Author's Note:

Hey! Welcome to my latest story. I've been spending most of my time writing over at ArchiveOfOurOwn, so if you're interested in reading any of my other works, you can go over there. (The link is on my profile). The reason for this is because Ao3 surpasses FanFictiondotnet in every way conceivable, so I haven't felt the need to post my stuff over on this website as of late. That being said, I'm back here posting again because I currently can't access my AO3 account. So... yeah.

Seriously, though. When you compare Ao3 to FanFictiondotnet, Ao3 just wins in every way. The layout, the ability to tag works... the fact that you can add links to other websites... The list goes on.

This fic can be best described as a spiritual successor to my Fire in the Sky series over on ArchiveOfOurOwn. It's not necessary to read those works to understand this fic, though. But I do recommend you do so. And while you're at it, you might as well read my other My Hero Academia fics on that website as well. It really will heighten the experience of reading this fic.

This fic's title is directly taken from the song Panic Room by Au/Ra. This video featuring the song gives me spiritual food for this story like none other, ugh. Type in Panic room - deku sad [AMV] on YouTube.

Anyway. This story takes place in the My Hero Academia universe. There are some differences, of course, this being a fanfic and all. You should get what's different as you read along. If not, feel free to ask through a comment. Also! It's only essential to have watched the first three seasons of MHA in regards to this fic. There won't be any spoilers beyond that point.

- Hell raising, hair raising

I'm ready for the worst

So frightening, face whitening

Fear that you can't reverse

My phone has no signal

It's making my skin crawl

The silence is so loud

The lights spark and flicker

With monsters much bigger

Than I can control now -

-Panic Room, Au/Ra

"So. As third-year students, it's time to start thinking seriously about your futures and what you want to do with your lives, even though most of you are already set on becoming Heroes one day."

"I'm going to U.A. for sure!" A female student with brown hair cries out.

"Oh yeah, Midoriya, don't you want to go to U.A., too?"

"Alright, students! Class is dismissed for today."

Izuku barely registers his teacher's words as he begins to pack away his things.

The fourteen-year old green-haired boy sighs.

Today was not a good day, in the slightest.

Why? Because today, Izuku's classmates found out that he wants to become a Hero one day. Which is bad enough in itself; God knows those kids are ruthless when it comes to teasing him on a regular basis for being Quirkless alone.

But it's not even his classmates' snide comments from earlier today that cause him to feel sick to his stomach.

It's knowing that Kacchan, sooner or later, will find out.

Kacchan didn't show up to class today; however; his lackeys were fully present when the teacher announced to the class that Izuku wants to enter U.A. And nothing really ever gets past those brutes.

And when Kacchan finds out that Izuku wants to enter U.A., there's no telling what will happen.

Kacchan has made it abundantly clear since elementary that anything Izuku does can, and will be used against him. It was how the red-eyed demon rationalized beating up Izuku in the third grade for wearing an All-Might shirt. It was how he rationalized giving Izuku a swirlie in the fifth grade for getting a higher grade than him once.

It was how he rationalized giving Izuku a cruel nickname when they were four that his classmates still call Izuku to this day.

And, lastly, it's how Kacchan rationalizes being a complete and utter jerk.

Izuku is Kacchan's most cherished punching bag, and the blond has made this very clear for years now.

And he certainly won't pass up the opportunity to harass Izuku over wanting to become a Hero. No, if anything, it's a chance Kacchan has likely been dreaming about would happen for years now.

To belittle the hopes and dreams of an already very fragile heart.

Dammit. How could this have happened?

Izuku lets out another sigh as he picks up his backpack.

He's definitely not going to sleep well tonight.

Here's hoping for the best.

Izuku dreads going to school the next morning. His movements are sluggish from a night's worth of overanalyzing what Kacchan will likely do to him today, and most of those 'analyses' involve Kacchan giving him a swirlie, all while dealing condescending insults and laughing sadistically like a maniac.

He really is a jerk, dammit.

When Izuku enters his classroom, to his dismay, the first thing he notices is Kacchan's red eyes boring into his soul.

Izuku bites his lip.

He knows. Is the first thought that comes to Izuku's mind.

For a moment or two, they just stare at one another; Izuku standing in the doorway and Kacchan seated at his desk. Izuku finds that he can't look away. God knows, he wants to. God knows, he doesn't want to do anything that could potentially provoke this maniac into a violent frenzy.

But to his surprise, Kacchan averts his gaze from Izuku's in the most nonchalant manner possible, without so much as batting a lash.

Izuku blinks.

Wait… what?

Izuku is so taken aback by this reaction that he doesn't even process the school bell start to ring.

Kacchan ignores Izuku for the rest of the day.

And when school ends, Kacchan doesn't even spare Izuku so much as a glance as he exits the classroom.

Izuku has never felt so confused in his life.

Okay… he's probably waiting for me somewhere to beat me up. Izuku thinks.

But as Izuku walks home, Kacchan is nowhere in sight.

And by the time Izuku reaches his home, completely unscathed, all he can think to himself is:

Is this for real?

It's possible he doesn't know, Izuku thinks to himself later that day as he eats his dinner with his mother, maybe they didn't tell him. Maybe I'm in the clear.

Maybe.

But Kacchan was acting unusual. It's not like him to ignore Izuku for an entire day. At the very least, Kacchan would typically at some point dish out an insult.

Not pretend that Izuku doesn't exist.

Izuku places his chin between his thumb and forefinger.

Is it possible that Kacchan has decided to… change? For the better?

The idea is completely absurd, but for some reason, it causes hope to flitter in Izuku's heart.

He smiles sadly.

You ought to be quiet, Izuku, he tells himself, You're delusional enough already for wanting to be a Hero.

Apparently, miracles happen.

Because for the next four days, Kacchan treats Izuku as if he doesn't exist.

It's weird; refreshing, don't get Izuku wrong, but weird.

But Izuku is certainly not one to complain.

The green-haired boy's studies are a lot more easier to focus on without the threat of a bully constantly looming over Izuku's head.

After three weeks of being completely ignored by Kacchan, Izuku feels like he might cry from happiness.

Miracles do happen. They really do.

Maybe if this keeps up, Izuku might even be able to find a way to become Kacchan's friend again. A far-fetched idea, but seeing as what's been happening is far-fetched enough, perhaps it's not completely out of the question.

Of course; Izuku doesn't particularly want to become his friend again after all Kacchan's done, but still.

Izuku has always had a knack for believing in the impossible.

It's days later, on a Saturday late afternoon, when Izuku finds himself crying on a bench in his neighborhood's park.

Truth be told, Izuku has never needed Kacchan to feel worthless.

Izuku's inner voice is enough to dish out cruel insults.

Who needs a bully when at the end of the day, you're your own worst enemy?

You can't become a Hero. He tells himself as tears stream down his cheeks. You can't, Izuku.

What's impossible can't happen.

Why do you keep lying to yourself?

Just give up on your dream already.

He cries. He cries even though strangers passing by give him odd glances, and even though his crying is louder than the toddlers playing in the park.

It's just not fair.

Nothing, about life is fair.

It's just not.

"Are you alright?" A gentle voice says softly.

Izuku sniffles, and looks up.

A boy with heterochromatic eyes, red and white hair, and a scar on the left side of his face, stands before Izuku, donning a regal bearing and a kind smile.

Izuku freezes.

He can't look away. His heart starts racing.

Only one sentence comes to mind.

It's my prince.

Izuku blushes and shakes his head. What's the matter with him? It's not like he's gay. He's not!

But it would be a lie to say that the figure standing before Izuku isn't princely.

This boy looks like someone out of a dream. N-Not like someone out of Izuku's dreams, of course!

But with that said, Izuku has enough stupid dreams already.

Enough is enough, really.

"I'm fine," Izuku replies, and brushes his nose with his left hand. "I'm sorry you have to see me like this."

Izuku's prince's-er, rather- the boy's gaze softens.

"I'm here if you want to talk about it." The boy says.

Izuku's breath hitches in his throat. Christ, can this boy be any more perfect?!

I'm not gay, dammit. Izuku tells himself fervently. Izuku then swallows his tears away.

"Why don't you start by telling me your name?" Izuku tries. My fair prince, he adds privately, wistfully.

The boy looks hesitant for a moment, then smiles gently. "It's Todoroki. Todoroki Shoto."

Shoto-san… Izuku wants to wail.

"I'm Midoriya." Izuku says quietly. "Midoriya Izuku."

"So, you want to become a Hero, but you can't because you lack a Quirk."

"Yeah." Izuku says. "And today is the day when I realized that it's best I just give up on my dream."

"Well, there are plenty of other things you can be, you know."

"I know," Izuku says sadly, "But being a Hero is the one thing I've always ever wanted."

Why on earth am I pouring out my heart to a complete stranger again? Izuku thinks to himself in confusion.

Because he's your prince. His inner voice replies, and Izuku finds himself wanting to wail again.

"I see," Shoto says, "I'm truly sorry to hear that. I wish there was something I could do to help."

Izuku shakes his head and smiles a little.

"You are helping by hearing me out. To me, that means the world."

Shoto smiles in turn.

"Well, I'm glad I could help in that regard, at least."

A breeze manifests. Suddenly, time loses its meaning for Izuku. He could spend the rest of the day, sitting on the bench with Shoto, talking, like this.

If only.

"Hey, Shoto-san?" Izuku says quietly. "I have a question."

"Yes?"

Izuku feels his face redden. "Do you believe in love?"

Shoto laughs, which makes Izuku feel like his face is on fire.

"I-I'm serious!" Izuku says, the blush refusing to leave his cheeks.

"I'm sorry, it's just… I don't think I've ever heard a guy ask something like that to another guy. Let alone a stranger."

Izuku pouts, but doesn't retort. Shoto smiles.

"But to answer your question, yeah. I do. Not in the way most people do, I think, but yeah. I do."

"What do you mean?"

Shoto looks hesitant for moment, then says, "I'm a Christian."

Izuku blinks. "You're a Christian?"

Shoto nods. "A devout one, truth be told."

"That's…" Izuku starts, but finds himself at a loss for words. "Um…"

"Strange, I know." Shoto answers. Izuku blushes.

"Well, it's unusual, definitely," Izuku says, and presses both of his index fingers against each other. "I don't know any Christians personally, now that I think about it."

"Well, we live in a country where very few people believe. So it's not surprising."

"What's it like?" Izuku asks. "I mean. I personally believe in a god, but when it comes to actually practicing a religion…" Izuku's words trail off.

Shoto suddenly looks a lot older than he actually is.

"It's… hard. It changes your life completely in a lot of ways. But it's definitely worth it. It's the hardest decision of my life I've ever made. But it's the best. And I'll never go back."

Something about Shoto's voice as he speaks stirs emotions within Izuku he thought he never had.

Izuku gulps.

He seems so sure in what he believes… Izuku thinks to himself in awe.

Wait. If Shoto-san is religious like he claims, then that most certainly means he isn't into guys… Izuku blanches. Wait. But I'm not into guys either!

Izuku pauses. "Wait. You didn't really answer my question, did you."

Shoto laughs.

"Well, no, I guess. But the way I believe in love is rooted in my faith, so that's why I brought it up." Shoto then stands up.

"In any case. I ought to leave now." Shoto says as he stands up. "I have some errands I need to run."

"W-wait!" Izuku says before he can stop himself. "Do… do you want to exchange numbers, maybe?"

Shoto blinks. Then smiles a smile that can only be described as one word.

Heavenly.

"Sure thing."

After Shoto leaves the park and is out of sight, Izuku finds himself start to reflect on the events that transpired today.

Today wasn't such a bad day after all, it seems.

Todoroki Shoto.

That's the name of the prince Izuku met today.

A fourteen-year old boy with a neat fire and ice Quirk who also dreams of becoming a Hero and getting into U.A.

Izuku stands up from the bench he's been sitting on and prepares to start walking onward home from the park.

Yeah. Today wasn't such a bad day after all.

True, Izuku gave up on his dream. But at the very least, he met and exchanged numbers with someone he can be friends with.

Yeah.

Maybe Shoto will end up becoming Izuku's friend, eventually.

A boy can dream, can't he?

"So, what's this I hear about you becoming a Hero, huh, ?"

Izuku's heart stops.

He knows that voice.

Slowly, Izuku turns around.

A familiar red-eyed demon stands before him.

Izuku gulps.

A breeze manifests.

"Kacchan." Izuku says.

Author's Note: welcome to the panic room.