Author's Note:
Hello! I wrote this story for myself but I figured maybe y'all could enjoy it too. Feel free to ask any questions. This focuses mainly on the OCs, so keep in mind familiar characters will (mostly) be on the sidelines. The story takes place around the time that MHA starts. Enjoy!
~The Cursed One
Content Warnings: depictions of violence, anxiety, and depression
"It's always hero this and heroes that!" Mrs. Bead was complaining. I set the table without a word, my shadow at my heels holding the silverware. I listened to the sound each plate made when it hit the table. "Where are the heroes now? Here? Do you see any gift-wrapped muscle head showing off out in the country? Of course not, they wouldn't get the money and fame!"
I wanted to point out that the only person I ever heard talking about heroes was her, but I wisely kept that thought to myself.
Yes, travelers that passed by liked to describe the wonders of the city, full to the brim with flashy heroes and terrifying villains. We didn't have a TV though, so I found it hard to picture.
I called everyone to the table and we sat and ate. Mrs. Bead piped down with the others, but she knew I usually didn't mind her ranting. At the end of the day, I was grateful to her.
Over half the kids at the home were quirkless, and most of the others kept out of trouble. Jeremy used to spook the others by making things float in the middle of the night, so they thought they were haunted. Allison's ears were just oddly pointy. She usually hid them with a hat. And Nathan actually used his wind quirk to help out most of the time; he would puff up his cheeks and blow a ball right off the roof, or help water the garden by spreading the water.
"Juniper, haven't you got school?" Mrs. Bead asked suddenly. I offered a bright smile.
"Usually yes, but it's exam season and I don't have to take today's!"
"Really?" Allison asked, amazed, "Why?"
"Well, I got very good grades so the teacher said I could just skip it."
"WOW! I'M GOING TO GET THE BEST GRADES!" She cried.
"That's a great idea." Nathan said pleasantly.
"Don't get her hopes up." Toby interjected sullenly, "They won't let you skip tests in elementary school. I tried."
"Well we get good grades for more than skipping tests, isn't that right?" Our caretaker looked at me pointedly. I bobbed my head.
"Alright, who wants to come make dessert with me?" I asked.
After a morning of sticky hands and spilled chocolate chips, I headed to the bedroom to wash up.
No one else here…
I sat with my back against the door and let out a sigh, putting my head in my hands. I stayed like that for a minute. Well, for ten.
An almost imperceptible sound made me realize my mistake. I held back a curse, and raised my gaze guiltily.
Moe stood in front of me, with an almost blank look. I could see a hint of accusation in his eyes though.
"Ah, crap. I didn't notice you. Sorry, Moe." At that, he pouted. I laughed, holding my arms out. He stepped quietly into the hug. "My bad, my bad. Ah, you know I just don't like to worry you. I'm okay, I promise."
He hugged me tighter.
"I promise." I repeated, "Just the usual, buddy." Those words almost brought tears to my eyes but I choked them back with furious determination. I pulled back from the embrace and looked at him with a ready smile, "So, free day! What are we feeling? A walk? Some coloring? We could stay in and sleep." I regretted saying the last option right away; that's what I felt like doing, and I knew for a fact it wouldn't be good for me.
He pointed outside.
"A walk! Excellent choice."
Nine times out of ten, Moe liked for me to pick a route. I did my best to make things fun for him, or I'd repeat old favorites if I was feeling drained. Today was one of those unusual days were he took the lead, tugging me along with a firm sense of where he wanted to go. I wasn't too surprised; the few times he'd caught me like he had earlier usually coincided with attempts to cheer me up; from pretty views to meeting travelers.
This time, he took me to town. I was surprised when he skipped right past the library and the coffee shop. Instead, we entered the general store. He let go of my hand, which always filled me with a sense of alarm and dread, but only ran up to the magazine shelf and returned, holding a flyer with such seriousness, I had to hold back a laugh.
"Okay, let's take a look." I said, sitting on the floor. I knew Mr. Barker wouldn't mind. The flyer had a lot of bright reds and blues. It was advertising… it took me a minute the discern the buzz words from the actual message, "UA High?" I deciphered, then nodded, "Right, they mentioned that place at school. It's a big deal, right? I heard Freddy was applying as a joke." I glanced at Moe but he was looking me with absolute concentration, so I checked the flyer again to find what I was missing. I flipped it over and found much more edible details.
"UA High has three paths of study." I read aloud, "The famous hero course, an incredible support course, and the general course. Each branch is equally important… " I skimmed a bit, "Right, so it says there's a written test, a practical test, and you get in based off points from both. Oof, less than two percent acceptance rate. Poor Freddy." I turned to Moe for a hint, since I still wasn't sure what he wanted me to get here.
There might as well have been stars in his eyes. It clicked and I smiled widely.
"You want to go to UA?" I asked and he gave a jerky nod, "Heck yeah, I can totally see you acing the tests and walking among the greats. It says here that All Might went to UA. Can you believe it?" He was definitely hyped up. I felt a swell of pride. "I'll help you study hard, and I'm sure very soon I'll be seeing you show them what you can do." He was still expectant. "Okay, I give up. What am I missing?"
With a sigh, he gave me an exasperated look and pointed to the date. Entrance exams were in a few days.
I gave my brother a side-long glance.
"So, either you're telling me you want to go and be the first elementary schooler to take this difficult and possibly dangerous test, or you expect me to hop a train to the city and become some sort of fancy superhero. Which is it?"
Moe held up two fingers with a shameless grin. I laughed.
"Both, naturally. Sweetie, I'm nice, and I might even be crazy, but I not even I am that reckless." I got to my feet, holding my hand out. He didn't take it, instead looking frustrated.
"Why not?" He asked, startling me. I could count on my hands how many times I'd heard him speak. I knew this was his way of making me pay close attention and show how serious he was.
"Walk and talk?" I asked, defeated. He took my hand and we walked to our favorite tree. It grew oranges.
Moe was waiting.
"You're still too little to take the test." I told him, "I know you're smart, so smart, but it sounds too dangerous."
"I'd join Support." Wow. He was really determined. His big brown eyes were on fire.
"And you will." I told him, "But my poor heart will go out if you go off to the city when you're still so small." Before he could turn things, I added, "I obviously wouldn't go without you, either, so I'll keep up my studies at the town school house. That way, when you're old enough to go to high school, I can get a job in the city and go with you. It'll be an adventure."
I thought I'd made a pretty good sell, but Moe seemed upset, playing with the hem of his shirt and staring at his shoes.
Since I didn't want this to evolve into an argument, I quickly changed the subject.
"Hey, your birthday is coming up." I reminded him cheerily, "Two days away and you still haven't told me what you want this year!"
A stroke of mischief and inspiration crossed his face and he gave me an ear to ear smile.
