"Shouto!"

Izuku ran down the hall by the locker rooms and called after Shouto the moment they were let out of the arena. Shouto had bolted down the hallway leaving Izuku to chase after him. He couldn't just leave things as they are. He just teared the guys emotional walls down and made him deal with what he's sure is years of trauma, he'd be a massive asshole to leave him to deal with that by himself now. Fuck.

"Shouto! Slow down!" Izuku called again. The two-toned boy kept charging down the hallway despite his calls. "Please! Shouto, I just want to talk."

He hadn't meant for this to happen. He only wanted him to use his fire and come to terms with the fact that Endeavor can't control him. What he hadn't wanted to do was win. He was rooting for Shouto to go on to win the whole Sports Festival, it will help him with internships. Izuku's just a random analyst with a secure job and internship, he doesn't need to win, but now he has and probably hurt Shouto's pride along the way.

God, he could practically hear Dabi teasing him about being so great at making friends.

He caught Shouto's wrist and the boy whipped around to face him. His face was set into an angered snarl, lips parting like he was about to snap something when he saw Izuku's face. He appeared to hesitate, freezing and expression softening, but only slightly, still stern and frustrated. "Midoriya," he said, sighing, "What?"

"I, uh." Why was the hand on his wrist so cold? Is it a side effect from using his quirk? What had he wanted to say again? Oh, right. He shifted his gaze from Shouto's hand on his wrist back up to the actual boy himself.

"I wanted to apologize," he said. "I was out of line back there. I shouldn't have said all those thing about your family and your quirk. It's not my place to step in, and I'm sorry. I'm also sorry I knocked you out of bounds. I know you wanted to win this, or to at least beat me."

Shouto scanned over him for a second or two, seeming to think over his choice of words. Izuku felt guilt claw at his chest. He feels like an asshole. It's one thing to rip open Shouto's bag of trauma like that, it's another to then win against him after.

Finally he spoke up. "Don't apologize. You won fairly."

"But I already have a secured internship and you--"

"It doesn't matter," he cut him off. He ducked his head, hair falling into his eyes. "You deserved that win. Besides, I can get an internship without winning this sports festival. You're not the only one who has a secure internship because of my father." 

He forgot about that. He supposes having the number two hero for a father would have its perks like that. Everyone would want him as an intern. Even without his fathers help he could probably get one. He's impressive.

He rubbed the back of his neck and smiled sheepishly. "I guess you're right." He shifted on his feet. "Still, I shouldn't have said half the things I did."

Shouto hummed and gave him a quizzical look. "I don't think so. You were right about all you said. I. . . I think I needed to hear it. And what you said about yourself. . ."

Izuku tensed at that.

"Oh, um. What I said about myself isn't really important. It all just sort of came out," he quickly assured him.

"It seemed important."

"Shouto, I mean it. It's irrelevant."

There was moment of silence that hung between them. Shouto seemed to have a question on the tip of his tongue but he didn't ask it. Instead, he muttered, "I didn't know you were quirkless."

Most people don't apparently, he bitterly thought.

A part of him wondered what Shouto thought of his quirklessness, how it changed his opinion of him. He doubts he'll be discriminating about it but he doesn't know if his reaction will be very good either.

"I don't exactly advertise it," was all he ended up saying.

"I don't think any less of you."

"I know," he says but a feeling a relief still washes over him and eases away his doubts.

Shouto nodded. "Does my father--"

"No." He hadn't needed to hear the rest of his sentence to know what he was going to ask.

"I see." He studied him for a moment before lifting his chin. "I should get going. Goodbye, Midoriya."

"Bye Shouto." He watched him leave, heading for the locker rooms.

He feels a sense of relief overcome him. Today worked, he thinks. Shouto used his fire like planned. He's hoping this will help the boy to step out of his fathers shadow, and maybe even start to trust Izuku more. A part of him feels a twinge of guilt for possibly manipulating him but he tries to dampen the feeling with the knowledge that this is to help Shouto in the end.

"He's powerful, isn't he?"

The arrival of a new voice right behind him made Izuku jump. He spun around and locked eyes with his boss in all his flaming glory.  He gaped, shock filling him. He hadn't even noticed Endeavor creep up on him like that. Had he heard their conversation?

Izuku gulped and forced himself to speak."Um, yeah. He is."

Endeavor looked down at him, eyes narrowing. A small flicker of fear licked at Izuku's gut. The irrational part of him feared that Endeavor had heard what he said about him, but then remembered their words weren't broadcast. The only people who heard their exchange was themselves, if what Mic had told his class about the sports festival audio being shit was correct. Still, it didn't ease his nerves that Endeavor knew he'd insulted him.

"I planned to fire you when I saw you embarrass my son during the first round," he said, words clipped. "You dared to attack his pride, my own pride. It wouldn't have mattered whether you were Sutorimu's pet project or not, you would not have been welcomed at my agency." The flame hero stood taller, chest puffing out. "However," he countered, a steadiness to his tone now, "you redeemed yourself."

Blanking, Izuku frowned in confusion. Redeemed himself?

"At first I was angered with how you treated my son but I see now. You were the challenge he needed to use his fire."

Oh.

The realization came crashing into Izuku. This hadn't been how he thought this day would go. The whole purpose of Shouto using his fire was to get him out of his father's shadow, to embrace himself, and yet. . . here Endeavor was, making it seem like the boy was bending to his own wants, finally molding into the child he desired. There was a part of him that wanted to lash out and claim all the Shouto did out there was not for him.

Instead, he stood up straighter, letting a masked expression take over his face. He can't punch his boss in the face, never mind the number two hero.

"My Shouto is destined to do great things. It would be hard for him to do those things without embracing his fire. Now he may strive. He has figured out he cannot live without my embers, partially thanks to you," Endeavor continued. The hero moved to clasp his hand in front of him. "Which is why, today I offer you the chance to attend a trip to Hosu with Sutorimu-san and, if all goes to plan, Shouto as well. It would serve you well to observe a higher ranked mission as an aspiring analysts. Besides, if today has proved anything, it's that you might be able to encourage Shouto further with. . . other things."

Izuku stood in shock, eyes wide and lips parted. This was a far better outcome than he'd expected. He maybe (probably. Hopefully) gained not only Shouto's trust, but his father's too. The only downside was that last sentence. He wasn't certain he wanted to know what 'other things' were.

He didn't have to fake the joy in his tone as he responded with, "I'd love to come. Thank you."

Endeavor huffed. "Yes. Now win, so not to make a fool of me."

"Yes sir."

And then he was gone as abruptly as his son. 

-:-

He didn't. Win, that is.

He had a round of break time between Shinsou's and his fight. He spent most of it talking to the Todoroki's and then with Recovery Girl, getting another check up on his hand. She said he'd be fine to just let it heal on its own, though the burns may scar a bit.

After, he'd gone out to the arena to face Shinsou. He'd say he lasted well enough. He got a few punches in but in the end, he let himself stumble and answered one of Shinsou's taunting questions. When he stepped out of the line, he couldn't help but think of Endeavors disappointed face and feel a little smug that he lost. Besides, one of the purposes for him being here is to help Shinsou win. He can at least say he put up a bit of a fight to begin.

A more selfish part of him is thankful that now he won't have to face Kacchan. He'd surely lose and he really didn't want to talk to get beat up buy his childhood bully after the packed day he's already had. It was even better when Shinsou beat Kacchan, getting him to answer a question within seconds. Kacchan never really was able to hold his tongue. 

He was told to wait in the locker rooms until the award ceremony. He'd sat himself down on one of the benches and pulled out his phone to find a flurry of texts.

Smelly Flesh Man:
First round down
Hawks wants me to tell you 'Good job and good luck on the next'
Fucking bird

What happened to keeping a low profile???
Could you not win every round, for fucks sake

Did you seriously let that girl practically use you as a model for her inventions??

You're against the baby Todoroki next
Have fucking fun
I'm sure you have a plan.

WTF WAS TAHT PLAN ????
IZUKU MIDORIYA WHAT THE FUCKDID YOU DO
<missed call>
ANSWR BITCH
YOU ARE IN SO MUCH TROUBLE
I'M BANNING YOU FROM USING THE KITCHEN WTF
YOU CAN'T JUST DO THAT
YOU'RE GOING TO BE FIRED
WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT YOU STUPID STUPID GREMLIN?
Hi, Hawks here. I think you broke Dabi. That was incredibly stupid, btw.
I'm going to go calm him down. Be careful, pls, and call us as soon as u have time. Thx

Izuku shook his head and huffed a quiet laugh. For someone who acts like such a tough careless guy, Dabi sure seems to be worried. At least he can trust Hawks to deal with him. He clicked the video call icon at the top of the screen and listened to the phone ring. It took no more than two rings for someone to pick up.

"You fucking dumbass. If there was an award for biggest dumbass of the year, our walls would be lined with trophies," Dabi immediately said and Izuku winced upon seeing his glare through the camera. Dabi was sitting on the bean bag in their apartment from what he could tell from the screen. Hawks was hovering behind him, his red wings tucked behind him and expression looking exasperated like he'd already heard Dabi say this fifteen times in the last hour (likely).Izuku squinted at what he thinks is a foam finger sitting on the table in the background. 

"Hi, how are you? Congrats on getting third," Izuku drawled, rolling his eyes. "Honestly Dabi, I'm fine. I swear. Nothing bad happened, I have it all under control."

"You always say that. Didn't we make an agreement that you'd tell me before you did stupid, reckless shit."

"I didn't think participating in a school event counted as reckless."

"Don't get snarky on me," he growled, glare deepening.

Hawks leaned closer to the camera and said, "I think what Dabi here means is that it didn't look like you were just participating in a school event. The whole tournament you made yourself a fixation of Todoroki's, which is understandable given, well y'know. However, what you did the other round against him was out of line. You clearly angered him and we both saw you two yelling at each other even if we couldn't hear about what."

Izuku got that they were concerned but he truly had it under control. When will Dabi understand he knows what he's doing? He's not just a kid. He's Revite, isn't that what he's always telling him? He narrowed his eyes.

"Am I seriously getting parented by the two of you right now?"

"Yes," Dabi said. He sighed. "Look, I'm not-- we're not-- mad. I just need you to understand that your actions have consequences and luckily, they mostly work out for you, but it won't always so you should at least tell me your plans so I can help in case it all goes south."

Nodding, Izuku couldn't find himself to disagree. He can. . . he can work with that. ". . .Okay. Sorry."

He saw Dabi's expression soften, even if only for a fraction of a second. "It's--Just don't do it again. Want to make it up to us by explaining what the ever-loving fuck was going through your head?"

"Um, about that." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I was trying to get Shouto to use his fire-- and before you say anything, I already talked to him and Endeavor, I didn't mess anything up."

"Elaborate."

Sighing, he did so, retelling how he convinced Shouto to use his fire and bits of the conversation they had after. When he finished going over how Endeavor invited him to Hosu, Dabi burst out laughing while Hawks gasped at him.

"He invited you. . . as a thank you?" Hawks clarified. 

"I guess?"

Dabi snorted and clutched his stomach as he cackled. "Oh my god. He just— Oblivious."

A smile cracked at Izuku's lips as he watched his friend snicker and shake his head. Friend, he thinks he can call him that now. Watching get a kick out of this now brings an extra assurance to that thought. Friends do this, right? Laugh and talk about their days (even if Izuku can't exactly describe his day as normal).

He glanced at Hawks, catching an almost fond look in his eyes. Huh. Interesting.

"Yeah well I'm glad he's oblivious," Izuku remarked. "It makes this whole thing easier. I'm more surprised I made it to third. I mean, there's still Shinsou and Kacchan's round to go but—"

"Excuse me."

The sound of a new voice nearly made him jump. He squeaked and spun around to face whoever had interrupted him. What was with everyone sneaking up on him today?

The figure he saw in the doorway surprised him more than the actual sudden appearance. He'd of expected someone like Shinsou or Uraraka, maybe even Tokoyami, to find him but not the hero he instead saw. Snipe stood tall in the entrance to the locker rooms, his cowboy-like hat tipped slightly forward on his masked face. 

Izuku gawked, surprised. "Uh. . . sorry, are you looking for someone or. . .?"

"Yes, you," Snipe stated calmly like his words weren't the cause for Izuku's increased heart rate. Had one of the teachers sent him? Was he in trouble? Snipe took a step into the room and rested his hands on his hips. "I wanted to speak to you about what you said to Todoroki in the arena."

If possible, his nerves tripled. He scrambled for a response. "What? But you-- you can't hear what we said. People aren't supposed to hear. I don't--"

"People in the stands aren't supposed to hear," Snipe said. "Sadly, we can't do much about stopping those monitoring the battle from below, within normal hearing range. Especially if the opponents are yelling." 

The familiar feeling of his ears heating up washed over him. Great. How many other people had overheard him and Shouto? If Endeavor found out, what would he do to him? 

"Don't worry, only Midnight and I heard you. Trust we won't speak with anyone else about your. . . argument." Snipe slouched a little as he sighed. "I wanted to speak with you about your quirklessness."

The brief bit of relief he felt vanished in seconds. It always came back to this at the end of the day, didn't it? He hardly got a break from this. It'd be nice if for once people didn't make such a big deal out of it, if the world could just except how he was born and moved on.

"You said some interesting things about trying your hardest despite your quirklessness; how you'd do anything for a quirk even if it was from someone who abandoned you. It made me wonder if maybe you only became an analyst because you couldn't be a hero without a quirk."

He wanted to deny it. He almost did. He could say the reason he became an analyst was to protect a few kids from their father, to protect citizens from licensed villains. Within himself, he knew it wasn't the only truth. He only started looking into licensed villains because he'd been longing for something heroic a quirkless person could achieve. A job that didn't depend on some super human power. 

"Something like that," he settled on saying with a shrug. 

Snipe hummed to himself and nodded. It was impossible to guess what he was thinking with the beige mask concealing his features. He said, "I understand. It's not too late for you to become a hero. Only the staff truly know about your quirklessness. You could get away with applying at a place like Shiketsu." 

There was an audible gasp from his phone and Izuku quickly pretended it was his own. Damn it. He'd forgotten Hawks and Dabi will still on the phone. 

There was a sense of surprise that came with what Snipe was implying. The man before him is a hero, surely he knows pretending to have a quirk is illegal. He can't just up and apply for Shiketsu. Even if he got away with getting into the school, how long would he be able to keep the appearance up? Snipe was insane. Did he even know what he was suggesting? He could get his license banned for even bringing it up. 

"I- I can't. . . It's illegal," he protested. "Besides, what would I even say? It's almost impossible to find some skill that would pass as a quirk." 

"There's plenty of passable skills. Having perfect aim, for instance."

"Sure,  perfect aim but that would-- oh." 

It felt as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped on him as he stared blankly at Snipe. This man, this hero who was talented enough to teach at U.A., was. . . like him. Quirkless. He'd faked it, like Feline. He was trying to get him to fake it too. All the things that people had drilled into Izuku had been drilled into Snipe; the same worthlessness and belief that their dreams couldn't be achieved. But here he was, a hero. Izuku couldn't help but feel a little in awe of him. 

"You. . ."

"Yeah."

"And your quirk. . .?"

"Yes."

"Oh my god." Izuku brought a hand to his mouth, eyes blown wide and lips parted. "I don't know what to say. I'm sorry?"

Snipe shook his head. "You have nothing to apologize for. I just wanted you to know, in case you decide you're in need of a career change." 

A year ago, knowing this would have had him rushing to find out what he could play off as a quirk. He knows he would have used this information as fuel for becoming a hero. Now, he only feels a buzz of excitement and admiration.  

He shook his head, trying his best to look sympathetic. "I don't think that decision is one I'll have any time soon. Sorry. I like where I am now." 

"I understand." Snipe stood a little taller, though there was a sad tilt to his voice. He cleared his throat and took a step back. "Well then, I should get going. They will be doing awards soon and I have a feeling Hound Dog will want my help getting the blonde boy onto the stage. Till another time, Midoriya." 

Snipe stepped out of the room and disappeared behind the door. Izuku stared at the door for a few seconds before being pulled away by a familiar voice. 

"Holy shit."

"Dabi, tell me I heard that right."

"I don't think you heard wrong. Fuck. He really just--Wow."

"Wow doesn't cut it."

"Izuku?" Izuku blinked and looked to Dabi through the screen of his phone. He hummed a hm? in question. Dabi narrowed his eyes in a concerned fashion. "You there? You look a little lost in thought."

"Oh." He supposes he was. Anyone would be after finding out there were people like them out there living their dreams. His dream could have been a reality if he hadn't ventured into article writing. His eyes widened. The articles! "Yeah, I'm good just had a really good idea."

"Want to tell us about it when you get home? We can have a little victory dinner for your bronze?" Hawks offered. 

"Bird brain will pay for food."

"Will I now? How about you get a job so you can pay for your own things?"

"Nah."

Izuku cut in, saying, "Actually, I want to work on something when I get home. I hope that's okay?"

"Of course."

"Whatever."

He smiled. "Great. I have to go soon. Bye!"

He hung up before the two could say anything in return. The grin on his face stretched wider. This article is going to make a change. After hearing from Snipe, he knows this is what the world needs. What heroes need. After today, the world won't look through him and the thousands like him. 

-:-

Feline:  Do quirkless heroes exist?

Hero Name: Feline
Quirk:

Eighty percent of the population has a quirk. Quirks vary from simply being able to change the colour of ones eyes, to flying. A focus of our modern day society is quirks and the study of them. It's amusing that for all the attention people put on quirks, they seem to forget that the other twenty percent of the population don't have any.

Nowadays, you need a quirk to do just about anything, even if the quirk is irrelevant to the task. Feline knew this.

The basics of Feline's case is that she acted as a sidekick under Endeavor for two years with the guise of having a quirk that gave her cat like abilities including landing on her feet always and having impeccable smell. It was revealed during an incident on one of her patrols that said quirk was a falsity and she was in actuality quirkless. She was fired and fined for her lies. This is put in the simplest form but there are many more articles on this particular ex-hero which can be found here, here, and  here.

Feline's punishment is a fair one by law. Her fine was within the range of charge for misleading quirk information and any employers of someone who lies about their quirk are perfectly in their right to fire them. The issue is not her consequences but instead her circumstance.

People don't tend to lie about their quirk unless the situation is dire. This is often seen in children or young adults with dubbed 'villainous' quirks who alter the details of their quirk for protection from bullying and harassment. What most don't know is that it is even more common in quirkless people of all ages. A study done by these companies showed that most quirkless citizens lie about their quirk for protection, money or positions.

Feline lied about her quirk so she could become a hero. As it stands now, quirkless people are not permitted to be heroes. The Hero Public Safety Commission's rules state that 'no being without a registered quirk may be permitted a hero license until an official quirk is listed under their legal records.' 

Feline lied about her quirk because there was no other way for her to exist in the way she wanted. It doesn't make her right in lying, but it does help to understand why she did it.

Ignoring her wrong doings, Feline was an incredible hero. She wasn't in the top hundred, her being only a sidekick. However, she was among the top fifty heroes in terms of rescuing civilians. She wasn't a popular hero by any means, usually picking up after Endeavor and sticking to rescuing civilians while he fought. She was a good hero though. Much better than many that we praise.

The point to this is that it is possible to be both quirkless and a good hero, at least it would be if the Commission reordered their rules and didn't discriminate against those lacking quirks.

Most of those reading this are probably taken aback. Discrimination? Quirkless people don't face discrimination, you might say. The truth is quite the opposite.

Let's take a step back from Feline and focus on quirklessness as a whole. A fifth of the population is quirkless. A fifth of the population has the highest suicide rate in youth and young adults. A fifth of the population faces the most struggle in finding jobs and deal with homelessness. A fifth of the population is regularly harassed and bullied.

But quirkless people don't face discrimination, right?

Imagine you're five years old and your quirk still hasn't made itself known yet. Everyone keeps telling you that it will come eventually, you're just a late bloomer. Few more months pass and a visit to the doctor declares that no, a quirk will not appear for you. Your parents seem sad, or disappointed but you don't know why. When you go to school the next day, your teacher announces that you are quirkless and therefore might need some extra help with things. A few kids tease you, maybe one or two make a joke about you not being evolved enough, but that's all. That's how it starts.

The week after that, your best friend is wondering why you think you can hang out with them. They say that you're different, below them. Your aunts and uncles question what you'll do for a job, it's not like anyone will hire a quirkless person. You read about quirk evolution in class and kids start to shout that you wouldn't understand. Eventually, you find yourself stuck inside your classroom alone, staring out the window as your old friends play ball outside, an invitation to play not extended to you.

By the time a dozen weeks have past since being confirmed as quirkless, most people begin to face harsher effects from those around them. People start putting them down, calling them useless and names not fit for the ears of children. Teachers pick sides, going as far as to sometimes praise bullies for their behavior, thus fueling future problems for both the bully and the victim. Grades decline (sometimes rigged by teachers), social status dwindles. Commonly, by junior high quirkless teens are depressed and without any social groups, ridiculed by many.  By high school, suicide and homelessness rates rise, that is in the cases in which quirkless youth haven't already been kicked out of their homes.

This is a general struggle for quirkless individuals. It's not something many people realize.

Feline likely went through all of this. She probably wanted to be a hero her whole life and was always told she couldn't be one. When the idea to fake a quirk arose, she likely grabbed it by the reigns and saw it as a chance to actually do something meaningful. Because of how people treat them, many quirkless people would see any opportunity like so as a light at the end of the tunnel.

The fact is, quirkless discrimination does exist, and it ruins the minds and health of many people. It is wrong, and uncalled for. Quirkless does not mean worthless, nor pitiful, nor weak, nor incapable. People can do great things without a quirk and society needs to stop acting like otherwise.

If we continue on down this road, we will lack a chance to better our world. If our youth remain depressed, what is there left for the world when we are gone? How much better would our world function if we welcomed twenty percent of our population to work and support instead of turning them away at first glance?

Quirkless people are important, they matter and deserve to be treated as such. If you think otherwise, you are no better than the many licensed villains out there.

They are quirkless, not worthless.

-Revite.

-:-

"Revite's newest article defends quirkless people and speaks out about the struggle they face. The article focuses on a past hero Feline who  was fired after being revealed to have no quirk and--"

"The article is not the first of its kind if we take a look at these websites here regarding--"

"-- and it's horrid. The things people do to each other simple because of a quirk status? Revite shows us quirkless challenges but he also mentions villainous quirks. Which is why today I'd like to talk about quirk discrimination overall and my personal strug--"

"The shocking new article of Revite's is blowing up more than any other of his, only having been out for a two hours and already taking over the internet."

"--to stand up for us. I can't believe it. Revite is doing good."

"--is he right? Will my kids be forced to go to school tomorrow and be told quirkless people deserve a place in this world? It's basic evolution and they didn't make the cut. Survival of the fittest, process of elimination? Does that mean nothing to anyone now that this online phony says otherwise?"

"It's an interesting point Revite makes. The idea that not having a quirk doesn't make you weaker. I can't say I can pick a side in this discussion. Where is the evidence?"

"--here at city hall where a crowd of protesters have formed demanding for the HPSC to reform the law that quirkless peoples can't be heroes. Beside me is a quirkless woman who--"

"We've seen in the past that Revite's articles cause controversy but this could possibly be the biggest disruption he's created yet. Are we sure the public is ready to question our opinions on the other twenty percent of the population?"

"My son went his whole life bullied and harassed.  He was threatened once with his life. I tried to send him to counselling to help but-- but everyone turned him away, refused to treat him. I had to watch my son come home with bruises on his body and nothing I did or said to anyone helped. Last. . . oh god, last year he took his own life. There are so many people like my son that need to be saved. I just. . . I want to be hopeful for change."

"--can't believe these people! The assholes that victimized and bullied others because they didn't have a quirk! How inhumane do you have to be to think that's okay?! Fuckin--"

Katsuki slammed down on the off button on the remote before throwing it across the room. Every fucking channel was saying the same thing. His phone was vibrating with texts from his class chat talking about that article.

He felt his chest constricting, breaths quickening as a hand came up to pull his shirt away from his sweaty skin. There was a sense of dread and confusion that masked over him and he found himself curling up tighter on his living room sofa. Some twisted part of his mind clawed at the loudest thought in his head.

Deku.

There was a new and strange flood of emotions that came with that name. Katsuki couldn't name them but he felt they resembled something like grief. An odd variant of disappointment and failure directed at himself. Between being beat today at the festival and this. . . he didn't know what he was doing. 

He's been trying so hard. He swears. He thought he was getting somewhere and now, this. This fucking article that has plagued his thoughts for the past hour. This stupid stupid article that calls all of his progress bullshit. The article that made so much sense but turned everything he's ever known hazy.

It was months ago when he first discovered Revite along with the rest of the world. He'd first had his attention caught by the article on Shudder, describing the way he used his quirk to harm rather than save. He'd seen himself in that article. He'd prided himself on it at first until he saw others lashing out against Shudder. When the next article came out from Revite, he read it thoroughly, taking notes on the side of a paper. What better way to learn than to do better than other peoples mistakes? If he was going to be a hero, this was a good start to reaching number one.

The worst part about reading the articles was seeing himself in them. He could tie himself to almost every licensed villain. He'd fumed for a week after one particular article touching on a hero who didn't care about people, only about money, similar to his drive for number one. Anyone who approached him was blown up and cursed out. That week he'd spent with a hurricane of thoughts and contemplation.

He'd came to a conclusion buy the following Friday. He'd fare better if he listened to what Revite was saying.

That decision developed into a sort of idolization he hasn't felt towards anyone but All Might. With each bit of advice he found in the margin lines of Revite's articles, he changed, grew. Or at least he thought so. He's pretty sure no one noticed but his father who'd smiled at him once when he'd restrained himself from exploding his mother at a crude comment she made.

When he found out Deku was becoming an analyst, he'd initially thought to blow up at him. It only took him a little bit to remember an analyst would better him as hero, offer him advice and guidance like how Revite does now. And maybe Deku's a worthless weakling who could never be a hero, but if there's anything he knows the boy can do, it's ramble on about talents and weaknesses. No doubt he'd succeed in this new field, and damn it Katsuki was going to take advantage of that.

He found his judgement clearer the more he read Revite's articles. He'd always have that impulsive first reaction to get angry and smash someones head in, but it was becoming more normal for a second thought to keep him from doing so. A thought that always asked what Revite would think about the situation. Who was right? What was the advantage? What are the consequences to whatever action he wants to take?

With those questions, he'd thought he'd been growing. He didn't scare off his new classmates. He was praised by All Might for his combat skills and strategist. Aizawa-sensei had said he'd noticed his hesitation before releasing his frustration on his classmates in the form of aggressive words and occasional fists. He'd been doing so good, so why did this one article make him feel like the opposite.

Fuck, this day could not get any worse. He'd already lost against that stupid fucking general studies kid and had needed Deku to win the first round at the sports festival, now this? Today was supposed to be good, not end up with his ass on the sofa, trying to wrangle in his guilt from a fucking article.

How inhumane do you have to be to think that's okay?!

The last channels words rang through his head. That's really what it boiled down to, isn't it? He'd fucked up, done something inhumane and irreversible. He listened to the woman on the television talk about her son and the bruises he bared, the hurt he felt, and it brought to mind a memory of a green haired boy backed against a wall cowering while Katsuki told him to swan dive off a building.

He hadn't-- fuck. He doesn't know what to think, to say to justify what he'd done.

They are quirkless, not worthless.

Were they really? He'd gone his whole life thinking otherwise and now this person he'd come to admire, take guidance from, was saying he was wrong; Called him and anyone like him a licensed villain. He'd been working so hard to not be dubbed that title and yet he still was. He couldn't run from all the things he'd done.

What even had he done? How many horrid things had he gone through with without half the mind to ask if he was wrong? He hadn't even thought about the things he did to Deku when he was coming up with ways to better himself. How much had he hurt Deku? What damage had he made?

Deku could have been like Feline. Katsuki had told him his whole life he couldn't be a hero as a quirkless boy. He could have lied about having a quirk and became a hero alongside Katsuki. What then?

He put his head in his hands and tugged at a fistful of his hair.

Fuck, fuck, shit. Dammit.

Revite was talking about him. He's the bad guy in this. He can't be a hero when he hurt others. He knows this, fuck. He knows this and still waved aside how he treats Dek--Izuku. Ripping on his hair more, he cursed himself. Deku's not his name. Gods, he couldn't even get his name right.

He has to be better. If he wants to number one, or even a hero at all, he has to do ten times what he's doing now. He's been listening to Revite up until now, why stop? He doesn't understand, not fully, but he can try. He can look at the woman on the television crying about her son, the other man speaking about quirk discrimination, the reporter who says Revite is doing good, and he can try and understand what people like him do to the world. He has to make things better.

Pulling his head out of his hands, he sat up and took a deep breath. He reached across the couch to where his phone was resting, still vibrating from 1-A's messages. When he opened up his texts, he didn't go to the chat but instead scrolled for a contact he hadn't reached out to in ages.

He could do better. He could try at the very least and this was the first step. He hopes it's enough.

He sent the text.

Me:
I'm sorry.

It was a start.