Chapter 1
Life is unfair and uncaring, a fact young Izuku had learnt some time ago when he first got sick. It wasn't until the pain started, seeping itself into his very being that he truely learnt just how unjust the universe is.
This cruel, sickening pain had been with him for months and it showed. His cheekbones had sunken, darkness circled his eyes and his once bright eyes were dull and lifeless. The pain subsided at times, only to flare up again and with seemingly increased intensity. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, but even this proved a hassle and a pain as conflicting thoughts corrupted his mind.
Fortunately there were some calm moments, moments when the pain was easy to manage and even easy to ignore, but they didn't last. For now the pain was manageable. Annoying, but manageable.
But Izuku wasn't the only one affected by his illness, his parents to sharing in his suffering. His father showed the stress, his black hair showing wisps of white and an almost constant five o'clock shadow to accompany the same eye-bags that his son held.
Inko didn't show her stress openly, but the weight gain and stress lines barely visible on her face that are usually concealed by makeup. It's unclear why she hides the stress signs, seemingly going about her life the best she can. This semblance of normality was comforting for both her and her son.
Good things can't always last
It was a gloomy day and Izuku's pain was at an all time high, accompanied by a fever that refused to break. The young boy of only five, cried for his parents and begging the pain to stop. The young greenette could hear the familiar voices of his parents in the other room, their voices raised In a screaming match
"I can't take it anymore Hisashi, It hurts me too much to keep looking after him. Every day I telling myself that he is my son and I should stay strong and keep helping him but then I see him, laying in his bed likes he's ready to die and my heart breaks… I c… can't do it anymore" Inko ranted at her husband, her voice watery as she tried to stop herself from crying.
"Inko…w…what are you saying? He's can get better, we just need to hold out hope" Hisashi rebuffed her
"I have no more hope left to hold onto Hisashi, his not going to get better. So either put him out of his misery or I'm leaving. I just can't anymore Hisashi"
"Inko! You can't be serious, I'm not going to kill my own son. If you want to go, then fucking leave and don't bother coming back because if you do. I'll fucking kill you" Hisashi growled, flames licking the edge of his lips
"Fine then let him suffer, you can join him in hell for all I care…" Inko said as she picked up her already packed suitcase, marching towards the door "He never should have been born in the first place"
With her last comment, she slammed the door behind her. The now single father dropped to his knees, sobbing into his hands. It wasn't until the small patter of feet that Hisashi noticed the child
"Daddy… D…Did mommy leave us?" Izuku asked, his eyes brimming with tears
"I'm so sorry Baby Broccoli" Hisashi said
"She left because of me didn't she?" Izuku asked, looking at him innocently with big green watery eyes
"Mommy wasn't strong enough to look after you ok, it's not your fault baby broccoli"
"You're not going to leave as well are you?"
Hisashi stopped for a moment, looking at his crying child as tears rolled down his gaunt cheeks
"I promise you that Ill never leave, ok? That's a promise Il keep no matter " Hisashi says
"Is it like a pinky promise?" Izuku asks
"Yes, I pinky promise" He said as he linked his much larger pinky with his sons "Now let's get you back to bed"
Hisashi picked up Izuku, horrified at just how light his son is. The child clung to his father, curling In on the warmth of the man as they made their way to Izuku room. Hisashi could feel his sons ribs as they walked, listening to him struggle to take a full breath
The room itself was a fairly basic child's bedroom, except some furnishings were removed to make way for machines to help monitor Izuku's health
He laid the boy down on his bed, tucking him in. He took a cloth, dipping it in water and placed It on Izuku's forehead.
"Daddy will you sing me a lullaby?" Izuku asked with a tired croak
"Sure thing small bean" Hisashi said, pulling out his phone
Music begun to fill the room as Hisashi begun to sing an old lullaby from the pre-quirk era
"Goodnight sweetheart, well, it's time to go. Goodnight sweetheart, well, it's time to go. I hate to leave you but I really must say. Goodnight sweetheart, goodnight" Hisashi begun to sing with a rich baritone voice, making Izuku nod off
"Well, it's three o'clock in the morning. Baby, I just can't treat you right. Well, I hate to leave you, baby. I don't mean maybe because I love you so. Oh goodnight, sweetheart, goodnight"
The room is filled with Izuku's soft snores, making the man smile. He stood, stopping to kiss Izuku on the forehead for a moment. He then slowly backed out of the room, gently closing the door behind him.
"I promise Izuku, will fix you. I will give you a chance at living and shot at being a hero like you've always dreamed even if I damns myself in the process" He muttered, marching towards a locked door
He unlocked it, slipping into the room and closing it behind him. He flipped the light on, the light illuminated the sterling looking lab. The various unfinished gadgets were laying strewn about, one standing out amongst the rest. A half-finished mechanical heart lay under a pinned ultrasound of a child's heart, The label reads 'Midoriya Izuku'