"READYMADE", BY ADO

-\ XX /-

Kaminari Denki was in better spirits than before. The air felt breathable again and his skin didn't feel like it was on fire. Midoriya was next door, out of the hospital, and even seemed his usual self. That was good… Almost too good. Denki had no idea what truly happened that day – he never asked. Every time Denki looked at him, he'd notice some other scratch or scar. Once, at lunch, Denki noticed how one of Izuku's thumbs had a healing scar wrapped around its base while the whole digit bore a strange off-color from the rest of his hand. Occasionally, he spotted an inflamed maw held together by sinew peeking out from Midoriya's collar or the hem of his shirt.

Wounds like that aren't given by weak bumps and scrapes. He knew not to ask – Midoriya would talk when he was ready… Which seemed about now. Midoriya seemed fine, but given the scars, it felt like a facade.

"Is the guy holding a brave face so that he doesn't worry everyone…?" pondered Denki as he pulled his cap on tight. "Do I play into it just to finally know…?" His face contorted and screwed as he left his dorm, "What if I trigger him or something…? I don't want to cause him any more pain…" He gritted his teeth, scratching at his head, before groaning, "Aw, hell! Am I just overthinking all of this?!"

"Why're you being so loud?" yawned Midoriya as he walked past.

Denki jumped, bumping into the stairwell's railing, "Ah! M-Midoriya!"

"It's too early for this volume – could ya quiet down a bit?"

"R-Right…" He coughed, "Morning."

Midoriya muttered back as they descended, "Morn…"

"What's, uh, got ya so sleepy?" He popped a brow, "Had trouble sleeping?" He offered, "You can tell me if there's anything wrong?"

"Do you know how to make an electric guitar?" asked Midoriya.

"E-Eh?"

Midoriya said, "I've been trying to figure out how to make one durable enough… The body can be metal, but the neck will still have to be wood…"

"What…?"

"It wouldn't be too far off from an actual warhammer or axe. I'd just have to reinforce it properly…" muttered Midoriya.

"What is he going on about?" pondered Denki – aloud, accidently.

Midoriya chuckled, "It's a Support Item for class – a weapon for Jirou."

Denki rolled with his error, following the lead, "A-A guitar?"

"Hm…" He shrugged, "Well, I just that… uh, since she uses noise to fight, a guitar could add some variety?"

Denki teetered his head, "I guess that would be pretty neat…"

"Right?"

He studied Midoriya's face, "Facade or truth… I can't read it for shit…" He internally sighed.

Midoriya suddenly flashed a wide smile, "Oh, hey… I got something really cool to tell ya."

"Yeah?" said Denki, catching a smile from him.

"I got the permission slip signed…" said Midoriya, punching his palm. "I'm going to join the Field Support program for my Work-Study."

Denki slowly echoed, "Field Support…?" His mind wandered as he slowed, "Sidekicks before there were sidekicks…" His hands grew clammy, "Working with Heroes…" The hairs on his neck peaked while a flare pulsed from his chest, "Fighting…"

He forced a chuckle, "Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean isn't it a bit dangerous for you?"

Midoriya's smile turned thin – maintaining shape, "Hm…" He looked forward, picking up his pace, "I got discharged and my physicals haven't come up a single complication."

"I don't just mean physically, man," said Denki. "I mean… you can't really protect yourself, ya know?"

"Well, actually, then, you'd be impressed with what I've been working on." Midoriya suggested, "My Support Items can cover a lot of bases."

"I don't think Support Items can really fix all of the problems, dude," argued Denki. "Uh, I mean… those Items just help – they're not… that."

"They will help," concurred Midoriya.

Denki sighed, "Not like that – they help Quirks; not—"

Denki cut himself off as Midoriya yawned, walking further away, "It's too early for this conversation…" He turned, flashing another smile, "Right?" Faced away, he said, "Let's just get to school – shouldn't be late."

"M-Midoriya…" He picked up his pace, "W-Wait, that didn't come out right."

"Really?" muttered Midoriya before a sigh followed. "Let's just… not. I'm not awake enough for this…"

Midoriya walked on as Denki froze – whatever anxiety he already had flared even further. "Shit…" He gritted his teeth, "Shit…!" He sighed, "He's going into Field Support…?" He scratched at his scalp, "I gotta talk to the others about this…"

-XXX-

'The Axe' was in the shape of a guitar. Its internals were basically a carbon-copy of the War-Hammer. Metal bars laced about its insides; meant to brace and distribute shock as a dampening system. It lacked the space for the actual workings required for a functioning guitar, but he was still in the prototype phase. At the moment, the melee function took priority. It was finding that mix between aesthetic and purpose. The neck of the Item needed to be comfortable to wield with strings across it.

That's why Izuku was swinging into the test dummy with what was basically a metal club. "The gloves I designed are working… Just thick enough, but not restrictive…" The neck's sides were rounded off and a set of six carbon wires were stretched across its flat face. "The wires are a good enough substitute – ten gauge wire to ten gauge string…" The Axe bounced off the dummy; reverberated with each blow. The internal braces caught the shift and vibrations, distributing throughout but quieting by the time it reached the neck. "It's still too heavy…" And yet, he lifted it and swung harder than before.

The practical research was important, but it wasn't the only thing… Gratification… It scratched an itch that came and went; that wasn't meant for anyone… His blood was bubbling while he sucked deeper and deeper breaths. "I know why…" His teeth gritted, "I nearly died… It's only logical – just concern…" His muscles began to burn, "And yet… it's too familiar… to him…"

The Axe bounced off, "Please…" He swung, "I can do this…" It bounced, "Let me do this…" He swung, "Just…" and something cracked…

"Mr. Midoriya!"

Izuku sucked in a breath, barely looking over his shoulder – at the observation glass, "Mr. Abraham."

"Mr. Fujimori requires the range," said Mr. Abraham. "I also understand that things require very extensive testing, but there are limits to such things."

He panted, "Right… sorry." He pushed his hair from his face, "Just… lost track of time…"

Izuku looked down at 'The Axe' and found that a substantial crack formed where wood met metal. He gritted his teeth before letting the Item touch the ground. He spared a glance towards the glass, noting that his teacher had already moved on. His leg rose before stomping on the break, snapping it.

He pulled the broken junk out of the range and towards his station, abandoning it on the workbench. "Wood wasn't supported enough to withstand extensive use…" He sighed, "Maybe… I could run a tang from the body into the neck… like a chef's knife… or a sword…"

"Of course, the beefiest guy here would break his own shit," commented a passing Okuma.

"Shut," said Uemura.

Izuku looked down at himself, "Beefy…?" He walked over to his computer, "Feel like I'm gaining mass a lot faster than before… A side-effect from Recovery-Girl's Quirk…?" He shrugged off the thought, "Lucky me, I guess… Suits my needs just fine…"

He pulled up a personal file, "Upgrading the Maneuver Belt wouldn't take much…" He thought, "Ingenium's Engine Quirk…?" He rubbed his chin, "Maybe I can use pressurized air to adjust and bolster my in-air movements…" He scratched the back of his head, "Definitely need to make a helmet, if I'm going to try that…"

"Most Heroes don't wear helmets or armor in general… I guess it does harm the whole celebrity aspect of the thing…"

"Fatal break, Mr. Midoriya?" said Mr. Abraham.

Izuku nodded, "Yes, sir. I already have a fix in mind."

"I see." He took a breath, "Ingenium signed off on your Work-Study… I assume you're working with him?"

Izuku hesitated, "I'm not sure yet actually…" He reasoned out, "He's a good teacher, no doubt… But, I kinda wanted to see if someone needed me, you know?"

"Go where you are needed," echoed Mr. Abraham. "I understand; you still have enough time to make a decision."

"Thank you."

Mr. Abraham coughed, walking over to a nearby mannequin, "I see you've made many changes to Ms. Jirou's costume as well."

"Yeah."

"Did she approve of them?"

"Uh…" He shrugged, "I just kinda made it." He forced out a chuckle, "That textile machine works fast and has so many templates…"

"I know you won't force the designs upon her, but in order to avoid wasting your time, you should run those changes by her before making them."

"Understood…"

He let out a small cough, "Why don't you walk me through it? Out of curiosity."

"Well… I wanted to bring some comfort to the design with some… hidden protection."

He noted, "You left the pants and boots alone."

"Ditched the skirt and vest." Izuku gestured to the salmon, sharkbite-hem shirt, "The base top is just loose enough to hide this." He left the hem of the shirt, revealing an armored vest. It was lightweight but held extra pockets for armored plates.

"I suppose there's nothing wrong with some extra protection."

Izuku's hand traveled upward to the vest's replacement, a cropped jacket with a cowl, long-sleeves, and two straps hanging from the hem. "Kept the speaker on the front, but took the Bluetooth controller on the epaulets and put them on the inside of the cowl."

"Hm… Why?"

Izuku reasoned, "I assumed her jacks are made with the same tissue as her ears."

"Cartilage…"

"And that they work very similarly to actual audio jacks and copper wires." He fidgeted with hands, "Things that aren't easily fixable especially… if they're organic…"

"I see."

"I snuck shoulder-pads and elbow-pads in there too."

"The straps?"

Izuku explained, "Judging by the usual burst of soundwaves from the speaker – it'd send the whole thing back into her like a projectile. The straps tighten the jacket and let her use it full force."

"And when she doesn't, she can loosen it for comfort," concluded Mr. Abraham.

"Yep."

Mr. Abraham nodded, "Well thought out. Now, you just have to hope she approves."

"Yeah…"

"Oh, I should also ask about your personal gear," Mr. Abraham said.

"I'm currently working on it."

Mr. Abraham lifted his tablet, "I saw your designs for your body armor."

"And?"

"They're well-made." He showed Izuku the screen, "I was curious about this… It seems purely aesthetic, but I was wondering about its inspiration."

A smile crept across his face, "Heh… I didn't even realize…"

"Hm?"

Izuku scratched his nose, "When I was kid, I used to draw up… my own Hero costume…"

Mr. Abraham slowly smiled and nodded, "Ah, I see. I suppose we all had that phase…"

"You did too?"

"Of course, I had plenty of Heroes flying about in my time, too," laughed Mr. Abraham. "If I may ask, is that why you submitted for the Field Support study?"

Izuku hesitated, "U-Uh…"

"I see. You do have a knack for Support Development, but in the beginning, you never had much of a drive for this…" He sighed, "It just looked like you were working…" He shook his head, chuckling, "I know how that feels…"

"I…"

Mr. Abraham patted his student's shoulder, "I'm not judging you, Mr. Midoriya." He put his hand on his hip, "I do believe in letting people learn – to letting them figure out who they are. If being a Field Support Agent is your passion, I'll do my best to help you find out." He assured, "Ingenium seems to think the same." He sighed, "I'm worried, of course, but if someone like him thinks you'll be fine, I'm inclined to agree." With a nod, he went on his way, looking about the workshop, "I'll leave you to it."

Izuku nodded, "Y-Yeah… Nose to the grind…" He kept his scowl internal, "I feel like a real piece of shit…" He gritted his teeth, turning back to his station, "But… he won't need just Ingenium's 'word' for long…"

-XXX-

"I mean… if the teachers are allowing it…" murmured Shinso.

Denki shook his head, pushing his lunch to the side, "How could they?" He had assembled the usual suspects for their lunch break. The cafeteria was busy around them, hiding their conversation well enough. And, luckily, there was a missing piece – leaving them to talk freely about said missing party.

Jirou sighed, "I kinda agree with Shinso here… If he's saying he's going, Mr. Abraham probably approved – Dr. Yaritezawa, too."

"And you know how she can be," said Shinso. "If she whiffs injury, you're not going – especially if you managed to hide it under her nose."

Ashido recalled, "Yeah, didn't she, like, strap you down one time?"

"But… he isn't…" trailed off Denki.

Shinso shook his head, "Kaminari, you're going in circles here." He then said, "I mean, I'm worried, yeah, but we're going on our Work-Study – after the whole Stain-thing too. I don't see much of a difference."

Jirou winced, "Well, there is a difference—"

"Yeah, he…" Denki hesitated, "he doesn't have a Quirk."

Jirou looked at him, "N-no… uh…" She suggested, "I was just saying he isn't trained like we were."

Shinso raised his hand, "Well, we're not dropping that."

The group refocused on Denki who flinched for a moment before saying, "He's just a normal guy… We got this fallback that can save our asses in a shitty situation." He put his hands on the table, "He… doesn't."

Ashido's face contorted, "But… won't he get like techie stuff? They're not gonna send him over naked…"

"Yeah, but…"

Shinso sighed, "Look… the adults in his life… Dr. Yaritezawa, Mr. Abraham are saying, 'okay' and they're more experienced with this – so why're you arguing against that."

Denki blinked, "Wait… His mom," he quickly fished out his phone, "there's no way she'd agree with this!"

Jirou's hand swung, snatching the phone, "Dude!"

"Hey!"

She held it close, pointing back, "You're taking this too far!" She set it at her side, "God, you're sounding like you're plotting to sabotage him."

"That is not your call, Kaminari," said Shinso.

Denki shook his head, "She deserves to know."

"Why're you assuming she doesn't?" asked Jirou. "Those two are close as hell; I highly fucking doubt he didn't. And even if he didn't, not your business."

Ashido shook her head, "It really isn't cool, Kaminari." She crossed her arms, fidgeting, "I get worrying about him – I do, but… you're going overboard—way overboard."

"I—"

"Kaminari, you're not winning this," said Shinso. "I mean, Midoriya has probably been through worse shit than the four of us combined." He teetered his head, "Ya know, since he went up against a serial killer, and in spite of that, he still signs up." He fell back in his seat, "Hell, I think he's in a better mood after the fact – maybe just me."

Denki didn't settle, just simmering in his seat.

Ashido sighed, leaning forward, "Denki, you're not his mom; not his dad; not his brother. You are his friend. It's not your job to protect him." She summarized, "He's not a toddler you cover the corners for. He can make his own decisions and live his own life." She leaned back, "And it's really grody that you're trying to do this behind his back. And I mean, since you're doing that, it really makes it seem like you know this is wrong…"

Denki hesitated, "I…"

Jirou shook her head, "We see where you're coming from – we really do." She sighed, "But not like this, guy." He slowly nodded before reaching out his hand. And, she looked at him incredulously, "Oh, uh-uh, you are not getting your phone back. Not till the bell."

Denki tilted his head, "After lunch?" Jirou shook her head. "After school!? Are you serious?"

Jirou simply nodded, "Now, eat up."

-XXX-

Kyoka walked down the hall with Shinso and Ashido in-tow. Kaminari had decided not to join them as they walked towards the Support Workshop. Whether it was guilt from the morning, or afternoon, it was hard to say. "Maybe one of us should've walked him home – just to make sure he didn't do something weird…" The three of them felt like it was due time to talk to the broccoli – not to confront him about anything, but just to check in.

Kyoka was also just curious about 'The Axe' and wanted to know about his progress. "I still don't know if I want to use a guitar like that…" She scratched her cheek, "But since he's working so hard… I do want to let him see it through…" After that thought, the group made their way through the metal doors.

"Ah, hello…"said Mr. Abraham from his desk. "I presume you're here for Mr. Midoriya – he's in the range."

"Thank you," said Kyoka and Shinso.

"Thanks!" waved Ashido.

The trio made their way to the observation window, peering within and finding Midoriya. In a high-flying position, he was using that belt of his – strapped in a green and black jumpsuit. Bursts of steam and smoke spun his body through the air, shooting out from silver gauntlets and greaves. A wire hissed before he swung forward. Retracting as he reached the peak of his arc. He fell, rearing a guitar-shaped Item back before attacking the metal dummy in the center of the room. Air shot out from his arms and calves, bracing his landing.

However, the flight was hardly perfect. The swing teetered his balance and the bursts only offset it more. The guitar hit the mannequin and his face hit the ground. Thankfully, there wasn't a crunch or anything like that, but there was definitely an ungodly noise bolting from his mouth.

"Midoriya!" cried the trio as they rushed into the room.

He winced as he stood back up, "O-Ow…" He groaned, looking over 'The Axe' in his hand, "At least, it didn't break…"

Shinso asked first, "You okay?"

"Yeah… What're you doing here?" he murmured.

Jirou coughed, pointing at the Item in his hand, "Well, I kinda wanted to check on that…"

"Sure," he said, offering it.

She took the neck and the whole thing nearly dragged her down completely, "Holy shit—" She grunted and hissed as she tried to lift it, "Why is this thing so fucking heavy!?"

"Really? I thought I lightened it up…?", Midoriya murmured. "It's not like a feather, but… Hm…" He asked, "Do you like lift? Dumbbells, that sort of training?"

"Enough, but… Not this, dude…" said Kyoka. "If this is light, I'd hate to see what he thought was heavy…"

Ashido reached over, grasping the neck, "Let me see." Jirou let go and Ashido nearly lost her balance, causing her to drop it, "Oh, nope—"

Gravity took it towards Shinso's foot, "AH! Ashido!"

"Ooh! Sorry!" she replied as Midoriya took 'The Axe' once more.

He walked out of the range with the others following, "It still needs tweaking then…"

Ashido skipped ahead to a dressed mannequin, "Ooh~! What's this?"

Midoriya unlocked the gauntlets from his arms and set them down, "I made some adjustments to Jirou's costume – pending approval." He pulled off the jumpsuit's top and tied it around his waist, "I just whipped it up – uh, what're you thinking?"

Kyoka nodded, "It looks nice…"

"Let me go over it with you." Following that, he went into a whole spiel about the changes he made. Kyoka absorbed alongside Ashido and Shinso.

"It doesn't look bad… And that speaker system was pretty uncomfortable…" thought Kyoka. "Um… Do you think we can change the jacket's material?" she asked.

"Hm?"

She suggested, "Maybe denim? Dyed black?"

"I can do that," he said.

"Ooh, ooh! Maybe you can put those shiny studs on the shoulders?" added Ashido. "OH! And maybe a patch on the back to paint on?"

"Jirou?"

She pondered it for a moment before asking, "Can we see how that looks?"

"Yeah, we can."

Kyoka then said, "I also appreciate all that hidden armor you included."

"Do you want to try the whole thing on?" asked Midoriya.

"Maybe later," she said. "We actually wanted to talk to you about something."

"Hm?"

Shinso leaned back, resting on the workbench, "That armor and stuff? Field Support, right?"

Kyoka saw his body tensed as he looked between the three of them – on the defensive. "Y-Yeah…" he murmured.

"Do you know who you're going for yet? Hero-wise?" asked Shinso.

Midoriya was cautious before he slowly relaxed, "No… Not yet."

"It'd be pretty sweet if we wound up together, ya know," said Ashido.

"I already applied for Death-Arms," said Kyoka.

"Turns out Ashido and I applied for Kamui Woods," said Shinso. "Don't know who Kaminari went for…"

Midoriya looked between them, "That's near my hometown… Maybe I'll head there…"

Ashido cooed, "Then when we get our breaks, we can meet up at the local cafe and 'talk shop' like in those action movies."

"Heh, sure…" Midoriya leaned on his workstation, "Kaminari mentioned it then?"

"Yeah, and how he put his own foot in his mouth," said Shinso. "He's just worried."

"I know he is," said Midoriya before turning back around. "And what do you all think?"

Shinso crossed his arms, "Honest?" He smiled, "Good for you, man."

"We're not gonna get in your way," said Ashido.

Kyoka tucked her hands into her pockets, "Kaminari just needs some time – he'll come around."

"That gonna be your Hero costume?" asked Shinso.

"Got body armor on the way too."

Ashido noted, "See you're going for green – it does seem like your color."

"It doesn't look bad either." Kyoka sighed with a smirk, "Man, you can make all these neat-looking costumes, but that goddamn tank-top of yours says 'Super-Suit'."

"Yeah… Why?" slowly, cautiously asked Ashido.

Midoriya sighed, holding up a hand to put them off, "We're not having this conversation again," he walked off, taking 'The Axe' with him.

"Please don't tell me that's normal," Ashido pleaded.

Shinso said, "Second one I've seen."

"Third," said Kyoka, chuckling.

"Midori?" Ashido called.

"Nope," he said, walking a bit faster.

Ashido stomped after him, "I need an explanation, Midori!"

"You can get it from someone else!" he said.

She put her hand on her hip, wagging her finger, "Nuh-uh! Get dressed! We're going back to your dorm this instance! I'm checking your closet!"

Midoriya held 'The Axe' in a defensive position, "No! You're not my mom!"

Ashido's golden irises flashed before snatching his ear, "You're right! I'm your Fashionista Aunt!" She dragged him along, "Now, get dressed mister!"

"You really threw him under the bus there," commented Shinso.

Kyoka sighed, "I couldn't say nothing…"

-\ XXX /-

AN: Do-do-do... Nothing like overstepping your bounds to test your friendships. Kaminari's been on the backburning for a hot minute - all to wait for this moment. Shinso, Jirou, and Ashido all tried their hand at a reality check for our battery boy. Midoriya continues onward and gives Jirou a new makeover as well as himself. Her costume is definitely more complicated so hopefully, it's well-visualized.

"Readymade" by Ado was selected for the Chapter Title due to a relation to more of Midoriya's coming emotional state - in particular relation with Kaminari. Though, the overall correlation is on the weak side.

With that, thank you for reading and criticize away!

Update Window: November 20th - 30th

Intended Due Date: November 20th - 25th