chatsick

Today makes the second time a villain has seen Dabi's scars and jumped to the conclusion that he must be a lonely reject. He refuses to be recruited, though; he doesn't need the camaraderie of villains when his best friend Jin accepts him just how he is. When the two of them realize that they're not the only ones struggling with quirk side effects, decide to do a little recruiting of their own. An online support group is just the type of community that can help connect them with other people who understand their pain.

Meanwhile, Ochaco's migraines are getting worse, Izuku's bones are made of glass, apparently, and nobody can read the secrets written plain as the nose on Hagakure's face. Tokoyami endeavors to maintain a balance between his own will and that of the creature that is his constant companion. Kaminari's tendency to short-circuit leaves him believing the cruel nicknames given to him by his friends who don't know how much words can hurt. Koda wants their classmates to understand that their inability to verbalize their thoughts doesn't mean they aren't listening. Izuku stumbles upon Dabi and Jin's support group and it might be just what his friends need to begin to treat the wounds that even Recovery Girl's kisses haven't been able to heal.

This chatfic explores themes of disability, chronic illness, mental illness, and pain, with a sense of humor and camaraderie only possible with a healthy dose of commiseration.