Brains, Brawn, and Boldness

Prologue

"Every end, is a new beginning..." — Unknown Source

- - -

"Well, Midoriya-san, as you can see right here in this diagram—" the doctor pointed to a spot on his foot X-ray "—this here is a second toe joint, and while that might not mean much to you, I can confidently say that most people who develop quirks do not have this extra joint in their pinky toes."

"So—so what does that mean for Izuku...?" A nervous glance, wringing hands.

An irritated sigh. "It means Midoriya-san, that he should probably give up on being a hero, he's most likely never going to manifest a quirk for the rest of his life."

Silence. Silence. More deafening silence.

"Oh, I see... Well— I— I won't waste your time any longer Tsubasa-sama. Thank you, and have a good day..!" Trembling smile, with trembling hands and a trembling voice.

"Of course, Midoriya-san, and a good day to you as well of course." Fake smile, with fake politeness and a fake attitude.

- - -

"Haha..?"

A grip tightening on the steering wheel. "Yes, Izuku?"

Fumbling fingers, fumbling words, fumbling thoughts, "The doctor said—he said I can't be a hero, right?" Silence. Silence. "Can I—can I really not be a hero? Can't—can't I—can't I be a hero? A hero like—like All Might?" Silence. Silence. More silence. Too silent. "Haha...?" Silence. A tighter grip. Silence. A tighter grip. More silence... "Oh..."

- - -

"Little Deku! What are you hanging around for? You should stay inside with the teachers where it's safe for someone like you!" Harsh words, harsh smile, harsh grip on his arm.

"But—but! Kioma-chan doesn't have her quirk yet! Why does she get to play!" Strong words, strong eyes, strong feet digging into the dirt.

"Tch, are you dumb? She's not quirkless, she's gonna get a quirk, you're different, you don't have have one, and you never will. So you're weaker than her! And everyone else!" Vexed, irate, annoyed, snappish.

"That's not even how—how that works Tengu-kun! Just cuz I won't get a quirk doesn't mean I—I'm weak and stupid and soft and—and—and all of that other stuff from before! I haven't changed from before, you're the one being stupid!" Vexed, irate, annoyed, snappish.

"You—!" Fury—

"Come on everyone! Break time's over!"

- - -

"I'm home, Haha! And I got something from school to give you, I was—was working on it all week and It's really pretty!" One step, two steps, three steps, four...six...thirteen, stop.

"I'll be gone on a business trip for a week and a half Izuku. There is money for food and groceries. Don't waste it.
—Inko"

Pinched hands, pinched lips and pinched eyes. "Again...? But—but she just got home from the last one..."

A card fell to the ground, decorated, designed and adorned in purple, his Haha's favorite colour. He took a deep breath and got a step stool, putting the card on the fridge. She would see it when she got back for sure, and she would love it!

-

Two days after his Haha came home he saw the decorated, designed, and adorned card in the garbage can, half buried under a banana peel. Purple, her favourite, on the card he thought she'd love.

-

Six year old Izuku hunched over, running to his room and stayed there for the rest of the day and into the night. Crying himself to sleep.

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