Artifice

Don't Call It Cordial

A/N rq this chapter is 2482 words long.

3rd POV:

Izuku jolted awake in a cold sweat. His heart raced. He gasped for air as if he were drowning. Each breath he took felt like sharp blades scraping along his throat and lungs. Sweat was collected on his forehead, sticking his hair to his face.

His hands trembled as he reached out for anything solid only to grasp onto the sheets.

It felt like he was back there again.

He could still feel it: the stinging pain that lingered in the reminder of his dreams shattering. It was happening again—the sting of failure, the ache of shattered dreams.

Dabi was sitting sleepily in the corner of the boys' room. Had he been there all night?

The second he sensed something wrong, he jolted up from his sitting position on the floor, the sleepiness immediately leaving him.

"Hey, Izuku, calm down. You're ok." Dabi said as he reached out to place a reassuring hand on the smaller boys back.

He could hear Dabi's voice but couldn't understand the words over the overwhelming thoughts that enveloped his mind. He sat there with the sheets over him like chains he couldn't break.

"Look at me. Just breathe."

Dabi grabbed his wrists, leading Izuku to shift his gaze to Dabi's bright blue eyes. Dabi's presence kept Izuku from spiraling further.

Izuku's breathing was still unsteady, but his eyes softened slightly.

Dabi had gotten pretty good at consoling people ever since his mom and sister would always talk him down after a beating from his father.

"Izuku, tell me what's wrong, please." He said softly with an unusual gentleness.

Dabi sat quietly for a moment. "What's going on, kid? What's got you so worked up?"

Izuku opened his mouth as if to say something but shut it after nothing came out.

A knock on the door broke his train of thought. He was about to tell the person to fuck off until he saw Toga slowly open the door.

"Is he freaking out again?" She said quietly.

Dabi just nodded in response.

Toga crossed the room and climbed onto the bed, sitting on the opposite side of Izuku. She grabbed his hand, squeezing gently. Dabi shifted closer, settling on the edge of the bed beside Izuku. He took the boy’s other hand.

His breaths were short, sharp gasps as his eyes began to water.

"Spill your heart out. Tell us what's wrong, we'll listen. I promise." Toga murmured as she gently squeezed his hand.

"I-" He paused and took a deep, shaky breath. "A year ago." He stammered. "I- I met my idol at the time. All Might, y'know 'cause I was obsessed with being a hero."

Dabi and Toga exchanged glances but stayed silent, waiting for Izuku to continue.

He faltered for a moment before continuing. "Was, until that day. I asked him a stupid question. I asked if it was possible for me to be a hero without a quirk. I wasn't expecting much, just the usual 'You can be whatever you set your mind to.' Y'know those stupid delusions they feed you as a child."

He hesitated at his next words. "Instead of that, he... he said,'You? A hero? Don't kid yourself." His voice cracked. "You don't have a quirk, and without one, you're nothing. No matter how hard you try, you'll never be one of them. Face it. No quirk, no chance. Honestly, what's the point? You might as well be a villain or dead. At least then, you might be of use.'" Izuku choked out the last few sentences.