#tiactus

im thinking uraraka would probably crack a few puns every now and then but the true pun lord TM imo would be either denki or kirishima

“Yowch!” The kid recoiled from the prickly hug. “You’re poky!”

The creature with deadly-looking spikes sticking out at every angle looked at the kid for a moment. “What were you expecting?”

“I dunno. Thought you’d be softer.”

The creature rolled her eyes and sighed. “What’s your name, kid?”

“Eli. What’s yours?”

“Oh come on. You should already know my name.”

“No, no… your real name.”

The creature closed her eyes for a moment. This was definitely not the time for this discussion. Nor the place. Nor the person. She wasn’t even sure if this currently abandoned office space was safe. The crackle of energy outside didn’t reassure her.

“My real name doesn’t matter. Tell me, Eli. Were your parents down there when that bad man attacked?”

“Just my mom. Some superhero took her over to that other building though. I saw her.” Eli pointed towards the window at the building across the street.

Peeking out from behind the desk, the cactus creature squinted, trying to see if she could recognize any familiar shapes over there. Nothing. Just the reflection off the windows.

“Hey, do you know when that bad guy will go away?” Eli asked, playing with some spikes on the creature’s arms. “We were going to go see my grandma.”

“Sorry kid. I don’t have a clue. Hey!” She withdrew her arm. “Some of those are poisonous. Be careful.”

Eli looked up at her, as if trying to figure her out. She shifted uncomfortably. She’d never been good with kids. Just her luck that she’d be stuck keeping an eye on this one.

“What’s your real name? I promise I won’t tell anyone!”

“My real name doesn’t matter.”

“Sure it does!” The kid smiled up at her.

She was quiet for a long time. This really wasn’t the conversation she wanted to be having right now. She had to keep the kid safe. Not be distracted by such trivial things. That being said, it would be nice if telling Eli would get him to stop asking about it.

“Look. The world knows me as Spiker. That’s what the world’s named me. But all my friends… they call me Sheila.”

“Sheila’s a nice name. Why does the world call you Spiker?”

Damnit. This kid wouldn’t stop asking questions. “Because I’m a superhero. Once you’re a hero, you suddenly belong to someone. Others. The world. Don’t get me wrong, I love what I do. But I hate being a brand.”

“Oh.” The sound of cars crashing outside filled the silence.

The earpiece in Sheila’s ear picked up suddenly, “Spiker, Birdy! Villain heading your way, massive destruction path! Get the bystanders someplace safe!”

Sheila grabbed Eli carefully in a massive hand and quickly began jumping over desks to the giant hole in the wall at the opposite end of the building. Eli yelped, putting his hands over his eyes. Sheila leapt from the hole to the top of the next door building, shielding Eli, careful not to prick him.

Just as she landed, a sickening blast of energy erupted through the building they’d just been in. Manical laughter ripped through the air. Sheila sneered in disgust, hiding Eli and herself behind the door exiting the roof.

Someday, the world would know her as her friends saw her. As Eli saw her.

But for now, she waited as the storm passed, and Eli could be safely returned to his mother.