "oof" and Yamikumo pulls him into a hug. His brother squeezes him tightly, Izuku could feel his own heartbeat vibrating against Yamikumo's inky body.

(Together molded happy happy sad mine mine mine ahaha mine )

"I'm trying to be good for you, so please? Tell me where did you get that quirk? If you got it where I think you got it..." He trails off, but Izuku gets it.

"It's not illegal. I promise." Izuku says softly, hesitantly hugging his brother back, "I want to be a hero, remember? We'll be heroes together." It's a promise that Izuku wants to fulfill. If Yami was so hestient about being a hero, maybe being in this school can show him! It's a fruitless wish that would never come true. Yamikumo scoffs, resting his chin on his shoulder,

"You say it so earnestly, like you wholeheartedly believe in that. Izuku... when will you realize?" Yamikumo is so tired, of telling him this. He preaches it every day, he always tries to dissuade Izuku, discourage him from this hero path. But at the same time, tells him to follow his dreams. His words contradict one another, so that Izuku doesn't know what he truly wants. Izuku smiles gently, and Yamikumo stares at him, with that same blank face.

"When you realize that the world isn't so bad." Izuku replies, pulling his brother closer and patting his back, "When will you realize that?" He turns the question back to him, shedding a small smile.

---------------

"I'm going to go kill myself." Yamikumo says suddenly, standing up from the bed where Izuku lazily rewrote the notes from the first day. He swipes a silver knife out his pocket, and looks as Izuku, waiting for his response, "That okay with you?"

"Sure." Izuku whispers, half-distracted as he switches color pens, "How long this time? Do you know? Is it an hour? Two? Seven?" Izuku frowns, pulling himself away from his notes, "You need to be finished by the time dinner rolls around." His voice is steady, calm as he stares straight at his brother. It seems so natural speaking of killing themselves, like it doesn't matter, none of this matters - does it? Izuku just doesn't care anymore, he's tired of this endless cycle that will never end.

And Yamikumo knows that.

He's the one that broke him, that made him realize that nothing in this world really matters. He's the one who tried to make him dependent on him, so that Izuku won't be his own person but rather a copy of Yamikumo. And Izuku was the one that followed religiously through that, following and barking him - afraid to make him angry, afraid to make him upset. He trapped Izuku was trapped in the web - but at least he could be a hero and save others from his grasp. "About five hours." Yamikumo says, twirling the knife in the air as he peered over, "Yamikumo notes, huh?" He questions, his breath hitting the shell of Izuku's ear, "What's this all about sweetie?"

"You never tell me anything, so I took matters in my own hand." Izuku cringes away from his brother, wiping his ear roughly, "I have to find the drawback to your quirk."

"Your quirk."Yamikumo instantly corrects, frowning, "Is killing the physical body not enough? You've stabbed me plenty of times in the neck before, I burned to death in the orphanage, what more of a drawback is killing the body?" Izuku turns his head, staring blankly at him, "You also said that it was me, that had to kill you. You lied to me about that too."

Yamikumo rolls his eyes, sighing, "Yes, Izukun, we have established that I'm a liar - is that anything f*cking new?"

"So how do you expect me to trust you?" Izuku whispers, tilting his head as he stares challengingly at Yamikumo. His eyes glint mischievously while Yamikumo sneers in his face.

"Because I can kill you right now." Yamikumo threatens, pointing at his face, "You know I don't have to be your quirk, right?"

"I also know that you are my quirk." Izuku deflects the threat easily, shoving his brother's hand away from his face, "You haven't kill me yet, so I can't find out why you stay with me. What happens to your body after you kill it?"

Yamikumo shrugs, draping himself over Izuku's lap, over his notebook and minding his pens, "I'm a canvas, a blank one at that, my body doesn't matter really. It's just... thereI guess? As for the reason why I keep you around... I like you." He flicks Izuku's nose, causing the latter to snort out air, swatting it away, "I said that the very first day we met. I love you." Izuku reaches for his notebook, pulling it harshly from Yamikumo's back, "Liar."

"Sue me."

-----------------------------------

Yamikumo's corpse laid peacefully in the closet, clear of any clothing and only staining the light blue rug. The knife was lodged deep into his throat, the tip of it stuck out of the other side of his neck. His purple eyes looked lost in the distance, and Izuku reached over, slowly closing his eyes. His white jacket was stained with black ink, though it could be easily written off as a design choice, Izuku supposes. He sighs at the body, his eyes trailing down to the arm sticking out of the doorway. He kicks it in, and closes the closet, leaving Yamikumo in the dark closet.

Izuku's sick and tired of this.

-----------------------------------

Kasuki hasn't barged into his room, he didn't bother screaming at Izuku about hiding his quirk, they're right across the hall, but Katsuki didn't bother knocking violently, threatening him about killing him for lying to him. Izuku wanted his friend to scream at him, like old times, but... He's not going to - was he?

"How boring." He copies Yamikumo's quotes, pasting them as his own, "How utterly boring."

--------------------------

It's so quiet, it's so lonely, Izuku wants to make friends but he's too afraid of rejection - afriad that he'll never fit in. He's too desprate, he knows that. He doesn't know how to interact with people anymore, Yamikumo was the talker, while he was the good cop. He was using Yamikumo too - but that's okay because he uses Izuku too right? Right? Tapping his pen isn't going to do anything. Waiting isn't going to do anything. He has to do something - he has to be someone without Yamikumo.

He doesn't move.

------------------------

He wants someone to save him, but he's not important, he's nothing right now. He won't ever be anyone unless he becomes a hero. But he's so tired, and so sad. He doesn't want to move, he doesn't want to sleep. It's painfully silent, static fills Izuku's ears and he realizes that it's just him, in this dorm. Everyone has left, and Yamikumo's corpse is still in the closet, slowly repairing itself. He's alreadypretending tobreathe again...

There's a soft knock on the door, "Hey... are you in there? We're about to go eat, you two haven't left in a while... everyone's a bit worried." It's Uraraka, she was... the nice girl, right? She was the one who Izuku saved, right? She was... they're all blurring together.

(Whydidntyoutellthemyouthoughtyouropinionwassoworthless?)

"Yeah! Just give us a few minutes... thanks for checking in with us." Izuku doesn't move.

------------------------

Anspill of colors was littered all over the couch in the middle ground at 10:00 PM at night, the TV glowed a light blue as Yamikumo relaxed on the sofa, his hands mindlessly sewing the colored clothes together. His soft violet eyes are intensely focused on the needle and thread in his hand, sewing small designs onto the white sheet of fluff. He had changed into a fresh black long sleeve and a pair of shorts, his legs crossed at the heels. His ears twitched ever so slightly as the TV played the news of the most recent villain attack, a man with the ability to make masks out of his own skin. "Stupid..." He mutters below his breath, pulling the thread with his teeth, slowly tying the two strands together. His fingers work nimbly, and quickly, as he knows that everyone needs their costume together for tomorrow. It's some training exercise and he wants to make Izuku the perfect costume - he wasn't going to let any other person make something for him precious little brother. He would be happy, receiving something so very special from Yamikumo.

When Yamikumo revived, Izuku was already in the bed, curled up against Yamikumo's bed, hugging his pillow. Snacks and honey buns littered the foot of his bed, ao Yamikumo assumed that he was too late on returning back to normal in time. His eyes had tear streaks down his face, so Yamikumo decided that he shouldn't wake him up, he was already in an emotional state, Yamikumo hated to worsen it. He petted the top of his hair, watched fondly as Izuku instinctively curls up with it before taking his patchwork and taking it to the middle room. There was no cable in the rooms yet, the dorms were still relatively new so they weren't all that ready. Since everyone was resting up - due to the event scheduled for tomorrow (It must be something physical) he had the TV all to himself.

At least that's what he thought.

"Yamikumo? Is that you?" Yamikumo felt his neck crack to the side in surprise and annoyance, he peeked over his shoulder to seefour the girls had come out (Save for the ghost girl, where was she? And the pink haired girl - where was she?) Sen - san was dressed in a penguin PJ, standing next to the frog girl, who claimed her name was Asui - but prefered Tsu. She was dressed in little frog PJ's, with a light green see through jacket around her shoulders. The girl that looked a bit like a punk rock girl, with her earlobes as earphone jacks... Jiro? She was dressed in a pastel pink PJ set, her eyes dazed and heavy with sleep - but she didn't seem irritated. And lastly the girl with a spiked up ponytail, the ability to create things in her body, Yaoyorozu. She wore a black PJ set, one that looks a lot like Jiro's outfit. "Oh! That is you! You and Izuku didn't show up for dinner, why? We were all worried.."

This is like the second time we talked, and I was rude to you the first time - since when did you suddenly worry about strangers? "Oh, I wanted to finish this up." He raises the half finished cloth up towards him, he has his back towards them, "Izuku was feeling under the weather, so I made him take some pills and made him go to sleep." He lies easily, not even glancing at them. He wants them to go away.

Unfortunately, the girls start to filter through the sofa, sitting down - as if they rehearsed this, please go away, Yamikumo would like to finish in peace, "What are you making, Yami - chan?" Tsuyu croaked, pressing her finger to her chin, "Is that your hero costume? Why not have support make it?" Yamikumo shake his head, "My quirk doesn't really need anything, same goes for Izuku. I prefer to do it myself. I don't need anyone to help."

"If you need any materials, I can supply them if you need them?" Yaoyorozu offers, extending a hand to her body, "I can make anything from my body, do you need anything?" Again, Yamikumo shakes his head, "No - I've been using your quirk already, I appreciate the offer though."

"My quirk? You've been using it?" Yaoyorozu questions, and Yamikumo sharply nods, using her quirk to pull out more thread, "My quirk is copy, it's very handy." Sen's eyes widen, "Woah! That's so cool! Can you copy my quirk? Jiro - chan's?"

"Yeah, sure." He presses his palm against one of the cloths and it starts to slowly rise, he presses his fingers together to make it fall, "I can't do Jiro - san's, I can't copy mutant quirks, no way. Those are dangerous." He glances at the girls, who seem strangely interested in his quirk - these people don't make sense? Why are they here?

Please leave already. "What are you girls doing out here?" He finally asks, placing the thread in the eye of the needle, he secretly looks at them, who seem to shiver almost.

Jiro's quiet demoroer vanished, and Yamikumo watched as she had a trace of fear on her canvas, "The storage room is haunted. I kept hearing voices in there... So I couldn't sleep, and neither could they."That has to be the stupidest reason why. "So we came out to watch TV, but we saw you so, we'll keep you company." He's not the lonely one here, he could feel his face drop in disappointment, "You do realize we have an invisible classmate right? Hagakure - san, yes?"

"They're gone - they aren't in their rooms." Yaoyorozu whispers, horrified while Yamikumo gave her the blankest look, "Yami - san, they've vanished."

"I don't believe in ghosts, but it's true. They're missing and I can't convince them that there's a chance they went to get something to eat or something." Tsuyu says, shaking her head, "So I'm here to support the girls, they won't believe me." Tsuyu shrugs, "What should I do?"

"I mean! It's like super close to curfew! They only got an hour left - who would leave at a time so close?" Sen cries out, shaking her head, her hands go up to grab her head, "This is against the rules! I'm so worried."

Rolling his eyes, Yamikumo went back to work, this time sewing quickly, "Girls are so stupid." He mutters, trying to hurry up. He wants to be alone, god damn it, but if those girls are here for a reason asstupid as a f*cking ghost, then it was likely that they weren't going to leave him alone. "You can use the TV, please just leave me alone in peace." He takes the remote and throws it toSen, who fumbles with it, "Yamikumo - chan, no no, you can watch TV, we don't mean to steal the TV from you." She smiles sweetly at him, her brown eyes twinkle with the blue light, and he unwillingly feels a blush creep up his face, "That was so sweet of you though..."

What the f*ck.

Yamikumo shakes his head, abruptly standing up and taking hisfabrics in his arms and stomping away towards his room, "Nope nope nope nope." He chants lowly, leaving behind the girls and opening his own room. He closes the door with a soft click and falls head first onto Izuku's bed, huffing, "I hate people."

Now he can see why Izuku likes that girl.

Chapter 14: Puppy dog eyes I can not refuse

Chapter Text

Waking up to see Izuku's slumbering face is a wonderful feeling - the warmth in Yamikumo's chest was wonderful each and every time he sneaked into Izuku's bed to cuddle up next to the only ray of sunshine in his life. Little puffs of warm air coming from his mouth hit his chest gently, Izuku's fists were curled up against Yamikumo's chest, his eyes were closed - lost in the land of dreams that seemed so pleasant. He was smiling so sweetly and Yamikumo had an insane urge to jump into his dream and find what exactly made his brother happy.

He could do that - but he rather just enjoy it while it lasted.

His hand mindlessly threaded through his green seaweed hair, he let a rare smile dance along his lips when Izuku leans into the touch, he always did that when he was asleep and Yamikumo could take advantage of him.

How can something so precious... be him?

It seemed so surreal. A monster like him - and an angel like Izuku? So weak - vulnerable and easily influenced if it were not for him. If he wasn't around, he was sure that Izuku would listen and blindly follow Katsuki as if he wasn't a bully. He was sure that he was the middle ground, that tried to guide him. Izuku was so bright, a light in the dark, in the night, he's there lighting the way.

Suddenly he's powerful, a force to be reckoned with. He was too naive, Izuku was too stupid. People already picked on him for being quirkless and naturally oblivious to certain situations, and then he's powerful. If being in the 20% of the world was quirkless was rare enough, imagine the target on his back for having this overwhelming quirk like that... As much as Yamikumo didn't want to consider it, he might actually have to steal Izuku into the night and force the truth down his throat - till his windpipe snaps and he gurgles on the truth he didn't and refused to accept.

If it wasn't Izuku, Yamikumo was certain that he would already be rotting away in some random well. But he loves Izuku, oh so dearly, so he'll be patient and try to show him. As tedious this is.

Izuku was his, and he won't let anyone touch him, take him away from others. If he got hurt, it's his own fault - it'll be more leverage that he could use to guilt him. Eventually, Izuku will understand, his guilt and insecurity will speak and he'll understand that he's no better then Yamikumo. After all - he came from Izuku's desires. To be a hero, to save him, to be his first friend, to be his lover. He was his as he was him. One and the same and there was nothing he could change that with. Even if he's powerful... maybe...

"Nng..." Izuku stirred, slowlyfluttering softly up at him with those shining emerald eyes, "W...what are you doing in my bed again?" Izuku could see his lovesick expression twist into one of indifference, "What's with that face...?" He finds himself mumbling out loud, biting his lower lip as he watches him with wary uneasy eyes. An expression Yamikumo was hiding can only mean one thing - he was planning something. But despite his voice yelling at him to call him out, he stays quiet and waits for his answer.

"Happy faces." Yamikumo replies, flashing him a smile, "Didn't you say that I never smile? I'm practicing."

"You look creepy."

"And you look sleepy." Yamikumo boops his nose and ruffling his messy bedhair. He stops suddenly, and rolls over to the floor - landing with an 'oof' before hopping up excitedly, "Come on~! Second day of school! Let's get excited with school!"Somethingwas definitelyup,Izuku thought as he follows his brother out of bed, sleepily rubbing his eyes with both hands, "It's painful how forced that sounds..." He sits up, watching Yamikumo's mask flicker for a second, "Can't you just be... nice? Without sounding so pained?"

"That would be equivalent to killing myself," His brother replies, throwing off his shirt, "A pain." He adds giving Izuku a blank stare as the latter shakes his head in disappointment and getting up to get ready for the day.

"Can we make pancakes?" Izuku asks suddenly, it's so random and out the blue that Yamikumo nearly drops the pants he's holding, "The All Might shaped ones you always make...?"

"Um... of course sweetie. But... you know we have Lunch Rush though?" Yamikumo tilts his head - a trait done by Izuku and Yamikumo way too often,when did Izuku want him to cook anything? Usually, Yamikumo was the one that cooked whatever without Izuku's input - he never requested anything, he usually ate whatever he cooked. Now that they had someone that cooked for everyone - he thought he didn't have to cook anything anymore.

"Yeah... but I wanted to eat yours, since your pancakes are the best." That's flattery - Izuku wanted something else...

"... and I'm sure everyone else would love them as well."

And there it is.

----------------------

Yamikumo has no f*cking idea why he agreed to this "Pancakes make friendships" operation - why he let his lovely sweet brother throw a frilly pink apron on him and shoved him forcefully into a kitchen with tools that he could and would kill anyone with. It's like his brother didn't know what Yamikumo was capable of - or maybe his Izuku had so much confidence on him not breaking that promise. He broke plenty of deals before, he's gotten out of them and still regained the trust of everyone that he betrayed. He's done this hundreds of times, backstabbed others for the sake of surviving with nothing but himself. But that excuse was getting old and he was tired of hearing about it.

He was tired of all these words and no evidence of him actually sticking to his words. He never really bothered to try to get a good relationship with others. His Katsuki - kun was the one that initiated the relationship, the one who kept in contact with him no matter what. He depended on him to be the talker, and he wasn't sure how each side worked. There's no need to worry if he's in control.

Yamikumo walks over to the refrigerator, pulling out the endless tray of eggs - the fridge didn't seem like it could ever be empty... This was interesting... He'd look at the fridge more closely later, he had to cook right now. Bumping the door closed he made his way to the stove, where a pancake was already frying. If he did his math right, twenty times three would be... sixty. So sixty pancakes in - He shoots a glance at the clock and regrets it immediately.

6:30!?

Panic overwhelmed him and Yamikumo hurriedly grabs onto three other pans and tosses it on the stove. He only had thirty f*cking minutes!

Yamikumo screams in frustration.

--------------------

"Is this the f*cking last supper or something? What the f*ck?" Katsuki walks in to find the whole dorm happily digging into pancakes, Izuku from the faraway side smiles happily at his appearance, "Kacchan! Come eat! Yamikumo cooked breakfast for everyone!" The said brother was face down on the table, dead to the world. Izuku patted the seat beside him, and Katsuki reluctantly sits, frowning at the dorm. "What the f*ck is going on?"

"I f*cking made pancakes. Enjoy them." Yamikumo's muffled voice was eerily monotoned, but Izuku was quick to distract Katsuki before he could comment on it, "Enjoy!"

"They aren't f*cking poisoned are they?" Katsuki accused, glaring venomously at the purple haired teen, while he shot up, pointing at the explosive teen, "Excuse me!? I spent the thirty minutes cooking sixty pancakes for you all - so sit down and enjoy it!"

"Haaaaaaaaaaaaah!? Who the f*ck are you talking to you ungrateful eggplant looking-"

Today was going to be good.Izuku smiles as he blocks them out and eats his own share.

-------------------

Those toxic thoughts are gone, leaving nothing but Yamikumo's already corrupted mind twisted with the idea of perfection and the constant stream of Izuku Izuku Izuku. Izuku was walking beside him, Izuku was happy, Izuku was worried about him Izuku Izuku. No more useless emotions no more worrying and no more memories threatening to come out of his throat and into the ground, only to melt away as if it never existed. Just Izuku and how much he loved him.

Let me be you, let me devour you until you can't see without me. Let me be your shadow so that I could be used and abused in your place. Let me do everything you can't, let me be a leader while you'll be a follower.

Yamikumo could count every strand of green hair on the back of his head as they sat in class. The textbook was opened to a section he already knew about, so Yamikumo spent the time daydreaming about his Izuku. Yamikumo was already past the stage for something as little as highschool, in his world he was considered a natural genius - he didn't need to do this. Plus he already completed his work.

Raising his hand up, he brushes his hand softly against his brother's locks, while Izuku huffs in silent irritation, slapping it away. Yamikumo retracts his hand and doesn't say much before leaning on his elbow and staring love struck at Izuku's head. It feels like it's just the two of them, in the room, his homeroom teacher's voice was blurring in his ears and he could care less. The two against the world, the two double duo, fighters of this unfair world.

Izuku won't see it like you do, his innervoice whispered, and Yamikumo knows that. The latter always believed in the world that there was always good in the world. In a way - it was true, but the opposite also ruled. There was always bad lurking in every corner, waiting to snatch you and eat you before you could even try to make it a better world. So... how can Yamikumo try to open his eyes...?

He won't be enough to save him every time, it's better if Izuku just stayed silent and followed Yamikumo's lead and remained innocent. Less of a trouble for him, and Izuku would remain safe - hidden from the world. He wasn't enough to save him, he wasn't f*cking invincible - he could still be killed permanently but then Izuku wouldn't have anyone to protect him. He doubts that anyone else could do his job. What would he do without Izuku?

Ever since he came to this world, Izuku was all that mattered in his head - he knows that it's not right to obsess over someone, to kill their beloved mother and to isolate him but he can't help it. He can't help it if he adores every single part of him. Adores the bruises and tears, adores the smiles and the small laughter directed to him. It's love, it's irrational, impossible and not real. Love was a wretched feeling. It was a feeling that never should ever be in a being like him.

He tries to be better, doing small things that aren't noticeable - he tries to be less clingy. But like a magnetic pull, he always finds his way back to Izuku, whether he likes it or not. He remembers the moment he came to this world.

Appearing into the boy's bedroom when he was four-years old, fresh and fragile, Yamikumo considered him a deadweight and left before he could evensense him. Izuku was just him in this world, so he knows and thinks just like him, right? So Izuku could care for himself - because he was him in this reality. Yamikumo had to find the tool so that he could go back to his world to continue his work. To resurrect the dead - to get revenge for what was wrong. To kill that traitor for even thinking about destroying his trust, he had so much faith on her. Then...

The tool was the thing that brought him here, with his own technology mixed with the original - the possibilities are endlessif he just found the tool. It could either destroy him or... If he could just find the f*cking tool...!

Yamikumofinds Izuku again, this time he was bloodied and bruised, laying eagle spread against the sand, his eyes were dead, empty like his when he realized the truth. So the purple hair child thought he was going to harden up and snap soon, like how he did. It won't be long.

It never happened. He still thinks he could be a hero, he still holds onto that dream that would never happen! Yamikumo didn't know what he could do to open his eyes, so he was cruel.

He encourages dreams, but he discorages his reckless dream, so why did he let him go into this hero school?Why?

Yes tha-

"Akatani Midoriya." Yamikumo snapped back to reality at the mention of his own name, he peers up at Aizawa with half-lidded eyes, "Tell me, what kind of pedigree is this?" He points the the board with that same blank look. Yamikumo stares at it, "Sex-linked pedigree." He replies before returning his gaze back to the teacher, "Is that right?"

He could see the annoyance rolling of him in waves, "Yes that is correct. Next time, please focus before you get distracted again." Yamikumo lets out anmumble of agreement before turning his gaze out towards the window, resuming his thoughts as if the teacher just didn't warn him about anything.

How can I be better? How can I make it so that I can make him happy?

Happiness was such a fickle idea, changing every so often to the point where you would and might have mistaken it so many times. Izuku had the same amount of masks as Yamikumo, emotions flickering back and forth that you couldn't even tell the difference anymore. Just the way it should be... Or was this a dream that he couldn't accomplish?

How can I show him that he's mine?

---------------------------------

{Lunch time}

Friends, Izuku buzzes excitedly, slowly approaching Iida and Uraraka with a small timid smile, "U-uh! D-do you want to have lunch together?" His nerves are fighting inside of him, twisting and curling, he feels anxious. What if they say no? Was this too creepy? How does one act with people? Why does it seem so silly to get so flustered over something so simple like this? Maybe it was the fact that Izuku never truly could make friends, he was too awkward for that. He didn't like forcing conversations with people, but it was so hard talking to people. Knowing that life was so fragile over something so trivial like feelings. He waits for his heart to stop beating heavily, for it to stop slamming against his ribcage and silently prays that it won't explode and that no one could hear it.

"Why of course, Midoriya - kun!" Iida broadly claims, patting the spot beside him to show that it was empty, "Sit down and let's enjoy our lunch!" Izuku beamed brightly while Uraraka gave a confused glance at Iida, "Midoriya - kun? Isn't his name Deku - kun?" Izuku unpacked is lunch back, "Either name is fine, I'd love it if you call me Deku - kun though, any one can." He fishes out his chopsticks and smiles at the two, "It means Useless, but it also gives off the I can do it vibe, doesn't it? It's what got me through my days."

"D-deku - kun... it means useless?" Uraraka flashs a concernedlookto Iida, "Isn't that what Bakugou - kun called you? Aren't you offended or anything?" Her voice is laced with concern and Izuku finds it adorable as he shakes his head, "No, because that's Kacchan. He always pushes for the best." He picks up the sweet egg roll and offers it to the two, "Eggroll?"

"I appreciate the offer but it doesn't seem right to call you useless, so I will stick to Midoriya - kun, is that quite alright with you?" Iida pushes the chopstick away, and Izuku nods happily, "Yeah, that's fine too!"

Strangely, Yamikumo didn't interrupt them, and they finished their lunch in calm peace.

---------------------------------

Izuku grinned widely at the entrance of All Might, his hero entered the door like a normal person! It was amazing! His hero, his one driving force to continue this dream of his, the other was sitting right in front of him, giving off the 'what the f*ck' vibe towards the teacher. That's right, All Might was going to be a teacher, how exciting was that?

"Isn't this exciting Kacchan?" He whispers behind the blond who glances at him halfway. "We get All Might as a teacher!? Isn't this awesome?" He repeats, whispering hastily as Katsuki gives a curt nod and a small grunt of acknowledgement, Izuku is satisfied with that response and leaves him alone.

"Please go get changed into your hero costumes!"

Twenty minutes later, Izuku was all dressed into the outfit Yamikumo made him, his green suit stitched up into the one in his notebook. His hood was a mask of some sort, with huge ears that resembled a bunny, a white grin was stretched wide onto the green cloth. His red boots stuck out like a sore thumb, the knee pads and the embow pads added a nice touch to everything. He was briefly worried about Yamikumo just wrapping him entirely out of bubble wrap. Izuku hugged himself, smiling brightly as he fangirled over his very own hero outfit. Ah... this was like a dream come true! First he came to a hero school! Then he has his own outfit and he's with Kacchan! It's like two of his wishes that came true!

"Testing. 1... 2... 3." Izuku twirled around, practically throwing himself into Yamikumo's awaiting arms, "Thank you Yami! Look how cool it looks!" Jumping back, he poses, spreading his arms wide for his brother to see his whole outfit. Yamikumo nods in approval, tilting his head thirty degrees, "Hmm... Place on your hood - does it fit?" Izuku obliges,shrugging it on. The green drops down - covering his eyes and blocking his vision, "Ah. I'm blind." He says jokingly, in the flattest voie he could manage.

"I got the measurements wrong... damn it." Yamikumo curses, turning around to grab his own costume - a jacket and a face mask of some sort. The mask was black and reminded Izuku of the germ masks that some doctors used, it had a curvy little 'w' on it in light blue. Yamikumo's jacket was the heavy kind, black like his mask and adorned with small little cutouts of animals. His mask was included onto his costume. The jacket had the right sleeve as a light blue while the other was a heavy red. "You like it?" Yamikumo asks, gently as if he's seeking approval from Izuku, "Look, look, I can place on the hood." The hood was the same color as the jacket, but this time, it had little black stubs on each side resembling bear ears.

"Call me Yamikuma!" His brother grins toothfully, leaning forward to mess with Izuku's hair, "I look forward to fighting with you."

"Deku - kun!" Uraraka bounced towards the two of them, her outfit instantly reminded Izuku of an astronaut, like the ones that went into space.It was pink and black and extremely cute, "Woah! You look so cool! Is that what you were making last night Yamikumo - kun?" The anti - gravity quirk user asks, looking at the said male. Yamikumo smiles briefly, grabbing onto her hands, "Yes indeed. I had to make a costume for my brother. It's lovely, isn't it?" Yamikumo's fingers settle on his shoulders as he presents him like a trophy.

Uraraka smiles nervously, as if she did something wrong and walks off into her own direction. Ah, was Yamikumo being weird again? Izuku didn't realize...

"Alright children!" All Might appeared before them all, standing proudly with his hands on his hips, "Who is-" He pauses, looking directly into Izuku's direction and covers his mouth, laughing into his hand. "Huh? What?" Izuku utters before Yamikumo peerscuriosity over his shoulder, "Huh? What?" He echos, glancing up at All Might with a leveled gaze, "All Might - sensei, why are you laughing?" He questions, stepping around Izuku, who was still deciphering the situation, "I don't get it?"

"Nothing young man, nothing at all!" A big hand extends to him,causing the boy to flinch violently, taking a step back as he frowns, "Please donot do that All Might - sensei." He asks, crossing his arms against his chest, "I do not know you well enough for that."

All Might only smiles, "Of course young man, I apologize." His smile is sad somehow and Yamikumo can't understand.

Izuku attentively listens as All Might explains the rules,"The class will be broken into twelve teems, half villains and half heroes! If you are a hero, you must disarm a bomb in the room the villains are guarding! Touching the bomb or restraining the villains contributes into the heroes winning!If the villains keep the bomb after the time limit or they restrain the heroes, then they win! Now listen up as I call out the teams!"

Izuku feels Yamikumo's fingers clasp softly against his tracksuit, he turns halfway, worrymixed in his voice, "Yami? You okay?" He's been strangely nicer without Izuku needing to call him out on anything. He wasn't rude - he didn't seem like himself... Was he sick or finally taking Izuku's advice?

"I'm... just hoping for the same team." Yamikumo whispers as he gives him a forced smile, but it was obvious that there was something, Izuku knew him. He was forced to know him, to know his cues and triggers in case that he could snap. "Hey... even if we're not in the same team... I'll still be with you." He uses that line too many times, his smile doesn't reach his face but it does the desired effect as Yamikumo visabily relaxes.

He's such a liar.

"TEAM A: Uraraka Ochako and Midoriya Izuku vs TEAM D: Bakugou Katsuki and Midoriya Akatani!"

"WHAT THE f*ck!?"

--------------------------

(A/N:)

Pssst, Yamikumo's costume looks like this:http://prntscr.com/id0wtl

Chapter 15: haha

Chapter Text

Yamikumo stayed silent as he walks behind Katsuki, his expression was firm with disapproval as he looked hatefully at the ground. He felt nauseous - and not because it was that time again, just being in the same room as Katsuki made him feel nervous somehow. What was he supposed to say to him now? After that meltdown at the entrance exam? Sure he was able to act all co*cky and threatening when others were around - but being in the same room, alone? With nothing but years of resentment and jealousy? Yamikumo couldn't trust his own words to not strangle the life out of the bully that took Izuku's attention away from him. Yeah, not happening.

It'll be easier to kill him. To not deal with any of this anymore.

Still, Yamikumo couldn't help but admire his hero costume, if he wasn't already colorful enough, he was now a flurry of colors. Black and red seem to adorn his outfit, with a small coller that spiked up and down, exactly like his name. He had green grenade gauntlets that came with red and black padding gloves, it looked wonderful and it suited his character well. Yamikumo briefly wonders if he should go check in with that support class, maybe Izuku could learn about their quirks so that Yamikumo could use them...

"Please take this seriously? Let's have a real fight! Please?" Izuku had begged him the moment the call out was said. He wastense - but everyone was staring at him . Were they scared of him already? Why were they all looking at him like he was a monster already? Or was it just in his mind? Katsuki was glaring angrily at him and he eventuallyagreed to Izuku's sweet words and left with the teen.

Yamikumo hates Izuku, he hates his words and hates his smiles that he always falls for...

"Oi, eggplant." Katsuki calls out, his right hand extending outwards as he keeps on walking, "Since when did sh*tty Deku have a f*cking quirk?" He's oddly calm, not as explosive as Yamikumo remembered. Yamikumo's eyebrow quirks in suspicion but he remains quiet untilthe two of thempause in a room and the blond places down the bomb, still looking away, "Did you know about it?"

"Since when did you care about him? Why the hell do you want to know?" Yamikumo growls, his tensestance returning as he stills andglares up at Katsuki, who's expression remains the same, indifference. He doesn't deserve to talk about Izuku, not after the childhood bullies - not after all that Yamikumo dragged him away from. He doesn't deserve to care. He doesn't deserve the life given to him.

"Cause" Yamikumo has a bad feeling about this, "If you didn't know about it, then he's been fightingpastyou. He's been depending on you for the longest time and now he's finally doing sh*t on his own so..." Katsuki trails off, casting a lazy look at Yamikumo, a wide smirk stretching across his face, "It means I can beat some more sense into him!" Katsukipushes against his heels towards him, gripping his forearm tightly andhurling him towards the bomb with a grunt. Yamikumo has nothing toblame but his smallframe as he's thrown clean across the room, and allowing Katsuki to rush out the door, slamming it shut. The door echos noisily throughout the empty room with the bomb and Yamikumo rolls his eyes.

Yamikumo sucks his teeth,steadily standing up and shaking the tremors away of sharp stinging pain. He makehis way towards the door, making a small noise of annoyance as he hears layers and layers of building debris fall outside of the single metal door - he's blocking the door, "Kacchan! You know I have your f*cking quirk with me - right!? I can just get out of here, this is pointless!"

"You won't risk disappointing Deku, would you?" Yamikumo freezes as Katsuki shouts out hauntingly, his hands expanding beside him flickers with small mini explosions, "He'd be so f*cking sad that you didn't listen to him, right? Pathetic. You have to take this seriously - leaving the bomb alone with no one guarding it? Would that be serious?" His childhood friend taunts lowly, then he could hear him turn and run down and away from him and the bomb.

Dread begins to fill Yamikumo's veins and he lowers hishand as he thought about it. Izuku would be sad with him, wouldn't he? Disappointed and angry at him again - and after years and years of waiting for him to trust and talk to him again...

f*ck... he was backed into a corner.

-------------------------

"U-uwah..." Izuku mumbles, looking up at the grey building, "It's much bigger then I imagined..."

Uraraka smiles, pumping her fist up, "Yeah! Ready, Deku - kun?" She walks in first as Izuku nods happily, hopping with each step he took trailing after the brown haired girl. "U-um, we should discuss their fighting tactics...and how to get to the bomb..." Izuku presses his index fingers together, looking up at her cautiously, as if any wrong step could scare her off, "To be honest, it's been a while since I really saw Kacchan fight... but I know he always starts off with a right hook...um..."

Uraraka shoots a glance over her shoulder, "Yeah?" Fluffy friendliness waves from her penetrate Izuku's soft barriers and he continues, "Yamikumo has a lot of quirks he can use, but he rarely uses them, he likes hand-to-hand combat more... he suffers the drawbacks of each quirk he uses, like he might have hyperthermia from too much ice... y-you can't let him touch you." His mind flashes to fire, the blank period of pure anger and anguish and he almost abruptly stops, but ignores the urge to do so, "Do not let him touch you." Izukuwarns with intent,emphasising on those words.

Izuku sees the tense air float back and he sighs sadly, shaking his head as he thought about it.

If Izuku felt scared while fighting, if he felt angry and Yamikumo used that against Uraraka... she would be terrified. Izuku was always closer to his heart, his feelings would not only leave discomfort but horror that was engraved into her mind. Even if he couldn't tell her the exact reason why, she was his friend... was she? Did she say that they were friends? Is this how you make friends?

He decides to change the subject, a mischievous smile grows on his face, "I suggest throwing things at him." Izuku offers, his serious nature melting easily as possible into a mask of humor, "He's be rocking it out." Uraraka gasps, before snorting into her own laughter, "That was horrible." He smilesbriefly before resuming his serious face, "But seriously, let's talk abou-" Izuku cuts his sentence short as he freezes, listening carefully.

Heavy footsteps slam against the ground, Izuku feels the vibrations as he jumps forward, shoving Urarakabehind himhastily and taking the right hook. Hehobbles back, grabbing onto hisleft side of his face and stares up at an extremely angry and hostile Katsuki, his red ruby eyes look down at him, belittling him with every second that ticked past. "Deeeekkkuuuuu." He hisses, and Izuku places his hand back, "Go Uraraka - san. Kacchan's after me, go find the bomb, Yami should be guarding it." He has to think straight, he waits for her small footsteps to fade away and slowly gets up to meet Katsuki's leveled eyes.

He has to think, why would Katsuki be after him right off the bat? He was okay with him being in the same class earlier... was fine being in the dorm even though he was hiding a quirk from him. He was calm all throughout the day, and all of a sudden he had it out for him? It didn't add up. "Kacchan... are you mad that I hid a quirk from you...?" He asks softly - afraid to go too loud as if he'll snap, tilting his head as Katsuki rolls his eyes,strutting towards him with his fists balled up, "No, sh*thead." He replies simply before trying to uppercut him.

Izuku swipes his head to the right, dodging Katsuki's uppercut and scrambling backwards, "No? Then why do you seem so mad?" Izuku questions, jumping over Katsuki's kick to the knee, and keeping his body out of range of his childhood friend's, Izuku remembers that he's a heavy hitter. Katsuki growls angrily, continuing hisstalking andpunches with no real bite as Izuku dodges it all skillfully, his hand was still on his face. There's no explosions, Izuku can't help but notices.

"Start f*cking fighting me damn it!" He roars ballistically, surging forward with a new energy and it catches Izuku off guard. He fails to protect his head as he crumbles from Katsuki's fist. He clutches onto it tearfully, looking up at his friend. "Stop thinking that someone's gonna f*cking save you all the time! How the f*ck am I supposed to deal with you if you don't try to do sh*t!? It's like you've given up - no you did f*cking give up!" Katsuki's shadow covers Izuku, and Izuku sees alick of vulnerable emotion flash through him, his teeth clench up, grinding against each other, "No one's going to f*cking save you!"

I"ll get back to Kacchan. It's a thought that keeps Izuku going, it's a happy thought that he won't let Yamikumo take away. But his fingers were already around his neck, pressing down on him and slowly killing him, "You can't let them know." Izuku hears his voice, low and taunting as he listens Yamikumo's voice. Attacking Kacchan was like...

...destroying his onedream.

"I...I can't! I can't fight you, Kacchan!" Izuku scrambles up, backing away and glancing over his shoulder, as he thinks aboutrunning for it. He's not discreet about it, and Katsuki no doubt notices as he swings again, hazardlyslamming into Izuku's back and making him flycollided to the wall, "And why not, you f*cker!?" Katsuki demands, stomping towards him with aresolve Izuku didn't see earlier, "First, you f*cking run away for eight years - then you still can't do sh*t without your f*cking guardian! Do you know how f*cking worried I was when my friend just vanished out the blue!?"

"I was your friend?" Izuku blinkedamazed at him, tilting his head against the wall with wonder, "I thought you hated me..."Take it take it.

"Don't try to avoid the f*cking question!" Izuku evades his next hit, sweeping Katsuki off his feet with his own as he rushes to get up using his elbows. He should have known that Katsuki was the master of bullsh*t, he was always so blunt! Izuku shakes his head, and books it, running off in some random direction with Katsuki right at his heels. Izuku can't fight him. He can't help it - he's still clinging hopelessly on the thought of him. Even if he technically accomplished his goal of reuniting the blond, he still likes to think that he could eventually go up to his level. To be a hero like him...

He can't hurt him. He can't He cant he cant he cant he ca-

Izuku's train of thought crashes as Katsuki punches him from behind.

-------------------------------

"Kacchan... you... stop filling his ears with those tainted thoughts!" Yamikumoscreamsinto the intercom, but he knows that Katsuki isn't listening to him - the blond was purposely ignoring him and Yamikumo hates it so f*cking much. Hereally really resents thatblonde so much - Katsuki didn't know anything, he didn't know sh*t. He didn't understand. Izuku was HIS, so he can depend on him. Yamikumo was going to save him whether he likes it or not, because he's the only f*cking one that he could depend on.

Everyone else would die - they all had life spans, they could die easily if Yamikumo set them on fire, watching them whither away into nothing but black smalltiny ashes, all piled up on the floor and easily blowable. He would live as long as Izuku would live, he would always be there, stuck with him until the day he dies. No one else knew that but Izuku and him. So Katsuki didn't know anything. He didn't know a damn thing.

He has to show that he's reliable, he made a promise to be nice to everyone, he won't be breaking that promise anytime soon. He can show Izuku that he was going to take this exercise seriously, he can show him exactly why he shouldn't rely on anyone else but him. "Stay the f*ck away from Izuku, impulsive bully!" He lamely insults beforesnarling and tossing the headset off. What f*cking use was it if his partner didn't even respond? It explodes into piecesfrom the impact ofthe floor and he grinds it to dust with his heel. "ARGH!"

He could feel Izuku's fearripple through inside of him, Yamikumo wants to tear off his skin until it's raw and it hurts and Izuku won't feel like that again. It's intensely unpleasant and Yamikumo wants to burn this whole place down. Fear meant that he lost, showing weakness was a horrible thing to do. He's going to f*cking kill Katsuk- Wait no he can't. He has to think rationally, he can't act upon emotions. He can't kill him if Izuku was going to. Yamikumo had to think. Uraraka - no Sen was going to come up, right? So if he manages to knock her out before running after him, then it'll be fine if he did his job, right? He'll save him. By knocking and finishing this stupid basic training exercise.

The door creaks open and his shadow fills the light, Akatani bares his teeth hissin-

Wide curious eyes glance into the room, and meet his narrow purple eyes - the way she stands shows that she's afraid of him. She's hiding half of her body with the red door frame, "W...why was the door barricaded?" She questions, peering at him with soft eyes with that face. "Yamikumo - kun? You look tense."

Yamikumo holds his head, shaking it, no something wasn't right. He just offed himself earlier, didn't he? He shouldn't be remembering anything right now, not suddenly and unsaid like that. Usually, it's by a dream, a distracting one like that time he dreamt of Katsuki - kun dying in the alleyway, so why...

Izuku's fear was making his own fear resurface, f*ck. Quickly, Yamikumo shakes his head and distorts his face into one of mocking - his intense urge to do something increases ten folds.

"We're about to fight, of course I am." He offers her a fake smile, tilting his head as he stands in front of the bomb, his hands crossed against his chest, "Sen - san, please be more wary, I don't want to feel guilty for this."The faster he knocks her out, the faster he can knock Izuku out so that it's over.

Uraraka nods sharply, and throws something at him and coming fully into view. The object she threw grazespast his head,the acute pain blooms against his templebut Yamikumo barely gives it a thought as he shrugs helplessly, "I'm sorry. I'm not going to hold back for a girl. That's okay with you, yeah?" He's forcing these insincere apologies as glee fills him and he smirks knowingly at her, "If you get too hurt, Sen - san, then I'm sorry you have a face that reminds me of someone I hate." Which is a lie, he hates everyone. But he'll give her a false impression, he doesn't hate her.

He keeps on lying to himself - eventually it'll be true. That's what Izuku did, so it must be true.

Several rocks float near her, and Yamikumo sighs tiredly, gripping his right arm- successfully digging his nails into it. The pain that courses through him gets him sharper and he swiftly swerves as they fly past him, narrowly cutting him. He doesn't mind the pain - in fact, he f*cking loves it. Pain keeps him alive, it's proof that he's alive, proof that he's still technically real, he thrusts his hand forward, his palm smacks onto her visor, making it fly off and their skin touches.

A beat passes.

A loud shrill scream emits from her, and Yamikumo's eyes twinkle victoriously as she scampers away from his touch, as if his hand was acid, slowly burning through her skin and penetrating her brain. She crumbles down, her legs as shaky like a newborn animalas paper as she holds onto her head with both hands, her brown pupils dilate and shrink as she shakes her head rapidly. Yamikumo could feel the fear Izuku felt at the moment - slowly increasing as her scream continued throughout the building. Izuku's fearpulses through her skin,skipping ever so often and Yamikumogrins - she now knows how dangerous Izuku's feelings are. It's horrifying, having irrational fear that doesn't make sense, that doesn't belong in her body, in her body and clashing alongside her own.

Like two rivers crashing against each other that don't belong, two colors palettes cutting clean across another, hitting against each other but not mixing - two unnatural things together existing at the same time... Her heart should be pounding heavily, chipping away at the ribcage and rotting away as fear cuts through every single nerve. Fear always overruled everything, controlling your body until you can't think and act based on that said fear.

Yamikumo approaches her gently, as if she was a fragile animal, and carefully caresses her hair - his fingersgrips it tightly, "Sorry Sen - san..." He lets a giggle escape him, a sad*stic smile stretches across his face, "Honest." He slams her head against the concrete, the force knocks her out and leaves small cracks webbing on the dull grey. His smile fades away as he hops over her body and makes his way to the rusty red door.

"Oh Izuku...~"

Chapter 16: Mimic my dream and shatter it

Chapter Text

I want to be happy.

The wish was placed on a gold coin, tossed into a creek, Yamikumo's hands rest firmly on Izuku's shoulders as he encourages him to make a wish. It seems so stupid for a wish, one with no true meaning and no effort. He wasn't sure as to why he desperately wished for something that would never come true. Not as long as he existed - not as long as Yamikumo to torment and taunt him with the idea of freedom. After all, Izuku wished for a quirk, he wished for a friend that would support him either way - no matter how wrong he was. No matter how it came, Izuku wished for those two things, two things that came true.

Why wasn't he grateful? Two of the things he wished for came true, most people didn't get them to come true. He should be happy.

Happy with all that Yamikumo sacrificed for him - for his attention, for his happiness.

His second wish was to be with his childhood friend, Kacchan, the only thing he could hang onto - the complete opposite on what Yami wanted. What Yamikumo wanted was for Izuku to be a doll, someone broken to the point where he could no longer function without him. By not trusting Yamikumo's constant stream of lies and trusting in himself that he could get back to Kacchan with nothing but his own will, he won't lose what little remained in his crumbling mind.

He knows that Yamikumo won't do it himself - his brother just wants him to break over his own will, so that he has something else to hang over him, to chain him with more wrappings of never ending guilt.

"Murderer." His mother's face melts into existence, in his dreams - in his head, smiling as her skin melted and decayed like apaint covering a white canvas.

It's sad how Izuku can't depend on his mother's words and his promise to be a hero for her. This isn't the first time harsh andfalsewords spilled from her lips. Yamikumo could mimic her voice, though it was soft and forever a memory he treasures - he ruined it by whispering vile things from her voice. Telling him that she never loved him - that it's his fault that his mother died. Because he wished for a quirk, so it was... his fault. He killed her. He was the one who snapped, who killed Yamikumo and indirectly killed his mother. He's the murderer.

He wished for a quirk - and that quirkkilledher.

So Izuku could no longer hang onto the thought of staying strong for his late mother - her words could be twisted and the truth hurts, it clenches against his heart, ruining it as it turns into a bloody mess. Instead, he focuses on Kacchan'sendless belittling - the insults that were already bad - and nothing could make it worse. Eventually, the insults became compliments, Deku was no longer "Useless" to him, its meaning had changed, and “You can get through this!" Eventually, his mother was nothing more than a forever reminder of what he done, but it no longer controlled his actions. And Kacchan's insults became words of encouragement.

And it worked.

Yamikumo gave up and Izuku remained in his own little pretty world - confused and in wonder of which way was right or left. He had lost sense of direction, he lost hope on ever actually caring anymore. If he looks back, all he'll see is Yamikumo, coaxing him away from the path he tried to walk with so he just... went for it. Because what else could he do? He couldn't tell what was good and bad behavior, he was so focused on not falling for Yamikumo's tricks that he just can't. He doesn't feel like he belongs here anymore.

And that's the way it should be.

A liar hidden behind so many masks, each decorated to a nice color,each shade to resemble emotions, mixed in variety. So desperate for a face to make his smile reach his eyes. Izuku knew exactly how stupid he was being, listening to Yamikumo's words, hanging onto the thought of Kacchan to keep him in one piece, to never fall apart again. If he lost Kacchan too... where would he be then? He didn't want to hurt anyone - not ever again, his emotions were always so resentable, so if he hides it, no one can feel sad or worried for him. He doesn't need it, he doesn't deserve it.

His last wish is written in a piece of paper, neatly written andtucked in a bottle, tossed into the sea - secret wish that he never wants to see come true:

I wish I wasn't so selfish.

Izukuknows that he'sselfish - wanting one thing after another while never truly giving back. He wants everything without falling for Yamikumo's guilt trap. It's impossible to be happy, everything came to an end. It's impossible to go back to Kacchan, everything here was all that he needed. All he needed was Yamikumo, if only he stopped being selfish. Yamikumo would never leave his side so he won't have to worry about actually harming him. Everything else was so fickle, always changing at the drop of a coin. Izuku never wanted to be alone, he wants-wants-wants.

And Yamikumo was a giver, never refusing Izuku's words in fear that he would completely lose the green haired boy's trust. By being selfish, Izuku won't fall for it.

Izuku doesn't want to hurt anyone anymore. He has so much blood on his hands that it's unreal. That he can't washhis grimy hands from touching Yamikumo's inky corpse, clawing and digging through it in pure anger. Izuku just wants this all to end.

There were so many times Izuku considered ending it - by erasing his existence, Yamikumo can't exist, he thought. He can't hurt others anymore, and everyone would be safe from this insanely intelligent and powerful quirk of his. But that's the thing. Yamikumo isn't his quirk, he - he just claims to be. He technically is his quirk, tied together because theywerethe same person. Just from a different world. Even if he ended it all, Yamikumo would still exist outside of him. If Izuku died, Yamikumo would still live. He would take his place, and Izuku can't save anyone from his grasp.

So... if Izuku attacked Kacchan right now, wouldn't itbe considered breaking his second wish? Izuku never fought back during their elementary days, he always looked up to Katsuki. If a person this strong was still alive, and neverharmedby his uncontrollable quirk or emotions, then he can still be a good person, right? Izuku won't and can't hurt him, so...

He's still a good person.

"DEKU!" Izukunarrowlyavoided another hook, swinging downwards and ducking past Katsuki's arm, his eyes wide as he stares at Katsuki, "Stop f*cking running! Why don't you f*cking use your quirk on me, Deku!?" No no way, Izuku shakes his head, taking a step back as he twitched with rage. "WHY NOT!? Am I not enough for you to use it, Deku!?"

"N-no! Of course not! I just - I don't want tohurtyou!"

"Are you f*cking saying that I'm too weak to handle it? Is that it, Deku?" Ah, his voice became sharp, jagged with a deeper meaning hidden behind it... "Aren't you doing the same though...?" Izuku asks, tilting his head as he leaps back, dodging anotherswipe towards his gut. It's a great thing that Izuku was light on his own feet - it's a bad thing that Izuku didn't know how to stop poking the bear.

"Ah I see now." Izuku cries out suddenly when an explosion appears from Katsuki's hands, the blast didn't directly scare him, but the amount of smoke that obscured his vision scared him - not to mention the loud noise that it made, made Izuku take a step back in fear. He raises his arms to form an X to protect himself, but Katsuki's not having it. Another fistdelivers to him, thecontact launches Izuku faraway, his heels are hardly still in contact with the ground as he looks up to see Katsuki's expression, "If I use my ultimate attack, then you'll fight me for real, hah? Alright." Izuku feels something slowly crawling up his back as he watches him raise his hand, "Get f*cking ready, Deku!"

What?

It's a trick - it's a bluff , Izuku realizes too late as Katsuki practically teleports in front of him, pitchinghis fist into Izuku's arm,and it burns with the force and explosions. It's instinct that drove him to automatically defend himself, he activates his quirk and sends Katsuki flying back with a flick of his index finger on his right hand. Katsuki crashes against the wall, and Izuku pauses, horrified and mortified on what he just did. He just... hurted Kacchan. Hewoundedhis friend, he hurt him.

Iinjuredhim. I hit him and he flew into a wall.Fear bundles in his throat as he watches Katsuki's mouth stretch into a grin, "That's more like it Deku!" He cheers and Izuku shakes his head, backing away, "I... I hurt you." He whimpers, his green eyes glistening in tears. So he can - he can hurt him. Kacchan could disappear too if Izuku could hurt him. He could kill him, he could hurt him. "I harmed you!" He yells, shaking his head.

That can't be right.

This isn't reality - Katsuki can't get hurt by him, he has to remember. Kacchan never was hurt, he was always the stronger one. This isn't him - this... this must be a dream right?

Because Kacchan was mean, because Yamikumo told him that he'll be his friend. Because everyone lies, All Might lied when he said that he could be a hero - Yamikumo lied when he said that he'll ruin everything for him. This Kaachan... is a fake, another one of Yamikumo's tricks and lies weaved into reality. There's no way that Yamikumo agreed to go to this hero school, this was some elaborate plan Yamikumo had planned out - all to lead Izuku to finally break. Its frightening how long Izuku believed in it now, it's been like two days until he realized, and this... this was all a trick. All Might was just anotherfragment of his desires pieced together, tricked into feeling like he was needed.

ButYamikumo doesn't have an illusion quirk,the voice in his head whispers but his emotions took over and that voice is ignored as he reaches a conclusion on his own.You just want to find an excuse to not accept it.

"Kacchan, you aren't real." Izuku mumbles, barely loud enough for the blonde to hear, but he hears it anyway. The boy raises an eyebrow at the green haired teen, "Haah? What the f*ck is that supposed to mean?" Katsuki tenses as he watches Izuku carefully.

"The.... real Kacchan wouldn't get hit.... so.... you're not real." Izuku feels something in the back of his head snap, and he lets a grin bloom across his face. His body relaxes ash he allows his brain to trick him - to make it seem like Kacchan wasn't real. But he knew exactly that it was real. He just refuses to accept it. It's unnatural - it’s not right as he glares angrily at Katsuki, before it falls down to the ground, "I'm so f*cking sick of all these dreams." He whispers brokenly, a wispy laugh escapes his lips, "I'm so tired of this."

"Ggh... Haaah... nng... haaa... haaa."A low groaning noise fills Izuku's left ear and he feels his smile fade away. Izuku pauses, waiting for Uraraka to tell him something only tonotice that she's just breathing heavily. Izuku presses his own com, "Uraraka - san...?" He calls out worriedly, it grows as she doesn't respond, "Uraraka - san!?" The com cuts off and Izuku freezes, ice covering his veins as he hurriedly looks up at Katsuki with terrified eyes. Katsuki's expression was just one of pure confusion, disbelief before it hardens into one of that same determination Izuku saw earlier, "You ready to f*cking fight this time?"

"Move." Izuku stomps up to him, brushing past him as he makes his way back where they originally began - his arm is snagged back and he's thrown for a loop as Katsuki right hooks him with his explosions, Izuku chokes, stumbling back to where he was just seconds ago. Katsuki isn't holding back anymore, so he throws up an arm to defend himself from the punch, the fire from the explosion burns and scorches his arm and rendering it useless. "Move!" Izuku roars, anger overtaking him as a fire in him ignites to save Uraraka to save her from Yamikumo and his cruel tactics.

He has to save her, Yamikumo was about to ruin his chance for friends, he has to get to the bomb and stop this so that everything just stops. He can't handle this right now. Hecan’t cant cant can-

He co*cks his arm back and he can feel his bone in his right arm break as hetosses Katsuki back, his eyes wide with primal fear as he rushes past him. His arm swings uselessly at his side as he scrambles away desperately.

Crashing directly into Yamikumo's chest -he stumbles a bit before his hands steady themselves around Izuku's neck. He lets out a confused choke as his brother brings him to the floor, his fingers clasp tightly against his tender throat and squeezes tightly. Izuku blinks, his forest green eyes wide as Yamikumo applies more and more pressure, his eyes are blown wide with an emotion Izuku never thought he would see again - fear. Izuku struggles helplessly as Yamikumo straddles him, his fingers dig deeper and deeper, fresh sharp pain bloomed on Izuku's throat. Wiggling and squirming, the edges of his vision blurred and he fell unconscious.

"What the f*ck are you doing, Yami!?" Yamikumo's eyes swipe upwards towards the voice, and hesteadily gets up from Izuku's still sleeping body, his fists are balled up as he looks at him, his violet eyes narrowed, "What the f*ck do you think I'm doing, Kacchan?" He asks, snapping his neck to the right, leaning forward, "What exactly were you doing?" He twists the question back to Katsuki but he's not deterred by it at all.

Katsuki huffs, rolling his eyes, "Beating the sh*t out of him,what the f*ck d-"

"Rhetorical question, I know exactly what the hell you're doing." Yamikumo snarls, interrupting him as he overstepping Izuku's body and reaching forward suddenly, gripping Katsuki's red and black collar, tugging him down to Yamikumo's level, "I don't appreciate you trying to ruin eight years of effort I tried to instill into him, he will never need you ever again." His voice is laced with the sweetest venom, slowly eroding him away and eating him away. Katsuki - however, is immune to it as he barks back, "Control freak! I'll tear you apart! How dare you ruin a f*cking fight!? What right do you have playing god!?"

"Playing god?" Yamikumo pushes him back, away from him as he wipes his hands on his jacket, disgusted on the fact that he touched Katsuki, "I'm not playing god." Yamikumo denies, shaking his head and raising his hands in mock surrender.

"Not playing god, my f*cking ass!" Yamikumo grins manically as Katsukireacts with rage, "You threatened to chop my f*cking arm off! You probably set that f*cking fire too, huh!?" He quivers in anger, slowly Yamikumo sees his canvas fade over with red. "You killed Auntie Inko, didn't you!?"

"How sweet... You give a damn?" Yamikumo coos softly, taunting him as he openly presents himself to him, "Since when did you care? Izuku knows that you never cared, you know."

Katsuki stomps down on his foot, crouching down as he gets ready to fight, Yamikumo remains still, smiling co*ckily as he allows small embers of red fire engulf the area behind him.

"Uraraka Ochako has disabled the bomb! Heroes win!" All Might's voice boomed loudly over the intercom, and Yamikumo blinked, dumbfounded. He slowly raises his head up, towards the intercom as her voice filters through it slightly, "T...that was horrible.... my head hurts and...What - what was that!?" She squeaks and Yamikumo places his left hand over his eyes, groaning at his mistake.

Anger clouded Yamikumo's judgement and he knocked Izuku out, not realizing that it released the fear that was on Uraraka's body. Yamikumo didn't knock herout, the fear had tricked him and he thought he was on the clear to knock Izuku out and somehow provoke Katsuki into fighting him. He really needs to stop being so soft on girls. "Argh... there goes my plan." He mutters, dropping his fire and making his way to Izuku's body. "Sorry Izuku."

"Get the f*ck back here, Yamikumo!" Katsuki shouts, but the latter barely spares him a glance as he picks up thegreen bean and walks away.

Chapter 17: All Mighty Miscalculation

Chapter Text

Yagi Toshinori first meets the boy in a tunnel, saving him from a villain he carelessly let get away. At first glance, he was a fanboy, smiling gleefully at his hero. Totheuntrained eye, he could be considered as a very happy individual with his dreams of being a hero. But Yagi knew a thing or two about fake smiles, and thatsmiledidn't reach his eyes to which were shining brightly in the dark tunnel. He was, in his eyes, the definition of pure raw determination with a dream to save others, even if he's not a hero and a person who was quirkless - like him a long time ago.

He needed to be saved, and he wanted that dream to save him.

The hero quality in his heart was so big, he reminded him of exactly was it that made him a hero - that's why he can't let this opportunity go.

"You can be a hero."Toshinorisays, and the boy cries, happy tears that stream down, joy was evident in his sobbing voice.

-----------------------

"Your mother must be so proud to have a boy like you! What a good son, if I do say myself."Toshinorisays one day, his skinny arms reaching up and patting the top ofhis traniee's head.What a good son, his mother must be so happy, "I have it though, what hero am I if I let a child do that for me?"

Midoriyasmiles, "Yeah... I hope so." He almost whispers, looking down at his drink with such a wistful expression - it seems unfathomable on a kid like him. Sometimes, he sees that same expression in the mirror whenever he thought of his old mentor. When he lifts up his baggy shirt and sees his stomach, his body rotting away from that grievous wound.

Toshinori keeps his eyes on his trainee, watching his expression shift from a happy one to mournful one in a matter of seconds. He knew instantly that his mother was a sensitive topic, was it the reason he wanted to be a hero however? Why did he want to be a hero, even though he was the one needing to be saved? He can see it in their sessions of training, pushing himself past the limit and breaking, tearing himself apart for the sake of what? Proving himself? The urge to be a hero? To save others? Yagi doesn't understand what drives him.

He wished he knew.

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It's their eyes.

Young Midoriya's eyes were extraordinarily bright, flattened with a dark undertone that he could never read. Yet he always kept a smile on his face, pure and at ease towards others in an attempt to comfort anyone. He didn't want others to worry, his emotions are on full display, and his heart was on his sleeve. He was an emotional person - but he knew that already.

On the other hand, his brother's eyes were dark, with a light in his eyes that something was going to happen. He was constantly on guard, glaring at him with suchloathingand envy that it's impressive for a child at that age. He looked like he wanted to tear his own head off, but he also didn't want to, dull violet eyes stared expressionlessly at them.

It's their eyes that captivate Toshinori, and he wants to know more about these kids, lost and unsure. Two complete polar opposites, related and happy with each other. He saw the way Yamikumo's eyes lit up when Izuku started rambling to him about the entrance exam, saw how determined he was to fight him.

He also saw the look of longing in his eyes every time he looks at his brother, the helpless look laced into those purple eyes that screamed - even though he wasn't in any trouble. He was at first surprised at the declaration of a battle - but in a way, he understood. He would also worried if he had a brother who was running out at crazy times at night.

He could see that he was just worried, he cared deeply for his trainee, and helovedhis brotherdearly.

"Would you like to train with us?" He asks, watching and gauging his reaction. To his surprise, he agreed.

He was a good kid.

-----------------------------

"We have to talk." A stern motherly voice comes from the speaker of his red phone and Toshinori finds himself sitting in the principal's office with Recovery girl, Nedzu, and Aizawa. "Why am I here? I have a class to teach right now." Aizawa asks, dragging his hand over his face and Toshinori wants to know that as well. Being in his All Might form was already a strain, he didn't want to be in here. Why was he here? He needs to go talk to Izuku, to congratulate him- to train with him right now.

"Well, considering how you'll be working together, we might as well explain, especially with you, Aizawa." Nedzu starts off, raising his paw to press it firmly on the table over a couple of files, "We have a problem. But first, All Might, you can relax. None of this information will be getting out."

"Relax, you say? I am relaxed!" Toshinori has to restrain himself from yelling, there's still students in this school, if they find out that All Might was currently in the school, sipping a cup of tea without a care in the world - he would have to deal with people, probably more Izukus if that was possible. "No, I mean, relaxed in drop that form." Nedzu replies and he frowns at that. Drop it? "Toshinori, I assure you that there are no problems, you can trust Aizawa - san with your secret." Recovery girl pipes in, smiling friendly as Aizawa looked at him with a hint of confusion.

Sighing, he let himself relax, and a puff of white smoke came from his form, and he returned to his fragile form. The normally strict teacher appeared shocked, leaping away from him as if he just revealed that he was god. "Hello Aizawa - san... My name is Yagi Toshinori. It's a pleasure to meet you properly." His voice dragged, and he felt drained, tired. He didn't want to reveal his form but... if Nedzu and Recovery girl gave the Ok, then he knows that it's fine. He knew he could trust him, through the relationship was strained and forced, he knows that he could trust him as well.

"Hm... Likewise." Aizawa mutters, still staring at him, shell-shocked and it wouldn't go away."What the hell?"

Recovery girl was quick to fill him in as Toshinori just hopes that he didn't make a mistake, "A big time villain had hurt him really bad, and he may be unable to do hero work for more than three hours a day."

"Speaking about that villain, we stumbled upon someone very interesting." Nedzu joins in and Toshinori freezes, slowly tearing his gaze from his clasped hands to his friend's bearlike snout, "A boy with multiple quirks, with his brother." His hands start shaking and he wrings them tightly,was that man still alive and causing havoc?

"Yes. I met him while he was getting healed - though my quirk wouldn't work on him. Here." Recovery girl reaches for the file and hands it to asilent Toshinori, the other file to Aizawa. When he opens it, he sees Izuku's bright smile, his records and newspaper clippings over the details of disaster that follows the young boy. "This... is my successor..." He mumbles, covering his mouth with his hand as he leafs through it. His eyes scan over the parent line to find that his mother was deceased and the father was in some oversea mission.

"Izuku Midoriya? That's his brother. The boy we're talking about is Akatani Midoriya. He claims to have the quirk: Copy. But he's not at all related to the Monoma family at the slightest." Nedzu explains, lifting the cup to his mouth, "Not to mention that his quirk doesn't fit with the quirk description... He's lying."

"They're good kids." Toshinori finds himself defending them, he only met the boy once and he knows, he just knows that they're good. "I met him before, they don't want to cause trouble." Even though he knows that the boy challenged him to a fight, he knows they are good kids. It's this sixth sense, he justknows.

Akatani Midoriya was overly guarded, protective over his su-

The urge to protect, Multiple quirks, fire, mysterious murdererof an orphanage and a house that could never be found... smiles that don'treach the eyes...the urge to cling ontofamily.

"They're being hunted." Toshinori blurts out, and Nedzu glances over at him, "That man is after them. If a person with multiple quirks is running from a fire, from someone, wouldn't it be natural for them to cling onto someone familiar?"Like a child holding onto theirlast remains of their family. Holding onto their favorite toy and constantly worried of it."What do we do?"

"That's a wild accusation..." Aizawa mumbles, "How are you so sure? What if this child is the villain? What's his name?"

"All for one." He mutters, and Aizawa refreshes his sentence, "What if this child is All for one, then?"

"If he was, the moment I met him would be the day I died." Toshinori says it with a horrible taste of truth - because it was true. All for one always wanted to murder him, he wouldn't pass up a moment of weakness, especially if he was in his true form. That man was a cruel man, one that he didn't want to even whisper his name, child abuse was nothing new to him. So... it made sense in his head. "What do we do then?"

"I already accepted him!" Nedzu pops in, raising his paw up to speak, "He will be attending school in class 1-A with his brother. I've discussed the idea with dorms to keep them all in one place and safe! So no worries!"

---------------------------

He'd be their father, one to guide the two on the way to trust people. He tried his best: "Young Yamikumo!" He calls out during lunch, catching the young boy with purple hair at the vending machines on the second day of school. It was lunch and the hallways were quiet to his advantage, so he took the opportunity to talk to him. "Hm." Yamikumo hummed, glancing up as he pressed the buttons. "All Might? You go here?" His face flickered with confusion as he took in the number one hero with such normalcy that he briefly thought he was in his true form.

"Yes, young Yamikumo! I have something to discuss with you!" He finally reaches him, while he sees Yamikumo look at him, his hand on his hip as he watches him with a sense of caution. This isnatural, to have a sense of worry whenever someone was taller and threatening, "Would you please come with me?"

"Why." Yamikumo's voice couldn't be tenser if he tried, "If you have something to say to me, you can say it here, surely?" Toshinori flinched by the flat tone, laced with annoyance and the aura of wanting to be alone. He wanted this over with as fast as possible, so it's best to do that. He glanced behind him, steadilycrouching down to Yamikumo's level, staring at him directly in the eyes - violet eyes flash with a sense of amusem*nt.

"Would you like to go to therapy?" He goes straight to the point, and in his head, it's a good idea to be blunt with him. Sudden, blunt and straight up, he shouldn't skip around the bush and it gives him plenty of time to continue after the shock factor.

"A...are you calling me mentally ill?" Yamikumo sounded offended, blinking in disbelief as he takes a step back, a frown overtaking his expression, "All Might, that is extraordinarily rude."

Ah, perhaps that was a bad mistake!

"N-no of course not!" He stumbles over his words, trying to explain himself and moving his hand wildly before he notices his second mistake. The flash of fear in his eyes when he does that, his foot taking a step back as he rolls his eyes and brushes past All Might's fumbling form. Tiredly, he sighs heavily, shaking his head in disappointment as he buries his head in his hands. Maybe he should try to establish some trust in himfirst? How does he do that?

How can he get a kid to trust him? A possible child who was probably groomed to be a villain? How does he do that?

He was always in the front lines, saving people physically - not mentally. He didn't do that, he doesn't know how he can do that.

-------------------------------

He forgot about Izuku - however, he wasn't expecting this.

Yamikumo's stance was defensive as he slowly strangled Izuku against the ground, his eyes were hidden under his hair as he choked his brother, one that he thought they had a close relationship. He can't move, he's stuck watching as Yamikumo seems unaware of his surroundings, ignoringBakugou's shouts of anger and declaration of a fight. He's not in his right mind as he hurts his frightened brother, who seems to have a problem connecting reality with something that wasn't real.

"You're not real, Kacchan."Izuku had told Bakugou with such strong voice, as if he's so sure of it. Yamikumo's strangled and aggravated scream of frustration,"Kacchan... you... stop filling his ears with those tainted thoughts!"They were both afraid, their emotions overpower their ability to think rationally, and they're acting out.

"I thought they were dating..." A voice behind him whispers to another voice, but the class is mostly quiet, in quiet shock like him, staring at the scene. Because... what could they say? "They seemed so close, but now..." Yamikumo's aura spelled out murder -Toshinorihad a feeling that he might actually kill him.

"They're brothers, aren't they?"

"That's seriously f*cked up..." And it's true. Because right now, Yamikumo could choose to use that move he had used on Uraraka, that terrifying scream still reached his ears, ringing with pure fear. But it had knocked her out, her form was still quivering on the screen, her hands hold her head and she still couldn't move. So why wasn't he using that move against his brother? To knock him out? Why was he taking the time to strangle him?

He wants Izuku to suffer.

Toshinori had seriouslymiscalculated on how f*cked up these kids are.

Chapter 18: Afraid of me

Chapter Text

They're in the office, the nurse’s room, Izuku rubs his neck as he watches Uraraka. She's across from him shaking like a leaf, her hands curled up around her body. He could hear her teeth chattering from here, her once warm pools of brown melted away and faded away into dilated pupils that spelled out fear. Izuku wasn't much better either, he was mercilessly rakinghis arm - the pain was a welcomed distraction. It gave him enough courage toinitiatethe problem, "You let him touch you... didn't you...?" He nearly whispers, his voice shakes and it's raspy, but he knows that she can hear him because she stiffened up.

She doesn't respond, but she does drag her eyes to him, her lips quivering, "What was that...?" She asks, horrified and disgusted as she hugs her body even tighter, "It felt like something was clawing into my body... and it burned..."

Izuku sighed, he figures that he at least owes her an explanation - even a half one would work, "Those... were my emotions. Just intensified and multiplied - forced onto you. It's agrossfeeling if it's not used on me. Yamikumo always liked using fear against others..." He trails off, dropping his gaze and looking down to the white tiled floor below him, "He likes watching people cry."

"Does he do that often...?"

He knows that voice, the one laced with a growing fear. That one he remembers in the orphanage, where he was first protected by Yamikumo. The look in the bully's eyes were the same ones that Uraraka wore right now. It doesn't belong on a girl like her, it's not right. All he wanted was friends, and now... "He's not a bad person." His heart breaks as he sees that expression remain the same, wary and worried over the thought of having someone like Yamikumo in the classroom. "He's not a bad person." He again insists, but it just won't go away.

She's scared and it's his fault, "Please don't look like that..." He whispers, clawing his throat and looking away from her - he can't stand that look on her. Something about her just screams out the definition of joy - and now it's tainted with that same look of absolute fear. It's a horrible raw feeling, it just won't go away. "He's just... just..." He can't come up with excuses because what could he tell her? That Yamikumo was a murderer? A bully? Someone always in control no matter the situation? No matter how hard Izuku thrashes and screams, that he'll get nothing until he disappears?

She's not listening anyways, it's not like his voice is reaching her. He doesn't matter after all, nothing he does will change anything. Insignificant and useless unless he had Yamikumo, unless it was to hurt others. He wants to make friends, he wants to dream the impossible of being a hero on borrowed power from the number one hero. He wants Katsuki to notice him again, yell at him with hurtful words to make this aching feeling in his heart to go away.

---------------------------

He ran out the classroom the moment he saw Katsuki's desk empty, ignoring the whole class in favor of the possibility to talk to the blond again. Was he mad at Izuku? He wonders briefly, holding his waist as he desperately calls for him to stop walking to the dorms alone, "Kacchan! Please wait!"

The teen stops, holding his books as he turns around to face Izuku with a blank passive glance, "What the f*ck do you want, Deku?" He growls and Izuku smiles at that familiar nickname, but allows it to melt away as he looks seriously at him, "I'm my own person! I'm not depending on Yami anymore." He nearly whispers that last part but he shouts, "I really really did miss you!" He screws his eyes shut, balling his fist up as he thrusts them to the ground. He bows his head to avoid looking at him - those red ruby eyes always so familiar and reminded him of their childhood days.

He loves thinking in the past, where his mother's memory was pure and everything was still sunny.

"I missed you too, f*cker." Katsuki mumbles lowly, shaking his head before tucking in his books in his bag, "During the training exercises, you asked if I was real - what the f*ck was that supposed to mean?" He asks, crossing his arms as he slowly walks up to Izuku, his eyebrow quirking up in question. "I...um..." A sharp dark blush bloomed across his face, and an awkward smile stretched his lips - what could he say that wouldn't sound weird? I dreamed about the day we'll meet again? I am your father? I loved thinking about you?

"I depended on you. On your memory." Izuku explains, wringing his hands, he could feel every muscle taut and tight as he looks up at his childhood friend, "I always thought you were invincible, no one could mess with you. So I thought. You aren't real because you got hurt."

"What the f*ck is that supposed to mean?" Katsuki frowns, a deep scowl covering his face and Izuku smiles up at him, gla-

Was he real though?

The question plummets his good mood, and he drops his gaze as he thinks about it. He never really got proof that Katsuki was real - he never really came to the conclusion that he was real. But what kind of proof would he need? A hair? A smile? A punch to the gut and a kick for good measure? "Kacchan..." Izuku calls out softly, slowly looking up to Katsuki's confused look, "Are you real?"

"Haah!?"

"Kacchan... Did I hurt you?"

"Of course he's real, Izukun." A third voice jumps in and Izuku flinches violently at the arm draping over him, pulling him tight and away from Katsuki. The grip loosened when he was at a far distance from Katsuki, and his murderous glare was now towards the two. Yamikumo's breath hit the shell of Izuku's ear, his chin digs painfully on his shoulder,

“I don't have to trick you. You just keep on hurting people, huh?" Those last words sting, it's sad because it's true. Everyone he comes into contact with, they're always sad, dead or just scared of him. Uraraka's frightened posture, Katsuki's harsh glare slowly fading away to show a hint of sadness in those crimson eyes. All Might's worried glances towards him...

He keeps on hurting others.

"Come come." Yamikumo's voice is gentle as he leads his brother away, "I'll buy some juice for you, alright? I'm sorry about your neck." He doesn't know why he lets him, doesn't know why he doesn't ask Katsuki to show that he was real. He doesn't know why he gave up, why everything seemed even more pointless now. "Aizawa - sensei gave me a scolding of a lifetime!" Yamikumo begins and Izuku just tunes him out. He wants to tear away, separate himself from this person always pulling the strings. Lost in a fruitless fight never rewarding and never fulfilling.

Izuku wants to throw up.

-------------------------------------------

"Do..." Izuku swallows hardly, looking down expressionlessly at the floor, "Do you think I'll ever be happy?" He asks Yamikumo, in their dorm room as his brother tugs on his hair, playing and tying up his green hair. "Hm. Who needs to be happy? Why do you want to feel happy?"

"Because anything's better than this hollowness in me." He reaches up, grasping at the area where his heart is, "I want to be happy for others."

"Worrying about being happy is pointless. Especially if it's for others." Yamikumo's motherly scolding voice chimes in, "You don't need to be happy as long as you have me." Izuku feels like he's moving in honey, his ears are muffled and he just wants to cry. But crying in front of Yamikumo was losing, it meant that he was getting to him. It meant that he was winning. It meant that-

"I love you Izukun." Izuku allows Yamikumo to lift him up by his arms, onto the violet eyed brother's lap, his arms are wounded tightly around his waist. Yamikumo's breath against his neck makes him want to puke, wants to make him yell and scream, but he remains still, not uttering a single word as he whispers words of approval and praise in his ear.

Izuku never felt so close to something nearly breaking in his mind.

-------------------------------------------

Early in the morning, Izuku dresses quickly without Yamikumo and sneaks out the dorm to go to the teacher's lounge, where he knows that his mentor is. He stands quietly overon his own bed, Yamikumo's sleeping expression was one of discomfort from the moment he wiggled out of his tight embrace. He presses a reassuring hand on his forehead before kissing him on the head and rushing out to get out the room.

He meets All Might's true form in the teacher's facility, his eyes brimming with a new fire as he approaches him. All Might's form was sagging, tired dark circles covered his teacher's eyes - making him look sicker than what he already was. He was seated in the olive green sofa, his hands crossed as he looks expectantly at his successor. Izuku heldhis straps of his backpack and took a deep breath,his green eyes brimming withdetermination directedat his hero, bowing down a full 90 degrees.

"I'm sorry, I can't be a hero, I'm sorry."

A beat passes, Izuku patiently waits for All Might to agree, to hit him, to scold at him, but he remains silent so Izuku continues, "I can't be a hero if I keep hurting people. I don't want to be a hero for my own selfish desire if I have to hurt people." He explains, still not looking up, "I'm sorry I wasted your time. You can take yourquirk back."

"My boy." A soft gentle voice comes from his hero, and he feels a hand press gently on his head, messing up his curly green hair, "Look up, let me see you." Hesitantly, Izuku raises his head, looking guiltily at his hero - reminiscent to a puppy who looked like he just got kicked. Izuku presses his fingertips together, looking at All Might's glowing blue eyes, "My boy, just because you hurt others does not mean you cannot be a hero. Life is filled with risks that you must take, do not feel sorry for what you could have done." He's speakingdelicately, fear is in his voice as heglancesat Izuku with such fragilibility - was he glass? "I trust in you."

Huh? Izuku blinks, he... trusts him?

Izuku takes a step back in shock, his eyes widen a bit before something in himshatters, and “You shouldn't trust me!" Hescreamssuddenly, his bitter emotions spilling out in waves - he can't control it, "I hurt people! I killed my mom! I scared Uraraka - san! You can't trust me!" It falls out of his mouth in waves, his hands won't scratch hard enough to suppress the feeling. It just won't go away, "I let everything happen because I was convinced that nothing mattered! My one source of comfort is ruined because I hurt him! I can- I can't do this!" He cries out, hold his head and digging his nails into his scalp, a sharp stinging is welcomed to distract him, "I...I can't be a hero, sensei."

All Might rises suddenly, and Izuku shudders as he is tugged into an warm skinny embrace, he remains stiff as heappearsshocked at Mr. Yagi hugging him."W-what are you doing?" He squeaks, confusion clear on his voice as he partially tugs away, but his hero keepshis arms aroundhim. Small circles spread from his hands and around his back when it occurs to Izuku that Mr. Yagi was trying to comfort him. This embrace was different from Yamikumo's - it felt warm, he felt...

Safe

He didn't feel like he was being smothered in love, being strangled with the idea that he's trapped in a web, he's just being hugged. Simple.

Izuku unhurriedly returns the hug, his eyes flutter as he buries his face into the white baggy shirt of his, "You need to take your quirk back..." He mutters, while his teacher chuckles warmly. The vibrations shake through Izuku's body and he notices that his teacher has a distinctive smell of vanilla. "I trust you." Mr. Yagi says, patting his backlightly,

"I trust you."

Chapter 19: Twisted words twisted right

Chapter Text

"They all hate me..." Izuku mutters lowly, as he holds his head with both hands, facing down to the desk and ignoring those crowded over his desk filled with fake concern. "I'll hurt them."

Yamikumo smirks in victory, reaching forward and locking the green hair between his fingers, "I don't want to be here." He's so close, Yamikumo could barely hold his excitement as he edges closer and closer - forced to accept the truth. It won't be any longer until Izuku finally gives up hope and runs away with him...

(Slowly soon to be)

The chair slides out, hitting the front of his desk with a loud crack, "I'm sorry, I have to leave. I want to be alone." Izuku bows, and hurries out the classroom. Yamikumo copies him, hot on his heel - along with the unwanted crowd of classmates that trailed after him. Why were they so persistent? They didn't care - not as much as Yamikumo does on breaking him. He doesn't want to share, doesn't want them to interfere with a perfect opportunity like this.

"Deku - stop f*cking running away!" Katsuki roared,skipping past Yamikumo and after Izuku. A flare of jealousy raced inside Yamikumo, "He can do whatever the f*ck he wants!" He launches forward, griping Katsuki's wrist and throwing his weight off balance, swinging him back into the other classmates.He stumbles back into Kirishima, who catches him and frowns, "What was that for man!?"

He stops directly in their path, a growing glare towards all of them, "Izukun wants to be alone, and can’t you respect that?"

"I'll respect that when he's not a runaway bitch!" Katsuki huffs, walking up and squaring with Yamikumo, Yamikumo doesn't back down and stares right at his red eyes, "You gonna stop me?" Yamikumo's temper rises, he tilts his head mockingly, "You going to throw the first punch?"

"No fighting! Anywhere but the training grounds! You cannot fight!" Iida chimes in, but no one moves forward to break the fight. They stand around like sitting ducks, waiting for something horrible to happen before they could end it. It was pathetic, "No one is going near my Izuku." Yamikumo barks, shoving the much taller teen away from him, he put extra power to almost send him flying into the wall if it weren't for his classmates acting like a cushion, "I finally have him where I f*cking want him. I'm not going to let any of you ruin that for me."

"I have him right where I want him?" This time it's Asui that speaks, she's not happy either, though her face doesn't change that blank look, her finger was to her bottom lip as she stares at the duo, "Yamikumo - kun, what do you mean?" Yamikumo's eyes jerk towards her before settling on Katsuki, "Ireally hate you." Yamikumo says, and it feels so good. He never really said it to him, the moment it left his mouth, he was filled with asenseof satisfaction for a second before Katsuki began yelling.

"What a f*cking coincidence, so do I!" Katsuki roars, yelling at his face, "Always a creepy motherf*cker - appearing out of nowhere and leaving a path of f*cking destruction wherever you go!" He shoves a finger into Yamikumo's chest, "At least you were powerful - that's the only time I'll respect you!"

"Shame, I can't say the same." Yamikumo snarkily replies, crossing his arms as he smiles co*ckily at Katsuki, "Always taking his attention away, always on hissweet corruptedmind..." His smile falls into a thoughtful one, "Now your words can't save him anymore. He has nothing to cling onto but me. He can't depend on any of you." He glances behind him, spotting allseventeen students, tense and ready to move in if a fight broke out - their canvas were so dull, Yamikumo didn't even want to look at them. He did find the dark red one interesting - but he turned his attention back to his childhood friend with a leveled stare, "You know. I always wondered what made your words so special, more important than mine..." And for once, Katsuki is rendered silent, "I felt unimportant... you were all that f*cking mattered to him."

"Earlier... you said that he can't depend on any of us. Why is that?" Jiroupipes in, her fingers reach for her earlobe and pressesthe two together, "Why can't he depend on us?" Yamikumo's attention is snatched away as he looks at her, "Because I'm the only one he can understand. Families are everything."

"You choke him out, did you not?" Another voice pipes in, lost behind the people - Yamikumo's too short to see who it is, "Family doesnot do that, not even in the darkest moments."

"T-that's different." Yamikumo trips over his own words, shaking his head, "I wasn't thinking - but he can't trust any of you. You don't understand the reason why. He didn't want to be there, so I knocked him out. To save him." He says, glancing up, "Who sends people in a building where Mr. Explosions-" He notices Katsuki's form stiffening, "- could have killed him? It's suspicious how they let a former bully in, why they let me in here after my history of breaking people's arms? This school isn't safe."

"Is that why you look like that?"

"Huh?" Yamikumo's attention is drawn to Yaoyorozu, who seems to be in deep thought, her onyx eyes narrowing as they stare down atYamikumo, it made him feel smaller, "My eyes?" He questions, they flutter in surprise,

"It's your eyes... You look like you want some help too."

"My eyes give me away!?" Yamikumo asks appalled, his voice rising to a high octave, pointing his right finger to his violet pools, "This is like the third time someone's ever told me I was messed up - you don't think I know that!?" He tries to hold back the sneer wanting to appear on his face, "I do not need your words or anyone else's. They mean little to nothing to me. They - they won't matter to Izuku either. No way."Was he that easy to read? His facade seemed to be slipping away the more he hangs with Izuku...

"Is it wrong to have these thoughts of my own?" Yamikumo asks, tilting his head, his composure melting back to normal as he calms down, "Are my beliefs wrong? Why shou-" He pauses,taking another glance into the crowd to notice that there were nowsixteencanvases, not including that dark red color anymore. Color drains from his face, "H... uh?" He squeaks confused, staring in disbelief as he realizes that someone slipped past him. He was... right here though, blocking the way so that no one could come in. There's no way... "What the hell...?"

"How...!?" He cries out suddenly, turning his heel and running to the direction where Izuku ran off, his eye wide with worry, "f*ck f*ck f*ck...!"

He didn't want anyone changing Izuku's mind, he was perfect right here and right now! No one could convince him, right? He's his, he's not going to listen to some dumb advice from someone that had a dark red canvas, which spelled out:willpower, leadership, courage, longing. There's no way Izuku was going to be swept away at his weakest moment, desperate for any anchor that wasn't him.

Oh my god.

Izuku tucked in his jacket over his head, covering it from the harsh sunlight from the rooftop. His legs are curled up, pressed against his chest as he wordlessly looks at his phone. A video documentary about Eraserhead and the possibilities of how he fights illuminated his phone, his forest green eyes stare numbly at it, and his arms quiver quietly around his knees, shivering from the breeze. Heroes threw themselves in danger, just to save others - how? Weren't they afraid? Afraid of what could go wrong? Heroes, anyone could be a hero as long as they applied themselves for that position.

Izuku... gave up on that dream once upon a time - convinced that nothing was going to go right. Nothing was going to be happy, so he doesn't have to worry about it. He thought that dream gave up on him too. He was so convinced... that nothing ever mattered. Then the dream exploded in his face, and it came back in the name of Katsuki Bakugou, his childhood friend who always inspired him to fight, to pursue this thoughtless dream for a chance to break out of Yamikumo's grasp. It was the only direction he could run to - the other was in Yamikumo's arms, always following him.

Izuku wanted to be free, not stuck in one place, mulling of what could be and what was. He didn't want to be exactly what Yamikumo wanted him to be, perfection in his eyes, another Yamikumo tugged and spread out like a disease. Plaguing endlessly and ruining everyone's peaceful lives. He didn't want to be a... villain. Yamikumo was a good person, he cared for him, he handled the bills, he protected him - so he can't be a bad person. He's just misled, and Izuku wanted to save him from himself. He wanted to show him the heroes were everywhere, that others could inspire that belief in him. He thought if Izuku can't save him, then someone else can.

But his words fell on deaf ears, he never listened and followed on what he thought was right - being cruel and violent towards others, tricking him and lying to him that what he was doing was right. In a way, it was admirable how dedicated he was to his belief, he never let anyone change it.The belief was wrong, Izukuknowsthat, but it's not like it matters. He thought that heroes could save Yamikumo from himself, telling him right from wrong when he couldn't. The way they worked was dangerous, it's borderline possessive and insanity, repeating the same thing over and over. This isn'thealthyat all.

But the heroes never saved Izuku, he was left for years and years in that orphanage, away from everything familiar. He lost a battle in his head that he could depend on heroes, that he could be a hero - how could he depend on them if they didn't save him, or Yamikumo? How? How? How? How? He wills himself to not cry, but big fat blobs of crystal clear water falls from his eyes covering his phone.

He can't describe the happiness he felt when All Might offered him the idea of being a hero - the dream had seeked him out, instead of him running after it. It was still there even if he gave up on it, it had come to him, out of all people. The quality of being a hero was saving others - not harming them. And what does he do? He hurts and hurts people, he allows Yamikumo to kill others because he doesn’t think he can stop it. Not after his mom, not after the fire, not after Danshi, not after everything he let happen. He didn't deserve to be a hero after all the things he did, all the things that he allowed to happen.

"That's Aizawa - sensei, isn't it?"

Izuku jumps violently, snapping back to reality and away from his self-depreciative thoughts, staring up at one of the most quietest people in class, "T-Todoroki - kun?" He tilts his head, staring wide eyed at the silent teen, hisheterochromiaeyes staring down at him, "W-what are you doing here?" Izuku asks, as he watches the teen sigh tiredly, slowly taking a seat across from him, his legs crossed as he leans on his elbows, "Aizawa - sensei's a pretty cool guy, isn't he?" He presses Izuku, ignoring his question, and the green haired malefeelspressured to nod, "Y-yeah he is..." Izuku mutters, tearing his gaze away from the stoic teen, "He's really cool."

Todoroki doesn't say anything, he's just staring at Izuku and he feels so nervous, he can't meet his eyes. He feels like he's in trouble and he has no idea why - but there was nothing murderous reflected in his eyes, nothing with malicious intent that Izuku was so used to. He felt like he was being looked inside and out, teared down to look through what went in his mind. He didn't feel safe, but he didn't feel threatened either, it's just... they were just sitting in silence, the documentary playing in the background.

"Midoriya." Todoroki is the one that breaks the silence, his voice isdelicatelysweet and soothing, “Why do you think I'm here?"

Izuku shrugs, fiddling with his phone as he avoids his gaze, "Because you wanted some peace?" Izuku guesses before pausing, "Wait, n-no not that. If you were, then you wouldn't be here with me."

"No, that's exactly right." Todoroki says, slowly reaching out and pressing his hand on Izuku's knee, "I came out here to have some peace, I think you're a pretty nice guy, Midoriya. For thethreedays that I met you."

"B-but we never talked?" Izuku peeped, shying away from Todoroki's touch, he didn't follow him, "Why bother? I'm not nice, I'm messed up. Extremely unpleasant." Izuku questions, turning off his phone and flipping it nervously, "I'm like a walking bad luck charm. Cursed. I'm not good."

"I'm not a good person either - I hold grudges, I've thought I was a bad person, making everything horrible for my mother." Todoroki began, clasping his hand and weaving them together, lacing them together, "I almost gave up on being a hero; but I'm still here. I'm here for my mother, I'm here because I want to be here. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?" He looks up at Izuku with imploring eyes, begging him to understand so that he doesn't have to into detail, "You should not listen to anyone but your own heart. Because someone is pressuring you to do something, doesn't mean that you have to."

"But what if I have to?" Izuku asks, curling up even tighter then possible, "What if it's the only way to be a hero? What if I only have that to depend on?"

"Depend?" Todoroki reaches out again, pressing a warm hand on Izuku's leg, this time Izuku tried to not shy away, though he did have the overwhelming urge to tear himself away - to snap, but Todoroki's pinning him down with his leveled calm gaze, "Midoriya, if you need to depend on anything, please depend on your will to be a hero. Have more faith in yourself."

"It seems impossible." Izuku admits truthfully, shaking his head, "I don't see any other way out. I'm not a good person." He insists, while Todoroki shakes his head, edging a bit closer to grab his shoulders gently, like he was glass, "I'm not good at this. Comforting people. But if you want someone to depend on, you can depend on me. If I say that you're a good person, then you are. Nothing will change human nature to be good - somewhere. Even villains have hearts of gold, even the nastiest people have a soft spot."

"I'm a bad person though." Izuku again insists, so utterly convinced by that fact, "Why bother with me?"

"Because." Todoroki's eyes flash with an unrecognizable emotion that Izuku can't read, "I want to. You are worth it."

The conversation dies right there, and Izuku doesn't know what else to say, they just sit peacefully across from each other, enjoying each other's company - Until Todoroki pulls out his own phone, standing up and sitting beside Izuku, "Look, a hero quiz, let's do it together."

By the time Izuku and Todoroki return to the classroom, Yamikumo's nowhere to be seen, and a smile is on his lips. Even if it's just one or two interactions, Izuku feels so much better. He knows that he's not okay, he's known that for a while, but for now... he feels good, and he should focus on that feeling. Instead of moping around, he can look forward to trying to be good, a better person.

He can... be a good person.

"I don't f*cking need it."

"Listen-"

"I don't f*cking need it!"

Aizawa sighs, pressing his hand over his face, dragging it down as he returns a glare back to the purple haired male, who had his arms crossed, pouting childishly and turning his nose towards the teacher's face, "Yamikumo, was it? Yournickname? Listen, you just choked your brother out just a few hours ago, you need therapy." He tries to convince him but his urge to help keeps falling every time this kid refuses, barking out harsher insults then he could even bother thinking about. This is frustrating, repetitive, and he can't even threaten him with the idea of an expulsion, he had to stay inside the school in fear of being caught in the wrong hands.

"Yes, because telling apart dots on a f*cking paper helps, because talking about feelings helps! Yes, a stranger who knows nothing knows so much more about me then I do!" Yamikumo snarls, biting against his capture weapon, wrapped around firmly around his arms and restraining his arms, "Seriously let me goooo! I need to go to Izukun! Why the f*ck is this so hard to tear through!? Even my fire didn't burn this thing to ashes!" Apparently, like recovery girl's quirk didn't work, so does his. He can't cancel his quirk for some reason, "I just f*cking choked him, right!? So he's in the nurse's office, right!? I do not need your false words that mean nothing! People people people! Fickle and always changing, nothing is real and you don't give a sh*t!"

"I do give a shi-"

"THEN WHY AREN'T YOU EXPELLING ME!? YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR STUDENTS? PUNISH ME BY KICKING ME OUT!" Yamikumo screams out bloody murder, baring his teeth hostilely, "Caring my ass," He sounds a lot like Bakugou now, "It makes me thing that... there's something going on that no one knows about..." Yamikumo falls silent, looking down as he thinks, "So it's true. This school is hiding something. Hm."

"Why did you choke out your brother?" Yamikumo's ears perk up before turning red in embarrassment, "I don't know. Can I leave? Please? I need to get to Izuku, right now. Right f*cking now." Yamikumo has to calm down, he can't get frustrated. This is the reason why he was brought in here in the first place. Right now... Izuku was so close, was so sad and filled with despair. He could, he can...

He can do it right now, if he plays his cards right.

He can break Izuku right now.

Chapter 20: Happy happy - still hurt but happy

Chapter Text

"So... I failed huh?" Izuku took one step into the their dorm room to find Yamikumo staring boredly at his notebook, his black pen squiggles lazily over the notebook paper, "After all I did... all the lives I took, I just can't win, can I?" He asks expectantly, his eyes glance up at Izuku, who only purses his lips.

Izuku is not in the mood for Yamikumo's words right now, he's happy and he'd like to keep it that way, thank you very much.

Izuku's expression hardened as a shield as he steps in the room, and shuts the door silent, He flicks the lock shut and walks past him to his own desk. He pulls out his own notebook, and his phone so that he could write down information down. He drops on his bed, grabbing his stuff and placing it in front of him, on the pillow. He opens to his classmate's side and instantly begins writing, ignoring his piercing glare.

"Ignoring me now?" A soft chuckle breaks through the silence, "Wow, just like the orphanage, huh?" When Izuku was silent, when he didn't want to talk anymore.

Todoroki - kun was nice, a bit expressionless so that I couldn't tell what he was thinking, I thought he was annoyed with m-

Izuku let out an embarrassing yelp as Yamikumo threw himself ontohis body, hisbody pins him onto the bed andgreen haired boy rolls his eyes before continuing. "Crybaby." Yamikumo taunts, rising up - only to drag his leg over the other side of Izuku, efficiently pinning him down, "You're really going to let all my hard work go to waste?"

"What hard work?" Izuku asks, a long sigh is dragged out his lips, he might as well get this over with, "Why are you messing with me directly?"

"Destroying all your hopes and dreams." Yamikumo replies simply, as if he was just telling the weather, "All of it - gone. I killed mom cause I wanted you to depend on me, and you let that go to waste..." Izuku stiffens at the mention of his mother, "You let her die for no reason..."

"I... didn't do anything." Izuku vehemently denies, shaking his head and dropping his pen, "That was you."

"I wasn't the one with the knife, Izuku." His velvety voice swirls around his head,turning his mind and wrapping him back up into the web, "You killed her."

"Y-you handed me the knife! That was you!" Izuku argues, twisting his body to look at him, but his weight presses him down, avoiding any chance of struggling. Izuku lets out a muffled sound as Yamikumo's hand locks with his hair andshoves his head down into the comforter, "G-get off o-of me be-"

"You killed me." His mother's soft and soothing voice floats to Izuku's ear, and he freezes completely, his hands feel heavy against his green covers, "Izuku... how could you?" Manipulating her words again, giving Izuku the illusion that it's his mother holding her down, pressing down with all the guilt, Izuku's eyes dull a bit and he visibly relaxes as he takes it. "You were supposed to be my hero... but you killed me?"

The tone of betrayal tugs his heart in different directions, and it hurts. He just wants his mom back, to hold him and say that it was okay.He wants Yamikumo to be a good person, to help people rather than make them feel like this. He wants to be a hero. Is it wrong to hope? Was it wrong to be like this?

It's okay, he thinks, as he wants to feel pain, wants to be hurt. Being hurt was better than feeling. More sadness piles up in his head, then-

But if you want someone to depend on, you can depend on me.

"GET OFF ME!" Izukushouts suddenlyanimalistically,shifting his body to the right and efficiently throwing his brother off with him with a painful soundingthud. "I'm not going to fall for that anymore!" He stands up, the bed squeals as he leaps off, he stomps angrily in front of Yamikumo, "Stop doing that! You loved her too, didn't you!? You can't use her voice as ammo anymore if you cared for her! And I know you did!" He points at Yamikumo, whowas only smiling unnervingly at him, "You loved mom!" He argues, stomping his feet in frustration.

"See? I knew it." Yamikumo hauls himself up, placing his hands on his hip, "That dark red canvas did save you. Now you have a neeew hero, not me, but a stranger - how utterly disgustingly sweet." He spits out the words,turning to his side, grabbing something that he carefully hid before Izuku could see what it is, "I honestly don't know what to do with you anymore. You just won't crack. I wished I was like you." Izuku remained tense, his hands fall to his side and he balls up his fists. "I did every possible horrible thing to you - except that and that's gross. Everything I'm doing, and you just won't break. Why? Why the hell won't you break?"

"I thought you were supposed to be my 'desires' - don't you know that?" Izuku asks, wary over the fact that Yamikumo won't show him what's in his hand, he remains facing towards the door, something was tucked in his left hand, "I want to be a hero."Something was off with his voice...

"I know that being a hero isn't what you want." Yamikumo smiles, tucking his hands behind his back as he leans towards Izuku, "You want a hero - to save you from me." His breath catches in his throat, because it was true, and he knows that. But Izuku also wanted to be his own hero.

Yamikumo's expression brightens maliciously, "I'm a bad guy, Izuku, right? Bad bad bad. Bad people belong in the nuthouse. If I'm you, and you are me, then doesn't that mean you're bad too?"Something was entirely wrong with him... He never openly accuses.

"A... are you trying to get me mad?" Izuku accusation falls out his mouth, frowning as he releases his tension in his hands, he stumbles back in surprise when Yamikumo's expression fallsswitchinginto one of boredom, "S... seriously? Why?" Izuku questions, while Yamikumo shrugs, that smile presses deeper into his skin. It's painfully stretched, it's a forced one - Yamikumo never forces smiles. They come as easily as breathing for the purple teen when he's around Izuku.

"Questioning why doesn't solve anything. Asking over and over and over won't solve anything. It won't make sense." Yamikumo sighs tiredly, his hands still firmly on his back, "Thirty minutes." He leans back, slowly making his way to the window, the one next to the bathroom

"Thirty minutes?" Izuku echoes, tilting his head in confusion, "What are you-"

"Thirty minutes to start a fire, thirty minutes for it to spread, thirty minutes to get all eighteen kids out of here before I burn this place to the ground." Yamikumo starts, raising his left hand to start a small red ember, raising it threateningly to the blue drapes of their window, "Five... four..." Izuku begins to panic,

"Don't you da-" The fire in his left hand dies, and it smacks into Izuku's forehead. His vision fills with the unmistakable feeling of raw pure rage and uncontrolled panic.

"Midoriya - kunnn?" Izuku pauses mid-stab, his senses returning as he realizes that he's over Yamikumo, his hand clasped tightly around a silver knife, sticky with black ink. Yamikumo's corpse laid peacefully under him, his face stuck at a very terrifying face of joy, ecstasy at the highest degree, his neck was a sticky black mess, "Midoriya - kun? You alright, man? You screamedpretty loud so I came in to check with you." It's Kirishima, the person with red hair that was with Kacchan most of the time.

"I-" Izukufalls into a coughing fit, his throat felt extremely sore - was he really screaming that much? "I-I'm fine. I'm sorry." He apologizes,forced laughter bubbles at his throat, "J-just argument, haha, I'm sorry." Yamikumo's inky blood was staining his hands,the middle of the blue carpet was now ruined, Izuku frowned as he pushed himself up.

"Oh man, you were screaming so loud, I thought you killed someone! You sounded really mad!" Izuku blanked for a moment, Kirishima has no idea how close he was. "You were screaming out bloody murder!" Kirishima's probably having a laugh, he had no idea how dark it was, huh? It's a bitter feeling, knowing that what exactly went on in this room, and what he didn't know.

"We're fine! I'm very sorry-"

"Midoriya - kun, can I come in? I wanna check out your room! I bet it's sweet in there, huh!?" Kirishima knocks again, and Izuku's face drains as he takes a lookback at Yamikumo's still corpse, "Midoriya - kun?"

"U-um! No! U-u-uh!" His nerves are fried as he trips and stumbles over his words, "M-midoriya would not - no I mean - Yamikumo doesn't want anyone right now!" He forces out nervous laughter as he scratches his arms, releasing the anxiety through the most common way he does, "He- he's a bit fussy right now! I - I - It's perfectly fine!" Izuku falls back to his knees, grabbing onto Yamikumo's arm tightly and frantically pulling him towards the closet.

"Oh, alright man! Dinner's gonna be ready in like an hour, you can't skiiip this time!" Kirishima laughs playfully, a teasing tone is evident in his voice, "Or I'll get help to drag you two to come out! Haha! See you there, alrighty man?"

"A-alright..." Izuku says loudly enough for him to hear as he shoves Yamikumo's corpse into the closet, "Thank you so much for checking in with us!"

Thirty minutes later, Yamikumo crawls out the closet, rubbing his neck sheepishly as he looks at Izuku's curled up form, his hands are in his green cleaning gloves along with a rough brush and a pail of soap from the bathroom sink, "Yo, Izuku." He greets casually, raising his hand as a greeting as he looks at his shirt.

"Why did you do that?" Izuku mutters lowly, not glancing up at him because he was busy trying to scrub out the black ink stains on the carpet, "You could have did it yourself. I didn't even know you were getting corrupt..." Yamikumo brushes lightly ast him to his bed, pulling out his white T-shirt, "I don't see the reason why you wanted me to do it today."

"It's an apology of sorts." Yamikumo answers truthfully, smiling more earnestly than earlier, "I acted out during the training test, with the villains and heroes." Izuku pauses, this time glowering up at him, "I strangled you - you just wouldn't stop worrying over something so insignificant."

"Uraraka - san is not insignificant. She's nice!" Izuku protests, standing up and crossing his arms, "So you thought it was better for me todo it then to talk it out? We could have gotten ice cream together, yet you wanted me to kill you?" He huffs, shaking his head, "What did you expect from me? A kiss - thank you?"

"You got to release some anger in you." Yamikumo states, tossing off his shirt and tugging on his white T-shirt, "And I stopped corrupting. That's fair, isn't it? A two way street."

"I was fine! I was fine with just bottling it up," Izuku says, frowning in disapproval, he shakes his head in disappointment, "What made you corrupt again so fast? You just refreshed two days ago."

"None of your business." Yamikumo replies, sharply and simple as he grabs a brush and begins scrubbing, "You don't need to worry about anything silly like that." He adds, a softer tone laced with comfort fills Izuku's ears.

"..." Izuku sighs, tilting his head in confusion before returning to scrubbing, "All right."

Yamikumo felt more horrible then now as he searched for Izuku, he felt like he wanted to throw up right now and there wa-

(Breakhimquietlyfastswiftlyrunawaywithhimhesyoursyoursyours)

The purple haired male pauses, stiffening as he turns around and heads straight for a trash can located outside, reflex tears beaded at his eyes as a huge blob of black ink rose up his throat, it spills out of him in waves, each and every time it grows more fluider, it slips out of him like a river, gushing out relentlessly. Endlessly as it never stops, as more memories play in his head, each and every single one replays over and over and over and over. It never stops, it can't stop. He feels physically sick, but that can't be right, he's not real. This body can not feel pain, it'll just rebuild and it won't matter. Because if his physical form melts, he'll just come from Izuku's shadow, good as new. But something felt wrong, something wasn't right.

(Break him so that this doesn't happen, make him yours. Hug him until he gives up)

(Savehimsavehimbehhishero)

Finally, the liquid from his throat stops, and he's left hanging weakly over the bin, his arms wrapped around his waist, but he's okay. He's okay. A few droplets drip slowly down the trash can.

(PleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzukuPleaselovemeIzuku)

This is revolting. Disgusting.

"Two katsudons please!" Izuku cheered happily, raising his fist as he looks pleading towards Lunch Rush, who smiles at the sweet boy. Izuku's eyes light up with sparkles as the male places two bowls on their tray, "Thank you." Yamikumo bows halfway before following Izuku out to the mess hall. He trails silently behind the strangely now happy Izuku, they sat at an empty table, their trays clatter noisily on the table, but it's unheard due to the endless chatter from everyone. Yamikumo leans on his elbow, mindlessly poking his pork as he watches Izuku dig in with the brightest smile on his face. Behind Izuku were their classmates, peering curiosity at the two, he was attempted to glare back but Izuku would yell at him.

So he settled on watching Izuku eat, his freckles were easy to count so he focused on counting every single strand of curly green hair th-

"Deku - kun!" Yamikumo's eyes narrowed as Uraraka, Iida and that dark red canvas made their way to their table, Uraraka raising a fist in excitement as she boundedexcitedly over, "Yamikumo - kun! Can I steal Deku - kun away for a bit?" She tilts her head cutely, trying to appeal to the purple haired teen, but he rolls his eyes in response,

"No." Yamikumo replies instantly, "Aren't you afraid of me? Booo! Gooo away!" He pouts childishly, folding his arms, glaring up at the three.

"Uraraka - san!" Izukutwirlsaround from his sear, looking at her in slight shock, "Y-you aren't scared of us?" There's something akin to hope in his voice, a smile threatened to take over his already happy face, "R-r-really!?"

"Of course not! You're our friend!" Uraraka clasps her hands together, closing her eyes as she displayed a harmless aura, "Would you like to eat lunch with us?" Yamikumo wants to scoff, what the hell was he, chopped liver? Just him? What was this?

"Friends!?" Izuku blinked widely at them, "You mean it!? Really?" He beams at her before glancing worriedly at Yamikumo.

"I-I don't want to leave him alone though..." Izuku mutters, looking down as Iida begins cutting his hands in the air, "I mean-"

"But it's what friends do, correct? Don't worry about your brother! Come on!" Iida says as he tugged Izuku's arm, dragging him out his seat as Yamikumo rises, a angry expression blossoming on his face. "Hey, just a f*cking minute." Yamikumo starts, shifting away from the table to-

Jirou wraps a hand around his arm and forcibly yanks him back down, he blinks in shock as she pulls out some red box, her arm still laced tightly with his arm, "Yamikumo - kun, can you help me beat this?" She asks pleadingly, and he just stares at her in disbelief as Yaoyorozu sits across from him, in the same spot Izuku was at moments before. Jirou opens the red box and turns it on, a little blonde boy with a green hat holding a sword was duking it out with someone.

"W-what's going on?" Yamikumo stutters, a fierce blush overtakes him as Jirou shoves the item in his hand, "I-I don't know what this is!" In panic, Yamikumo mashes random buttons as to not die, but it proves to be fruitless as his character lets out a final battle cry and crumbles to the floor. He stares at it while Jirou snickers, and looks at Yaoyorozu, who returns the smile. "It's a game! Try it," The blue haired female smiles friendly towards him, "Maybe I'll try player two when you get the hang of it. It seems fun, huh?"

"A game?" Yamikumo repeats, staring at the box in amazement, like how a child would look at their new toy, "It's like a small pocket sized world, oooh I wonder if you could somehow transfer your body into the said game - would it be stabilized? Will the game be forced to make a code? How does a game work?" Yamikumo places the game down, to swipe his thumb and attack the poor leaves, "This seems to be something creeps would get their han - Player two?" Yamikumo's mind flashes to a very unpleasant face of Shigaraki with that hand on his face.

Jirou frowns at his sudden hestience, reaching forward to press a hand on his knee,reassuring him, "You can keep playing the game yourself if you want, it's fine. You look so much relaxed when you're distracted." Yamikumo's form does not relax when she said that, and hestiffens before placing the game down, slowly getting up, "Distraction, you wer-"

"HEY LOOK!" Jirou shouts suddenly, picking up the game and shoving it in his hands, he's forced to grip it so that it doesn't fall to the ground, "A boss fight! This is the part I'm stuck at, can you do it?" Yamikumo's face of indifference shifts and he sits back down, mashing thoughtlessly and successfully distracted again. Yamikumo's mouth drops open as he sees a giant f*cking spider appear on the mini screens, while Yaoyorozu and Jirou sigh thankfully, relaxing as the emotionally damaged teen is again distracted.

Class 1-A had come to a good plan, they think. Along with All Might's permission and Aizawa's agreement... they'll help these two very damaged teens and make them feel welcomed and distracted from one another. They were their classmates after all, and with this little thing, they were certained to have a very trusting relationship by the end of the year, as long as they stay vigilant and patient with them. With their extremely close relationship, Yaoyorozu had determined that it was better to separate them - but not isolate them.

They were still human after all, no one was truly bad at heart.

It's the least they could do, without knowing much about them.

Chapter 21: A-a date!?

Chapter Text

Yamikumo was not a f*cking idiot.

For the last two weeks, he's noticed a pattern that his classmates and peers seem to replicate, over and over again - he was not a moron, he could see it as he could see day and night. Those people, wereseparatingIzuku and him! That should be considered a felony!

Of course Izuku doesn't notice a single thing, he's too caught up on the idea of friendship, love andtrust.No matter how many times Yamikumo preaches to Izuku that trust was a very valuable thing - he tosses it out for the wolves to eat carelessly and for others to take advantage of his good nature. Who wouldn't be worried for their savior and love all at the same time? Who wouldn't love Izuku in the first place? He was precious, bright and happy, every single good thing rolled into one, like a cat and a dog together, a biologically impossibility become reality!

Every time he goes to sit with Izuku after class, the trio of colors, (Pink, blue, dark red) just come and swoop him away, away from Yamikumo's grasp and he can't help but feel envy every time he sees that smile directed to someone else that's not him. Izuku was his after all, even if he didn't accept it, he was tied to Izuku, by fate or by science - Izuku was his. The only thing he can depend on other then himself. Every time Izuku comes to him, with those bright shining eyes and an imploring smile, Yamikumo is tugged away by Jirou, Yaoyorozu, and most recently Kaminari, the electrifying trio rolled into one. (Black, dark blue, light yellow)

He surprisingly doesn't mind this, they aren't as intolerable as he thought, though they were annoying and pushy at certain times - but they're pretty cool. Sure, it disgusts Yamikumo over the fact that they were super intentionally nice... But they had games, and they weren't creeps. Yaoyorozu was the calm and collected one, a rationalizer while Jirou was the initializer, pressing and waiting for Yamikumo to approve of and do - Kaminari was more like a victim of Jirou's (Who was surprisingly a bit mean to him) He was very easy, easy to mess with and reminding him of Izuku's naive nature.

But Izuku was number one for him, "Izukunny, hunny bunny." He calls out to his brother after class, directly coming to him and taking a hold of his hand, "Let's go on a date." Yamikumo says boldly, his eyes shining with determination. He raisesIzuku's hands to eye level, kissing his knuckle lightly as he stared directly into his brother's green forest peaceful eyes. Izuku flushed red at the bold claim, "W-what!?" He exclaimed, yanking his hand back from his grip.

Yamikumo's mood deflated a bit, he tilted his head sadly at his brother, "You don't want to...?" He mumbled heartbrokenly, his hands drop to the side as he stares at his brother. "We haven't really hung out lately... You've been hanging out with your new friends..."

Izuku flailed his arms around, grabbing Yamikumo's hands, "N-no of course not! You want to go hang out, Yami?" Izuku flashed him a smile, and immediately a warm fluffy feeling raced inside of Yamikumo, "Let's go hang out!" He took a hold of his own bag, and Yamikumo took his. With Yamikumo lacing their fingers together, they walked out the classroom to have a lovely wonderful date with just the two of them.

At leastthat's what Yamikumo thought.

"Uwah! Ice cream!" Uraraka squealed as she practically launched herself towards the door, her arm was hooked around Izuku's arm as he was draggedinto the building of delicious treats, "THEY HAVE SO MANY FLAVORS!"

Iida follows after them, "Please do not shout in an establishment! They are enjoying sweet delights!" He shouts as he runs inside, leaving Yamikumo and Todoroki outside. Yamikumo's expression was unreadable, whiledark red canvaswas busy texting on his phone - the shorter male just thinks.

He really hates Izuku's kind and pushover nature, it was supposed to be just the two of them, just the two of them! But no, let's invite friends! Let's make relationships that never evolve past friendship! Inviting people to their date... God damn it, Yamikumo huffs, shakes his head and heads in the ice cream shop, to see Izuku's eyes shine brightly towards the menu. Yamikumo feels a smile creep up his face, and walks over to the three of them, "I'll pay, what do you all want?" He offers, pulling out his wallet and leaning against the counter.

"Nonsense, I can pay!" Iida rejects his offer, waving his hand away as he looks thoughtfully at the menu.

"Strawwwberry!" Uraraka cheers loudly, "I-if that's okay with you." Her voice drops, and she presses her fingers together, avoiding his gaze entirely, "I... mean...”

"It's no problem, Sen - san." He smiles at her, though it seemed more forced as Izuku stares at the two interact, "Consider this my apology. For projecting Izuku's fear to you. It's not nice, is it?" Uraraka seems shocked at his apology, that's so-

"Oh my god, Yamikumo's apologizing to someone that's not me?" Izuku whispers, covering his mouth, wide eyed at his brother, "Does this mean that friends are helping you!?" He jumps excitability, pressing his hands to his cheek as he looks imploringly at him, with those bright and shining eyes that seems to get brighter and brighter each and every day, "Yamikumo has friends that he actually likes! That's amazing..."

"That's rude." Yamikumo scoffs, his eyes darting to the right asred canvas (Who hadn't introduced himself yet)enters the building, looking up and around. "I have f-f-friends." The word trips on his tongue and he flushes,warm redness overtakes his face, and he shakes his head rapidly, covering his face with his arm. Izuku gasps while Iida and Uraraka's eyes brighten up, "Really!?" The three ask simultaneously, and Yamikumo takes an instinctive step back.

"What friends!? Is it those three that you hang out with!? That's sooo cute!"

"S-shut up and let me buy you all ice cream!" Yamikumo shouts, turning his heel and pointing directly at the dark red canvas, "You! What do you want?"

"Todoroki." The red canvas supplies helpfully, he stares blankly at the four of them, "Uh. Cherry."

Twenty minutes later, Yamikumo leans on his elbow, sighing as he watches the four musketeers enjoy their ice creams, they talk among themselves while Yamikumo just messes with his phone. Naturally, he would have left already - but this was the first time he's been out with Izuku for a long while. He'd like to enjoy it as much as he can, even if he brought his friends. He should be happy for Izuku, he's happy, but a part of him, he wants that smile to himself.

But he'll be happy for Izuku.

"You can smile genuinely after all." His purple eyes slide over to Todoroki, who seems to be licking his ice cream, "It reminds me - the whole class is speculating, but what exactly is your quirk?If I'm correct, you used some kind of empathy quirk against Uraraka, but when you went against Bakugou, you had fire,is there anything else we should know?" The group falls silent, Izuku's flash of panic is evident and Yamikumo tilts his head to the right.

"Why would I tell you?" Yamikumo questions, his eyebrow quirking up in response, "That seems premeditated, what the hell? It 'reminds' you? My smile?" He shrugs, raising his hands behind him, "Copy, I can copy quirks and use them as my own."

"Oh." Todoroki's stare died away as he bought that answer, "It seemed weird to have multiple quirks at once, so I thought it was strange, but if its copy, it makes sense," Todoroki returns his gaze, "I'm sorry, I hope we can be friends." He holds out his hand, offering a smile while Yamikumo's warning radar goes off in his head. He does not trust this person - this person claiming to be Izuku's 'friend'. He's not going to trust him, so he turns his nose.

"Friends!" Izuku quickly changes the subject as his friend's hand falls down his side, "You made friends, right Yamikumo?" He tilts his head to the right, his green fluff bobbing with every movement and Yamikumo resists the urge to thread his hands through it. The purple haired male only adverts his eyes in response and Izuku grins, "Ah! Jirou - san, Yaoyorozu - san and Kaminari - kun, right!? I'm so happy for you!"

"You act like I never had friends before!" Yamikumo rolls his eyes playfully, shaking his head, "Monsters can have friends too, you know!" He snickers at his own joke, but Uraraka's face just spells out confusion, "What?"

"M...monster? You're calling yourself a monster?" Uraraka whispers, her brown eyes concerned and Yamikumo almost snorts as he turns his whole head away.

Those eyes are killing him, Sen - san was always very stern and very. Very apathetic. "Yes, Sen - san. I kind of am, you know. I'm not even human anymore." He replies honestly as Izuku's eyes bug out in shock, and he chokes on his ice cream, Iida helps pat his back.

"What? That's a silly conclusion! You can still smile, yes? So you are still human," Iida answers the question he never asks, "In fact! Let's all go to an arcade!"

"Arcade?" Izuku questions, turning to Iida, while Yamikumo starts to stand, "What's that?"

"I just wanted to go on a date with Izuku, I don't want to hang out with you all." Yamikumo says, tucking in his seat.

Yamikumo doesn't know why he lets Izuku convince him to come make friends and lovely hearts. He wants to go to his dorm room and just sleep - he does not want to exhaust more energy than he has to. But he's here, in front of the crane machine with a tired demeanor, he could see his eye bags in his eyes as he looks at the mirror end of the crane machine. He is completely and utterly done with Izuku's cheerful manner, but he's still here between Iida and Uraraka as they cheer for Todoroki to get some stuffed animal.

Iida was currently fascinated with the prizes, his dark blue eyes glint happily behind his square glasses. Uraraka was gushing over a spaceman suit plushy, raising it above her head and running around with Izuku screaming out, "THIRTEEN THIRTEEN!" in a cult-like chant. At this rate, they were going to get kicked out - but they seemed more occupied with someone yelling at them from the counter. This place was filled from head to toe with video games in little boxes where you could win tickets to get said prizes. Why can't you just use money? And why did some arcade games not give out tickets!? At least those shooter games were good!

"Hm." Yamikumo jumps, twirling around to see Todoroki staring at his own reflection, his finger on his chin, stroking a non-existence beard, "Would I look better with a beard?Would you have a beard braided like a really neat person?"

Yamikumo blinks at him, taking a step away from him, "You're weird."

"Thank you."

"What do you want?" Yamikumo asks, crossing his arms, "You should go act like a fool with Izuku, and Sen - san. Why are you here? Go play. Leave me alone."

"You seem lonely." Todoroki relaxes, dropping his hand and looking at Yamikumo, his expression never changes and Yamikumo can't find out what he's thinking, "I would like to be friends with you." His voice was monotonous too, he really can't read past his canvas, unlike other people. He could tell that Uraraka was a very cheerful person, her eyes shined similar to Izuku's and Iida was very insanely earnest, honest.

"Why bother." Yamikumo replies, stepping around him, "I don't need more friends."

"Why?" His footsteps follow after him, and Yamikumo frowns at that question. Why doesn't he just leave him alone? This was weird, this was really really strange, and why was he following him? Go away, shoo, shoo.

"Cause." The shorter male pauses, turning to him, "It'll be pointless in the end. Friends always change, I'm just waiting for them to get tired of me too." He says, crossing his arm so that he could claw his arm, "Happy? Please leave me alone."

Todoroki stares down at him, "That sounds lonely." Todoroki seems to have mimic the head tilt from Izuku, "Why do you want to be lonely?"

Yamikumo cannot read him at all - at all. He's so distant, he can't tell his emotions past his bored voice and he briefly wonders if this was revenge somehow, "Why do you wanna know?"

"Cause." Todoroki says, abruptly raising his hands and holding his shoulders firmly, "I want to."

"What the f*ck are you? A psychologist?" Yamikumo shoves him harshly away, "I don't believe a single bone in your body, you just introduced yourself to me in a f*cking ice cream parlor, and I do not trust you at all." Yamikumo hisses, taking a big step back from the dual colored hair male, "Izuku might be easy to trick, he's naive - he's gullible. That's understandable, but I'm not going to fall for pretty little words that hold no meaning."

With that, he turns around and walks towards the bathrooms without a single glance back.

Their way back to the dorms is awkward - but it's Yamikumo's fault after all.

Iida and Uraraka were walking forward with Izuku safe between them, their arms are draped with dozens of prizes in their arms. Yamikumo'shand fiddling with his phone, reading something in high detail. Todoroki was doing the same, but he kept glancing at him, making this more awkward then it was before - in the arcade. This is great.

"Your brother," Todoroki starts off, and Yamikumo's ears perk up, "Seems happier, doesn't he?" Yamikumo frowns briefly, nodding, "You really adore your brother, don't you?"

"He's all I have," Yamikumo replies, returning his gaze to the phone, "I love him with all my heart. He's really cute." Yamikumo can't help the smile cracking across his face as he thinks about his brother, "He's stupid - but that's his charm. He's really soft, has a heart of gold, I wish I could stand by him and be happy for him, but it's hard knowing what I tend to do. I write him love letters, I love to make him happy..." He feels really hot, "He's very adorable when he cries, though I don't like it when he cries."

"You really love him, huh?" Todoroki has a grin on his face now, Yamikumo feels like he was going to be teased, "I love my mom too. And my sister, and my brothers. Not to your extent though. I love and trust them, very dearly."

"Hm. Really?" Yamikumo closes his phone, looking at him from the side of his eye, "That's nice."

"Shouldn't you trust Midoriya that he's making a good decision too?" Todoroki asks, turning his head to him and staring at him with a soft smile, a tender one that would warm any girl's heart, "If you love him, you want what's best for him, yes?"

"What's your point?" Yamikumo asks, snorting out air from his nose, "Are you saying that I should trust him?"

"No."

Yamikumo blinks in surprise, as Todoroki shakes his head slowly, "No?" He repeats confused as he tilts his head.What?He thought that it was that. Todoroki closes his phone with a soft click.

"I wouldn't trust you or your brother at all." Todoroki laughs lowly, shaking his head, "I understand that my way of talking to people may seem abrupt, sudden, I understand if you won't trust me anyways, that's fine." He stops, and turns to Yamikumo, bowing, "I am sorry."

"What? It's fine. I don't care." Yamikumo says, shrugging his shoulders as he watches the trio leave his sight, "What else do you mean then?"

Todoroki looks up at him, resuming his regular position, "Can you trust us to make him happy?" His eyes are serious, sharp as they pierce into his own.

Yamikumo stares at him, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. While it's true that Izuku was much happier, could he really trust these three to keep Izuku happy and safe when he's not around? Could hetrustthem? Like a desperate fool? Like a naive person? "Why go this far?" He asks, biting his lower lip, "What do you want?"

"Your approval." The answer was so blunt, Yamikumo chokes on his own spit, and he chuckles, Todoroki joins in quietly. Yamikumo sighs after a while, looking up at the sky,

"Sure. Whatever."

"You cannot keep destroying our games because you keep losing, sir! Please leave!"

"Shut the f*ck up." Shigaraki snarls, his hands pressing lightly on a machine, his index finger carefully avoiding touching it, his red eyes peering questioninglyas he at the five people just sitting around. The... little brat from that Slime sludge incident was there! He can see him staring boredly at his phone as the people around him chatted together.

He had no idea what the hell was his name, the boy was practically a ghost! He didn't exist anywhere he could find, the only snip it he got was that his name was Akatani, who was one of two survivors of a fire from an orphanage, Shigaraki has a inkling of a thought that this kid was illegal, hidden away from the system. All the more to make him a better villain, the kid was as good as dead already! And he was powerful, yet he didn't come that time, he offered him the idea...

I have no intentions to join in with a sociopath.

Shigaraki growls as the kid's voice rings through his head, he wants to kill the kid. Did he understand how valuable his attention was? The kid had potential, he had the ability to be a villain - he didn't seem all too bothered that he was attacked, though he ran off like hell when he saw him... So...

Shigaraki pauses as he watches one of the five of the people stop directly at him, telling him something that he can't hear - and watches as he saw Akatani reach forward and mess up the green haired boy's hair, a disgusting smile breaking his stoic nature.

Oh. He sees now. Why he was rejected, why he didn't agree on his kind offer.

I see.

Chapter 22: The notebook of many many more questions

Chapter Text

"Yo, bro, we shouldn't be doing this man." Kirishima whispers as Bakugou fiddles with the lock with a hardened piece of the redhead's hair. Bakugou completely ignores him, determined to get into the room with a fire in his eyes, "This isn't manly dude."

"You're curious too, aren't you?" Katsuki hisses, turning briefly to glare at his roommate, "So shut up and keep a lookout."

Bakugou Katsuki hasn't seen his first friend in eight whole f*cking years - hasn't seen photos past elementary and he's damn sure that a middle school yearbook is in there. He's going to see a photo of them if it's the last thing he does, so he continues picking the lock with a strong resolve. He'll never admit it to their f*cking faces, but he missed their childhood antics, he wants to see the memory. Now was the perfect opportunity, they were outside campus - plenty of time to snoop around.

The door opens with a click, and he throws open the door; the two pause in slow bewilderment. Inside the room looked as if a tornado wrecked through it, the place was a mess. The dark blue carpet was littered with loose leaf paper, next to a weirdly shaped human ink blot in the middle of the room. The bed were against separated walls, each a different color. The purple bed was pressed against a wall plastered with green, and hasn't been slept in much. Upon closer inspection, Kirishima can see that it's photos of Izuku just smiling to the camera. They all surrounded a bigger picture, a painted picture of three people in there.

Izuku was smiling gleefully, looking up at the woman with dark green hair, with a gloomy Yamikumo smiling in the picture, holding up a peace sign. Yamikumo's name was written in the corner, and Kirishima gawked openly at it, shocked that someone at his age had this much talent of painting in him.

Izuku's side was not any better, with dozens and dozens of notebooks spread all around the floor, Izuku's bed pressing on the opposing wall, it still showed signs of someone scrambling out of bed in a hurry. The wall was filled with posters of heroes, each and different sizes, All Might stood proud as one of the biggest posters. There was a small Polaroid photograph on the side of the bed with three characters on there. Katsuki recognizes it as the photo of their first day of first grade.

The photo showed the three of them posing forthe shot, Izuku was smiling with his mouth open, holding up a white card with 'freinds!' colored in all different colors between the two. Yamikumo was frowning gloomily, holding down his shorts with his small fists, looking away,while an enraged younger version of himself was glaring hatefully at Yamikumo.

"Woah! You three look so cute man!" Kirishima squealed when he spotted the photo, hopping over the notebooks to take a closer look at it, "That's right, you all went to the same elementary school together, huh? What were thethree of you like?"

Katsuki huffs, "Deku was a f*cking coward that always got himself into trouble by meddling. He was the buffer between everyone, he had like a..." Katsuki pauses, looking down, "A calming effect on everyone because he was too weak and everyone thought he was fragile as f*cking glass. News flash, he's not." He walks over to Kirishima, leaning over the bed and pointing at Yamikumo, "This guy was a creepy motherf*cker, but he was strong - and I respect that. He follows Izuku like a loyal guard dog, creeped everyone the f*ck out."

Kirishima blinked, his face drops into a thoughtful one as he thinks, "He's still like a loyal dog now that I think about it. That's so cool!" He states as Katsuki rolls his eyes, "Why does Yamikumo hate you so much man?"

Bakugou owlishly stares at his friend beforeshrugging, "Well..." Now that he thinks about it, he doesn't know the answer himself, does he? He hates Yamikumo purely on the fact that he was a slimy person who was two - faced and violent. But why did he hate him?

Never mind all that! They had a yearbook to find!

"Go to the Yamikumo's side, I'll searchat Deku's side. Tell me if you find a yearbook." Katsuki orders as he ducks into his side, leaving no room for argument. Kirishima stares after him for a while, before following instructions, obediently going to the purple side as Katsuki searches through his desk.

Katsuki finds more notebooks in the desk, "f*cking nerd." He grumbles under his breath, carefully removing it and looking closely for anything that stood out. He finds a yellow paper, labeled as, "I'm Sorry." Opening it up, he finds a small written note that's not finished,"I'm sorry, I can't do thi-"Katsuki balls it up in anger, tossing it in the silver bin without another word. I can't do this, I can't hurt you. I can't be a hero. Bullsh*t. Katsuki was tired of him chanting the same thing over and over. He thinks that he can't do anything? He'll push him to the right direction until he can do sh*t and he can shut up about not being able to do anything.

You just want your friend back who never gave up until he came along.

Kirishima wanders to Yamikumo's side, to his black desk and looks around, trying to spot anything that stood out. What he finds is a black box with a red lining on the bottom, he opens it and finds several letters with a pink heart sticker on the envelope to keep them closed. As he scoops up an envelope, he finds that it's addressed to Izuku, with a girl's name - digging deeper, he finds more letters written in the same way but with a different name each time, alltowards to Izuku with ared paper heart.

He's not sure how to feel about that.

Closing the box, he shifts closer to the desk, peering around until he finally does finds something. A black book with a black spine! Grinning to himself, he slips his hand in the desk, pulling out with a flick of his finger. He turns the notebook to him, glancing at it to see 'yearbook' in fancy gold writing on the front, "Here it is, Bakugou!" At the mention of his name, Katsuki perks up and scrambles his way to Kirishima, his mouth dropping open.

"This is it!" Katsuki cheers, snatching it from the red and raising it up, "Alright! Let's see photos! Thanks, sh*tty hair!"

Inside, to their dismay, is not a yearbook, it's a notebook with more detailed pictures of Izuku in various positions. One was posed that he was leaning on his elbow, looking away, another was him nervously staring straight ahead, his fingers pressing together nervously as he's drawn to reality, "This isn't a f*cking yearbook! What the f*ck! Deceiving!" Katsuki roars, throwing it on the ground after the first few pages. Kirishima chuckles at his friend's outrage, "Why trick someone!? It doesn't make any f*cking sense!"

The notebook bounces up from the impact as Katsuki stomps away back to Izuku's side, and it flips to a random page thatsnatches Kirishima's attention. Frowning in curiosity, he bends down to look at it to see Kaminari's face looking back at him, "Oh? Bakugou, look, this is interesting."

"I don't wanna see more love letters!" Bakugou yells from his side and Kirishima shakes his head, with catches his attention. Begrudgingly, he makes his way back,falling on Yamikumo's bed with an irritated huff of anger. He peers into the paper to what Kirishima is reading.

Kaminari has an electricityquirk while Jirou has a headphone quirk. Upon examination, each of the quirks have a limit and a certain frequency. Amplificationof the same frequency could somehow create a powerful combo move if it's on the same level of power. Although Earphone Jack may be more powerful thanthe electricityKaminari is able to emit, if used correctly, it could also focus on a third member of any kind and transfer a person's conscience to a video game. Would this make a gateway to the virtual world? If alternated, Quirks can coexist with machines and amplify it to do anything!

Note: Over Usageof electricityis dangerous and may cause death -Not safe unlessNot safe at all.

Katsuki quirked an eyebrow at this, "What the hell? What the f*ck is this sh*t?" He curses, growing as he rereads those words. Was this guy seriously considering making a way to go into a virtual world? Why did he even try to do that!? That makes no f*cking sense at all. What the f*ck would he need in there in the first place? There's more but he doesn't want to read more sh*tty research with no actual goal.

"Research..." Kirishima mutters, flipping the page, it's empty and he continues searching for a page with anything on it, "I think he's just doing some research and documenting stuff down... Kinda like a record of things?" He flips the beginning to find a written worded explanation.

If I'm here, then I might as well get some infoof this world. It's interestingto see this place filled with supernaturals, beings- no, humans who are capable of things like levitation of carsand stuff. I wonder if this would help with my research? It should...

Oh, and Izuku, it's really rude to look through people's stuff. Put this away before you regret what you see. I don't want to cause any unnecessaryfear in you, I have everything handled. Put this book away - and if you read past this warning, I'm not going to be happy.

Kirishima doesn't want to read past the warning, so Katsuki swipes it before he could even think about talking his friend out of this. This was f*cking rich! Something that Yamikumo didn't want to get out, not even to Izuku? There must be some intresting f*cking sh*t in there!

Bakugou pauses at the next page, staring directly at a messilydrawnman with a singular unsettling red eye staring at him. It's a man with messy hair, with a severed hand resting on his face. The other half of his face was hidden with a black hoodie, and a sneer was on his lips. It's incredibly detailed to the boot and it unnerved the two. Bullet pointscircled around him in a messy manner.

• Connected to the tool somehow? It's the only possible reason for him to cause lasting damage to me.
• Disintegratingskin particles (Is it anything in contact?) When holding physical contact with his hand
• My shoulder has a permanent scar now, it won't go away
• He said his name was, "Shigaraki Tomura?"
• Creep

That last part was written in red ink, with an arrow pointing to him. Kirishima frowns, "He attacked Yamikumo? Why?" He questions while Katsuki rolls his eyes and yanks the notebook from his hands.

"Doesn't matter now, he's here, isn’t he? So he's f*cking fine. Next page, let's go." Katsuki slips his nail into the next page, flicking it open with his finger.

Destroy Izuku's ability to feel emotions

Trigger: Fear and over extending the quirk limitation quota. (As I am unable to succumb to certain drawbacks of a quirk, it builds up. Results into corruption.)

"Corruption...?" Kirishima mutters as Katsuki ignores it and proceeds to the next section.

• Can copy quirks!

-Ice - Voice Mimic - Explosions - Fire - Air compression - Polarity - Zero gravity - Electricity - Creation - Hardening

Too many too keep track of...

Mutant quirks are possible to copy - but it takes too long to cut out, too much of a hasslehonestly.

"So he does have a f*cking copy quirk!" Katsuki growls out, running his hands through his hair as he bounced his left leg out of habit, "He never told me sh*t. Always tried to lie to me about it - as if it's some big secret." He wrings his hands, "He never told me his quirk and when he did, he was always lying."

"I somehow doubt that his quirk is copy," Kirishima pipes in, crossing his arms as he thinks about it, "Wait, what did he mean by 'cutting them out?' I have a bad feeling that his quirk isn't exactly Copy, Bakugou..."

"Well, I'm f*cking worried about breaking f*cking Deku's ability to feel." Katsuki grumbles, grabbing the notebook again with his hands, "What the f*ck does he get from hurting Deku, hah!? It really makes me wanna punch his f*cking lights in."

Kirishima stares at him beforeflashing a smile brightly, "You really care for Midoriya - kun, huh?"

"Shut the f*ck up and continue reading!" He hisses, flipping quickly to a completely filled page of words. The two pause for a second before reading the contents carefully - as they both assume that itwas something

XX/XX/XXXX

I've heard that writing out my feelings help suppress more fromsurcafingsurfacing- so I'll try it this one time, this one time so that Izuku would get off my back about "Writing therapy" and to see if it actually works. Naturally, I wouldn't bother and would have lied to Izuku that, yes I did write, but that blond brat keeps pulling Izuku away to do stuff and my blood is boiling with anger. So this is my last resort.

If this doesn't work, then there's no need to keep trying to be a good person for him. I'll just act upon them since apparently my reasoning is wrong. Is it wrong to want him all to myself? Is it wrong to hug my only source of comfort and keep him away from any harm?

Everyone else keeps hurting him, I just want to protect him. I want to guide him. I want to destroy that kindness in his heart - humans don't f*cking deserve it. I dont deserve it either.

The first time was an accident, i had a dream that wasntpleasentpleasantand I acted out. I didnt mean to do it, but i did. I did something horrible and I should own up to it.

If I act like I don't care, then Izuku would agree. Like how children only act out of the responsibleone freaks out. I am responsiblefor her.

My own mother, I never could see her because of the possibilityof getting her sicker then what she already was. I would have never done it - I wanted to be his hero. But something was wrong and I couldn't control myself from freaking out. If I don't care, then it doesn't matter. I couldn't help but rise to the chance of making him all mine - all to myself. If he was selfless, then I would be selfish.

So I did.

So I didn't think about it.

I really did view her as my own mother. I loved her, even if she wasn't my mom. I'm sorry I let my desires get to me. I can't do this, my chest hurts and this isn't relievingat all. This writing therapy doesn't work. I still feel horrible, I still feel sad over her. I don't understand, why do I miss a woman who isn't even my mother?

I don't understand.

There were tear stains at theend of the letter in thenotebook, smudging some of the ink and it made the letters smear off. The bottom of the notebook had more text, but it was scratched off with a permanent marker, making it illegible to read. The ending of the letter seemed to be hastily written as if he was in a car as he wrote about it.

"I f*cking knew they weren't related!" Katsuki shouts, throwing the notebook back off the floor, and messing up his hair as he begins to pace, "Brother of mine, my ass!" He growls as he circles the room. Kirishima snickers at his childish antics as he bends down to pick up the notebook.

"They could be half-brothers, you know?" Heoffers the idea, raising his hand as he smiles, "Different mothers?"The blondfreezes as he turns his head back to his roommate.

"Yeah, I guess so. That could be one possibility." Katsuki grumbles softly, taking a seat back down, "Auntie Inko was always a nice person, she would always offer her home to anyone that needed it. I wouldn't doubt her good nature to spread to her ex's kid." He crosses his arms as he peered over again.

"Say, what happened to their mom? Did she get sick or something?" Kirishima asks as he begins to flip to search for the next page with words, skipping past more detailed pictures of Izuku.

"She's dead." Katsuki's loud voice falls to a whisper, and redheadfreezes in page flipping,glancing worriedly at his roommate, "She died in a fire that appeared out of nowhere. No one knows how it began, or how it ended. Those two got away in time, and they were forced to move away." He doesn't know why he feels so emotional about it. He was the one who just heard about it a few months back. He just got the news after eight f*cking years of never knowing what happened to him. Does he really deserve to be sad about it?

Kirishima frowns, reaching out his rightarm to tug him in a halfway hug, "You alright bro?"

"No." Katsuki answers honestly, shaking his head as he dug his hand through his hair, "I didn't even know about it. They just vanished and I didn't even know why. I didn't bother looking why and what happened. Why didn't I look?" He asks himself, taking a hold of his messy blond hair.

"Hey hey, Bakugou, look on the bright side of things!" He grins his signature shark like smile as he gestures to the room, "They're here now, right? It's so manly to be striving to be a hero! They're here, aren't they?" He tries to reassure his friend who scowls, facing away from him, "We can help them now. So no worries, alright man?"

"Whatever man, let's just continue reading." Katsuki mutters, returning his gaze to the book that Kirishima was holding. Kirishima nods sharply and holds it out for Bakugou who only grimaces at the words.

No signs of the tool anywhere -no records of his name in the police or global database. It's like he never existed - and without him, I can't make something to come back and away from causing any more harm! I'm no longer human anymore - I lost that the moment I came here. I can't ruin this place more than I already have. His name keeps going through my head - renewing away from him doesn't solve anything. It makes it worse and I can't think past him.

It was a mistake coming here, I have to get back before it consumes me completely.

Change of plans, I have to lead Izuku to the right path. There is no need to go back to the empty lab without anyone else now that I have Izuku with me.

I am happy.

What could they exactly say to that? How were they supposed to act? It seems just like gibberish of a madman, so they just turn the page and continue reading. While it creeped out the two out, Katsuki was more familiar with Yamikumo's creepy nature, but he doesn't add more to what he already knows.

Possible outcomes of the "tool" coming in contact with Izuku/Me:

• Taken back
• Izuku becominglike me/exactly like me
• Limitlesspossibilities
• Zapped out of existence

And worst case scenario: Full corruption or In-

The words cut off there, and Katsuki frowns, bouncing his knee up and down angrily as he peers questioningly at the paper.Corrupt?"Corrupted?" He says aloud, "The f*ck does that mean?" Automatically, his mind falls to the possibility of Yamikumo's drawback, from the way it's worded, it's not a good thing, "Is that his drawback? His weakness?"

Kirishima places two fingers on his chin, thinking, "Yeah, no doubt about it, that must be his quirk's drawback. Maybe it's like Midoriya's? Breaking his bones every time he uses it?"

"No, that's not right." The explosive teen shakes his head, "As long as I remember, Yamikumo never had any f*cking injuries... which is strange now that I think about it..."

"Next page!" Kirishima shouts happily, flipping it to the last page of the notebook.

Izuku can never ever feel true pure raw fear. No matter what. Its better if he stays happy all the time - he doesn't need to feel sad anymore. He won't feel sad, mad or anything if I have a say in it. If he blocks his emotions, he'll be safe. Being mean to him just makes him block me out. And I want to help him.

Everyone else would hurt him. I don't trust them, none of them have his best interestsat his heart like I do. They'll hurt him again, I won'tlet it happen again.

"That seems... a bit lonely... doesn't it?" Kirishima mutters, finally closing the book and placing it down on the desk. He carefully rearranges the papers and the box of where it was before, "Depending on yourself must be tiring..."

Katsuki's noticeably quiet as he shuffles around the room in a ghost-like manner, his mind reeling back to what that last part said.

They'll hurt him again. I won't let it happen again.

The worst part was that he could hear Yamikumo say it with so much venom, so much hatred. As if it's something he had to defend at all cost. When he was younger, stupid and still believed that he was stronger than everyone until Yamikumo punched him off his pedestal, he bullied Deku to try and toughen him up. Because Deku was weak and quirkless, he was sweet and stubborn. He wanted Deku to stand up one day to fight him back, to show him exactly why Katsuki was his friend. To show him that he was tough enough for everything the world threw at them.

He wonders if he was the one that pushed Yamikumo to this level of creep towards Izuku?

"All done? We should leave soon, it's almost time for curfew." Kirishima mutters lowly and Bakugou nods, following after him as they both leave the crime scene.

Chapter 23: Friends... or are they? I suppose?

Chapter Text

The campus was surrounded with people: Reporters, journalists, Newspaper article writers andfans with All Might shirts, merchandise, and comics.... The very moment their eyes darted to the five people walking to the school with their I.D's out to get in - they were overwhelmed by the attention that they bombarded them with. Izuku yelps girlishly as someone nearlyshoves him down, but Iida's arm caught him before he could do so. He flashed a grateful smile to his friend as he unsteadily stood back up, and tried to slip his way back into campus.

"Students from U.A? Is it true that All Might teaches here now?"A reporter asked excitedly bright, a microphone is placed under Uraraka's nose and she smiles brightly in the camera,

"Yes! And he's just as nice as everyone says!" She answers honestly as Iida's arm swings around her back - ushering thebrunette to go into the school. Another microphone was slipped under Izuku's chin and he pauses, he stares blankly doe - eyed to the camera.

"How is it like? What does he teach? How is he?" Someone asks in a high pitched voice, and Izuku instinctively recoils back, his pupils dilating as he spies the camera pointed at him past the reporter. In the corner of his eye, he could see Todoroki giving the screen the deadest look, keeping his eyes on it as he slowly inches away from the school, Yamikumo was glaring threateningly at one pushy reporter. Ah, he should sto-

The microphone shoves closer to his throat, and he jumps again, staring down at it with crossed eyes, "U...uhm...uh..." His hands start shake, he feels entirely nervous as he stares down at his feet. His hand automatically goes to his hair to pull on it so that he could gain some composure. But Iida tugs him closer into his tall frame, efficiently cover the both ofUraraka and Izuku beforerushing the two of them in past the reporters,

"It is almost curfew! You cannot pass this gate or pursue us in our path of learning!" He shouts, and Izuku sighs softly in relief,looking up at his earnest friend.

He's not used to attention, he wasfamiliar withto fading away in the background, never to reach forward to actually do something. He felt nervous when everyone depends on him; because what if he fails? What if he can't fit up to their expectations? It's better to be just there, saving people with a mask that could hide his face. It was better then showing exactly who he was and how much he's failed.

He'll become brave one day... One day, he's sure of it.

Even if it seems like a hopeless dream that would never happen, so out of reach and but within his fingertips. He's sure that he'll finally stop thinking about his failures and focus on the bright side of the things.

By the time they get to dorm living room, Yamikumo goes straight to his room as the four of them relax in the living room, a calming sunny type of air filtered through the room and Izuku couldn't be more thankful when they tell Yamikumo good nightand he smiled back at them.

Whether it was him honoring their promise, or Yamikumo just wanting to be nice - Izuku was ecstatically happy for the single fact thathe had friends that he liked and they likedhim back.In middle school or elementary,he often scared people away from him and never tried to make any friends, deeming them a "waste of time." So to hear and see that he was making friends, makes Izuku think that Yamikumo's being genuinely nice. It's not a rare occurrence for the purple haired male to be nice to him, it is when he's willing to do it to others.

In his head, he knows that someone hurt Yamikumo really bad - bad enough for him to adopt that, "Nothing matters." mindset. He knows that Yamikumo is trying and trying to be a better person - though he was prone to blow up, he knows that Yamikumo was a good person no matter what others viewed him as. He knows that Yamikumo is trying to protect him, make him happy, but he has to understand that he doesn't have to be alone. He could have friends if he just tried.

And now he did, and they were both happy, weren't they?

He glances up at his new friends, all of which were chatting friendlily among each other, talking so easily while he was a sitting duck, doing nothing but brooding in his own thoughts. They didn't try to drag him out of his enclosed shell and into their conversation, he watched as they all patiently waited for him to come out. They didn't forcing out, they were gentle, nice, and waiting for him to open up to them.

"Thank you."Izuku finds himself blurting out those words, avoiding the three pairs of eyes suddenly glued onto him, "I can't express my gratitude for everyone. Even if I'm just a classmate o-or a friend, I'm so thankful that you were able to be friends with my brother." He nearly whispers that last part out, and he nervously reaches for his hair, ready to tug on it so that he can say this right, "H-he's usually violent, but he's really nice, and I-I can't explain how happy it makes me that someone other than me that's willing to be friends with him..."

A gentle hand drags his hand in his hair away from his head, but he still can't look up due to the redness on his cheeks - he never really poured out his heart like this before. He wonders if he's doing it right, "N-no one cares about kids like us, b-because they could disappear easily. No one bothered to really care, and it made him w-worse. S-s-so to know that there are some people so willing to help after only meeting f-f-" He starts choking on his words, and the hand holding onto his is careful, as it starts rubbing circles on his hand, as if he's glass, about to break, "I-I-"

Was he doing this wrong? Is that why they weren't interrupting him? Why did his throat seem more closedthe more he tried to force out his heart?His eyes burn and he squeezes them as he holds his other hand to his chest to contain his heart. This... this was so frustrating! How could he describe this joy? How can he say thank you? How can he show them that he was so thankful for them? Was he just making a fool of himself? Were they all secretly laughing at him?

What if this was a cruel joke? What if they're just liars - wanting to open him up and dissect him? To find emotions of love and sorrow before binding them and playing with him like a doll with a string...?

But before he could overthink things further, Iida's voice thankfully emerges in the moment of silence, when his own words had stopped, too choked up to continue.

"It's no problem, Midoriya - kun!" A warm arm coilsaround his waistfrom the left and he's pushed into a broad chest, "It makes me sick knowing that the system is exactly the same, but I am glad that you and your brother can happily live here. Pursing one common goal to be a hero!" Iida proclaims as Todoroki smiles from the sidelines, his hand droppingIzuku'sfrom his side. Uraraka's eyebrows raise in joy as she rises from the side of Iida's side.

"It's true, Deku - kun!" Uraraka pipes in, clasping her hands and leaning towards the green haired male, "Everyone loves you! You're like the class sweetheart! Even Bakugou - kun likes you! And he's pretty scary too!"

"Haaaaaaaaah!?" Speaking of his childhood friend,the blondstrolls in from the boy's side, his glare softening as hemakes eye contact with Izukuon the couch, "Who the f*ck is talking about me!?" He growls angrily, yet noticeably quiet and calmer as he passively aggressively stomping towards them and plopping onto the couch He kicks his feet up on the table. His arm wraps over firmly on Izuku's shoulder - yanking him from Iida's grasp, and smirking victoriously as Izuku squeaks in sudden shock.

This prompts a squawk of shock from Iida, "Bakugou - kun! Please remove your feet at once!"

Izuku giggles at his classmate's antics, and for once, he starts feeling safe once more. This feeling or warmth was familiar in All Might's hug, before everything went down. He smilesdelicately and leans into the half hug his friend forced onto him. It's shocking that his childhood friend was hugging himlike nothing was wrong.It's amazing how he's leaning into his former bully's embrace as any source of comfort. He's surprised that Katsuki actually even acknowledges him after his rant during the training exercise of him not being real. He's appalled that Katsuki was still wants to be acquainted with him...

And he's so happy with that single fact.

There's a look of guilt in Bakugou's eyes that Yamikumo recognizes almost instantly the moment they crossed paths on his way to Izuku and Yamikumo's dorm, "Oh? Kacchan? What's with that look?" He stops suddenly, tilting his head inplayfullyas he stands up and stares up at his childhood friend with a teasing smirk on his lips, "You look like you just killed a puppy."

Strangely enough, Katsuki just stares at him, with this look that he can't pinpoint. It's no longer guilt, it's something akin to... He doesn't know that look in his eyes, he can't read it. It's strange, you think after living where it mattered and being trained relentlessly to read people, he would be able to understand it,

"K-kacchan?" He finds himself asking with a hint of false worry, "W-what's wrong?" If the emotion is not clear, it's best to bait them into revealing their voice. Whether it's soft or feral, it's a good indicator as to read them. If the eyes don't give away the emotion, then the voice was a clear alternative.

"Drop the act, eggplant." Katsukiwhispersin sickening revolting concern and Yamikumo's facescrunchesinto disgust, he tenses up at the taller blond approaches him, his hands are in his pockets as he stops directly in front of him. The shorter male is forced to crane his neck up to stare up at his brother's former bully, "Listen, if you want to fight - tell me." He says uncharacteristically soft, careful with his words as if he thought about it. And the purple haired male isn't sure how to react. He remains his still position before stumbling back and glaring venomously at him.

"What thef*ckis wrong with you all?" Yamikumo snarls angrily, grabbing onto his head with both of his hands, backing away as a natural instinct towards things he doesn't understand, "Why are you being nice to amonster?None of you know who thef*ck I amand you all think prett-"

"Shut the f*ck up. Listen, you little sh*t." Katsuki surges forward into his personal space to grab a fistful of Yamikumo's shirt, weightlessly lifting him up from the floor with his brute strength -thrustinghimsilentlyagainst the dorm's light blue wall, holding him in place, "I don't f*ckin' care about your trusting bullsh*t - it's pretty f*cking obvious that you aren't going to trust anyone anytime soon." Yamikumo bares his teeth, his small hands directly going to Katsuki's throat, his nails dig threateningly on thestrong tender flesh but the blond doesn't seem bothered about it at all, "I'm just offering you a chance for me to kick your ass. Any f*cking time you want."

Yamikumo growls loudly before dropping hiseyes to the floorin disappointment as he thought about it. Right now, he didn't even have to hesitate to kill him. He could easily push him back - set him on fire and watch him writhe in agony. He could easily shoved his hand up his nose and break the bone by jamming it into his skull. He could make him float and let him scream his voice hoarse to be put down, but...

Izuku was sohappytoday, how could Yamikumo ruin the rest of this day for him?

"Choke me." Katsuki dares suddenly, snapping Yamikumo out of his thoughts and back into reality, his fiery ember eyes hardened with a resolve and determination,"Do it. You always f*cking hated me, huh? I hated you your guts too." Yamikumo's grip softens as Katsuki starts slowly placing him down. His feet touch the ground but he still has a grip on his shirt, "If you want to fight - then just knock on my door. Don't hold that sh*t in if you feel bad."

"This is really funny coming from you." Yamikumo mutters, his hand automatically going to his other arm, his dull nails scrap against his skin, "Didn't you used to do that back then too?" Katsuki only scoffs, shoving a hand on top of the smaller male's hair - messing up his hair, "H-hey! Stop that!" Yamikumo protests, swatting them away and pouting, "What do you want then? To offer me a chance to fight you? What else?"

"Nothing." Katsuki backs off, smirking knowingly - as if he knew something that he didn't as he placed up his hands in mocksurrender, "Let's just say - I misjudged you. I thought you were a f*cking prick when we were kids." Yamikumo's eyebrow quirks up in question, like he's not one right now? He's sure he's still an asshole who even breathes in the same air as everyone else.

"Now I just see an emotionally constipated purple eggplant. And I thought it was nice to offer the idea. Like old times." His grin was feral, "Plus there's the fact that I know you won't openly accept nice gestures and sh*t, so it's a deal. Alright?"

"So," Yamikumo starts, a frowncrawling his face, "You're doing it because you think it'll make you a nice person?" Yamikumo mumbles, raising his hand to bite on the tip of his thumb, his lavender eyes flickering between inner turmoil and doubt, "Why do I-"

"Yep." Katsuki walks past him, raising his hand above his head as he heads to the living room, hiding his expression from Yami, "I wanna be a good person, so fight me." Yamikumo stares afterhis black sweatshirtbefore throwing up his hand in disbelief as he walked back to his room. He could never understand Katsuki or Izuku sometimes - those two were inseparable no matter what he did. It resembled his bond with his own Katsuki - kun in a way...

He's too tired to think about more useless stuff right now.

The movie playing on the screen was incredibly boring, Izuku found himself dozing off in the pillow pile his friends had made using a bunch of fluffy items from their rooms. A light blue heavy fluffy blanket covers over everyone, making the living room light seem a dull watery blue as it shined through it. His head was being used as an armrest for Katsuki's arm as he stared numbly at the movie about a dog finding his way home. The dog had been separated and tugged away from his home by getting kidnapped over the streets. Izuku found the movie kinda boring honestly, it was cheesy and overly done.

Uraraka and Iida were already sleeping on each other, Uraraka was piled on top of him, her arm draped lazily over his abdomen. If Izuku turned to his right, he could see Todoroki watching it with a sort of childish glee, with his hands propping up his chin, his mouth slightly ajar as he watched it. Todoroki's eyes caught him, and he smiles warmly at the green haired boy.

"You like the movie?" Izuku asks, tilting his head and disrupting Katsuki's arm, the blond grumbles before adjusting his hand back on his unruly green hair, "The dog is pretty adorable, huh?"

"Yeah..." Todoroki returns his gaze back to the screen, "I never really got to watch movies like this when I was younger..." He mutters below his breath and Izuku blinks in surprise.

"Really? Why not?"

He realizes that it'snot something nice to saywhen Todoroki's eyes harden and a dark look covers his normally aloof friend's face, "It's not something I want to talk about." He replies simply and Izuku immediately shuts up, quickly averting his eyes, "S-sorry." He whispers, looking at his friend briefly, who decides to just watch the movie again, this time with his eyes dead focused on the movie and not paying any attention to Izuku.

Did I do something wrong...?

I should say something.

Yamikumo thinks as a blanket is thrown on his head, and Yaoyorozu walks in front of him to adjust the TV they brought in just a few minutes ago. Jirou was chatting senselessly next to him, while Kaminari had his f*cking arm aroundhis neck, tugging him in different directions while he spaced out ahead.Stop touching me.He wants to scream but he's just so tired. He does not want to be touched right now - it's repulsing to have others touch him. It's like a sick disease that never stops, it's not a gesture of love. He should know that.

It's a lie and he should know that already.

Those three barged into his room before hecouldtake three steps into his room and he was invaded by people he dares to call friends."Game night!"Jirou had shouted out excitedly, her hands balled up into fists as she squealed and Yamikumo just let it happen. He tried protesting that there were cameras, but apparently - they were never on. What was the f*cking point of having them in the first place? He threatened to do unfathomable things and Yaoyorozu gave him the blankest look and said,"But you won't."

Yamikumo hates how f*cking right she was too.

So Yamikumo just lets it happen, slowly falling to the right on the next wave of the series of tugs, and dragging the blond boy down with him. He visibly scowled when he landed into Jirou's lap and Kaminari landing softly on him as well.

Why can't he just be left alone...? Why were they so pushy and annoying - yet so nice and caring like Izuku? He cannot understand these things. Why was everyone being so nice to him? Was it because they didn't know what he did? What made this 'nice' trait rise up like an ocean tide turning? What made themtryhelp him? What was this?

Yamikumo doesn't understand these recent actions of kindness, he's pretty sure that if Katsuki read through him - others can do that too. He's pretty f*cking sure that everyone can see the obsession he has for his brother. He's surprised he wasn't called out for incest yet - he has a f*cking wall posted with Izuku's pictures right behind him! Isn't he considered creepy? Isn't it illegal to be in love with your sibling? Is it illegal to be in love with everything about him - to his nails, to his hair, to his eyes?

He doesn't deserve this kindness.

He's killed people before, he did it dozens of times, and those sins can't be forgiven simply because he was unwell. Because he's justmisunderstood.Those lives are gone, they are dead and he did it to show that there was no return. Just because you think that he's a good person at heart, does not mean jack sh*t. You can speculate all you want, he's a bad person, the villain of the story and you shouldn't forget that.

But...

Yamikumo raises both of his hands, forming a pillow with his hands and putting it between his head and Jirou's thighs. Sighing deeply, he closes his eyes and doesn't think any deeper into it.

Maybe he should enjoy this illusion while it lasts...

Chapter 24: I don't like this...

Chapter Text

Izuku and Yamikumo were called up to the office the moment homeroom started the very next day of school. Even Aizawa followed after them, telling the kids to behave before throwing a packet of work at them all - claiming that he had something very important to speak with them about.

Izukuhad his hands pressed tightly behind his back as he walked side to side with his brother, who had a natural mask of indifference per usual, his hands were wounded behind his head as he stared at the underground hero walking in front of him. Izuku pouts, glancing over at his brother, "Hey, Yami, what did you do~?" He asks with a teasing tone, tilting his head towards him.

"Thinking of me in trouble is very narrow minded of you." Yamikumo states plainly, though he did stick out his tongue at his brother, Izuku snickers with his hand over his mouth as Yamikumo continues, "Nothing really... I don't think I caused any havoc this week." Yamikumo frowns as if thinking something before shaking his head and shrugging, "Unless they could physical assault with me and Kacchan?"

"What?" Izuku blinks rapidly before a worried look crossed his face and hedashed to his brother's side, taking a hold of his arm as they kept up the pace, "W-what do you mean? What happened?"

Yamikumo waves his hand around, "Eh, usual. He was... acting pretty strange... He was nice to me?" He pauses, "Yeah, that was a really peculiar scene, it made me want to barf."

"Kacchan's always nice!"

"Izuku." Yamikumo sighs loudly, pressing hands together as a prayer of some sort, "I know you like to think the best of people - but honestly? Izuku?" Yamikumo gives him a blank look, "You still admire him aft-" He cuts himself off, eyeing Aizawa who was watching them with cautious eyes, "What? Can't I have a conversation with my exquisite lovely brother of mine?" Grumbling, Aizawa returned his look to the front of him and Yamikumo rips his hand away from Izuku's grasp. "Ugh, that killed the mood."

"What mood? There's a mood?" Izuku asked, confusion laced in his voice as he tried to catch his attention - but Yamikumo ignored them until they got the big brown double doors. Izuku's head rose and looked at the big door, he unintentionally gulped. If all the doors were this huge, how big was the principal? Would he be even taller than All Might? All Might and almost every adult already towered over the two - would he be imitating? Scary?

He heard stories of the principal being a huge polar bear, his teeth bared and towering over them as he planned for his next meal... Heard that had nails as long as he could even count to, heard that he kept this school alive and well with intentions to breed and cook students to have them for the next meal. And Yamikumo would never try to intentionally lie to him...

But those were silly and Izuku didn't believe those at all. Whatsoever. Nope. At least, he hopes. Was he really that gullible?

"Uwah..." Izuku awed as Aizawa pressed forward, opening the door with a firm push, Yamikumo pressed closer to Izuku as the three walked in.

"Hello boys!" All Might cheerfully greeted from the room, and Yamikumo unimpressively blinks at the number one hero of all time.

Inside, was a brown desk with a black chair spun to the to face the skylight - he spotted All Might sporting that giant grin with his hands planted at his shoulders. Yamikumo narrowed his eyes suspiciously, “All Might? Chair spinned to the other side? Aizawa - sensei eavesdropping on us? Oh no, here's anotherteacher to child talk about therapy again." Yamikumo groans monotonously, covering his face with his hands as he looked down to the ground, "Whyyyy." He whines, muffled behind his own hands and Izuku blinks at him.

"Therapy?" Izuku gasps suddenly as it registers to him, pressing his hands to his mouth, "Y-you mean they offered you therapy? This is a therapy meeting? This is it? This is great!" Izuku grins fully, pressing forward and looking over the black chair. It slowly squeaks around and Izuku stares at a.... Bear/mouse/dog...?

"Hello! This is your principal, Principal Nedzu!" He greets and Izuku's eyes sparkle with excitement, "Izuku and Akatani Midoriya? But you prefer Yamikumo?" Yamikumo grunts in response, and Nedzu laughs, "Yes, yes! Two polar opposites, oh this is quite the ordeal! I see what you mean now, Aizawa - san."

"A problem child and an overly emotional child. Guess which is which." Aizawa says, walking forward and standing on the other side of the desk, watching the two with wary eyes. As if he had something to fear from them... However...

"Therapy! Yamikumo! They offered us the idea of help! Isn't this great?" Izuku spins around on his heel, taking a hold of his brother's hand and holding themfirmly as he pinned his brotherwith his sparkling eyes, "We could have a healthy relationship!"

"We have a healthy relationship." Yamikumo says, raising an eyebrow, "I love and care for you while you slowly eventually reciprocate those feelings to me. You do love me, yes?" Izuku frowns, shaking his head rapidly to get his point across.

"Yamikumo, that's not healthy, I do love you but we need help." Izuku pressed, pushing his free hand to his chest, "Don't you think we need therapy?" He asks leaning his head to the right but Yamikumo's resolve and usual giving in to Izuku's words didn't seem to work as his violet eyes hardened.

"That's what the whack jobs did to us in the orphanage - and did they help?" Yamikumo wrenches his hand away from Izuku again, purposely taking a step back, Izuku follows him, "Plus, you shouldn't jump into conclusions, what if they finally had enough of you? What if they're actually expelling you? Hm?" Yamikumo's smile looked more like a sinister sneer with each and passing second. Izuku's mood deflated a bit, but All Might's loud and optimistic voice crashed into his pessimistic mindset before it could expand even more.

"I can assure you that this is no trouble, you were right the first time, my boy." All Might's hand rested upon Izuku's shoulder and he returned his gaze to his mentor, "We are here to offer you therapy. Any kind you two would like. This place is meant to be a safe place, and it seems to me that you two may not think of it that way." He smiles reassuringly at the two, Izuku's eyes are practically stars at this point while Yamikumo glares at him with a sense of hatred, and “All the staff members are willing to help you if you allow us to. Please, consider it?"

Izuku was already sold as he raised his hand, "Of cou-"

"No - Izuku, think about it." Yamikumo hisses, finally uncrossing his arms and grabbing Izuku's arm harshly as if his life depended on it, "You do that, and we have to tell them everything. Everything. Izuku.Everything." The purple haired male tilts his head in irritation, "Telling them the root of problem is just going to result too much, much more trouble. You remember the one person we told about us? You remember mom? You know we can't tell them, right? Even if you do trust them, you do realize that it'll be fruitless regardless? They don't know about us - andthey never will."

Izuku freezes, his hand slowly slithering down as he looks down to the ground, "Y...yeah, you're right..." He says dejectedly, and he looks up at All Might with those eyes that just withered away, "All Might - sensei... I have to say n-"

"We have a pretty good assumption about you two."

Aizawa interrupts, finally speaking up and raising his head from his clipboard. His tired black eyes bore into Izuku and Yamikumo's skulls, slowly dissecting them and placing them on for display.Izuku's blood runs cold - a feeling he's sadly used to,that's not possible...Izuku thinks but he can't stop this feeling of dread. He chokes suddenly, awkwardly taking a step back as Yamikumo surges forward, shoving Izuku behind him in a rough manner. He glares daggers at the three as Izuku struggles to breathe properly behind him, practically bowling over.

How? How could they possiblyhave found out that Yamikumo was a quirk -That he was his quirk?Izuku hazily thinks, grabbing onto his hair as he stills, his green eyes that was shining just moments ago growing with a trace of absolute fear. Did they also know about the murders he let happen? Did they know every horrible thing Izuku let happen?What now?He thinks as fear constricts his voice and he can't let out a whisper of the question he has. He can't voice his concerns so he lets Yamikumo do it for him.

"What the f*ck did you just say?"Despite Yamikumo'seerily stillvoice, Izuku can recognize the underlying panic hidden in his tone, his fist was slowly curling up into a fist, "There's no f*cking way you three know... I was sure I hidden the tracks, there is nothing you know about us!" All Might place his both hands forward slowly, carefully as he tried to dim down the situation.

"There... there's no way... How...?" Yamikumo was starting to hyperventilate, his voice became shakier with each passing second. Izuku pressed a comforting hand on his back but Yamikumo cringed away as if his own hand burned him, "There's no f*cking way you know sh*t!"

"Let's all just... calm down, okay, boys? This is fine, you are safe here."

"I don't believe thatfor one goddamn second." Yamikumo nearly yells, and Izuku shrinks back, as his brother shows obvious signs of distress, anger, raw feeling. It’s rare on its own, on Yami but Izuku can't do anything. He never could and he can't do this now. "S-so what now!? You heroes are going to throw us in the slammer, huh? I bet that's what you all planned along!Trying to earn Izuku's trust because he's oblivious- he's the weaker link.It's sickening, some heroes you admire, Izuku!" Izuku winches, bowing his head as he slowly hugged himself, "Itold you that you can't depend on anyone!Look where this is got us..." Yamikumo's anger flares as he glares at the three.

Nedzu remained the same, calmly and passively sipping his tea as Yamikumo practically had a meltdown, Aizawa's face had flickered into one of shock at the amount of disrespect Yamikumo had in him, while All Might was trying to calm the two down.

"H...ow long...?" Izuku merely whispers and Yamikumo whips his head around, nearly breaking his neck as he stares at him wide violet eyes,fear danced in them. Why... Why did he so scared? What did he had to fear? He was invincible - he was a better him. He had nothing to fear, so why did he look like that? Why? Why? Why?

"Since the entrance exam, my boy." All Might smiles sadly, finally stopping and just going on his knees to their height, "You displayed more than one quirk, and we have a student with the quirk ability Copy already. We know." Yamikumo stares warily at them, backing up to grab onto Izuku's arm in a vice grip, "There is nothing to be afraid of now, and you are safe."

"Safe."Yamikumo spits out the word, laughing pitifully as he shakes his head, "That is the funniest joke I heard, that ishilarious." Yamikumo's attention flicks to Izuku, "Safe, you feel safe here?"

"This is why we're offering therapy." Nedzu finally pipes in, placing down his cup, "From what I see, Yamikumo cares deeply for his brother, however his brother depends on him. Yamikumo constantly emotionally abuses Midoriya and he's not strong enough to protest because he genuinely thinks little of himself. This in turn makes him a pushover and overly excitable while Yamikumo seems more of aperpetrator. This is not healthy. You two need help." Yamikumo stares at him, while Izuku eventually raises his eyes to look at him.

"No." Yamikumo says instantly, shaking his head, "Absolutely not. And you can't make me."

Nedzu just nods, his attention shifts into Izuku, "And you, Midoriya?"

Izuku looks down, "I... I would like I-It... I m-mean..." Because he wants to be better. Because he wants to save Yamikumo

"Perfect! That's my boy!" All Might smiles, rising up from his kneeling position as he approaches Izuku, Yamikumo's grip doesn't loosen but he doesn't mind as he stares up at his hero, "I assure you that you will be fine!" Izuku's shaky lips curled up in a hopeful smile, his eyes sparking up with a wish that he hoped to fulfill. All Might's hand rests over Izuku's head, ruffling his fluffy hair and making the green haired boy's spirit brighten.

"Yamikumo." The purple haired male's head snaps to the principal, "Please consider it. This is important, beyond belief. If you don't have proper care of your mind - it can lead to horrible things. We aren't going to force you into anything you don't like - because we're not like that. You are in a safe place and its okay to come to us. We'll accept you with open arms, the world isn't like a horrible place. It can be a much brighter place, if you allow it." His eyes are calm, peaceful and yet stern, firm as he tried to reason with him, "It's only human to be afraid of us in your situation."

"I'm not human." Yamikumo states, unnaturally calm as he begins to tug Izuku out the office,"Thinking of me as a good person will only get you killed."The two walk out, Yamikumo dragged Izuku forcefully away.

Aizawa frowned, "That child is going to be problem child number two." He states, sighing tiredly and pressing his hand to his nose, "We shouldn't be giving them a choice if they're associated with the meaning of evil."

All Might simply shakes his head, "If we force them, it would only get worse, would it not? We'll be doing the same thing as that man did." He smiles proudly, "We should be glad we got one of them on board!"

"I swear you are way too happy for your own good."

Nedzu simply takes another sip of his favorite beverage, a hand to his chin to stroke his white fur as he thought.

I am not human.

Why did it seem like he was telling the truth...?

Yamikumo was like a koala, wrapped around firmly around Izuku, draped all over him as they sat at their regular table. But no one could distract Yamikumo to drag him away, so they were squeezed into one table because they were apparently beloved by their whole class. Izuku didn't understand it, but he doesn't mind it. He doesn't mind a lot of things.

He's afraid of Yamikumo snapping, he was so emotional today, so he didn't care if Yamikumo clung onto him like a lifeline. To be honest, Izuku never saw raw emotions from him - though sometimes he would see traces of fear, anger, and sadness. But not like this, not ever like this.

Sometimes, he sees a flicker of anger or irritation towards others, but he always intentionally blocked Izuku out from his feelings. There were moments like the training exercise when Izuku only saw absolute fear in his eyes. He sometimes caught Yamikumo's love-struck expression to him, but he blocked him out. He kept Izuku out, away from him as he clung closer to him. Izuku can't save him, he can't if he won't let him in. He can't save him.

But he can try to, the best he can... He can try now that he can get help for himself.

Izuku rubs Yamikumo's hand comfortably as he leans against his arm, mindlessly biting into his melon bread as he listened to Iida, "I heard you became class president, Iida - kun?" Izuku asks, tilting his head, "That's really cool!"

Iida grins, "Thank you Midoriya - kun!" He rubs the back of his neck nervously, a pleased expression floats to his face, "I, will make this class wonderful! For the future pro heroes!" Izuku copies his smile, throwing his melon bread as he cheers.

"Oh!" Urarakaspeaks out suddenly, clasping her hands together, "That reminds me, your brother is a pro hero, isn't he?"

Iida nods sharply, "Yes, I kept it a secret due to the possibilities of being looked different but I do. His name isIngenium, and I am proud of him." He nods again, looking up with a display of brightness and honesty, "He is my dream of who I want to be." And he says it so earnestly, so honestly as he praised his brother.

Happy.

Izuku smiles too, one day, he'll be someone that Yamikumo can look up to one day. He'll be Yami's brother, his own hero, and his reason to strive for the best. He'll become a symbol of hope for him.

A loud alarm ripped through the lunchroom and Izuku is yanked from his seat.

Chapter 25: It's fine, just stop worrying, and it'll be fine. It always is.

Chapter Text

(He's yours, are you really going to let someone take him away from you? You love him, he's yours you can decorate him, you can make him smile. Everything is possible, you can sew a smile on his face, you can keep his cold corpse and dance- he's- hes mine, I love him you love him black black roses, elegant, rotting, wilting, bad bad bad omens - hey hey- do-)

Yamikumo hates it when Izuku gets scared like a wriggling useless rat, ready to run and ruin their good day. He hates it when Izuku cries and when he smiles, when he gave up - when he stopped talking. Yamikumo loves him, loves loves him, he's so precious, he's so adorable, he's all his. He's adorable when he's mad, that raw feeling of uncontained rage directed to him, a feeling he only has felt.

(I DONT TRUST THEM I LOVE HIM BACK AND FORTH UNTIL THE TENDONS FALL TEAR DISINGRATE FALL APART.)

(He can't move, he can’t breathe, his throat feels so soft, so tender, more pressure will mak- make- he loves you he loves you he loves you)

(Rotting, decaying, slowly, gently viciously, violently, painfully, tearing paint, drawing you r sen ses unt ill you c- can’t see.)

Yamikumo loves him, he loves him, and he adores him. He'd kill for him, he'll be nice for him, and he’d do anything for him. He doesn't feel safe with the idea of peopleknowingtheir little secret. It was between them, no one could take away that bond from him, Izuku was his - his, his his his his his. There was a third person who knows this, and Inko Midoriya was dead. Rotting away in a grey makeshift grave. Just the two of them, hand and hand, together forever.

Andsomeone, three people,knowwhat heis.

How? Yamikumo knows full well that Izuku would dare not whisper a word about their secret, Yamikumo was sure that he installed that fear into him. If he tells anyone, this illusion was over, this world is over and he won't hold back. Yamikumo likes having secrets with Izuku, together, just between the two of them. Hand and hand, together, forever. He killed his mother in front of him, directly in front of him. To instill that fear, to make it permanent that no one was safe. To scare him into submission, and it f*cking worked.

Izuku walked in fear of living, of existing, and telling this secret. He was terrified of the idea of everything crumbling down, it's easy. What could a small little Izuku, do in a world of all these heroes...? What voice could he even have? Could he even try? Who would believe him?

And wouldn't he be taken away? Yamikumo wants to smile, whoever heard of a quirk that allowed a physical body? Allowed the physical body to copy quirks? To be practically immune to everything because he was a quirk - not the user. Of course he would be scared. His plan worked perfectly without flaw.

So. How the f*ck. Did they know?

Yamikumo doesn't know what could have slipped by, he doesn't know, he has no idea. His plan should have worked. His quirk was copy. He came from his father, who is currently MIA and never will be able to be reached. He was his stepbrother, he was attached to Izuku to the hip because of the 'trauma' over their mother's death. He was violent because he had no one to lead him to the right way, with one parent dead and the other overseas. His story should have been perfect...

(Izuku was scared, afraid, frightened, terrifiedand you let it corr-corrupt you again. luckyluckyhahahahowmany Ha times. S imple, corruptionis so quick easy. Pride, anger, fear, bitterness - s - sadness. HahAhaHatred- purple means royalty, black means elegant, everlasting evil- red redredredfredredredredredredred)

Yamikumo wants to destroy something, he wants to kill Izuku right now, right here at the table. He wants to be the last thing that Izuku thinks about, wants him to be in his final moments. Yamikumo wants to strangle him again, to cut through him, to freeze his body into a beautiful, wonderful icy corpse, set in stone. Wants him to die, to choke on his own blood, on his own red fluid. He wants to dye him in an enrapturing color of pure red.

But he can't, he loves him, so he tucks his head down on the lunch table, and holding onto Izuku's hand like a grounding point. He didn't mean to guilt trip him into rubbing the backside of his thumb, but he's not complaining. He didn't mean to overspill his emotions, this wasn't planned - this isn't right. No one was supposed to know -No one was supposed to know!Hecouldn't help but freak out, and Izuku's fear was not making it any better whatsoever. He felt raw, he still does. But he can hold back, it's just a school day, just one so it should be fine...

Everything was fine...

Yamikumo then props his head up with his elbow, staring passively to the girl duo, Jirou and Yaoyozuru, who were talking gently, friendly. Their voices were mixed into others and he didn't bother deciphering their voices apart - instead he watched their actions. With Yaoyorozu's big blush and Jirou's soft smile as she thrusted a small teddy bear into her hands. The taller female was rubbing the back of her neck shyly, a tentative and embarrassed grin graced her lips. Pure love, sweet love, he likes to think of their relationship.

Soft like a running river, like flowing ink in a canvas, never faltering. The artist and the brush, alike in mind, going the same way, same direction. Talking, without traces of hesitant fear on the other's face. Understanding. It's a rarity, many relationships didn't work out like this. They weren't as pure and forgiving as this, in every relationship there was bound to be a misunderstanding. There was nothing such as a pure love, he likes to think, yet in front of him, it was going on. Impossible. Never to be.

Yaoyorozu now supported a huge red flush across her cheeks, burying her face into her hands as she shied away from Jirou, who was looking flustered, slapping a laughing Kaminari in the arm, her lips were wavy. She was thrown on a loop for whatever Kaminari had said. Yamikumo found himself cracking a smile until the black haired female spotted him looking up. He immediately slammed his head back down to his arms and began thinking about Izuku. Which, was a horrible idea especially with his state of mind currently.

Their relationship was... Blackmailer and innocent bystander. A toxic one, he is well aware of the fact that Izuku lives in fear of him killing everyone. He's right, ifIzuku ever did get enough guts anddid commit suicide, Yamikumo had no true reason to not kill everyone. He didn't have to hold back anymore. It hurts on how desperate Izuku sounded when he talked about therapy. It's easy to give in, it's easy to just say yes. But his pride won't let him,because he's happy keeping Izuku within arm’s reach. Happy to cuddle. Izuku may not be happy, but he was, and it's the only connection he truly has with him.

(He's yours, so it'sokay to hurt him. You're the only one allowed to. It's your right, he is yoursyoursandno-nono ones GooIng to takE him A wayY)

He hates feeling like this, where his words constantly contradict one another. He wants him to be happy but he wants to tear down his emotional walls. He wants to hurt him but he wants to protect him. It's a struggle and he doesn't struggle, no. He can't be. He's the ring leader, he calls the shots, and he lets Izuku be happy while making him feel guilty for his mother's death. It was something beautiful in his teary gaze that captivated him, that drew him closer to him.

(He's mine you say, he is wonderful and adorable, he can rot away he can be happy)

Yamikumo jumps shakily as a loud sound reaches his ears, and he doesn't think, he just acts. It's stupid but Yamikumo can't think right now. Izuku was becoming more and more-

(S cared FeaR TeeRRifffying)

Grabbing Izuku's shirt collar, he hauls him up and throws him over his shoulder, and dashes for the nearest exit, ignoring his brother's protests and the shocked gasps behind him as he delivers a full roundhouse kick to the front entrance closed doors. The metal snaps open from the amount of force he uses and he waits a second for his leg to reform. Dozens of eyes are pinned on his leg but he can give a rat's ass about it as he dashes forward with Izuku clinging on his back. He hears nothing, but he sees the same annoying news crew in front of the school.

He pauses, his feet spread apart as he narrows his eyes, "..." He can't muster words as Izuku's fear rises at his silence, he notices that they aren't in that much of a hurry. In fact... They seem exhilarated at seeing the two again. His arm tightens around Izuku's waist, he hears Iida's voice behind him, all urging them to calm down.

"...Yami... Why did you pull me so violently? That really hurt..." He ignores Izuku, taking in a deep breath and sighing in near relief. He slowly loosens his grip, and places his brother back down. Izuku blinks up at him, green innocent pools of liquid emeralds that could take on the whole world.

(GouGe tHEmOut.)

He reaches forward, messing with his hair, and attempted to give him a reassuring smile, "I'm sorry. Do you want me to kiss it all better?" A coy smile plays on his lips as he curls a hand around Izuku's shoulder, and leading him back -

He freezes, his eyes lock onto the black figure behind the mass of reporters, and his fingers tighten around Izuku's shoulder. HIs purple eyes twitch in anger as he recognizes the figure with the light grey hair peeping under it. Dual red eyes meet his with a cunning sneer and Yamikumo feels more hatred coming pouring from the canvas. He wants to f*cking knee that man, but Izuku was just calming down. They just had a scare... He shouldn't bother.

A bit more pissed, he drags Izuku back into the school, his hand curling possessive on him in a claw-like manner.

Lamb, white lamb, black roses in bloom look so nice on you.

Tainted with misfortune, misery, it's a bad omen.

It looks so nice on a pure being like you.

It's funny onhow many meanings it has- it's funny how you think I can't lie.

I love you, sheep, lamb, white, lamb is n- Nononononono Lo0nGGer White. =)

This is what's right. This is what's right, he has to convince himself, and this is what is right.

The kid in the room, is fine, Yamikumo thinks, covering his head with his hands as helowers his head in shame,He's fine, this is what's right. I am doing something good and no one can tell me otherwise.

But the louder the tool screams, the more guilt builds up in his chest. He's terrified, he's scared and Yamikumo can't do anything because he's the one doing this to him. The machine is running, the whirls and the steam rising from the machine hiss angrily. But his screams are louder, cutting through the mechanical machine with such ease. Yamikumo lifts his finger, pressing lightly on the red button and the machine dies down. The screams fade away, but there's still sounds of hiccupping and childish whines of pain. Shrill screaming still echoes in his head, and Yamikumo can't help but think that this is normal now. It's not the first time. Not the second time. It's...

dont worry about it

This shouldn't happen to a child this young, the boy was no longer than five, and he, a high school student, was placing him into this-This deathtrap!He knows that this is entirely wrong, but why did it feel like he was doing something good? Why did it seem like everything Yamikumo was striving for, was good?

The boy slowly steps out the curtain, rubbing his eyes as he hiccups, his golden eyes wide with uncertainty as he looked up at the teen, "Mikumo - sama? I...Is that enough for today?" He asks meekly, gently as if not to upset the man. Yamikumo's not going to hurt him, he doesn't deserve this. He doesn't deserve this look of coldness. He was... becoming just like that man, and it scares him.

He's not me. I am not that man.

"I...its fine." Yamikumo imagines his face was distorted with black squiggles, his gold eyes becoming nothing more but a faded memory, and he doesn't have to look at the look of utter joy at the sound of his approval, "Go away." He orders, harshly. The boy needs to hate him, he can't be looking up to him - he's a monster for god's sake! This kid, had a future, and... Yamikumo was protecting him. He was saving this supernatural, this rarity in this dull reality. He shouldn't exist, there was no such thing asmagic. No such thing as unfathomable power. It didn't match up with science, it's simply not real. It cannot exist.

Yet the boy, scampering away with a hop in his step, is real. He exist, and he knows that it's wrong. To use a child for his selfish means. He can't even control it. It hurts him, and he lets it. This isn't guilt, this isn't his heart tearing away from him, and this isn't fear in his heart. This was...

Research. It's in the name of science, this was not a child, and this was a tool. Something he can dissect and examine, and nothing bad ever happens. A happy world he can dream of, never coming into terms of reality. So, it's fine if he thinks of it this way? He's not a kid, he's just a stepping tool. He has to get back into his original mindset before he became vulnerable, before he felt pity, love and warmth.

Reality... was such a cruel thing. It's better to be a dreamer, then a wisher. It's better to be happy, then always sad. Maybe he should lie to himself more often, because he keeps convincing himself and its working. He stops thinking of the boy as a boy, and rather as a child. Stupid to not get away from him. It's his fault. It's the ki - tool's fault! It's not his! It's not, it's not! It's not!

"Limitless possibilities... If it wasn't for that bitch, then I wouldn't have resort to this..." He mumbles, crumbling down onto his desk, "Realities, how many, I wonder? How many of yous and me live peacefully? Happily? How many realities would she have been a friend...?" He whispers that last part, afraid to even think about it, "I really thought she did love you..."

But what was love? He should have known something was up with her, cold calculating eyes, that same mask of deceit on her face...

I let you die once...His mind flashes to his best friend, rotting away in that grey dark alley, a pained forced smile permanently is sketched into Katsuki's face,and I want to bring this new you back into this one... would he be happy in this world? Would I fail to protect you...?

He wishes that he stopped this path before it went overboard. He wishes Katsuki really did fall in love with the right person. He wishes for so many things, but he made a mistake of reaching for them. He overshot, and his best friend was dead.

It's my fault.

What would he be like? Would he be as cruel as he is now? Would he be the same monster? Wondering, wishing, dreaming, and reaching, useless. It's not like all this matters anyways. When he brings a new Katsuki - kun to this world, he'll end this mess he created in the first place. He has the gun loaded, all he needs to do is... get into a new reality.

Then the kid will be freed. Then Katsuki - kun can live the life he's meant to have. Then, Akatani Mikumo won't ever exist anymore.

He wishes he felt some joy at that, some sadness, some anger, but all he feels is emptiness, and he hates it. It felt like he was dead already.

"Mikumo - sama...!" The tool runs into the room, tears beading from the corner of his golden eyes, "There's cops outside!"

Yamikumo shoots up from the bed with a choked gasp, his hand automatically going to his throat as he quickly but stealthy got out of bed, hurling rotting ink into the trash bin. The knife beside the bed gleams tauntingly in the moonlight beside him, and he can't tear his eyes away from them.

Izuku's eyes flutter open and he stares up at the ceiling in the dead of night.Yawning widely, heslowly rises, rubbing his eyes, and looking at the empty spot on the bed where Yamikumo usually was. His eyes trailed up to the closet, half ajar, a familiar shape rests against the wall, his purple haired bowed down.

Izuku crawls out of bed, opening the closet and settling down on Yamikumo's side, he slept besidehiscorpse.

Chapter 26: Intermission

Chapter Text

"U... Uhm..." Uraraka pressed her fingers together, looking away, "Ya... Yamikumo...-kun?"

"Hm."

"Yamikumo - kun...?" She tries again, hesitation clear on her voice.

"HM."

"Yamikumo - kun!" Uraraka shouts suddenly, closing her eyes and gripping onto her skirt, finally catching the attention of the distracted purple haired boy, his hazy purple eyes look blankly at her, "I... don't think it's good to press a game that close to your face."

"But I can't see?" Yamikumo questions, tilting his head in confusion, "Sen - san, when is it your business butting into mine? Have I done anything to you as of late?" His legs are propped up on the sofa cushions armrest, his lips pressed into a firm line as he watched her face, "Sen - san, can I call you mom? Are you my mother? Is that what you are? Mom?" A playful smile flashes on his lips and he fully turns off the game, rearranging his body to an upright position, leaning forward with hispalms holding his chin up.

"M-mom!?" Urarakastutters, a warm feeling covering her face, before shaking her head quickly and her open palms follow the motion, "And I told y-you before! My name's Uraraka! N-not Sen!"

"Oooh I see, Sen - san, Uraraka - san, Chocolate - san. Lover - san, sitting in a tree."

"Stooooooop!" Uraraka covers her ears and runs off, back to the girl's room, a soft whine emits from her as she runs.

Izuku tosses and turns, covering his head with a pillow as he tries to ignore the empty spot where Yamikumo usually was. He groans before angerily rising and wrapping his green cover securely over him, his green hair is nothing but a mess as he glances at the mirror. He takes a peek at the clock, 11:00 PM, and they still weren't back.

Yamikumo was given a detention and weeding duty for a fight he picked with someone in 1 - B, Monoma Neito...? Was it?Izuku doesn't remember honestly, but he knows that his heating source was now gone and he can't sleep because he's missing something. At least he wasn't alone, Kirishima had offered to heng out with him until he was done! So that was a good thing, right? At least he's not lonely.

It's not like he enjoys Yamikumo sneaking into his bed! It's just... If you constantly have something there, and it's not - it's weird and uncomfortable. It's like a missing piece to a puzzle, never to be found, but you know that it's there, but it's missing. Like you would find it eventually, it's just... missing.

It felt like his whole life in one paragraph practically.

Izuku sniffed, an image of his mother flashing through his mind as he rises up. He drags his hand to swipe the key off the desk, and carefully opens the door. He knows that he shouldn't do this, but he rather not feel horrible - waiting for Yami to come back. Depending on him to keep him warm, depending, he's not going to depend on anyone! Just him, himself and his own judgement. He didn't need anyone else.

That's something that he likes to lie to himself about, as he knocks gently against the wooden door, he falls back a few steps, looking to the ground. His green covers still shroud his shoulders, and the door creaks open, a very grumpy red eye peers at him, "What." Katsuki growled, opening the door wider. He lets go of the door frame, and crosses his arms, "What the f*ck do you want, Deku?"

"I...um." Izuku avoids his burning gaze. Determination, anger, curiosity curled in them and he could feel the pressure on him. Ah, maybe this wasn't as much as a good idea, "I...I-It's nothing!" He eventually squeaks, hurriedly turning around and aiming to dart back into his room. But to his luck, his childhood friend had stepped onto his green blanket, quirking up an eyebrow at him, "W-what?"

"Don't f*cking run away, what the hell do you want?" Katsuki grumbles, his foot firmly on the the green, his tall frame leans against the doorway, "If you don't tell me what f*ckery is in your mind, I am going to get pissed, I'll give you three seconds."

"Uh..."

"One."

"Wait, Kacchan, c-can you get off?" Izuku tugs the blanket half-heartedly, he feels the blond getting more irritated, yet he restrained it. It felt... unreal. Katsuki was always mad, always quick to snap. Always quick to throw a punch at anything that irritated him. Wasn't he annoying? Why wasn't hefighting him? Why? Why? It just didn't make sense, "Kacch-"

"Two...."

f*ck it, He quickly throws off the blanket, and makes it exactly three steps before his friend grips his hand in steel-like hold, and drags him into the room, tossing the green haired boy on his bed carelessly. He leaves the room to Izuku's blanket, and proceeds to throw that on him as well. Izukuthrows off the blanket as Katsuki plops down beside him. A controller is then thrusted into his face, and a game on the TV illuminates his face, and he stares widely at the screen.

"We're playing this sh*t. Then you're going to talk to me about whatever the hell is in your mind." Katsuki huffs, tossing up the cover over his body.

"B...But.."

"Shut the f*ck up."

"I-"

"Shut the f*ck up."

"Kacc-"

"Shut. The. f*ck. Up. And play with me." Katsuki demands, starting up before Izuku has a chance to refuse. "Bomb on your right."

"Oh... OH NO I DIED KACCHAN, HOW DO YOU-"

"Idiot."

"I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PLAY THIS!"

Izuku finds himself completely immersed in the game, he forgot the whole reason why he came here, and he's smiles freely as he plays with Katsuki.

Even if he didn't get a chance to pour out his heart...

(I dont want to burden them, I dont want them to leave me.)

He forgets everything just for a bit and allows himself to smile.

"Izukun, can you toss me a book? I left mine over there." Yamikumo calls out from across the room during study hall. Todoroki is calmly reading his book when he sees a red textbook fly across the room and slam heavily against the purple haired male's head, knocking him clean off his seat, making a loud thud, the whole class falls silent. Todoroki blinks once, twice, placing down his book as Izuku continues scribbling in his notebook, as if he didn't try to murder his brother just now. He seemed completely unaware of the extra force he placed into the throw as he blinks at the sudden confusion, "Huh? Why did it get so silent?"

"Thanks Izukun." Yamikumo says cheerfully as he takes his seat back, opening it to its desired page and reading intently.

It happens again, when Yamikumo calls out to Izuku to toss the ball to him. Everyone watches as Izuku tosses the ball up in the air with his foot, and kick it with more force then he usually does, and it hits him in the lower half. Everyone winched sympathetically while Yamikumo blinked at the ball, bouncing to his feet. But instead of curling up in pain like what all boy's do, Yamikumo simply laughs, and tosses the ball to silent shocked Uraraka with a gleeful smile, "All right, Izukun! That's the spirit!"

Later, Yamikumo finds three boxes of medical supplies, and bubble wrap at their dorm room. His head tilts with confusion while Izuku gasps excitedly at it.

"So... I heard your nickname is Eggplant. Is that so, Eggplant - kun?" Yamikumo's eyebrow twitches as he glares venomously at the blond, he co*cks his head to the right in irritation.

"Eggplant. Why is everyone calling me that? Why an eggplant? Why not a plum? Next thing you know, that'll be my hero name - honestly." Yamikumo grumbles, "Name, business and reason."

"Monoma Neito, from class 1 - B, and I come here to observe the faker." His smile was co*cky, grey eyes lighting up as he leans a bit closer to the purple haired male. The male recoiled back, a scowl appearing on his face as he did so, "I heard that you have a quirk called 'copy' Which, is biologically impossible."

"Reason for observing me? Should I be scared?" Yamikumo questions, tilting his head as he narrowed his eyes. This canvas was pure dull yellow, deceit, sickness and jealousy. While it was extremely dangerous for a canvas to be a pure color, it was also annoying when they pestered him. Like that Todoroki, a pure dark red, was somewhat nice, yet he could clearly see how big of a threat he was. Like Katsuki when he wasn't being an arrogant asshole, who was indeed powerful, but a bit... rash?

This was just annoying, Monoma just wanted to somewhat provoke him. For, some odd reason.

"You mean you aren't?" Monoma gasps loudly, pressing his hand to his chest as he arches his back in shock. Yamikumo blinks passively at him, "I think I can definitely tell the authorities! Oh dear, whatever shall you do, if you're thrown into jail for imposteration... you wouldn't be able to attend school anymore~!"

"Yes. Because I didn't kill someone before." Yamikumo rolls his eyes, placing his head down, sighing tiredly, "If this is your attempt to make me mad, it won't work. I only have a few triggers." He shifts trying to get comfortable before finally stilling. Maybe he could get a few minutes of rest before the next class.

"Hmm." Monoma hums, plopping next to him, a crooked smile as he drapes a hand over his shoulder, as if they were good friends, "What about your brother of yours...?"

Yamikumo's ear twitches, "Bully him and you won't see another day. You won't get close to him either, he has the 'Deku protection something' with him. Try it." He peeks through his arms, amethyst eyes glaring at him, "I dare you." He whispers threateningly.

It's okay because it's him. He's allowed to make him cry, make him happy or make him sad. He could tolerate it if it was Katsuki, because he was a good person behind that arrogance. It was fine if it was Danshi, because he was a good kid starving for attention. Monoma, on the other hand was planning to do it solely on to pisshim off. Those two had no true malice in them, but Yamikumo barely know Monoma to trust him on anything. He didn't trust him.

He has the audacity to smile, "Of course."

"Kacchan!" A loud call of the explosive teen's nickname was heard through the lunchroom.

"Haah!?" The blond nearly broke his neck on how fast he turned around at the mention of his name, his eyes were narrowed and pointed at the smiling green haired male. Izuku seemed to be away from, practically vibrating with how much he thrusted his stupid f*cking book into his friend's faces. He slowly rose up, ignoring his redhead friend's protest as he aggressively walked toward the four.Todoroki's eye darted to him boredly, watching him carefully as Izuku nodded at estusastically to the brown haired female.

He reaches forward to place a hand onto his smaller frame, ready to growl out an insult on whatever they we-

"Of course he is!" Izuku places down his book, closing it gently, "He's my favorite hero!"

The teen froze mid step, his eyes stuck onto the floor as Izuku giggled, and sat back down - not even noticing him directly behind him. Katsuki stops abruptly, retracting his hand and covering the bottom part of his face - making a mad dash for the boy's bathroom. A familiar feeling rushed to his face as he frantically splashed cold water on his face, glaring a hole at his own reflection.

"He's such a f*cking dork."

Chapter 27: =) Red = Madness

Chapter Text

Izuku was happy, so very happy. But since was he never? Yamikumo smiled in Izuku's lap as he practically gushed and vibrated with excitement. He noticed that his brother swayed with every turn, jumped with every bump, and answered with every question with a sign of absolute delight - he could practically see his warm green eyes sparkling with stars and galaxies that seemed to go on forever and ever...

Hands belonging to the eyes threaded carefully through Yamikumo's hair, carefully dipping into it through and brushing it softly. Yamikumo's body, in response, automatically relaxed, leaning into the touch with an unspoken purr in his throat. His eyes were closed as he tried to take a nap before they got to the USJ building, right in the middle of his favorite cuddle bunny.

The very moment he walked on the bus, he made a statement to lay straight into Izuku's lap the moment he sat down and took a fake nap. To stake his claim that Izuku was his and no one was going to take his attention away from him. The familiar coil in his gut screamed out and he had an overpowering urge to take him away, to watch him with his eyes only and hear with his own ears only.

Oh how much he loves Izuku...

But for now, this was enough to satisfy him, being within arm's reach. It was nice, seeing Izuku smile genuinely... happy. Even if it wasn't for him.

(Idontneedtoexist - I used to.)

"You're adorable, Midoriya - kun." The hand in his hair stops abruptly, Izuku lets out a nervous laugh and Yamikumo opens his eyes to see who was speaking to make his brother blush lightly. To his surprise, it's the frog girl, Tsuyu who speaks, "Has no one ever told you that before?" She asks, tilting her head as Izuku again flushes a darker color is dusted on his freckle covered face.

The purple haired male wants to pipe in, but the hand returned and he stopped thinking - forgetting entirely on what he was going to say as he leaned into the touch, "N-no," Izuku soundsdelightfullyembarrassed and a twinge of jealousy pulls at his non - existing heart when he hears it, "It's just... No one has ever said it as blunt as you before... ahah, I'm not used to it." Yamikumo reopens his eyes, seeing his brother rub the back of his neck sheepishly, looking at Tsuyu with a gentle gaze, "Thank you, Tsuyu, I really appreciate it!"

(It's not for you, stop feeling so happy that he's happy.)

"Call me Asui. It's no problem, I'm just stating facts, really. I've been told that I am blunt. If you do not mind, I cannot help notice something about your quirk..." She places a finger into her lip as she quizzily at him, "It's a lot similar to All Might's - is it not?"

Yamikumo's eyebrow twitches at the sharp increase in fear, he scowls as Izuku sputters out nonsense nervously, shaking his whole body as he vehemently denied it. Yamikumo slowly sits up, frowning as he listened to his brother's blabbering, "No! No! Not at all! That's impossible!" Which Yamikumo finds strange. Why was he so defensive about this whole thing? If anything, wouldn't the ultimate All Might fanboy be ecstatic knowing that his quirk was almost just like his favorite hero? Why would he be denying it?

"Nah! That's not right!" Kirishima breaks into the conversation from across from them, Yami snaps his gaze to him and for a moment, their eyes meet. A flash of guilt is seen on Kirishima's eyes and before Yamikumo could ask him about it, he resumes his original question, "All Might's bones don't break when he uses his quirk, right?" Tsuyu lets out a thoughtful sound, humming as Izuku physically relaxed.

Everyone was tugging his attention away from him, it's not fair. He was here longer!

"I am his quirk, actually."

It's funny how Izuku stiffens up, his eyes wide as he stares at Yamikumo with sickening worry, anxiety. He loves it, he adores that look of absolute misery in his eyes. Yamikumo snickered, holding a hand to his mouth, "That expression looks lovely on you." He whispers before laughing loudly, throwing his hands up and around Izuku again, tugging him close, and “Just kidding!"

His attention was back on him, and he relished on the feeling. He loves everything about Izuku, every single thing. He drags him around while wiggling, sticking out his tongue to those staring at the two. He liked everyone, really! He did! But Izuku goes first and always.

"What is your quirk, by the way?" Kirishima asks suddenly, instantly averting his gaze to the right when Yamikumo tries to look him in the eyes to answer that question honestly. He drops into a scowl, sick and tired of that same constant expression - why did he not think of them asking the same question over and over again? It was as if they knew that he was lying, it was increasingly irritating, “During that little scare with the alarms yesterday, didn't your leg explode into black icky stuff? Was that a part of your quirk?"

A beat passes, "Huh? W-wait what? You saw my leg explode?" Yamikumo frowns, feeling Izuku go ridged, and he pulled his hands away from him. He placed a hand on his head, thinking, "When?" He asks, when was he stupid enough to let them see? It's not like he was trying to hide it - but he really hated it when people ask him more and more questions, as if you're not being annoying.

"You kicked in the door when you had Izuku on your shoulder, you were so fast, and we couldn't even stop you before you kicked in the door like a badass!" Kirishima shouts before a look of horror flashes on his face, "D-didn't you even notice...?"

"They saw you!?" Izuku nearly shrieks, attempting to stand up if it weren't for Yamikumo plopping himself heavily back on his lap. Yamikumo sighs tiredly, covering his face as he realize the moment he had f*cked up.

"Calm down, it's not like I was really hiding it anyways, they were bound to find out. Okay, here." He gestures to his body, "My body is very small and unfit, yes? It's mostly meaty fl- limbs and squishy stuff like you all. I'm not a heavy hitter, my body can't handle certain quirks as it's too much for it to be contained. I'm not a proper vessel, you could say. In a way, my quirk does allow me to copy quirks of others, but my body is very weak and disposable." He closes his eyes, raising his hand to make a lazy circular motion,

"I don't know what the hell is All Might's quirk, super punch? Super kick? Super hero hero quirk? Something - I don't know but I know that my body can't handle it. So the pressure of the quirk quite literally breaks my arms, but if it wasn't for my... other quirk I would have no limbs as of now." He grins cat-like, pressing closer to Izuku while Kirishima's eyes light up with awe.

"Woah! Really?"

"Is that why you don't have any f*cking scars!? f*ck! You're practically invincible!" Katsuki snarls in the conversation suddenly, and he directs his attention beside Kirishima, "What exactly can f*cking kill you then?"

Yamikumo hums thoughtfully, glancing up at Izuku's distracted gaze, he was muttered cutely under his breath...Ah...

"Not telling~!"

(He loves them more than you, you know that right?)

Izuku's attention was away from him again, but it's fine because he deserves to be happy with his friends. He deserves to be happy.

(Why can't it be you? Why can't you make him happy?)

It's fine if Izuku was happy, he's so adorable and so very sweet...

"Uraraka - san! It's thirteen!" He whispered loudly, raising his hands to do jazz hands, directing it to a marshmallow hero in the front with both of his hands for his friend. Yamikumo wringed his hands together, smiling as Izuku smiled brightly. If it was something that he loved was his everlasting smile. Yamikumo loves him so very much.

(You shouldn't be having these thoughts- d-didn't you just renew?)

(Something is wrong.)

"Oh? Where is All Might? I thought he was on the bus with you?" Thirteen turns to Aizawa and Yamikumo does what he does best, tunes him out and turns to Izuku with the full intention to glomp him with a hug.

But Izuku seemed somewhat worries, looking at three of his fingers. His gaze seems to be lost towards the teachers, muttering under his breath faintly, Yamikumo could barely hear it, "All Might's out of time...?"

And Yamikumo has no idea on what to say about that.

Wasn't All Might Izuku's favorite hero? Wasn't he usually fangirling over him? Constantly dragging him into every thought and dream? Why was it that he seemed so casual about All Might not being here, instead of shrinking down in disappointment of not seeing his favorite hero? When had it stopped? Yamikumo's mind flashes to the training exercise, when All Might patted Izuku's head with such familiarity as if they knew each other for a long while... His reason for calling him to the office, the glee in his voice as if...

They had a mutual understanding...? Did Izuku know something that he didn't?

(The page.)

"Woah! We're starting already!?" Kirishima shouts out of nowhere and Yamikumo's train of thought breaks as he takes a look at the fiery redhead boy with shark-like teeth. He hardens his arms and held it to his sides as he glances past him and the teachers. Yamikumo quirks up his eyebrows in question, following his gaze.

Yamikumo's non - existing heart falls to the pit of his stomach and dread curls around him as he automatically grabs onto Izuku's arm, tugging him close as his lips quiver with visible fear. He's... scared...? Yamikumo doesn't understand, no! He can't feel fear! But he's feeling something, he's... scared. He's terrified.

"The tool... is here?" He chokes out, hating the fear that consumed his being. He grabs onto Izuku's shirt, yanking him close, “You can't touch that mist! You can't!" He cries out desprately, while Izuku's eyes light up with a sense of urgency.

"C-calm down, Yamikumo...!" Izuku tries to soothe him but he could see the fear rising at his actions. But it's not like he could hold it in.

Because, right now, there's a dark purple portal near the fountain, swirling menacingly over it. Yamikumo would be damned if he didn't recognize the power he used to get to this fold of reality.

The portal expanded, allowing a figure to slip through, which Yamikumo instantly recognizes as the stupid f*cking handy man. Yamikumo knew that something was strange with that pure grey canvas with swirls dancing along it and now he knew why... Why his decaying quirk had a lasting effect on him. It was because he was near the tool, it all made sense now in his mind.

(He hates you hates hates roaches ratsmaggotscrawling-)

"Everyone stay back!" Aizawa's face was scribbled out, but he could still hear his voice, scruffy and rough as he casts a hand to stop his students from going further, "Those are real villains! Thirteen protect the students! I'll hold them back."

"B-but!" Izuku dropped his hand from his tight grip, "Aizaw-"

(He let go.)

(He's scared but h-he's still not running.)

Aizawa brushes him off, taking a leap down the stairs, Izuku blinks down, lost and scared. Confused. Iida grabs the two of them easily, and Yamikumo can't think straight. He grabs onto Izuku, and wrenches himself away from Iida's disgusting revolting touch and sprints past him. "You need to get out...” Yamikumo mutters under his breath, maybe it was the sudden fear, maybe it was the unreasonable feeling of pure anger and fear of the thought of limitless thoughts of the tool coming into contact with him. He's scared, he hates this, and he hates this.

(Affection, craves it- love- love me you cried)

(I'mscaredI'mscared.)

Yamikumo screams, covering his head with his free hand, "Shut up shut up shut up! Idiot! Stop being scared!" He shouts at a confused Izuku, who blinks innocently at his actions, "Crybaby! Weakling!" He fires off insult after insult, stopping Izuku's fear and replacing it with a moment of pure bewilderment. It's not fair to Izuku -- but it's distracting him from the fear coursing through him.

"A-are you guys serious!? Why are you insulting him at this moment!?" Todoroki asks, out of breath as he runs beside him, but Yamikumo completely ignores him as he dishes out insult after insult, it's not very creative but-

(The page is soaked. Scribbled, sketched, tainted, and corrupted. Oh dear, its allll ruined!)

Yamikumo skids to a sudden stop, gripping Izuku's arm in a vice grip as he turns around the moment he sees the purple swirl appear in front of the door. He bends down, picking up Izuku in a bridal carry and stopping at the edge of the stairs, tossing him down. A strangled yelp of confusion is heard when he watches him fall down to the center, he winches at the bruises he just inflicted before hurriedly making his way back to his classmates, making his eyes level with the tool's narrow yellow slits.

(Ifhetouchesitwounthebejustlikeyou?wouldntyoubehappyaboutthat?DNAyoursscrambledpiecedtogetherforever---)

"Kurogiri." Yamikumo says before the mist villain has a chance to say anything, he speaks lowly, carefully as he crosses his arms and the tool blinks at shock at him, surprised that he knows his name.

"Kurogiri, black mist. I forgot his original name, but he has a physical form! His quirk/abilities: Warp gate, it can be modified with tech to change realities if-" He cuts himself off, "He's extremely powerful but his form's weakness is j-just under that metal-"

"Yamikumo, calm down! You're talking too fast, and you sound like you're hyperventilating...? Are you okay?" Uraraka's voice is so sickeningly nice with its dainty concern, he resists the urge to vomit. He does stop though, taking an unsteady step back. Yamikumo grabs onto his waist as the fear intensifies, sick and wanting to throw up. He tunes the rest out, until Katsuki brushes him on the arm, his eyes burn angrily as he shows more disgusting worry.

"How peculiar..." The tool rumbles, amusem*nt playing in his tone, "It is true, my name is Kurogiri, interesting, you sure know a lot about me... despite never meeting me...?" He hums, "I am from the league of villains.... And I..." Yamikumo doesn't care as his thoughts trail off to Izuku.

Izuku was safe, he was safe, close to Aizawa - sensei. He's much safer down there in that villain brawl nest then here. If that tool touched Izuku....

What would happen...?

"Yo, Yamikumo, is this the tool?"

The purple haired male nods sharply at Katsuki'squestion. The blond lets a grunt off approval, readying up as his palms spa-

He shouldn't know about that.

(Thepageisillegible)

Yamikumo hears a snap in his neck as he glares at his childhood friend with contained fury, "How did you kno-"

(Heknowsheknowsheknowsyoucantprotecthimforeveryoucantyoucant)

Yamikumo doesn't have time to properly question him as the blond and Kirishima launch themselves in the air towards Kurogiri, slamming their fists dangerously close to his physical body. It's a well-deserved effort, so close yet so far.

The fact remains that they missed.

Katsuki's eyes widen upon the realization as he turns to him with panicking pleading eyes, and Yamikumo feels so filthy, remembering the alley and his pleading eyes as well, "Yamikumo, don't tou--"

But it's too late.

The very moment that it touches his skin, he feels raw, exposed and weak, easily breakable. He feels wrong as his body lunges downward and crashes into the icy cold water that seems to penetrate his being entirely. Pure bright scarlet red spills from his lips, coloring the dark water with an unnatural color. His eyes hurt, they feel like they're melting, falling away, his body feels useless, and he can't stop it.

(His body was red, dying your hands. It's your fault)

(You craved his attention so much, that you neglected your friend. It's your fault. This isn't fear. Are you scared? Are you terrified? It's her fault, it's his fault. It'sHisfault, everyone else's but yours. You cried over and over and over and over as he laid still and cold in your hands.)

(Hecantbe dead he cant be ddead.)

A long pink organ curls around his waist, wrapping it securely as he's yanked out of the watery surface and crash into a metal surface. Tsuyu's blank expression appears above him, "Yami-" Yamikumo chokes suddenly halfway through his name and he rises suddenly and retches over the side of the boat. It trails off, red sticks out as it slowly and steadily sloshes into the water with a foul splat.

(calmddowwwwwmcalmdownnn He's not me, you don't have to be0- like him.)

(Choke him strangle him.)

(Izuku's toooo pure for this world, they don't deserve him. He's perfect, he's amazing better than you but that's okay.)

(I hate him, I love him. I want to save him. I want to kill him.)

Yamikumo breaks into a giggle fit, laughing maniacally as he grabs onto his throat in a tight grip, "Asui - chan," He says, in between the giggles, and he stares at her puzzled expression. His purple eyes glow with mischiefas he looks at her beautiful blank ones. He wants to force those eyes on Izuku's, oh, how pretty would they look? He wonders, smiling gleefully, "Asui - chan, when I say jump, I need you to jump to safety, alright? I don't want to hurt you, okay~?" He holds up his hand, holding up three fingers, "I'll count to three okay?"

"Three."

(Bad end: Full Corruption +???)

Chapter 28: Problem

Chapter Text

"Hey, isn't that the kid the boss wants?"

Having three villains stare down at you while they assume that you were knocked unconscious after a very elegant landing id not what you want to experience. Especially after being thrown down by your own family, down three flights of stairs when he's actually genuinely scared, and his classmates, who were utterly confused on what was going on. Trust Izuku on that.

He probably should get moving.

Opening his eyes, the first thing he does is roll to the left, avoiding a webbed hand reaching for him. Instincts scream at him and he automatically swings up, his fist hits a face with a satisfying crack as he shrugs up to his feet, staring at the three with caution as he thought of his next move.

It would take longer for him to climb back up the stairs, so he couldn't do that. The best move would to be to stay down here and find somewhere safe to hide - if he was a coward that is. And guess what? He's not going down without a fight. So heshoulddo the second best thing, he'll fight because he's going to be a hero, he might as well get some training in while he's at it. He can protect his classmates, he should chase away the enemies. He should... get rid of the boss right? If he knocks him out, everyone is safe, they'll be the cowards and everything will be perfectly fine.

If his classmates got hurt because he let them get hurt, if Yamikumo snapped without him and everyone was dead again...

He doesn't think he can survive that again, after becoming so attached to them, like a second family. Here, Yamikumo was finally opening up, he was finally making friends, and Izuku was about get therapy after this field trip. He's not going to let anyone take that away. He's not scared to die. He'll die protecting them though, maybe he'll be a hero from now.

Ducking a swing to his jaw, Izukuswipes his head up and headbutted the villain's chin harshly, and sprinted past them swiftly with quick feet. Using that time, he scanned the battlefield. He could spy Aizawa fighting a ridiculous hoard of villains surrounding him towards the right, there were a bunch of them staring at him - but not attacking him. They seemed hesitant. They were dropping like flies around him, so Izuku didn't have to worry about him.

His jade eyes zeroed in on the two figures near the center, at the grey fountain. A man with silver hair and an inhumane creature that towered over him. The man had severed hands on him, and the creature had its brains exposed to open air. Those two weren't fighting, why is that?

The boss, he realizes as he balls up his fist and dashes toward them; he stumbles a bit before steading himself and rushing. The faster he knocks him out - everyone can go home. Everyone won't be harmed, everyone would be fine, everyone would be safe. That was he won't fear their deaths.

"...There he is..." He hears the silver haired male mutter, tilting his head entirely as Izuku was quite literally yanked to the right by his wrist. Izuku lets out an embarrassing noise of distress as he's lifted into the air by a single white bandage, high above Aizawa's head and the villains who turn their sights on him. His eyes harden as he practically hisses in anger, his hand rising up to claw on the scarf.

"...What are you doing? I can fight, drop me." Izuku demands, his green eyes narrow in irritation. Aizawa gives him a quick glare before redirecting his attention to the overwhelming crowd of the villains. "Drop me."

"What the hell do you think you're doing here?" His teacher asks, tone was monotonous, bland as he lifts Izuku higher to avoid someone's grip on his shoe, "You just went in a war zone."

Izuku stuck up his nose, kicking wildly as he struggled, "My brother threw me down here - it's safer here apparently..." He muttered, but the grip on his wrist didn't loosen. Aizawa flashes him an irritated look.

"Safe? Safe. In a pit of villains, this is safer than escaping?" Aizawa scoffs in disbelief, shaking his head as he thrusted his fist into an incoming villain, "I wonder what's in the brain of your brother of yours. He's such a puzzle, you know?"

"Let me go. I need to fight." He protests, huffing when he finally goes limp, looking at his teacher with a sense ofdisappointment. He needs to fight, he needs to get rid of the threat and he can't let this hinder him. He has to fight, he has to fight, "Everyone's in danger, I have to fight!" He cries out desperately, shaking his head, "I'm not going to be a coward! I'm going to fight!"

Aizawa face rounds to him, and his eyebrows twitch in annoyance, “Acting on your own without any thought of yourself is going to get yourself killed. Being a hero doesn't mean that you'll be ahindrance."

It wasn't like Izuku was hearing those words before. Yamikumo told him that he was a burden that he had to take care of. He knew he was one when he was quirkless and just collateral damage. He knew he was one when he broke his bones over and over, when he refused to fight Katsuki in fear of losing his sanity. But... It hurt when it came from someone he looked up to. Izuku knows that it's true, there's no other way around it. But...

(Doesntit*eemLikeIWasRight?)

"You don't understand..." Izuku nearly whispers, bowing his head. His hand goes to his scalp, clawing it so that he doesn't have to worry about the pain in his heart. He shouldn't care anymore. It shouldn't matter to him. Yet... It still hurts, he whips his head up, "You don't understand!" A loud boom is heard and momentarily distracts the two of them as they cast their eyes to the Flood Zone.

And that was their biggest mistake.

Before Aizawa could question it, before Izuku could yell out why he had to be a hero - to be a hero. It moves faster than Izuku could even blink -- one minute he's being suspected in the air with his teacher's concerned gaze. The next, he crashes into the floor with a hard thud as the mass of black hauls its heavy body into the teacher.

A shadow casts over him, and Izuku's wide eyes meet swirling red maniacal eyes behind a severed hand. He could see a crooked smile twisted as he crouches to his height. Izuku holds his breath.

"So... This is the link...?" He mutters creepily, he's scary, "How... boring."

Yamikumo isn't in control of his body. His mind is consumed by thoughts of Izuku, Izuku Izuku Izuku Izu izu izuizuizuizuizuizuizu.

Right now... Someone is making him scared.

That is unforgivable.

He's the boss, Izuku has to knock him out. All he has to do is knock him out. Flicking his thumb, he uses the wind pressure to his advantage as he rolls to his feet. The wind successfully knocks him back, and his target practically snarls in anger as he brings his arms up to form an 'X' to deflect the hit. Izuku's finger is broken, but it's not like his enemy could see it. He has to fight tactically and smartly as he eyes his enemy with narrowed eyes. His teacher was currently being pressed against the ground by the bird-like creature. If he ran for his teacher, he'll be overwhelmed in an instant, so he should probably focus on the grey haired male.

(YouShouldRun)

"Well..." The pale man smiles again, tilting his head as he gestures to himself, "My name is Shigaraki Tomura, pleased to meet a... well. Weak link that should be easy to be killed off...Though... I thought you were quirkless?"

Enemy has Intel on him, that's probably not good... Izuku ignores him, co*cking his fist back as he tested the distance. If he could get close to him, use all of One for All on his left uppercut move, would that be enough to knock him out? If his theory was correct, he had unlimited raw strength to fight the villains. He can't kill him because heroes don't kill people. He can't he won't he's not a murderer, he's not going to fall for Yamikumo's lingering words that never will make sense.

"You... don't talk that much, do you?"

But first, he turns his attention to the creature, he should get rid of the bigger threat. Shigaraki didn't seem to have a long ranged attack, so he charges past him, winding back his fist to slam into the black mass in an attempt to throw off the creature off of his teacher; but it has no effect. Izuku makes a confused noise in the back of his throat, his arm didn't break at all. He knows that he activated his quirk, he felt the power striking through his veins and it didn't move. It doesn't even look at him, it keeps his gaze on his teacher, pinning him down with little to no effort.

"A...ah?" Fear is evident in his confused mumble, as he backs away from it in horror, covering his mouth. He had used One for All with his whole fist, but it didn't move. It didn't move an inch. It remained the same.

"Ah, Nomu. You like it? It's going to be the one delivering your corpse to your brother of yours. It's going to kill All Might... The anti - peace symbol..." Shigaraki's voice is loud and proud as he says it from behind Izuku, slowly approaching him from behind. But Izuku frowns.

That can't be right. Nothing could be as strong as the number one hero. No one could beat him, he was a hero for a reason! He can't be defeated!

Move.

The creature has to move.

Izuku stares at it before reproaching it and pushing it with his weak body. It's only his own raw strength, he doesn't dare to use his quirk after that lucky hit. It's not moving, it's not making sense. It's irrational, never to make sense and Izuku wants to tear it piece by piece -

move move move move move move move

He's panicking, he's not thinking rationally, he knows but he can't think. Only one thought crosses to his mind. He has to move this thing, this Nomu that’s about to kill his teacher. He has to protect his classmates, he has to be a hero. Because what else could he be? What else could be do except be a coward and run? He cant he cant.

(CrushedGutsredvomitredredredredrededredredredred)

"Gurk..." Aizawa chokes out, and Izuku freezes as his sensei's voice starts to get louder, "Get the f*ck out of here, Midoriya!"But you're in danger.

Move.

(Before you dye yourself in red redr edresx resd)

"Why won't you move? Move....Move!" He's in the den of villains, shouting out at an unmovable Nomu to move as if he's a child, and no one's listening to him.Why? "Can't you see that he's hurting!?" Izuku's voice chokes in his throat, "Can't you think about that? I... I don't understand..."

Tears of pure frustration bead at his eyes as he tries and tries to shove it away with his weak pathetic attempts to push it aside.

"Stupid. Of course it's not going to move without my command. Are you some kid?" Shigaraki sighs tiredly before freezing up, "Oh wait."

Weak points. Izuku's eyes dart to the joints wher-

(CutTThemAppaprtlimbbylimbtearingtendoensfleshbyfleshe'sou-)

He carefully walks to the elbow, glancing at its elbow, he just... needs to rip it apart, right? Slowly, painfully, so that it could flinch from the pain and let him go. If he tears it piece by piece then it'll bestilland unable to fight back. If he takes it apart, everything will be okay! Everyone would be safe, forever and ever, carefully and tearing it-

He's going mad. Something is wrong, it's like a worm crawling and squirming into his mind, making him think of toxic thoughts. He can't think, his thoughts are muddled, and filled with red visions of violence to high degrees. And it won't go away. It won't fade away and it seems like the only available choice. This isn't him. He's not like this! He's not!

"Ah... How boring..." A hand clamps down on his shoulder, and he's thrown harshly back, "Your brother was more entertaining than this, jeez. He's not going to move unless I said he can move." He's standing deliberately in Izuku's line of sight, his hands are outwards as if he wants Izuku to notice him. Izuku co*cks his head to the right, he grips his arms tightly. He's becoming cold, there's something in his throat. He wants to claw it out, but he keeps his eyes on Shigaraki to glare at him.

"Move. Out my way." Izuku demands threateningly, narrowing his green emerald eyes as he clenches his teeth. Shigaraki hums in response.

"Amazing. I'm about to kill your teacher and you look angry... If you want me to let him go, then beg."

Izuku blinks, tilting his head, "You honestly think you can kill a hero? You can kill him, it doesn't matter, their achievements will live forever." He utters, frowning as he thinks carefully. If he could attack tactically, if he could get past him, then he could also attack the joints of the Nomu, then he can get his teacher to safety -

"Nomu. Break his arm."

Izuku's fear rises as he hears his teacher's howl of absolute pain run through the almost silent battlefield. Izuku lets out a fearful cry as he charges forward blindly, but as expected, Shigaraki's hand shoots out, holding back the greenette by the forearm, his pinky in the air. He pulls him to his face, Izuku could smell his foul breath as the grey haired male practically hisses the next words, "Pathetic. I don't see what that powerful brother of yours sees in a weak link like you. You ran towards us like you didn't give a sh*t about us being villains that could kill you. You aren't even afraid of us. It's pathetic."

Izuku drops his body, looking down during the speech, Shigaraki smiles at that, slowly approaching closer, "See? You're giving u-"

Izuku lets his fist fly, it slams into the adult man's head with a satisfying crack. Shigaraki lets out a curse, releasing his grip as Izuku shoves him away, scrambling messily for his teacher. He kneels worriedly over Aizawa, who had passed out from the intense pain in his body. The green haired male placed two fingers on his neck, sighing in relief as he noticed that he was still breathing and alive. But not for long...

"Sensei! Sensei! Can you hear me?" Izuku pleads, his hand pressing tenderly on his teacher's unbroken arm, shaking it lightly in an urgent manner.

"Argh! I had enough of this!" Shigaraki roars angrily, stomping his foot, "You insolent brat! I wasn't done talking to you!" Izuku turns around, seeing his hand outstretched towards him. His fear spike-

TWACK!

A sledgehammer slams down between his hand and Izuku's face, it narrowly misses the green haired male's foot. Shigaraki's hand recoils in shock as Izuku pulls back his leg to look at the wielder of the sledgehammer. Yamikumo stands with the hammer. His expression was towards Shigaraki, though Izuku could hear the icy tone of cold anger in his voice.

"What. Exactlywereyou about to do to my Izu?"

Chapter 29: He wants to be my hero, he was sweet, I always knew...

Chapter Text

("Dreamer.")

("Killer.")

("Hero.")

("What is it that you want to be?")

(Saying it so casually as if he's not falling apart this very moment, as if he's not becominghim and he's not becominghim.)

(Corrupting my thoughts so that I can't think anymore.)

(Heroes, do they even exist? Why is it that I'm always left alone? Lost in his embrace?)

(Killer, yes, he was a killer wasn't he? Nothing was going to change because he wants to be something different.)

(Dreamer, no matter how far he reached, he wasn't able to achievehis goals.)

(Because he's a coward, because he's scared, because he was Izuku Midoriya.)

("Well?")

("You know, you let them die, right?")

("And now - You know it's your fault, right?")

(Nothing left to say, it'll just sound like a madman's mumbling, repeating over and over, too many lies would give him power.)

("I thought so.")

Maybe Izuku would have been happy to see Yamikumo if he hadn’t just heard his barely contained anger laced behind his voice. Instead, Izuku shakily rose to his feet, hugging his small frame with his left hand, his broken finger throbs slightly. He wearily eyes the sledgehammer that his brother had somehow acquired.

"Yamikumo... You're okay... Thank god..." Izuku tried for a strained smile, trying to coax the other to look at him if he sounded tired. But his brother remained the way he was standing, glaring at Shigaraki, who had a creeping smile on his lips, his red eye behind the severed hand gleamed with interest.

(Gift, yes, you were a gift.)

"Ahh, finally... finally, you're here..." Shigaraki says, his hand raises to itch violently at his throat, "That brother of yours is really boring you know?" Why were they acting as if they knew each other? Why was the bad guy talking to Yamikumo as if they were old friends? Why did he seem more violent?

Was he scared still? If he turned around, would he see fear in those violet eyes? Izuku swallowed, he never thought he would see the day when Yamikumo was scared. He was always confident and well assured. He never worried about anything - so why did it seem so different now? Was he scared of Shigaraki?

"You... You were about to kill my Izu..." Yamikumo hisses with venom, he co*cks his head to his right as he takes a step forward effortlessly, as if the sledgehammer didn't weigh a single thing. He lifted it up with ease with one and rests it on his shoulder, "Maybe our first meeting wasn't as clear as I thought, I have no intentions in associating with a sociopath attacking stupid kids. Maybe, instead of running away like I did, I should have torn off your sausage fingers and shoved down Kurogiri's f*cking throat. Maybe I should gouge out his eyes so that this sh*t would have never happened."

Yamikumo drags out a long sigh, as if he's tired of this, as if they asked for it, "Ugh, what a pain." His words grow more vulgar as he approaches the silvered haired male in a swift manner. He swung the hammer down, right as Shigaraki took a step back - behind Izuku, he hears the Nomu’s breath hitch.

"Stop moving and maybe it won't hurt as bad when I spread your rotting brain across the floor!" Yamikumo roared, pausing as he swipes the hammer upwards, but it misses Shigaraki by mere inches. Taking a closer look, Yamikumo wasshaking, his composure and aim was off because he was disoriented and uncoordinated. He was scared, he was something and Izuku didn't know how he could fix it.

"Aggressive this time! Last time, you ran away when I burned your shoulder... What's up with that? Why do you seem so angry all of a sudden?" Shigaraki grumbles, rolling his eyes as he swerves around another hit, he also manages to throw his hands in the air in a sense of disbelief, "Is it because of your boring brother? What's so special about a twerp who refuses to talk?"

Yamikumo's steps falther slightly before he stills completely, and turns sharply at Izuku with an expression the latter is all too familiar with. It's a look of desperation or sick obsessive thoughts with love-laced adoring yearning. Izuku shivers as a chill races through his skin and he look away.

Instinctively, he takes a step back, keeping his gaze away from Yamikumo's swirling dilated purple irises that gleamed with clear corruption.

"Everything." He finally replies in a breathless tone, returning his leveled eyes towards Shigaraki with a twisted smile, "Everything Izu does is special..."

"You sound sick in the head." Shigaraki gagged as he scrunches up his face, "Lovesick that is. Is that what's up with you? Are you becoming a hero forIzu'ssake?"

Yamikumo's breathing pauses, and he growls as he raises his chin up, "Yeah!? So what?" He asks, co*cking his head to the right as he glared

Shigaraki's eyes flash dangerously, as he blinks at his brother's honesty, "Oh? Right on the mark? Izu must be so special then, isn't he?"

Suddenly, Izuku forgot that he was a person, and with a low voice, he stares at Yamikumo's back with worried eyes, "Yamikumo..." He finds himself asking, "Is... is that true? Is that why you..."Hurt everyone who hurted me, killed those kids, threatened people around me?But those parts are left unsaid as he slowly walks up to his brother, finding the courage to reach up andtouches his shoulder gently. His brother's grip tightens on the hammer, but he remains still, not reacting to his touch, or voice.

("Me? Love you? As if.")

Why? Wasn't he important to him? Why was he suddenly being ignored? Didn't Izuku revolve around him? Why? Why didn't he love him?

The egotistic talkative teen had no words to say, he always came up with comebacks or clever quips. But he was silent, he was unresponsive, he was violent. And what he can't solve with words, he resorts to the best possible thing. Violence.

Yamikumo yanks his hand off his shoulder as he dashes forward, holding the hammer above his head as he prepares to bring it down on Shigaraki's head - the movement was far too quick for Shigaraki to dodge, and Izuku could barely save the villain if he rushed in there with no plan.

"Don't you dare say his name!"A wave of wind washes over Izuku as the Nomu takes the hit to protect his master. The hammer splints painfully in the Nomu's brain, blood splatters on just above Yamikumo's nose, but the purple haired male wasn't done yet, as he yanks it outharshly and swings it again, "Don't say his name, you don't have the right, because he's mine! Mine! Mine!" Yamikumo shouts frantically, shaking his head as he bares his teeth at Shigaraki, who looked more amused if anything.

"Woah.... What a mess, is Izu so precious to you? What a waste of talent, really..." Shigaraki sighs tiredly, waving his hand

"Shut the f*ck up, you red eyed freak!"

Izuku blinks at the scene, before realization strikes him and he turns around to see his teacher laying in a blood pool. Tsuyu was hovering over him in worry, her head was bleeding slightly, "Tsuyu! You're okay? You're bleeding!" Izuku uttered in worry, rushing over towards the two. "What happened?" Tsuyu blinks blankly, tilting her head.

"Bleeding?" She reaches and drags her hand to her face, smearing the blood on her glove, "Oh, this isn't mine. Yamikumo - kun was bleeding from the mouth earlier."

Izuku's heart nearly stops, "Bleeding?"

Bleeding...? Since when did Yamikumo bleed? Since when did he feel scared? Since when did Izuku miss all these signs? Oh god... Izuku covered his mouth as he glances back at Yamikumo's violent rampage, his pupils were still dilated as he bashed the Nomu's skull over and over. Corrupted with love, corrupted with anger and bitterness. There was something was wrong with Yamikumo - there was something severely wrong.

It wasn't a simple corruption, it seemed if Yamikumo could bleed. It wasn't a simple problem that could be easily fixed with a knife... It seemed as if it was a bigger problem than what he anticipated...

"Midoriya - chan, it seems as if Yamikumo - chan might need help." She croaks as she carefully bends down to her teacher, wiggling her arms under his frame and gently picks him up with a bit of struggle, "It seems as if I can carry Sensei, try to get Yamikumo to safety... He seems, unwell." She tilts her head, as she looks at Izuku with the blank expression, "More than usual."

Izuku nods sharply, turning around to see Yamikumo swing the hammer down again, only for it to be torn away from him by the purple void. Yamikumo cursed, leaping back as he stared angrily at the three villains. An inkling idea slithered into Izuku's mind, and he has to think. He dashes forward, leaving Tsuyu as he clenches his fists, "Yamikumo! Use voice mimic!" Izuku shouts, his eyes filled with murky determination.

He was outnumbered, they both were, but if they use this time wisely - they can buy enough time for All Might to come! He has to come, he's a hero!

"Use Shigaraki's voice to control the Nomu! Make it attack the misty guy!" Izuku demands and Yamikumo's eyes widen before facing the villains again.

"Huh?" Shigaraki blinked confused, "A voice mimic quirk? I thought you ha-" Whatever Shigaraki was going to say was cut off by Yamikumo opening his mouth.

"Nomu!" A perfectly raspy replica of Shigaraki's voice cuts through the air like a sword, the hulking mass of muscles perks up at the voice, "Attack Kurogiri! And don't stop when I say so!" Yamikumo turns quickly, racing to Izuku and looping his arm around Izuku's own. Izuku can't see his expression from this angle, but he stood in front of him.

"You're just full of surprises, aren't you, young one?" Kurogiri grumblestiredly, flashing out the area right as the Nomu misses the charging headbutt directed to the villain.

Shigaraki hummed, "Huuuh...? Just like sensei, huh?" A sense ofdanger ripples through Shigaraki as he tilts his head, scratching annoyingly on his neck, "How... Interesting." He mumbles, "You might be more than what I thought..."

And just like that, the doors slammed open abruptly, and a shadow appeared from the smoke. Izuku's eyes lit up as he looks up at the entrance, to see a true hero had come.

To see All Might arrive just in time.

(Trapped, stuck by his words.)

(It's not like that.)

(It's because you love me.)

(It's because you're sick.)

(It's because I'm you.)

All Might's here, Yamikumo sneers at Izuku's starstruck expression. That look on his face shows that he's so happy that a hero has appeared - how touching. He's so cute, and so very soft... Yamikumo could feel his arm, pulsing with life it's so warm... Yamikumo - Yamikumo is fine. Izuku was just - just so cute. So adorable, Yamikumo can't express in words how he feels about him. It's so tender, it's so squishy...

(Carve out his cavity chest and sleep in his rotting slimy guts.)

He's so cute, with those gentle freckles on his face, he's so naive, so fragile and easily breakable. Trapped as the violent corrupting male hung onto him for 'comfort'.

Izuku was such a fool to believe that Yamikumo wasn't angry.

One minute, Izuku was looking up at All Might. The next - Izuku finds himself on the floor,pinned down by Yamikumo's body weight and his two hands were firmly pressed against his throat. "Yam - Grrk!" He cries out in shock as his hands tighten, it efficiently cuts off his air supply.

Yamikumo bends down, his hair brushes lightly on Izuku's cheek, as his hot breath hits his ear, "Hey...Hey..." Yamikumo whispers, Izuku could see a trace of glee on his lips, "Izu, don't talk, and I'll make it quick. You should smile when I do it, you should be happy." Izuku's hands find their way to his throat, grabbing onto Yamikumo's wrist and trying in vain to pull them away from his throat, "Your last moments involved All Might, your favorite hero. You should be happy..."

Yamikumo's expression hidden by his hair seemed conflicted, his eyes were tilted as if he was trying to find sympathy for him, his mouth was twisted into a wavy smile, but he can't seem to find a clear emotion to stick by. "L...Last moments...?" Izuku chokes out, squirming as Yamikumo's eyes narrowed at the silence Yamikumo was planning on killing him? The grip on his throat actually loosens so that Izuku could breathe, "...I can finally die...?"

"Mm. Only by me - before that hand freak has a chance, I'll be your hero, I'll grant your wish. I was planning on keeping you a secret, you see. If I love you, I should kill you. Like how you do to me." A hand removes itself from his throat and strokes Izuku's cheek in a loving manner, his eyes swirl with madness, clear corruption and anger intertwined forever and ever, drowning him in love, "I can't let anyone kill you - other than me. Because your mine, right? You won't die by someone else like how Katsuki - kun did to me, right? It's my right, to kill those who belong to me."

Katsuki - kun? Kacchan? But Kacchan was still alive - he was still around here, in USJ, he's not dead.

Izuku shook his head, glaring up at Yamikumo with anger he didn't even know he had, "Akatani." He growls at his brother with anger.

Any other time, Izuku would gladly die by Yamikumo's hand - but his classmates were in danger. They're going to die if he didn't do anything, and Izuku knows for a fact that Yamikumo wouldn't even try to help without him trying to convince him too. Yamikumo's hands go slack from his first name and his eyebrows raise up in surprise. He never saw his brother like this before.

Izuku scowls, "If you want to be my hero." He begins, hissing sharply as he yanks his hand away from his hands and thrusts his hand towards his hoodie. He grabs it and pulls him closer, "Then get rid of the f*cking threat."

"Now is not the time to fight, my boys." Yamikumo is lifted up by All Might by his hood, his eyes were wide as he stared at Izuku's neutral expression, "Are you two all right?"

Izuku perks up instantly, grinning from ear to ear as his hero, his reasoning, his light appeared with a... frown. He was frowning.

That expression doesn't fit him. Maybe he should smile too.

"We're all right!" Izuku says happily pretends, standing up to attention as he salutes, "Thank you for coming, All Might!"

"What the actual f*ck is going on!?" Shigaraki grunts, throwing his hands up, before pointing at him, "ThatIzubrat was f*cking pathetic, acting like a robot, to being angry - and before things got really interesting, he became cheery as if his life wasn't on the line, what the f*ck is wrong with that f*cking brat?" He sighs before switching onto All Might, "Furthermore, you're late, you pathetic excuse of a hero! I almost killed that brat and kidnapped that other brat and now you come, looking for credit forsaving them.How sickening." He huffs, crossing his hands.

He swipes his head to the right, "Nomu! Attack All Might! Now!" He demands, but the Nomu grunts in response, his focus was solely on Kurogiri who was busy teleporting away every time it got close, "Seriously!? Can this day go right!?"

All Might falls to their height, placing down Yamikumo gently as he rests on his knees. Sensing as he had time before that black mass attacked, he sighed, "Boys, get to safety. The front doors are open, you both need to get to safety."

"No." Izuku refused, shaking his head as he balls up his fists, "I'm going to be a hero."

"Young M-"

"I'm going to be a hero, All Might - sensei." Izuku cuts him off, brushing off his shoulders, "I need to eliminate the threat. I can't give up. This is my chance to prove myself." If he runs, he's a coward. He's not though, and he'll prove it by running forward andkillingdriving the threat away.

The Nomu roars suddenly, and the dark purple guy was nowhere near as the monster slams onto All Might, a rush of wind whishes past Izuku. Izuku only twitches slightly but remains still, though his eyes locked onto All Might wrestling with it.

If All Might was here, then he could handle the Nomu. So that means that he should...

His steely jade eyes zeroed onto Shigaraki, a smile replaced his dazed look.

"That's unsettling." Shigaraki notes, but Izuku doesn't care about him. He needs to focus, he needs to get his head in one place, and he needs to be a hero. He can't afford to be distracted.

He rushes forward, but a hand snags him back by his forearm, and he glares back at Yamikumo with loathing in his eyes, "What is it now? Let go, I need to fight."

Yamikumo's eyes were still dilated, but there was a noticeable clench in his teeth, "Listen, I'll rescue your pathetic friends, but you need to get to safety right this instant." Like hell he would!

Izuku scoffs, yanking his arm away, he almost misses the look of pain that flashes in Yamikumo's eyes, but he doesn't.

And he's not sorry.

Izuku feels lost, he feels disoriented, and angry, and he feels as if he should hate him. He was the one what took everything away. He was the one driving him to this point. So didn't he want this? Didn't he wants this? Wasn't he the one pulling the strings?

Shouldn't he be happy, that he was about to kill someone?

(Kill...?)

What happened to his dream?

Izuku feels sick, he feels broken, and he feels like he's falling apart. He's angry over everything. He's disconnected, he can't think right now, he can't concentrate -god why can't he focus!?

("You always ran away...)

"Izu..." There's something akin to horror in Yamikumo's voice, "Are you... bleeding...?" A hand reaches to his nose, wiping it on his glove, "Wait, is tha-"

Izuku launched forward, swerving past Yamikumo as he focused on his target, but this time he was expecting his hand on his again. Using his momentum, he gripped his brother's arm, lifting him up and slamming his back harshly against the grey tile floor. His brother(?) let out a confused and startled grunt as Izuku leaps over him, making a beeline towards an expecting Shigaraki who had his smile on his face.

(He wants you to hit him.)

(Moron.) (Stupid stupid stupid.)

"Foolish boy."

A wall of purple mist erupts from the ground, between the two. Shigaraki shouts in protest as Izuku's emerald eyes widen. He's going too fast, he can't stop, he's going straight into him. Yellow slits that acted as eyes glared down at him.

("You never learn do you?")

Chapter 30: But he can't.

Chapter Text

He doesn't move.

"How boring." He copies Yamikumo's quotes, pasting them as his own, "How utterly boring."

He doesn't know how to interact with people anymore.

“Out of the f*cking way!” An explosion fills Izuku’s vision and he sees his explosive childhood friend sends him a quick glare as he sucker punches the dark mist villain to the ground with his whole body. Izuku falls to his knees, his hands were outstretched to catch his fall.

That was too close… Izuku thought, briefly closing his eyes and releasing a grateful sigh. He reopens his eyes when he hears ice crackling along the floor, watching the blue crystals engulf the entire half of the Nomu’s whole body.

All Might’s stumbles away from the Nomu – but he’s still not smiling.

Don’t heroes always smile?

(What a fake hero.)

Izuku turns his head, watching as Katsuki held Kurogiri down with a scowl, snarling out threats at him if he even dared to move a muscle. Kirishima was there too, shaking his head as he hovered over the two.

(Heroheroherohero?)

Yamikumo stepped in front of him, and Izuku glances up to see Shigaraki’s hand nearly touching his brother’s chest, where his head was if he hadn’t stepped in.

“Don’t touch him.” Yamikumo growls out threateningly, he tilts his head in irritation as if he’s trying to challenge the villain, the Threat.

“Tch.” Shigaraki pulls away and scratches his neck feverishly, “You’d make a great villain if it weren’t for that Izu brat, huh? What a shame.”

Izuku rises up, shaking and quivering, his body feels like it’s falling apart like it’s melting – like he’s not real. He could feel Shigaraki’s red eyes burning through him, threating to kill him, to kill Yamikumo, to kill his friends. To ruin this illusion that Yamikumo let him have.

He can’t forgive that. No no no no no no.

Izuku chokes, shaking his head and forcing whatever was in his throat, down, down into his fleshy meaty stomach where it can rot his insides apart. Slowly, it’ll kill him, gently forever he’ll –

“Lucky for us, that’s why we’re here.” Shigaraki sneers at them, opening his arms as a welcoming gesture, “You two are perfect. I love it.”

Yamikumo growls at that, taking a step back and forcing Izuku to fall back, “You are not touching him.” He says again, but Izuku can hear the quiet tremor in his voice. He’s scared he’s terrified.

Why?

“I have to kill him. This – Izu is mine!” The mirror replies, he’s mad now, how utterly adorable.

“How romantic.” Shigaraki gags, scratching and itching the pain on his neck. Until it bleeds and falls away relentlessly, forever, itch itch itch.

“I try to be.”

“Children!’ The fake hero bellows a loud voice that catches Izuku’s attention, “Get out and leave this it me!” He says as he tries to act brave – but the truth was that he was scared too. Everyone was scared. How adorable, how cute.

Izuku wants to carve those smiles back where they belong.

Todoroki twitches as his right side was slightly covered in ice, he lets out a cold breath as he shivers, “If it weren’t for me, you would have been killed All Might. Let me stay here. If Bakugou moves, the mist villain will be free. Let us stay here.” His gaze flickers to Izuku and Kirishima, “If you can get those two away from the hand villain, then we can lessen the amount of causalities, including Kirishima, of course.”

“But…” Todoroki brings his eyes back to All Might, slowly, “It seems as if Yamikumo knows the villain…”

Izuku twitches, he knows him? Yes, it seemed that way, didn’t it?

Izuku shakes his head, lunging forward to cling onto Yamikumo’s jacket sleeve to pull him back, “Let me handle this, Yamikumo.” His brother casts a glare over his shoulder, so he tries again, “Look, you’re corrupting again, right? So let me…”

“You don’t know how much I want to tear out your f*cking throat for disobeying me.” Yamikumo snarls, pointing into his hand, “Hero this, hero that, go your dreams are so sickening. I thought we made a deal?”

Izuku shrunk down as he fussed, “Stop going into suicidal missions to save people, who probably don’t care! Stop being kind and I’ll let you be f*cking hero!”

“It’s as if being a hero is more important than your own life!”

“You don’t understand, you never did! Being a hero is saving people, it’d not hurting others for no reason! Heroes save people!” Izuku screams back, “I’m going to save everyone, including you!”

Yamikumo pauses at that, turning around, “You can’t save everyone, and you know that, Izu. Maybe you don’t remember mom, huh?” Yamikumo coos, softly sweetly as he reaches out to stroke Izuku’s cheek.

“You don’t remember me, Izuku?” Mom’s voice penetrates his ears, and Izuku’s heart swells in pain as it constricts in his chest, “Why?”

“Why didn’t you save me…?”

Izuku scoffs, “You can’t expect that to work every time, Yamikumo! Why are you trying to get me mad?” Izuku asks, tilting his head in confusion as his beautiful precious brother sighs, “I want to save you, why? Why won’t you let me?

“I seriously hate you, you stupid brat.” Yamikumo grumbles, turning back to Shigaraki, who looked amused almost, “You can’t save everyone.”

“Well, I want to!”

Shigaraki busted into giggles, hunching over and interrupting whatever retort Yamikumo was about to shoot back, “Oh my god… That’s – We’re in a middle of a fight, and you two can’t get along? No one saved you two either, did they? No hero saved you, and now, you’re fighting… I love it more and more.”

(Hazy distorted image of a man strapped down. Pro hero. Pro hero…? Who? Who was he?)

(In the screen, in the screen, channel 54 – he’s hanging. He’s dead.)

“Nomu!” Shigaraki shouts suddenly, and the half frozen Nomu rises from the ground, breaking the ice as it reforms and remolds itself back to a monster, to an inhumane creature with no ability to think. It’s funny watching Todoroki and All Might tense up as it roars, as the bloody limbs reform in a sick and twisted manner.

Shigaraki removes his hand from his neck, and points his slender fingers towards the two siblings with a wicked gleam in his eyes.

“Capture.”

Yamikumo’s eyes grew hostile as he shoves Izuku harshly onto the ground, covering him as the Nomu launched from the ground. Izuku could see All Might launch forward at the same tie, aiming for the Nomu to meet his fist halfway – but it turns out fruitless as Yamikumo was grabbed in a violent chokehold and Izuku was held sideways like a log,his arms were pinned to his sides.

His legs dangle uselessly as he’s lifted from the ground, he chokes as it tightens its grip as a warning as Izuku wiggles helplessly, kicking to loosen its grip. Yamikumo grunts angrily, Izuku glances over to see Yamikumo struggling rapidly, as the Nomu nearly cut off his airflow.

He doesn’t need air to breathe, huh? But the Nomu was stronger than him? Was it because Izuku himself was weak? It must be…

If he was stronger, would they even be in this mess? If Yamikumo trusted him to the point where he could trust Izuku on his own – would they be caught right now?

“Oi! Why the f*ck didn’t you move!?” Katsuki growls from his position, casting a glare towards them. His brother’s eyes grow hostile, as he returns the glare.

“Shut it, Kacchan! You try fighting a f*cking giant of an inhumane monster that has you in a chokehold!” Yamikumo snarls, raising his hand and clawing the arm holding him up from the ground, “f*ck! f*ck!”

“Yamikumo, ice it! That way – “ Izuku cuts himself off as his brother chokes, black something seeping out of his mouth and onto the ground, “Yamikumo…?” He cries out worriedly, his eyes widening in shock because-

Because that’s not supposed to happen. That never happened before? Why was he puking up…? Ink? Was that Ink? Was he corrupting? Was he at full corruption? Was it his fault? But he’s Yamikumo, he can’t die. He can’t die.

(Yes he can. You know that everyone will eventually hate you…)

“I can’t ice it.” Yamikumo sputters, wiping his mouth as he looks at Izuku, “You keep saying, ‘heroes! They’ll save us!’ Heroes, that’s all you f*cking care about! Let’s see if your stupid heroes would save us, huh? Just like other times!” He giggles, smiling manically towards him with a twisted smile, his eyes were looking down as if he’s pitying him. As if he enjoys seeing Izuku despair and worry relentlessly.

Izuku paled, freezing as he looked to the ground, “You can’t be serious…”

Because all the heroes here were fakes, except Kacchan, and he’s busy. He’s the only real hero here, he’s the only one that was real. Because he saved Izuku from drowning in his mind, from succumbing to Yamikumo’s sickening words that he knows isn’t true.

All Might was a fake, was a fake. Because he’s not smiling like he’s supposed to. Because he let him win, because he let the villains in. Izuku doesn’t know All Might, he can’t think. He can’t think.

Yamikumo’s expression softens, as he smiles almost wistfully at him, at his face of despair, “Let’s see if you’re right.” He whispers, almost too quiet for him to hear.

“Cowards!” All Might (?) shouts, marching up to the four with a reluctant trailing Todoroki, “Taking two hostages, it’s me you villains want! Let those two kids go!”

Shigaraki shrugged, patting the Nomu’s meaty arm with his left hand, “As much as I hate you and want to kill you… I think that ruining your reputation is much better.” Shigaraki hums, placing a hand on his hip, “Plus, wouldn’t it be a shame, knowing that two of UA’s students became villains? Now that’s a team I want…”

He reaches out, trailing his fingers on a disgusted Yamikumo’s cheek, “Especially someone as powerful as him. Did you know he has multiple quirks? How… Fascinating…”

“That’s not manly at all!” Kirishima shouts in protest, he looks down at his hands, “Damn it, what do we do, All Might? What do we do?”

The red haired make faces the fake hero with a sense of confusion, hopeful and desperate for answers that were never there in the first place. Izuku has to rely on himself, on Yamikumo, on Kacchan – he can’t trust these fakes.

(Fake. Fake. Fake.)

He can care less if the Nomu tightens its grip when it feels him wiggling. Its okay if he dies, he gave up a long time ago. It’s fine if he can rot in here, as maggots crawl over his body and tear it piece by piece right in front of the fakes, in front of Kacchan.

How would he react to his corpse – rotting away, melting away into the afterlife? How would Yamikumo react when his back snaps into two, fragile and easily to break? How could he react?

Would he even care anymore?

“Yamikumo...” His breathing is shaky, unstable as he wants to cry, he wants this to all go away. He wants this all to be a dream, “I can’t think right… I’m scared.”

But he doesn’t respond.

But he doesn’t care.

But he never did.

There’s his cloud of doubt, of his biggest fears enveloping his mind. He can’t move, he can’t think. There’s something in his throat that he wants to get out, claw it out until it’s clear and empty again. He wants to sherd it all apart, he wants to scratch his neck until he bleeds.

(Plunging the knife in and out of her body; in and out, blood splatters from his blade. But isn’t it strange how she never woke up? From the fire? From Yamikumo’s first stab? Yamikumo seems- - normal?)

“Then I suggest you stop thinking.” Yamikumo gave up too, he’s dangling from the hold, and he’s not moving, but he can still see from the corner of his eyes, as they ignore the others. Because it’s just them, those two, it was always those two.

Izuku ignores the mirror’s words, aiming his hand the best he can to get a good shot behind him. He waits a moment, trying to think through his muddled thoughts. Sloppy icky ink rots his brain and he can’t think.

If he shoots forward when the Nomu’s grip relaxes with the use of two of his fingers, then he can land near the ground where the fakes were, where Kacchan is. If he’s able to maneuver through the air and land back facing the Nomu, then he can use his feet to knock the Nomu back long enough for Yamikumo to free himself and for All Might to get him out of the crossfire.

(But where does that leave you, mirror of mine? Two broken legs, one broken arm and a few fingers.)

(Don’t trust them, don’t trust the fake heroes.)

He only has one shot at this. If he dies, then it’s fine. It was time he died to fix the horrors he let happen.

(Like a doll.)

He activates his quirk, shooting out of the Nomu’s grip like a bullet from a gun. He catches the look of surprise on Shigaraki’s face. He tries to change his position, but he’s going too fast – he stumbles and crashes into the concrete with a loud crack.

“There’s my stupid mirror. God f*cking damn it.” Yamikumo grumbles in disappointment, rolling his eyes.

Izuku ignored him, like he always did when they were kids, because Yamikumo was unreasonable. Why did he ignore him? Was it because he was afraid of him? If he closes his eyes, the problem would go away. Right? Was Yamikumo the problem?

Or was he?

He pulls himself up to his knees, turning around hastily to do the second part of his plan, to save Yamikumo. To fix everything because he was the problem?

(You avoided him, because you were scared of him, unsure but happy. He desperately wanted your attention. He claims that it was for love. Love? Love. Love?)

It doesn’t make things okay. He was the one that was hurt, he lost his mom in a fire. He lost the chance to grow up with Kacchan! He was the one who wants to f*cking die!

(But no matter how many times, Yamikumo renews… does… he even get better? Was… suicide not the answer to corruption?)

He feels one for all crackling though his veins, and he’s about to shoot forward – until strong arms wrap around his torso and lifts him up to place him flat on the ground, “Don’t even think about it, Midoriya!” Kirishima (???) presses him down onto the ground. Holding him down, down so that he can’t save his brother.

(You never could save him, not even now.)

“Let me go!” Izuku roars, trashing wildly as Kirishima’s eyes widen at his movements, “I have to, I need to save Yamikumo! Let me be his hero! Let me save him!”

No matter how far he reaches, he would never be able to catch Yamikumo’s hand. Because he would never accept it. This was the perfect opportunity to save him, to be his hero.

And he stopped him.

“Nomu. Charge. Get our warp gate back, we’re going home.” Shigaraki’s voice slices through the air as Izuku wiggles helplessly. He turns up his head to see it – the monster – zero its eyes onto Kacchan.

“NO!” Izuku cries out as it vanishes from his sight, faster than anticipated as it rushes past him with a wave of wind. His heart vanishes as he hears a loud boom, and brown dust flies everywhere, obscuring their visions.

When the dust clears, he could see a confused Yamikumo on his knees, both of his hands rub his neck as he blinks in surprise.

“Hah?”

Izuku whipped his head back, he breaks into a grin upon seeing his childhood friend safe, “Kacchan, thank god!” He says with relief, turning his eyes back to Yamikumo, “Thank god you’re both safe.”

(I don’t know what I would have done if I lost both of you.)

But… All Might vanished?

A grunt caught his attention, and Izuku turns over to the other side to see All Might restraining the Nomu the best that he could. But the Nomu could match his strength? Just how strong was the Nomu?

(Fake hero. His mind whispers to him, but Izuku can’t no he won’t trust it. All Might is real. Real – he saved him!)

“You fiend! You would attack a child!?” All Might yells, facing Shigaraki who had the Dark mist villain next to him. But he’s staring at the two of them, looking at Yamikumo with narrowed yellow slits. Threat flashes through his eyes and he tries to breathe.

(He knows. He knows. He needs to get Yamikumo out of here. They’re after him.)

“Kirishima…” He says lowly, turning to look at the red head, “Listen. I need to get Yami out of here. They’re after him… I won’t let them take him…”

Because he’s real. Because All Might’s a fake and his thoughts are scrambled up. Because Kacchan almost got hurt and he knows that Yamikumo was real.

And that he would never abandon him.

Kirishima sighs, loosening his hold just long enough for Izuku could rush to Yamikumo and hugging him tightly. Yamikumo stiffened as Izuku tugs them to their feet and immediately begins herding him towards the entrance.

Yamikumo’s hand was shaking, but he slowly wrapped it around his brother’s back and allowing him to lead them to safety.

“You just want to beat down heroes huh!?” All Might’s booming voice was loud, “Then I’ll give it my 200%!”

Then came the absurdly strong wind that pushed the two to the ground, Yamikumo was weighing him down, so that they wouldn’t be caught and swept away from the wind.

If Yamikumo dies, would it be his fault? Would it be his fault again?

If he dies, was he even real in the first place? Izuku wouldn’t know what to do without him.

What was his life about? Why was he still alive?

“I’m sorry.” Izuku mumbles, next to Yamikumo’s ear as he affectionately rubbed his brother’s hair, “I love you, Akatani. I’m so sorry.”

He hears Yamikumo’s breathing hitch, before his fake breathing falls away like crumbling leaves. Because he doesn’t even need to breathe.

“No you don’t.” A pair of soft lips press lightly on the forehead, “It’s the corruption talking.”

No, Izuku wants to say, I really do love you. I’m sorry for running away. I’m sorry for ignoring you when you needed me the most.

But Izuku can’t focus on what’s real or not.

“Izuku…” A hand rests on the back of Izuku’s neck, “I’ll be your hero. Alright? You should take a nap…” Izuku jerks violently as black ink bubbles up to his mouth, overflowing as its stick and sinful spills, “If I double the corruption, then you won’t be able to do anything stupid.”

Yamikumo’s voice was like a whisper, fading away as his eyes drop to a close, “If you feel anymore fear, I migh-“

Izuku drowns in ink, as he fades away from reality.

“How could you have let this happen!?” Izuku screams, sobbing violently as he squirms over Kacchan’s shoulder, “You’re supposed to be the number one hero! You’re supposed to save people!”

He shouts at the cinder block walls as the Pro Heroes rushed onto the scene. His throat was still clogged with that rotting ink, he chokes on it as his childhood friend rubbed his back, trying to hold him still the best he could.

When he came to, when he finished drowning in ink, he was on his back staring up at his childhood friend. He woke up to the sound of gunshots and Todoroki’s strangled scream of, “Yamikumo!”

Izuku squirmed, tears fell down to the ground as he chokes on the ink, the ink that shouldn’t even be in this body, clogging his lungs and corrupting his thoughts. His tears mix with his saliva, and his tears.

This couldn’t have happened.

“He threw you into Bakugou’s arm and ran off towards All Might!”

“He said… That he trusted us. We couldn’t stop him, he was too fast!”

This isn’t right.

“All Might was in trouble… and he…”

No… No…!

“How could you let them take Akatani, All Might!?” Izuku screams, "I knew it! I knew it! I knew it!"

(Normal end(?): StolenAway From Me.)

Chapter 31

Chapter Text

Right now, Midoriya Izuku doesn't exist.

A person (?) without a reflection was no one at all, they aren't even considered as humans anymore. Lost in thoughts all alone, unable to breathe through his own sluggish ink filled lungs, unable to properly process what had happened. Lost in this maze, filed with amazing new things, yet so scared of the threats of awful mutilations, blood, fingers and maggots.

Rotting Flesh crackling constantly like the warm fire, Akatani's name is like a constant drum, beating to the same beat, echoing constantly in his mind. Over and over, instilling into his heart, like a plague he can never get rid of. Infecting though his body like a virus who can't do anything bus destroy and hurt. Harm over and over, because he's a parasite.

Memories flickers though his mind, like a film that flashed, a gentle kiss in the rain, as he stares lovingly at the person with a blurred face. He's in Akatani's eyes as he learns that he loved someone once.

("...Love...?" Yamikumo giggles, learningto slot their hands together, fitting perfectly like a lock and key, "Yes, I think... I love you.")

But false things always come to an end, this illusion was nothing pretty. Fake stories and words of love, gifted with black roses in full bloom on a black casket. Feelings of grief and regret slammed into him as tears appeared, Memories of Yamikumo's corruption.

("You should be happy. You're the fruit of our love, yet you're unlovable.")

Muddled thoughts scrambled and pieced together so messily to the point that Izuku keeps forgetting that he exists. He's on the hospital bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. His body feelsnumb, and he can't focus. So he just has to rely in the thoughts, the corrupted thoughts that won't go away.

("...I don't need love. Notyour definition anyways." Yamikumo snarls, whipping his hand back from HIM, "So. don't pity me. I'm not weak.")

Black rotting ink spills from his mouth, crumbling and festering - growing and suffocating.

(54545454545454545454545454545454545454545454545454)

(MINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINE)

His mind whispers, ink races through his lungs and he can't - he can't breathe -

("...if I love someone... then I have to X them. I don't want to go through that.")

if this was love,iwanted to barf, backing away from HIM. HIM. HIM.

KINDNESS, his hands are BIG. PATPATPATPAT

DISGUSTING.

Dont touch HER, don't talk to HER, you don't deserve HER. don't even look at HER.

dont show me off like i'm some kind or prize. don't hurt me if you love me. disgusting, disgusting.

but i'm the same. your seed. proof of LOVE.

and i hate that.

youre the reason why mom hates me

Izuku loves many things.

He loves his mom! He enjoys admiring heroes and he absolutely adores his brother! He likes Kacchan's confidence and animals with little button noses are the cutest! And he really enjoys eating matcha mochi on hot summer days!

His friends call him too kind for his own good. He's kind.

(Is it a weakness or natural?)

Thoughtless kindness always leads to unfortunate ends. The woman who let homeless people in her house was found dead with her throat slashed, her apartment ransacked for loot. The man who fed stray animals was later found and identified by his foot right into a crocodiles den. The boy with a bright future helped an injured person and now he's wanted, associated with bad people.

This was his story but he's not the one writing it. Fear and anxiety bubble up in him, holding it away. Writing in bad endings and endless loops and turns. Twists that catch your eye yet. It's not his story.

He wants it to be his story. He wants to control his path, pave his way into victory with simpler times and happy moments.

But he's too scared. He doesn't want to be hurt, he doesn't want to hide, he just wants to be safe. Happy and secure - he doesn't want to be hurt again. If he fails, he knows that he'll fail of his own violation and it'll be all his fault.

Knowing that he was the one that was pushing - and ultimately ending to his best failing.

There was just no point in trying his best if it was going to end into nothing.

Dreams of ink, red madness swirls endlessly, forever and ever. Dreamer, Izuku is a dreamer.

He dreams of blurry ink, drowning in the red - red madness. An image of a maggot crawling deep into the flesh of a still body, squirming and rating rotting flesh.

How tragic.

Izuku's hidden behind Yamikumo's shadow - protected yet hurt. Is this love or is this hatred? He's lost track on what's what anymore. He just wants to make people happy.

That's it.

By following his dreams, was he responsible for getting Akatani kidnapped? Was this his fault - because he wanted to be a hero to save him?

But why!? Why did it seem like he knew the villains? Why? Why? Why!?

---"If you got it where I think you got it..." he trails off and Izuku gets it.

But did he?

Sadness - corruption. It won't go away! From who? Who? Who was he talking about? It didn't add up! It didn't make sense!

This feeling is like insects crawling in your skin, making you antsy to the the point where you can't help it but cry and cry. Hoping that it'll get better in time but it's not. It's not going to be better because it always there.

Creeping into every open pore.

(You didn't get to kill her.)

Midoriya Izuku... is in the hospital. He stares up blankly at the white ceiling, listening to his heart monitor beat rhythmically to the left of him. His broken fingers were bound tightly stiff to the point where he could barely move it.

Groggily, Izuku sat up, blinking and trying to gather what little senses he had left. If he can't think then he should at least observe his surroundings.

Moonlight filtered through the windows, his room was mostly dark and empty except for the black backpack leaning against the window. A little pillow and a blue blanket were neatly folded near it, prompting it up. Was someone in his hospital room at one point?

He looked at his arms, throwing his sheets off of him to see the rest of his body. Nothing was really off, he notices, as he blinks slowly. Trying to comprehend the situation - something was different. Something was... wrong.

He takes a tentative step down on the cold times, the cold spiked through him but he remained still, gripping his arms in a bruising grip. Everything ached and he can't really focus, yet he finds himself walking to the bathroom, shivering as the cold air hit him.

Flicking on the light, he lightly pads to the mirror, grimacing at his sunken eyes and unhealthy complexion. He looks horrible. Not to mention that angry spider looking scar, red like madness that appeared when Akatani touched his neck.

. . . ?

Madness Where was Akatani?

Izuku chokes, coughing violently as he lurges forward, gripping onto the bathroom sink in a death grip. His legs shake as they give out. It was as if the training with All Might had succumb to nothing - like it didn't even matter.

Coughing then gagging as something comes from his throat, red sludge that tasted like foul milk spills from his lips and slops disgustingly into the sink. It's suffocating as he can't breathe, foul foul foul smell of rotting maggotswaves to his nose and nearly making him choke again.

Raw meat that vultures peck at, destroying a body that once had life.

It's red - red madness. Determination. Passion yet it's madness. repeating endlessly, forever and forever. It's red but it's not blood - it's not copper. It's bland and it's aftertaste is nothing but lemon drops and rotting fish.

Izuku coughs again, tears coming from the corner of his eyes as a reflex. His legs drop from under him and he lays on the ground, trying to keep from choking as he grabs his neck in a bruising grip. He shutters before curling away and leaning against the green moss walls.

He ducks his head between his knees, trying to breath calm and steady breaths.

But he can't because he's hyperventilating, he can't breathe - he can't see - he can't catch his breath...! He's sick, he's so sick of this...!

"Akatani...." He whines quietly, breaking into more tears, useless pointless tears that will end up to nothing, "Why? Why...?"

Akatani... left him... Didn't he?

To save... All Might...

Not that he's ungrateful... he's glad that he's okay...!

Just...why?

Akatani wasn't altruistic, he wasn't kind for being kind. He was only kind when he needed something, when he needed something for someone. He was the type of person to care for himself before others, to the point of murder. He's not afraid to kill people to get what he wants. He wasn't a person to jump into dangerous situations with little to no plan whatsoever. even in surprise attacks like this.

Not to mention Akatani knew them as well...!?

Had Akatani planned this all along? Had he planned for him to leave Izuku alone so much to the point where he cares and depends on him!? He was underhanded,he wasn't afraid to use dirty means to get what he wants. Was this a scheme to get Izuku more dependent on him? He won't put it past him to abandon him like he did. Like he wasn't afraid to do so.

His brother (???) was often cruel to prove his point, he wouldn't be surprised at this point.

Izuku wasn't sure how long was leaning against the wall but he saw Kirishima walk in carefully, crouching down at him as he frowned. He was saying something but he can't hear him over his harsh intake of air and he struggled to catch his breath. But he's...? he's...? Panicking? He can't breathe he can't focus on things. He's begining to feel dizzy but he can't stop breathing harshly.

It wasn't until a hand gripped his arm when he roughly shoved Kirishima back, his emerald green eyes growing wide as he panics even more. Don't touch him, don't look at him. Don't touch him. Don't -

A warm color of blue filled his eyes, lighting up Kirishima's phone as he showed it to him. Izuku's eyes stayed on it as it slowly turned into blue... purple...red...orange...

yellow...green....

Izuku's breathing soon matched Kirishima's phone and he relaxed, letting go of his arm as he blinks slowly. Kirishima's sharktooth smile flashes, "Hey man, you okay?"

Swallowing, Izuku nods softly, keeping his eyes down to his lap, "...How long was I out for...?" He rasps, winching at the scratchiness of his voice.

He smiles at him, but it's a sad one, "Three days..." He says softly, gently as he tucks in his phone and stands up, offering his hand. Izuku takes it wordlessly, and Kirishima leds him back to the bed. He helps him up and tucks him in, patting him as Izuku tries to focus, "Schools been canceled for a week so you can go rest up. I'll go tell the nurses that you're awake." He moves away but his hand reaches out, tugging him back by his red shirt.

"...Where's Akatani...?" He mutters, his eyes drooping down as exaustion overtakes him, "...I failed huh?"

Kirishima's smile keeps getting more sadder, laced with pity as he pats his head, "No you didn't." He lies, tugging his hand away without saying another word. He leaves the room.

...

Izuku didn't deserve to be a hero.

Music!

Chapter 32

Chapter Text

Yamikumo laid on the dirty dark room, clutching his chest as he gritted his teeth.

Everything hurts.

Everything feels wrong.

Izuku... oh sweet Izuku, he imagines his being looming over him in concern. Yamikumo imagines him smiling in worry, looking down at him while hugging him - saying that it'll be okay.

But he was separated from him, the only person who helped keep his thoughts clear enough so that he won't drown in thoughts of him.

But now Izuku was all that he could think of - and he can't think clear enough to devise a plan when those two villains threw him in here with no warning - only telling him that Sensei wants to talk to him.

How was Izuku? The only thing he couldn't feel was his fingers but everything moved. Again - he marvels how even when Izuku has left his sight, they're intertwined through the fact that they're the same person. Just in the same reality - nothing else mattered!

Yamikumo smiles widely, wanting to laugh but even that took so much energy and he can't...

Damn that tool..!

He refuses to be killed by anyone other than Izuku - he needs to renew after direct contact with that wretched mist - but he's in a completely diffrent area surrounded by villains most likely in a seedy place.

"Oh? Yamikumooooo." The raven haired male looks up, seeing his Katsuki-kun smile down at him, like he's the only thing that matters to him. In a way, he supposes that was the case for him, "Does your leg hurt again..?"

The thing was that Yamikumo knew better - he knows better - he knows clearly that Katsuki - kun is dead, and the only way he can even imagine his voice is in his dreams and when he's dead! He shudders, clasping his ears and lays pathetically on the ground, trying to ignore the fake Katsuki's comforting hands, trying to avoid what happened rather than dwell on the thing he caused.

(He remembers the knife still in his hand, HE's still talking to him, stroking his blood covered hands over his cheeks, as if he's proud of him.)

The things he has done was just for Yamikumo to survive. Yet people try to make it seem like he's the bad guy, like he deserves this. He deserves to be shoved down to feel like he's nothing but just a replica of his... precious Izuku... It's better that way, he had concluded a long time ago, ever since he saw that boy sitting alone at the playground swings, crying from some bully that had shoved his face into the ground. Yet he was still smiling, swinging along as if he had nothing to fear like the naive child he was.

Yamikumo envied his mirror reflection, who didn't have to act accordingly based on someones orders. That's why...

(And I thought, what if i took away everything?)

He should have just killed Izuku to save all this fuss. That way, he could remain quiet. That way he was still his, and he didn't get into danger. But he didn't.

Because he liked seeing himself happy - he liked seeing Izuku thrive and push past everything just to be... happy. And even as his tormentor for years and years, telling him that he wasn't worth anything... Izuku never gave up on him. Like those heroes he would always admire. Like those dreams he would want, back in his world. Maybe that's why Yamikumo just wants Izuku to pay attention to him, to see all the things he did for him to make him happy. He'll tell him that he'll be the one to kill him, like how Katsuki - kun did for Yamikumo. He'll never leave him alone, like how Katsuki - kun showed his care by staying by his side and scaring any threats away.

In the back of his mind, he's distinctively hears the large metal door and black polished shoes tip tap in front of him.

The big bad wolf was here yet he was still thinking of why... why he had failed.

(I knew it...)

Chapter 33: A/N

Chapter Text

Hey.

It’s been a while hasn’t it? Almost two years. Thinking but getting consumed with work and endless thinking. School work piled up and I just couldn’t take it.

It got too much.

I had so much work for this piece - one that I just cared so much for. Five notebooks of planning - art work and doodles. It had such a special place in my heart.

You know that feeling when you look back on your writing and think - what the hell was I thinking?

Xernialua

you can find me there.

Thank you.