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i. heal
The ability to take and to give. The quirk to heal pain, take it away, and give it to someone else. But he's never seen you give it to someone else. The tattooed marks that accumulate on your once unmarked skin details the history of pain you've taken from someone else.
You always had a smile on your face as you approached someone who was in pain. He was one of them. He was one of the few who were touched by your dedication to save others. The gentleness of your touch, the smoothness in your voice that cooed safety and warmth; he was lured in and enraptured by it.
But no matter how many times he witnessed you heal others. Not once has he seen you give away the pain.
ii. cracks
Perhaps it was a bad match up. No one was sure. But you were nimble enough to dodge Bakugou, and smart enough to read his movements. Sure, it aggravated him, but Kirishima couldn't help his heart sink as he watched you take hit after hit from Bakugou.
But he admires your strength. You weren't the first girl to have held their ground against the explosive boy. And to be able to keep up with Bakugou's fast paced movements and attacks makes not only his respect for you raise, but also others in the class as well.
Then there was a punch from you to the blonde. Bakugou's eyes widen in surprise when the impact of your fist against his stomach was much heavier than anticipated. But both him and the rest of the observers did not let it go unnoticed when he flew across the stadium, out of the puff of smoke that hid the view from everyone else.
His red piercing gaze was focused in on the center of the stage. Your trembling figure held tightly onto the arm that punched Bakugou. Ruby orbs widen in surprise and he can't help but feel concerned upon seeing the pain etched into your visage.
Because even though you've given it away, it was as though it was wrenched away from you.
iii. heavy
His interactions with you weren't far and few. If anything, you were one of his closest friends. But often his gaze lingered far too long on your figure. You could be just studying, or just staring out the window, yet he couldn't help but keep his eyes on you.
Maybe it was his observations of you that he's noticed it though. The way your shoulder dropped and your chin lowered when no one else was around. Your eyes lost their brightness and cheerful glint that made everyone laugh and smile. He wasn't sure where it came from, or how it came too, but it was though your former radiance was stolen away from you.
As much as he wanted to take away your worries and insecurities, it was as though each time he tried to, you took more and more onto your plate. And with each passing day, the intricate designs that once illustrated your body like a canvas were fading away and stealing a part of you away each time.
iv. burden
No one could watch anymore as you looked less like yourself. Each beautiful mark that you once proudly displayed as a part of your quirk was missing. Gone. Completely wiped out.
You were a blank slate, and no one was sure when you had given it all away. But unlike the rest of the class who hesitated to ask, he found himself grabbing you by the wrist and dragging you away. You had made a small sound of protest, but it wasn't enough for him to stop.
"You're hurting, aren't you?!"
He watched as your eyes widened. Those formerly bright hues were nothing but a shadow of their former glory. He feels his breath hitch when he sees the tears well up and spill over. But the gasp that leaves your lips indicate your own surprise at the situation. His hands hover over your smaller figure before gently pulling you close.
"I don't know what it is, but whatever it is. I'm here. We're friends, aren't we? So just," he took in a deep breath and mumbled, "Just let it all out."
v. assuage
He doesn't know how long it took for you to finally break down, for the cracks that slowly grew to just give way and fall apart.
He didn't even know until he had heard the faint whimpering coming from outside the dorm. Upon seeing the tears stream down your face, his actions were faster than his thoughts. By the time he reached the ground floor, your gaze was lifeless. The lit phone screen that hung limply at your side makes him pull it away. Kirishima doesn't even look at the name, he saw the very beginnings of it, and he should have known this was the cause.
You don't even reach for it, but he can tell you're not really there. His heart strings pulled at the hollow shell that was trying to be you. His hand gently rests on your shoulder as he tries to get your attention.
"[F/N]." He had expected some sort of reaction, anything. But he wasn't expecting you to flinch at your own name, the way you had so quickly averted your gaze from his made his heart clench.
"Please, look at me."
You barely shook your head, but Kirishima's voice held such a deep harrowing plead that you barely managed to mutter, "You don't want to look at someone as ugly as me."
"What?"
Kirishima heard the crack in his own voice as he tried to make eye contact with you. Your palms glowed a light green, an indication of some sort of healing. But instead of the gentle touch that alleviated any pain, your hands clenched tightly into fist. Your knuckles turned white, and Kirishima's hand gently covered yours with his and he responded, "You're not."
When his gaze met yours, he repeated, "You're beautiful."
"I'm not. My quirk makes those marks on me that... that make me ugly," a wince crosses your features and he asked, "Do you really think that?"
There was a pause, and the tears well up and you mumbled, "No. But my father-"
"You're beautiful. Your quirk," he paused, and takes a deep breath, "It's beautiful. Your quirk saves lives. You saved mine. And those marks you get when you heal someone, when you take that pain away... they're so cool-" he catches himself, and quickly stuttered, "I-I mean, they're really p-pretty and, well, you're pretty to begin with and pretty c-cute and-"
He stops when he sees the smile and giggles leave your lips. He glances down, and he can't help but smile when he sees your smile. Your hand wraps around his and you sighed, "Thank you.. I almost lost sight of myself."
He wants to say 'that's what friends are for', but with the way your gaze was so loving and appreciative of him, he can't help but pull you in for a tight hug.
"I'll be here, I'll always be here for you," he slowly pulls back and he gives you a bright smile, "So if there's ever a time you think you've reached your limit, tell me, okay?"
I'll always be here for you.
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