https://youtu.be/5gyANphz_Kk
*
The first time he met Eraserhead he had been 10.
Standing on the edge of a building, staring down at the street as dusk fell around him, yet his gaze was far away, distant and lost in memories.
He was trying to make a mental list of why he shouldn't, why he should step back and away from the ledge and falling short.
His list, well, could one name be classed as a list? It was just his mother, and even then he wasn't too sure.
She'd had tears in her eyes when he'd said goodbye, her hug lasting just that little bit longer, her gaze heavy on his back as she'd watched him walk out the door at a time far later than she should have allowed.
He'd heard her sigh of relief through the thin front door as it closed behind him.
He was cold. An icy chill that sat deep in his bones and numbed his brain, hands tremoring even as warm air slid through his fingers.
Would it hurt?
Would it finally stop?
He desperately wanted to find out, to bring an end to fists and feet, burns and scratches, hate and spite; end the cycle of abuse once and for all.
Dull green eyes, dry for once in his life, lifted to the sky.
He had heard that stars were the souls of those passed, burning freely and ever watching. Would he become a star? Maybe then he would be able to watch Kacchan become a great hero, watch his mother move on with her life -a small smile tugged at the edges of his lips- watch heroes for as long as he wanted. No one would be able to hear a star mutter or fanboy, no one would be able to hurt him up there.
Taking a deep breath, he was ready.
Flexing his cold toes against the rough concrete bricks, Izuku began to lean forwards, eyes closing against the warm gust of wind caressing his face, it almost felt like a hug, a welcome home.
A hug he was brutally ripped backwards and away from. His eyes flew open, tears finally falling as he saw the ledge grow further and further away.
No.
NO!
Nonononono!
Why? He was so close to being free!
He barely even noticed landing on his back, eyes just staring blankly at the stars as tears slid silently down his temples to dampen his wild hair.
It wasn't fair.
Then again nothing was fair for him, was it? Every single thing he wanted, needed, was ripped from him without second thought, he was a fool to believe different.
His mind kept replaying that moment, over and over again, showing him that singular moment he could taste freedom.
"Kid?"
It was a male voice, low, rough and tired; it probably belonged to the dark haired man blocking his view of the stars.
"Hey mister," he whispered, voice like shards of glass, eyes now staring straight into the man's black ones, "D'ya think I'd make a good star?"
For some reason the man looked sad now, he hadn't meant to make him sad. Gripping the hand that was held out, Izuku swayed as he found himself on his numb feet, surprise filling him when the man didn't let go, he even put his hand on Izuku's arm to steady him!
"Do you want to talk?"
Did he? He wasn't sure, it wasn't like he had people lining up to listen to him after all, but he had always heard that talking helped normal people, maybe it would help a useless Deku too?
Did he want help?
Well, it would be rude of him to ignore the man after he went out of his way, especially after tricking him into thinking he was worth saving, that he was normal. The man didn't know he was quirkless, once he found out, Izuku was sure he would let him join the stars.
"I'm quirkless mister."
The words seemed to hover in the air for a moment before the man was suddenly crouched in front of him, eyes burning with an intensity he couldn't name.
