Welcome to another chapter! I almost rewrote this, but I found that I enjoyed my first version more myself.
The title of the chapter is a play on "to be smitten."
Izuku grunted as he slumped against the dark wall of the ally way. His uniform was scorched and scuffed all over. Izuku could not stop the wince as he touched his bruise wrong. He probably was not doing himself any favors sitting in this particularly dirty alleyway with a funny smell. Tears were welling up in his eyes, but Izuku refused to cry. Even as his body shook, Izuku refused to let out a sob. That would be letting Bakugo win and that was something Izuku refused.
"Well, well, well, who do we have here?" A flirty voice said echoing around the alley.
Izuku instantly straighten up and wiped his tears and brushed off his clothes as best he could. Looking around, Izuku found a blond girl in a school uniform, that he didn't recognize, staring at him. The first thing to draw his attention was her twin hair buns that bounced around on her head. Then he noticed that the girl's eyes seemed to watch him, like a predator watching prey. Izuku shivered when she licked her lips.
"Ah, er, c-can, can I help you?" Izuku said trying to regain his composure.
"Maybe you can, maybe you can't, it all depends, how tasty your blood is~" The girl said pulling out a knife.
For a moment, the world seemed to slow down. Izuku weighed his options, he could try to run. Though he probably won't get far before she caught up. There was trying to fight back, but something about how she held herself told Izuku that would be a short and painful fight. Then Izuku stopped and looked into her eyes. Behind the bloodlust that filled them, was a lonely soul. Izuku knew that look, for he saw that look all too often before.
So without hesitation, Izuku stood up. The girl was just about to pounce before Izuku held out his right hand, palm facing upwards. The girl paused, shifting her weight around while she waited.
"I don't know why you need my blood but if you need it then let me give it to you willing. Just make the cut shallow, please." Izuku gave the girl a large grin.
The girl tilted her head to the side.
"Huh?"
"I-I mean, i-is, is that not what you want?" Izuku rubbed the back of his head with his free hand.
"I… no one has ever offered their blood before," whispered the girl. She hid her knife and slowly approached Izuku. "Are you sure? To just give up your blood?"
"If it means that I could help you, then I'll be more than happy to." Izuku gave the girl a soft smile.
Watching him carefully, the girl raised the offered arm up to her mouth. Izuku felt two small pinpricks as she bit into his arm. The girl's eyes seemed to roll up into her head as she let out a very very explicit moan. A deep blush covered Izuku's body but he kept still so as to not disrupt the girl. Slowly, the girl opened her eyes. The bloodlust was all gone, now only clear shock and grief filled them. As she released Izuku, tears began to stream down her face.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please, please forgive me!" The girl cried out as she covered her face with sleeves.
Izuku did not even hesitant a second as he wrapped the girl in a hug. The girl just balled her eyes out into his jacket as he held her while rubbing her back. A part of Izuku was freaking out about hugging a girl and her crying. Another part was trying to figure out how this happened. The largest part of Izuku though paid no attention to his inner monologues and was running through different plans to help the girl. A girl who he still did not know the name of.
Well, that could be handled after she calmed down.
000
The girl, Himiko Toga from what he got between her sobbing, stayed huddled up in Izuku's arm. Izuku was just glad she was no longer crying. When Himiko finally pulled away, Izuku was reminded of a scared cat.
"If you need help, I'll be there for you," Izuku whispered while trying to give his best reassuring smile.
Himiko looked up and what she said next broke Izuku's heart, "Why would you help a monster?"
"You're not a monster, needing to drink blood doesn't make you a monster,"
"But attacking someone for blood does."
When Izuku froze Himiko tried to pull away. Without thinking again, Izuku pulled the distressed teen into a tight hug.
"A monster would not regret their actions. A monster would've just sliced me up and left me here to die," Izuku pulled away and looked Himiko in the eye. "You suffered from being denied something important to your quirk and lashed out. You are a victim, not a monster."
Tears welled up in Himiko's eyes, they did not fall until she closed her eyes. Izuku handed her a packet of tissues that she used to try and clean herself with.
"Why? Why help me? A stranger that was ready to bleed you dry?" Himiko asked wiping her tears and nose.
"Because it was the right thing to do. I couldn't live with myself if I came across someone who needed my help and I just refused." Izuku gave Himiko a warm smile causing her to blush. "So don't worry anymore Himiko, 'Cause I'm here.'" Izuku puffed up his chest while dropping his voice low.
For a second Himiko said nothing. Izuku was about to apologize when he heard a giggle. That giggle turned into laughter. Breathing a sigh of relief, Izuku was glad his joke landed.
Once Himiko calmed down, the two teens just stood in the alleyway awkwardly. Both seemed unsure as to what to do now.
Izuku eventually broke the silence.
"So what now? I take it you don't want to return home," Izuku asked getting a shiver from the girl.
"Fuck no. I rather jump off a bridge than ever return there. This is the first my head has been so clear in years." Himiko hugged herself and shivered.
"How about we call a hero then? One that would probably be willing to help you with your blood quirk."
"There's a hero that has a blood quirk?" Himiko asked in shock and awe.
"Yeah, Blood Hero: Vlad King. He is a really cool hero and works at UA. If there was anyone who would understand and help it would be him."
"Okay, but how do we reach him?"
"My mom works at a clinic close to here. They can request a hero to help deal with patients if needed." Izuku held out his right hand. "Do you trust me?"
Himiko's eyes wandered down to Izuku's arm and the two pinpricks that were slightly bleeding.
"Yes."
Himiko could not stop the blush as Izuku beamed the brightest and happiest smile she had seen in a long time. A smile directed at her. Taking Izuku's hand, Himiko could not help but squeeze it knowing that there will never be a hero that could ever surpass this green-haired boy that flipped her world on its head.
000
The two teens were quiet while walking hand in hand. Even while blushing hard, Izuku kept a gentle but firm hold of Himiko's hand. As if he was to let go she would disappear. Himiko was also blushing and often glanced down at their joined hands. The giddy smile and cloudy eyes she had made it easy to guess what she was thinking. Easy for everyone but Izuku who never even noticed too wrapped up in his own thoughts. In normal Izuku fashion, he was muttering away a storm.
It did not take the teens long to reach the clinic. As they entered, Izuku let go of Himiko's hand to wave at the receptionist. He missed Himiko looking longingly at her now cold hand.
"Izuku-kun, it's good to see you. Dropping something off for your mom again?" The receptionist asked picking up a phone.
"Hello Yona-san, actually my friend here needs a little help, pro-help," Izuku said keeping his voice low.
Yona blinked before her eyes widened and she put the phone down. Standing up, Yona motioned Izuku and Himiko to follow. Yona led the teens past all the other rooms until they reached one in the very back. She gestured for the two to go in.
"I make the call and have a hero and the police here shortly," Yona said about to close the door but Izuku stopped her.
"Could you request for Vlad King? Also a blood bag? Himiko Toga's quirk requires her to consume blood which she has been starved of."
Yona glanced towards the downcasted and blushing Himiko whose fist was bunched up in her skirt. Yona simply nodded and left the two teens.
The two stood in the room in silence before Himiko turned to him.
"Why aren't you scared of me?" Himiko asked.
"Now who said I wasn't? You're a pretty girl and if there is one thing I'm scared of trying to talk to pretty girls."
Himiko blinked before busting out in peals of giggles. Izuku sighed, glad his joke went over well. He took a seat while Himiko eventually hopped onto the chair for patients. As silence descended on the two of them, Izuku pulled out his quirk analysis notebook and began to work on it. Playing with her skirt, Himiko watched the quirk nerd work away.
"You never answered my question," Himiko whispered.
Izuku stopped writing before he put his pencil down. Closing his book, Izuku looked up to Himiko. There was a fire of determination that burned in Izuku's eyes that drew Himiko in.
"There are many things I am scared of, most of it involves this plan failing, you not getting the help you need, and pretty girls. Social anxiety and all that," Izuku said with a shrug, once more getting an amused smile from Himiko. "But of you yourself specifically, I don't fear you because I know that you're a good person."
"But how? I… I attacked some, I nearly killed them and others. I'm a monster."
Izuku stood up and pulled Himiko into a hug. The girl tried to push Izuku away but it was half-hearted at best.
"Monsters don't regret their actions. Monsters don't wonder if they were feared or not. You are not a monster Toga-chan. You a just someone who needs a helping hand." Izuku felt Himiko stop struggling. After a few moments, she returned the hug.
The two held each other for a little bit until a cough from behind made them jump apart. Standing in the doorway, Inko watched the two teens with a smile.
"I brought a blood bag for you Toga-chan. Also, Vlad King should be here in a little bit." Inko handed the bag to Himiko who quickly bit into it and began to drink. Inko turned towards Izuku. "You can't stay out of trouble, can you?"
Izuku rubbed the back of his head while giving a sheepish smile. Inko sighed before she hugged Izuku. Pulling away Inko kissed the top of Izuku's head before leaving the room.
"Is she your mom?" Himiko asked after draining the bag.
"Yeah, that was her. She's pretty awesome yea?"
"Yeah, she looks like someone who is proud of you and your quirk no matter what." Himiko had a wistful smile on her face.
Izuku gave Himiko a confused look,
"Well, I hope she's proud of me. But I can't say she's proud of my quirk as I have none."
Himiko almost fell out of her seat at that.
"What? You don't have a quirk? You have nothing to defend yourself from me?" Izuku just shrugged causing Himiko to slap his shoulder. "Are you crazy or something?"
"Probably."
Himiko groaned at Izuku's admittance and buried her face in her hands. Izuku could only give a sheepish chuckle. The two found themselves sitting in silence. Though this was a comfortable silence as they just scrolled on their phones.
A knock on the door broke the silence. As the door opened, the uniformed hero made Himiko freeze up and almost ready to bolt. A look from Izuku made Himiko calm down as Izuku stood from his seat and opened his notebook to a page.
"He-hello sir Vlad King, would you p-please sign my notebook?" Izuku asked holding out his notebook with a pen. The hero raised an eyebrow but obliged after a quick glance at Himiko.
"Sure thing kid," Vlad King grinned as he signed the page. "Nice sketch of me by the way. Very well done."
"Thank you sir, that means a lot to me," Izuku said with a grin.
Before Izuku could take a seat, Himiko spoke up.
"Izu-kun, could you… could you step outside?" Himiko's soft shaky whisper made Izuku clench his fist. Looking into her eyes, Izuku saw a quiet but firm plea to let her face her trials herself. So, with a nod and hopefully a reassuring smile, Izuku stepped out of the room and wandered down towards the break room where hopefully his mom was. Opening the door, Izuku let out a sigh of relief seeing his mom sitting down and sipping a cup of coffee. Inko lit up the minute she saw her son. She patted the seat next to her before putting down her mug.
"Izuku, is everything okay?"
"Yeah, at least I think so. Himiko just wanted to talk to Vlad King in private," Izuku said taking a seat.
"She seems like a lovely girl. I hope Vlad King is able to help her." Inko turned towards Izuku with a raised eyebrow. "I can't help but noticed all the friends that I've met have been young ladies. Is my young boy turning into a womanizer?"
"Wha-what? No, no, no way. I wouldn't do that to them." Izuku shook his head while flushing red.
Inko gave him the evil eye before bursting out laughing.
"I know you would never do that dear. You're far too much of a darling to do that to someone." Inko wrapped Izuku in a hug. The blushing boy returned it with no hesitation. "You did well today Izuku, helping Toga-chan as you did. You did your part, now the adults do there's."
Izuku said nothing but he nodded into Inko's shoulder.
The two eventually separated and took to talking about small things. Izuku mentioned that he started doing some community service cleaning up one of Jadku park earning a wide smile, a tight hug, and a lot of tears from Inko. Inko told Izuku a story about a patient that came in that somehow got toilet stuck on his head. It was a clean one at least but it was certainly a spectacle.
Just as the Midoriyas were calming down, the door opened to reveal Vlad King and Himiko. Himiko bounced over to Izuku and plopped right into his lap. Inko giggled into her hand as Izuku became a red statue.
Vlad sighed and pinched his nose, "Himiko, please behave."
"Ok~" Himiko said getting off the poor boy whose brain was steaming.
"Izuku Midoriya," Vlad said getting Izuku to focus on him, "I wanted to commend you for your excellent handling of this situation." Izuku sat up a little straighter and held his head high. "That said, be more careful kid." A nervous chuckle escaped Izuku as he rubbed the back of his head.
"It's okay Izuku, I'll protect you from now on!" Himiko said hugging the poor boy.
"Huh? Wait, what's going to happen to you?" Izuku asked trying not to overheat.
"I will be taking Toga as a ward of U.A." Vlad said giving Himiko a stern look to release Izuku which she reluctantly did. "It'd probably be some time, but I hope that we can get Toga into Mustafa's private middle school with no issue."
"Oh, if you go there I can introduce you to some of my friends that go there too. You have a great time there." Izuku gave Himiko a thumbs up.
"Huh, what about you? You don't go there?" Himiko asked confused.
"No no, I go to Aldera Middle School. Nowhere as prestigious or good as the private school."
Himiko turned to Vlad, "Can I go to school with Izu-kun instead?"
"Now hold on Himiko," Izuku said cutting off Vlad, "You should go to the private school. It will give you a lot more credibility to your rehabilitation. Besides, we'd still be able to hang out if you went there."
Himiko pouted she tried to make puppy dog eyes at Izuku but he stood firm against her gaze.
"Fineeee, I go to the private school. Promise we hang out though?"
"Do you need me to pinky swear to it?" Izuku asked holding up his pinky.
Himiko giggled as she wrapped her pinky around his.
The adults watched an amused smile before Vlad put a hand on Himiko's shoulder.
"Alright, we best head off to U.A. then."
Izuku dug through his pocket and pulled out a torn piece of paper and put it in Himiko's hand. Himiko blinked before grinning. Without hesitation, Himiko grabbed Vlad's arm causing the Hero to sigh as Himiko guided the two out of the room while waving at the Midoriyas.
Inko watched as Izuku waved at his new friend. Her pride swelled at the thought of her son becoming someone's hero. At the same time, Inko worried if this was only the start of a long and hard road for Izuku. But as she watched her son sit tall in his seat, Inko believed that everything will work out just fine. Though, Inko frowned noticing the burnt uniform. Something that could not have come from Himiko. It looked like Inko needed to sit Izuku down for a much-needed talk.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
As you can tell stuff with Katsuki is happening in the background for now. It's probably a lot more physical than it was suggested in canon but I doubt it's too far off character. I remember being young, stupid, and aggressive when allowed. As I said before, I'm not interested in rehash Izuku's and Katsuki's relationship that you can find in like every other fanfic. If I think of something I like to write, then I will cover then.
So how's everyone liking how I set up Himiko? If you're wondering about timeline stuff, this is like just after Himiko snapped and attack Saito. There is no official timeline of when it happened, that I could find, so I choose it here. I also wanted to start building Izuku's relationship with U.A. and I figured this was a good way to start it.
Hope y'all have a good day!
Pk OUT!