Puppet Master

What It Means To Feel Safe

"Welcome."

Twelve-year-old Izuku walked into the Junk Shop, hearing the familiar greetings of the man behind the counter. Izuku nodded at the man. He had deemed him one of the few, FEW, people it was 'safe' to interact with, even if on a minuscule level. Izuku walked up to the man.

He glanced down at his old red hightops that had a hole so big Izuku could literally see his toes sticking out of them. He raised his eyebrow and looked back at the man.

"Ah... Are you looking for regular walking around shoes or ones for your vigilanting, Mr. Golden Whip?" the man asked. Izuku never really learned his name. He just called him Gramps in his head because of the beard.

"V- vigilante," he confirmed. Izuku did not need to waste his bills on other shoes. He could get some ducktape to fix his red hightops. However, it was highly dangerous to be wearing them on patrol and while fighting. The man hummed. "I will see what we have but we don't usually sell footwear here. Feel free to look around while I am in the back."

Izuku nodded. Gramps ducked under the curtain behind the counter that leads to the back of the store for employees only, or for the only employee.

Izuku prowled through the store. He had been here two weeks ago so there was little to be seen past what he already knew was there. Nothing new. He stopped at the bowties. Izuku tried to imagine himself in one of them, or rather, Golden Whip in one of them. He silently chuckled to himself before moving on.

Izuku stopped at the bucket of random items and ruffled through it. He pulled out a roll or white ducktape. Bingo. Izuku slid it onto his arm like a bracelet to hold it while he was walking around. Izuku went over to the weapons. He lifted an eyebrow.

He had saved up $72 from various criminals and villains in the past half a year. Could he afford a flamethrower? He wouldn't need it for fighting, it didn't match the persona, but he could use it to heat and mold some scrap metal he had gathered. He looked at the tag. $50.

He heard the curtain move and left the weapon area to meet Gramps back by the counter. The older man placed a pair of black sneakers on the counter. "These should be in your size," he said. "And, if you want to fit the color scheme," he placed a can of gold spray paint next to them, "I'll throw this in for free." Izuku slid the ducktape onto the counter.

"H- how much?"

"In all, $30."

Izuku suppressed a sigh. So long flamethrower. He slid a ten and twenty over the counter and took his new belongings. Izuku cast a glance at the flamethrower as he walked by it to the exit but kept walking.

"Ah-" Izuku jumped. He looked at the man. "I forgot to say it, but that flamethrower hasn't sold well. I guess I should knock it down a bit to say... $40?" Izuku studied the man. Gramps gave his usual grin. If I save money I can get an extra loaf of bread along with maybe a candy bar. I could even eat out. But... He glanced back at the flamethrower. His little kid heart jumped for joy at the prospect of it. He took a sharp turn, pulled it off the shelf, and placed the rest of his cash on the counter. Gramps grinned and handed back his change of a whopping two dollars. Izuku stuffed the flame thrower at the bottom of his bag and pocketed the change. Before he left, Izuku glanced back at the man.

"T- t- thank y- you."

Gramps smiled. "See you soon."

And with that, Izuku was gone, pulling up his hood as he walked down the street. Izuku paused by the gas station. He fiddled with the pocket knife in his hoodie pocket, reassuring himself that it was, in fact, there before entering. Izuku felt his heart rate spike at just the thought of entering but he did so anyway. He had two dollars and there was a chocolate bar in the candy section with his name on it. Izuku crouched by the row of assorted candy bars. His mouth watered. The theory was to get the most bang from your buck so he chose a two for one deal of a regular-sized Truffle Bar. Izuku felt his skin prickle. He glanced to his left. There was a large man 'browsing' through the candy on the other side but Izuku caught how he kept glancing at the boy.