Lost & Aimless In A Cruel World

Sometimes All for One liked to pretend he is a normal person, hiding among the common people isn’t hard. No one truly knows All for One’s identity as he avoids it when he can. He trust no one and as a result it is how he survived only two people know his face. Sometimes he might dye his hair to help make sure the few that do that are enemies won’t see him.

Today, his hair was black his freckles were apparent on his face instead of hidden by makeup. He was average and unassuming or he would be if he wasn’t seven feet tall. A figure and stature that people wouldn’t notice until approached and realize he isn’t as average as he looks.

“You know, I do miss when fantasy wasn’t reality. The heroes of today are quite different from the comic books I had as a kid,” he speaks mostly to himself with a glass. Despite the fact he was not alone after all this is a bar where many people come and go. Deciding that he is willing to take the risk of going out and mingling with the people. Talk to them, learn about them, maybe play with civilians or a hero or make another villain.

He wasn’t at all picky, he adored seeing the way humans tick.

“Oh don’t mind me rambling. It just the heroes in my comic book as a kid don’t reflect the ones on the ranking. But is the government actually wanted comic book heroes they probably wouldn’t have made a popularity contest,” he speaks to his possibly unwilling partner. He raises his glass as he smiles at the person beside him.

A soft groan left him as there was a weird buzzing sound. It just... didn’t stop. Just kept going and he realized someone was talking so close. So, close... 

A bandage on his cheek and forehead courtesy of Shoto’s training from today. Slowly he raised his head, eyeing his half empty glass of sake, as he rubbed his flushed cheek. Blinking slowly he glanced in the direction of that buzzing half out of it. “What...?” He didn’t hear shit. but his eyes went back to the counter before his head followed suit. God, he drank too much.

“I didn’t!” Shoto was being even more annoying than usual today. He winced a bit as Shoto put the fire out with his ice. But his green eyes stared hard at Shoto. “Look, I’m sorry I lashed out like that. But I’m not used to this fully yet.” It was reasonable right?

“What? No! That’s not it at all, Shoto!” His fists clenched feeling exasperated. “I don’t hate it and I don’t hate you. I’m thankful, I swear. But I’m still sore from yesterday. My body can’t keep up and I rather slowly get into the rhythm instead of training so hard and so much I make myself sick.”

He pleaded knowing the other probably wouldn’t understand. But he had to try. “My mom wasn’t a hero so I’ve never trained like this before. I’m trying my best!” It wasn’t Shoto’s fault and he shouldn’t be feeling guilty for pushing Izuku since it’s what he wanted, but Shoto wasn’t good with limits.

At the moment Shoto was on the defensive. They both had vastly different lifestyles and upbringings. They were bound to have conflict, especially considering Izuku’s side occupation as a Vigilante most certainly didn’t help. That didn’t mean Shoto understood the why, acting almost instinctively to the fact Izuku had used the flames against him. Seemingly for no reason just for the purpose of making him stop.

His shoulders relaxed at the assurance that didn’t hate him and was thankful knowing he was being stupid also. Since got riled up just as easily the moment the other protested to training with him. It had felt almost personal and he bows his head as the other explained the issue.

“It’s okay. I’m not mad or anything.” He assured the other, moving slightly closer to gently rest a hand on Shoto’s shoulder. They had vastly different lives up until this point so it makes sense that they’d clash a bit. “Like I said I really am thankful for everything you’ve done for me, Shoto.”

The other gave him a home, and a family, clothes, food. More then he deserved given that he did kill his father. “I do want to be stronger, and I’m sure one day I can handle it, but for now I want to take my time.”

“I already told you, Shoto, I’m not doing it!” It was childish and Izuku really couldn’t help but be bratty. He had given him so much and here Izuku was lashing out at him, for no reason. Shoto had wanted to train, and Izuku didn’t feel like it.

“You’re being ridiculous right now. Did you lose all your brain cells?” he questioned annoyed because this happened randomly. Like the other would get so comfortable, feel so safe then suddenly act entitled to everything. You would think he would argue with him about things like mission, or safety- But nope he’s just mad because didn’t want to train!

He hisses when he jumped back actually having flinched at the sudden flames lashing out a bit. His eyes staring almost wide at Izuku hurt at the fact he used his flames against him like that. So Shoto finally reacted he uses his ice to put out the fire even if was fire proof so the place won’t turn down didn’t mean it was safe. But he was shakened, his hands clenched before he shoots a glare.

“I didn’t!” Shoto was being even more annoying than usual today. He winced a bit as Shoto put the fire out with his ice. But his green eyes stared hard at Shoto. “Look, I’m sorry I lashed out like that. But I’m not used to this fully yet.” It was reasonable right?

“What? No! That’s not it at all, Shoto!” His fists clenched feeling exasperated. “I don’t hate it and I don’t hate you. I’m thankful, I swear. But I’m still sore from yesterday. My body can’t keep up and I rather slowly get into the rhythm instead of training so hard and so much I make myself sick.”

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“Hm…” A soft almost inaudible hum left him and his eyes narrowed slightly. They had joined on the journey together. Izuku was the leader sure, but she had joined willingly despite the position she put herself in. Izuku had gone into this fully accepting the scorn he’d face from society.

“Your deceptive skills need some work.” He pointed out staring intently at her, his green eyes going soft for a moment as he looked away. “If it’s… this path that’s a bit too much for you… then you can always back out.” Izuku made sure to offer. It was a hard path one that couldn’t be treaded with doubts plaguing someone’s mind.

He glanced away from her for a moment before his gaze went back staring at her. As much as he wanted to lash out, he knew he shouldn’t be so quick to hurt her when she did come clean about lying to him. “I… don’t understand. Why did you tell me in the first place?”

He stared intently at her, his eyes shining softly. “You could have kept your position and just ended me you know. Turned me in.” His hand clenched into a fist. “I’m not a villain.” Came a firm but desperate answer. Eyes shutting tight feeling his body shake. “I know people think that, but I’m not!”

He’s only ever targeted villains or corrupt heroes. Ones who were only in it for their own gain, who lied about themselves to save fronts. “Endeavor was an abusive asshole who hurt Shoto and his siblings. Ripped them apart physically and emotionally. And where were the heroes when my own mom died?!” He was far too emotional.

Curious? The other was curious about him? Why? He wasn’t anything special. Izuku glanced away for a moment trying to gauge some sort of lie or deception in the other’s voice, but he didn’t sense anything. “I don’t know why my full name matters honestly. It’s not like my last name has any meaning anymore.”

“I’m just Deku. Nothing more and nothing less.” Worthless, nothing, useless. He didn’t have worth anymore. But maybe he never had it in the first place… He was completely alone, and it bothered him he had to rely on the kindness of strangers. The kindness of a victim. “It’s a cruel nickname, but I hope to give it a new meaning at least.”

He admitted softly sighing heavily. “Yeah, okay. I’ll do that. It’s been a really long time since I had a bath.” His cheeks dusted a bit pink in embarrassment. Grabbing his backpack and spare change of clothes since he really didn’t have any. Though he was a bit surprised as the other thanked him for freeing him.

“Yeah, sure. You and your siblings deserve to be free.”

There was no lie, Shoto could certainly act but this was genuine though it clear wasn’t saying everything there was no deception. As had many chances to simply expose Izuku while he was down there to the cops. Instead, he acted normal as they investigated and searched for the killer to no avail.

“So you’re intent on not getting too close. Guess that’s fine,” Shoto wasn’t going to force the other since it is clear was cautious. Likely because did just kill his father even if was an asshole it not exactly something anyone can get over. Even he still felt surreal like he was going to one day see his dad back home like nothing happened and was just a dream.

“Go clean yourself up,” with that he shows him where the bathroom was for Izuku to clean himself up and goes to think of a cover story. As of now he was an accomplice to a twisted vigilante but he can’t find it in himself to be fearful.

“Oh, and you can help me learn to control my fire. While I can teach you to properly fight, if me and my old man were in prime condition you probably would have been behind bars. So after you’re settled we are training,” wouldn’t do any good if the other got caught as soon as was let out of the bunker. As he doubts this is the first or last time he attacks a hero.

Though his eyes gently widened when the other suddenly signed him up for training and helping to control his fire. “Uh, huh?” Blinking in confusion, he had seen points of the training before he attacked, but… what? “You… want to help me train?”

All that time observing heroes and villains alike, Izuku uses it to his advantage. He didn’t want to cause harm. He wanted to make a difference. Izuku wouldn’t call himself a villain but he couldn’t deny people calling him that. It was fair. But people despised what they didn’t understand, what they couldn’t comprehend.

“But why?” Rude to say he reeked, but that was accurate. He didn’t have a place to stay. Everything he owned was in his backpack. So he didn’t get to bathe or relax very often. “I don’t know if that’s smart.” He admitted as the other asked for his name his eyes narrowing a bit.

“Deku, is my alias, but Izuku is my actual name.” He admitted softly guessing it couldn’t hurt to put his trust in someone, right? He did hide him from the cops after he killed his dad. “I… thanks.” He started glancing away as the shock died down a bit. “I’m going to make sure I repay you hiding me away like that.”

There was a pause as Izuku questioned why he was helping him out longer. Even he didn’t understand as the other was some stray Vigilante. Someone with a twisted sense of morals clearly since murdered Endeavor who he never even met. Yet he wasn’t afraid of him, in fact he wanted to know more.

“Guess I’m just curious about you. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t just forgive you for murdering my father. But it be a lie to claim I was close to him either,” a fact that made him feel guilty over. It was frustrating knowing that he can’t even feel upset over his father’s death. Only a kind of hollowness remained where this sharp anger once rested.

“Deku? That’s a strange nickname, what’s your full name?” He questioned able to tell was a bit skittish about him. “I mean I hid you from the cops would think you can trust me a bit more than that.”

Though he smiles as the other said how will repay him for hiding him away from the police. This did make them accomplices regardless of intentions he might as well have killed his dad himself. But he didn’t feel any remorse about this fact, he wants to learn about this stranger.

“You should probably go take a bath, it might help you relax a bit. Then we can think up a cover story to tell my siblings,” he spoke softly. Most of the estate would be given to Shoto but since he is a minor likely it be left with the lawyer since his mom predisposed and only his siblings were around. This did mean, however, he basically had full reign around the house, so the other won’t need to be hiding anymore.

“I’m just Deku. Nothing more and nothing less.” Worthless, nothing, useless. He didn’t have worth anymore. But maybe he never had it in the first place… He was completely alone, and it bothered him he had to rely on the kindness of strangers. The kindness of a victim. “It’s a cruel nickname, but I hope to give it a new meaning at least.”

He admitted softly sighing heavily. “Yeah, okay. I’ll do that. It’s been a really long time since I had a bath.” His cheeks dusted a bit pink in embarrassment. Grabbing his backpack and spare change of clothes since he really didn’t have any. Though he was a bit surprised as the other thanked him for freeing him.

He made a slight face as the other said he was glad he was alive. Well, that was something because those rations could have killed him easily. He really didn’t think the other would be happy he was alive and frankly Izuku was a bit confused. Horribly confused as to why this male would protect his abusive father’s killer.

“You were never my target.” He answered simply but firmly. “I miscalculated when you would be gone and by then it was too late to stop.” He cracked his knuckles and shrugged lightly. “The state of the dojo along with the way you moved, I could tell you were in pain from training and there were burn marks all over the floor. They were faint but they were there.”

“It doesn’t take a genius to deduce that those flames have hurt you. And then you refused to use the fire yourself. You have a lot of resentment for your fire, but it’s as much a part of you as your ice. But you don’t have to use it to hurt people like he did.”

Izuku knew he really shouldn’t be lecturing him, but for some reason he thought of his own father who disappeared a few years before. “Anyway, I should get going. I’m sure you don’t want me overstaying my welcome.”

It was a surprise at how the other was able to notice all of that but then it likely why even timed it at all. He must have looked into Endeavor pretty deeply to be able to know about his training sessions. Despite being around his age it was clear that this stranger was incredibly intelligent and to think he doesn’t even know the other name.

This stranger spoke like a hero with gentle words that didn’t at all match his eyes. As if was parroting something that he wishes he didn’t have to know. Intimate knowledge Shoto didn’t even share with him then the other was ready to leave. Kindness and gentleness as tries to encourage him to use the fire of his quirk.

“That’s it?” he questioned as the other seemed to be ready to leave without ever giving a name or anything. “Do you even have a place to stay? You reek and seeing as you’re running around I highly doubt you do. So I’m sure you can at least stay a bit. Not like my father around, and you never even told me your name.”

Was Shoto insane to be inviting his father’s killer? It wasn’t as if he had an attachment to the man if anything he should be gleeful. But that’s the thing even when you think you want something you are always filled with mixed emotions. The remains of his father was only a corpse six feet under and this stranger held his father’s quirk like it was a tool for good.

“But why?” Rude to say he reeked, but that was accurate. He didn’t have a place to stay. Everything he owned was in his backpack. So he didn’t get to bathe or relax very often. “I don’t know if that’s smart.” He admitted as the other asked for his name his eyes narrowing a bit.