pandora's box [bakudeku/tododeku] [pt.1 of where's my love fic series]

last goodbye

summary: it's the big day - the final time izuku will ever see his father. he does his best to hold his emotions in, but like anything that overfills, his emotions eventually spill. thankfully, he has friends that are there for him. izuku finally feels like he's coming to fully accept his situation and see the light, but a letter from his late father sends him down a deep, dark hole. (also, a brief recap of the modeling gig and inko's and izuku's arguing).

notes: this chapter's songs: "goner" by twenty one pilots and "tokyo" by rm.

warnings: talks of child abuse, talks about death, mention of nightmares, mention of murder.

bright lights, loud whispers, and judging glances make izuku slightly uneasy during his modeling. he can't help but think that each glance is something more sinister - useless, worthless, quirkless deku. his classmates' voices ring loud and clear in his mind throughout the photoshoot, and although izuku knows that these people don't know his previous 'quirkless' status, he can't help but pin each glance as cruel. it doesn't help that he notices how some of the other models look at katsuki, their eyes sparkling with both awe, admiration, and...envy?

jealousy, it's jealousy, izuku realizes when he notices the dirty looks some of the models shoot towards katsuki. one look from hanta makes izuku calm down, stepping away from giving them a peace of his mind. from the corner of his eye he can see katsuki striking a pose in one of the fall outfits. the sound of the camera lens going off fills the background noise as he turns his full attention to katsuki, completely ignoring one of the makeup artists. if i was a model, i'd be jealous of kacchan, too. he's a natural.

it's quite surprising to watch how comfortable katsuki is in front of the camera, his vermillion eyes staring confidently into the camera as the photographers shout praises. izuku's stomach does flips and somersaults when katsuki smiles at the camera, izuku's freckled cheeks flushing a rosy red. he ignores the knowing look hanta gives him from the makeup station, turning away from hanta. maybe it's not too surprising that he's good at it. aunt 'tsuki is always dragging him out to these things.

a tap on his shoulder startles izuku out of his thoughts, brief alarm crossing his face before confusion settles in his eyes when he is met with a girl with light blue hair and baby pink eyes. the girl must notice his confusion as her cheeks turn bright like a tomato.

"e-excuse me?" the bashful girl stutters out, avoiding izuku's questioning gaze. izuku raises one of his brows, his emerald green eyes quickly giving her a once-over. she's nervous, izuku realizes once he notices her trembling hands that hold tightly to her cellphone and the slight sway in her shoulders. "can i...?" she holds out her phone shyly, the screen lighting up.

"no," izuku tonelessy says, making the girl snap her head up. she begins to stammer, her eyes wide with both surprise and confusion. it almost makes izuku feel guilty as he peers down at her, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he quickly glances behind him. he spots katsuki talking with hanta before the two start heading in his direction. turning his attention back to the girl, izuku clears his throat, gently pushing the girl's phone away from him. she doesn't know about the pranks at school, it's not her fault, "sorry, but i'm s-seeing someone else a-already."

he doesn't wait for the girl's response as he turns around, plastering on a smile as he strides over to his friends. "are you two finished with your shoots?"

hints of his annoyance from his recent interaction must still show on his face as katsuki's eyes narrow, his lips going from a snarl to a scowl once izuku approaches them. izuku doesn't miss the way hanta's eyes seem to study him, making him nervously rub the back of his neck.