A/N: Okay, this'll be a long Author's Note, but before that, yay, finally done with Season 3! I got some work done for Season 4's first half which hopefully is fun given I change a couple of things or add on to what already existed, so the norm with Perfected. Review Time!
To Emerald light 555: Okay, where to start... thank you, both for reading thus far and the constructive comment, I'll admit, Yuki tends to take the spotlight at times, I won't try and defend my lack of creativity. One thing though, the dynamic with Izuku and Kota, the reason I included Yuki there was due to circumstances; Izuku to Kota is the one person that instead of feeding him the same words many have told him after his parents died, Izuku kept trying to form a connection with Koda. Yuki, for her part, understood where Koda's feelings were coming from, having lost her old life to villains, so she helped in that regard. Hence why they can be regarded as Koda's heroes instead of just Izuku. Yuki doesn't take away that moment and more so reinforces it.
As for me maybe making it that Vosik attacked Yuki prior to Muscular, sure, I could've done that but either choice wouldn't have changed Izuku's mindset of Yuki, he, as you said, wouldn't lose faith in her abilities, regardless if she fought with him or became separated. I'm not good at this analysis thing, I'm just here to write what I like but I can understand your reasons and I respect that so I apologize if events forward feel the same as they are now. Man, that was a long one.
To jahmoney: I can see where you're coming from; I've seen it to but as for why I gloss over that fact... it wouldn't change anything. I'll admit it, I've heard a lot of people tell me to off myself many times, often out of anger or without thinking; so yeah, it's a toxic thing to say to a person as mentally unstable as Izuku back then but the harsh reality is that no one ever considers these dark insults to be taken genuinely. This is probably just some half-assed excuse from me so I apologize. Awesome to know you love Perfected by that way!
To Murtaito: I don't mind the wait. And yeah, Yuki's mindset's a dark place, especially when considering where SIVA came from. And I'm working toward that M rating! As per the norm, Mirio is a monster in his own right, but how will our lovely duo of a human and Eliksni fair next?
Enjoy!
Chapter 58 - Perfect Plan Against Permeation
There was no one else around, that perfectly suited Amajiki, too many people just made him nervous and completely shut down. He sat on a bench facing the small forest that was around UA, it was peaceful for him to continue eating alone. Or it would, but the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, someone was either close or watching him personally.
Shivering his eyes slowly panned the area, strange, he saw nothing out of the ordinary, well, except for a pair of glowing blue eyes attached to a mask. "Huh?" He blinked, then immediately yelled in terror, paler than a ghost. "W-W-What is that!?" His rational thoughts were gone, causing his hold on his lunch to slip, yet nothing fell, the contents of his lunch were saved by the one wearing the mask, eyes curved.
'Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you, I didn't know anyone else was here' She, he guessed that much from her looks, though that immediately made him recluse behind his arms, unable to face the girl. The girl's body shifted, and she swung herself off the branch, holding out the steamy contents inside the cup. "Take it." Her voice rasped slightly like it was raw
"T-thank you..." Amajiki nervously thanked her, taking his lunch back while flicking his gaze to her with a nervous frown, herself flicking the mask back to reveal her gentle features
"I was in the tree, think-ing," She whispered out, tapping her cheek passively. "Kinda dumb I bet?"
"Most don't u-usually sit in trees," He answered, "Why is she talking to me... I can't handle this..."
'Hmm, that's true, guess that would be pretty weird, huh?' With a twirl, Yuki gave a small wave. 'Yuki Azuru, nice meetin' ya!' With that note, she put her hands behind her head and walked away, leaving him both confused, anxious, and above all else, curious, swearing he's seen that mask somewhere before but too fearful to ask
Strangely enough, that wouldn't be the last time the two crossed paths.
'Hi again' The note appeared before Amajiki, startling him only now he held onto his lunch cupped in his right hand. Yuki had returned, only no longer hanging from the tree while she flicked her mask around to reveal her smile. 'You're one of the "Big Three" aren't you?' That inquisitive look in her eyes kept his motionless gaze.
"So that's her face..." Seeing that he was indeed staring at her Amajiki blushed and kept his eyes to his lunch. "Y-yes, I-I am." She probably thought he was weird, and if not, the last thing he wanted was another person to ask him endless questions about his Quirk and such.
'I see... so that's why you're out here, to relax' That wasn't the response he expected. Noting Yuki's finger tapping her chin bashfully while swinging her head around the area, scanning the trees and pathways, a fixed frown of shame on her face. 'Guess me being here isn't helping, sorry'
Immediately he shook his head. "N-No... it's fine, you didn't know so..." And now he was out of words to say, and considering he held the girl's attention he couldn't quite process anything remotely close to a response. "Now she's judging me... what do I do?"
'You remind me alot of my favorite emerald-haired partner, he's a total nervous wreck' That caused Amajiki to deflate, yet his eyes poked through his bangs at her reply and that eased smile. 'It's okay though, I know I'm a handful for alot of people, you can talk if you want, I just came here to relax'
"Okay..." Was all he could breathe out before Yuki moved to sit at the base of the tree, stretching a bit before closing her eyes. After that, Amajiki stared at her for a solid minute, trying to deduce what exactly Yuki was, unlike most girls he met she was lost in a state of serenity.
Ultimately, the pair took comfort shared in each other's silence.
[Present Day]
Even though all of Class 1-A bar Shoto and Katsuki were down, one person came bursting through the doors, drawing a few groans of curiosity, a hum and tilt of the head from the blue-haired girl, Nejire. Amajiki's eyes widened from the wall, familiar with the girl in question. And Mirio cocked a brow of surprise at the late guest.
"It's her again, the one with the mask?" Amajiki was surprised to see a familiar face
"Oh, another one from class A, Eraser?" Mirio inquired, the dull gaze from Mr. Aizawa drawing around to find his contact had arrived rather hastily
"Finally decided to show up," He mused dryly, Yuki immediately shocked by the state of her friends, all of which held their stomachs in agony
"G-guys... Izuku!" She sprinted through them, sliding beside her freckled partner who winced, managing a weak smile
"W-we got beat, t-that guy's... r-really strong," He wheezed, feeling warmer under her hand as it pressed to the back of his head, the other cupping his reddened cheek. "Sorry..."
Yuki's worried state devolved into a small smile. "It's okay, you did what you could," She leaned down to peck his cheek, carefully setting his head on the ground, her jacket acting as a pillow while she cracked her knuckles. That same, warm expression immediately diving into a cold stare over her shoulder. "Oi, you do this to them?" Mirio smiled with a small wave
"Sorry, I wanted to show them just what a Work-Study can offer, I kinda can't hold back as well as I think," He was smiling while rubbing his nape, then he clapped his hands. "Oh, you must be the mute everyone's talked about, even Tamaki! You've made quite the impression among the first years!"
Yuki didn't waver in her frown, quirking a brow. "Glad to have impressed the Big Three." That alone was a worrisome thought, these three were the best of the best, even among pros, she was in for a tough battle
Mirio Togata | Tamaki Amajiki | Nejire Hado
As SIVA informed her grim face, this was the one that was considered 'unbeatable' given his power, even more so due to his skill in combat and adaptability. Yuki wasn't expecting her whole class to fight them, let alone be wiped out so quickly, they must have gotten cocky, dammit, she hated it!
"You hurt my friends..." All eyes followed her downcast head, eyes hidden under her bangs. "Bet they were cocky too, but even so, I... wasn't even here for them," Her fists were trembling, "Dammit... now I'm mad." With one mental thought transfer to her consciousness, she tagged her own hand. "Take him down..."
When her head rose, Mirio saw her eye had taken on an icy-blue sheen, a hint of a glow emanating around the edge of her eye sockets as that saddened expression warped into a firm, solid stare, a face filled with determination. This got his fire riled up. "Awesome, so you want to fight too? Then let's see what you got, First Year!"
"Oh? Is that what you want?" Yuki's voice wasn't bubbly or even angry, it was... calculating, cold, devoid of emotion as her fingers became jagged, red particles staggering across her digits. "Very well, Mirio Togata, I'll entertain you."
"Mirio!" Those standing brought their eyes to Mr. Aizawa, his arms crossed firmly. "You better not hold back against Azuru, that's a warning." Even he wasn't convinced she was going to hold back just because it was a sparring match. "Something's off with her gaze, those eyes aren't her own..."
Shoto shared his homeroom teacher's intuitive stare. "The way she's standing, and that look in her eyes..." He swore it was the same as that night. "That same look from Hosu, even when she fought against Kovik, just her gaze felt completely abnormal."
Those around the two noticed it too, how Yuki's entire persona suddenly switched, as if she was a female Shoto stood before Mirio. Yet Izuku's gaze widened, he knew that tone and those eyes anywhere, even while he and a few others that had recovered helped to move the rest out of the way. "...Siva..." It was unbelievable, was he really going to fight instead? If so, this wasn't between a third-year and first, this was a fight against a student and an Archon!
"Give him a show, Aksis!" Aksis chuffed, his stance low and his crackling claws bear. Then Yuki gasped. "Oh, but don't kill him, remember, just a spar, I mean it, mister!"
"I am aware of the two," He rolled his eyes like he'd be so bold as to slay the young hero, though maybe a few fractures would settle this unjust thrashing of their peers. "I am ready when you are." Blowing a strand of hair from his eyes he held firm for the man's first move
Mirio steadied his breathing, blue eyes wide with a fiery grin, neither side made a move, and yet just the intensity of the stare put the class on edge. Izuku grasped onto Yuki's jacket tightly, seeing her bare arms and the many white lines that decorated her skin, all toward the sharp blemish on her cheek, triangular in shape. He was worried but never held doubt over her's or SIVA's ability.
Not a word was spoken as Mirio slipped away, his trousers left behind for Aksis to remain fixed to, he was... surprised that such an ability meant he lost every article of clothing he wore. Strange as this was, this didn't keep his eyes from wavering, performing a handstand to flip forward, evading the punch directed for his gut as Mirio's surprised face slipped away into the earth before his fist could make contact.
Hopping to his feet, Aksis kept his eyes to the ground, hearing something shift behind him, forcing his body to twist and immediately jump in power, reinforcing his mid-section with armor plating, blocking the fist's surprising amount of force. "Haha, saw that coming too, just like the Problem Child," Aksis struck in silence, both wide swings phasing through the man as he fell through, rolling around to block a fist with his right forearm, only to find the fist slipping through, striking his cheekbone as the force sent him flying backwards on his heels.
Rubbing his cheek he cracked a small brow, this guy's power wasn't anything spectacular but it was the way in which he applied its traits that kept the former Archon on his toes. He was able to slip through all kinds of matter, temporarily thinning his own molecular structure to do so, once inside an object he seems he can indeed propel himself like a bullet underground, giving him that extra applied force.
Mirio slid halfway into the ground, speeding up exponentially while Aksis clenched his fists, the metal spread, and the static and nanites gathered like smog around his knuckles. "Permeation." He saw the sudden jolt in Mirio's eyes at the reveal. "Your Quirk allows you to slip through matter, but deactivating it sends you flying outward due to the compression of matter in a confined space." Aksis evaded his punch, rolling back. "Seems I figured out your little trick, judging by your sudden loss of composure."
"'Permeation'?" "So he's like a ghost?" "That's so unfair! How do you even beat that!?" "That's like some no-clipping bug from a video game!"
Mirio chuckled, hopping out to slip his pants back on. "Wow, you're really sharp if you managed to figure that out from just a few punches, I must say you and a few others really impressed me!" He grinned, but those blue eyes suddenly deepened with a challenging gaze. "Guess now I see why Eraser wanted me to take you seriously."
"That you should have done before I came up with a counterattack," Aksis put his right foot back, left forward as he motioned for the boy to proceed. "Come and find out."
Even from a comfortable distance, the energy in the air was palpable. A dangerously calm aura spanned between Mirio and Yuki, Izuku could feel it. It was unnerving and almost awe-inspiring, primarily due to the fact he knew who was in control, those glowing, pristine eyes belonged to someone else. His hold on Yuki's jacket creased, faintly outlining the larger creature atop Yuki's form as it held a firm pose, awaiting the Third-Year's move.
"This is getting intense just watching..." Sero grimaced, a new nodding as a sharp flash caught their eyes, Izuku's having never left the pair, to begin with.
Aksis tore across the field, arm swinging over Mirio's head while a fist was caught in Aksis' left, keeping the third-year back as the blonde was left perplexed, finding his arms torn forward and into the waiting knee that slammed into his chest, tossing him backwards. "I told you," Aksis stood tall, crimson lightning surging over his host's skin, causing his clothing to billow. "I had a plan, Mirio Togata ."
"Oh?" He wasn't phased by the menacing tone in her voice, prompting the bluette to continue.
Flexing his fingers, Aksis played with the nanomachines scattered across his hands. "You're able to travel from one point to another at an alarming rate by breaking down your molecular components, thus you negate your mass, allowing for instant travel through objects with dense quantities than your own," The sudden scientific breakdown of Mirio's Quirk left quite the impression on the class, even Izuku's eyes and ears remained sharp to digest this info for his notebook.
"SHE GOT ALL THAT FROM PUNCHING!?" That made his ears ring, so with a finger put up for emphasis Aksis drawled a sigh
"To put it simply, your ability to phase through matter is due to the fact your Quirk negates your mass, so most objects treat you as though you are merely an empty space, so, my nanites are disrupting that connection," Everyone saw the small grin that split Aksis' lips, almost unnerving on Yuki's face while the red swarm infected his legs too. "In other words, I ensure your physical form won't be travelling through my body for the remainder of this fight."
There was a lengthy pause in the training hall, not until Mirio blinked from his stupor with a hearty laugh, clutching his stomach. Aksis' brow rose at this, not quite understanding how this was to be humorous, then again, most of his combat experience wasn't exactly considered 'sparring', that term was lost long ago until Yuki came along.
"Hahaha, not only did you figure out my Quirk you got the science down perfectly!" Mirio spoke between breaths, clearing his throat with a smile. "You're really something, now I'm trembling with excitement! The idea of trying to break through your counterattack is just too good to let go now!" For a moment, Aksis chuffed.
"You're a strange one," Nodding his head, Aksis put up his fists. "If you think you can work around my distortion field then I welcome you to try." Was this what excitement was? This feeling in his chest?
"Now you get it." Yuki hummed in his ears.
"Yeah... I do now," Keeping his eyes forward, Aksis pinched the mask on the side of his face, obscuring his expression while the eyes lit up scarlet, narrowed predatorily toward Mirio. There was no tension to be had, Aksis' body simply vanished, so did Mirio's a second after into the floor.
*BAM*
A fist and leg clashed in the center, creating fissures in the earth while Aksis kicked Mirio back, the boy falling through the floor, a fist narrowly skimming Aksis' mask a second later. The Archon hopped back from the roundhouse, keeping his distance with his forearms high, blocking the connecting blows from Mirio's shins.
Pushing back, Aksis jerked his head right, evading the fist while Mirio fell feinted, dodging the static left cross, leaving Aksis motionless while he scanned his surroundings, keeping a steady composure. There was a deafening silence while each shift in the earth made his instincts want to turn, but he resisted the urge and remained rooted.
Mirio emerged behind Aksis, fist approaching with a subtle scream in the wind, he's never really needed to go all out before, but if he couldn't disrupt the field of red light, he'll just have to brute-force his way through. To his sharp gaze Aksis pivoted on his heels, blocking with his left forearm, the force enough to strain the bone underneath while the velocity threw Aksis on all fours, himself rolling to the left to evade Mirio's rapid approach, the blonde disappearing into the floor once more.
Aksis grunted, wiggling his fingers at the stiffness in his arm. "He's attempting to overpower me, and his speed has grown considerably." His thoughts were steady. This was troublesome, unlike with most speed Quirks most could be seen using this velocity to build up kinetic force on contact, but with Mirio vanishing into the earth he had to act at the last possible second.
The next time Mirio appeared Aksis purposefully remained still, taking the blow to his arms, even as he was pushed back, then Mirio dived back, shooting from multiple points across the ground to attack Aksis' blindspots but not once could he land a finishing blow on the overcharged bluette who continued to take the punches with a great deal of discomforting. One strike slipped by, striking his mask as the lower half shattered, cutting Aksis' face while his knitted teeth were revealed before the mask repaired itself.
"Aksis can't make any moves," Izuku's expression fell. "Between the sudden velocity Mirio gains to his unpredictability there's nothing he can do other than to wait for Mirio to make the first move, sure, he's blocked most of his attacks but they're starting to wear him down."
"Come on, Yuki, kick his butt!" Hagakure waved her invisible arms, catching Aksis' eye while the rest joined in
"You seriously gonna just stand there and take it without fighting back!?" Kyoka added snappishly, wary of her friend's focus
"Show him what you can do!" Kirishima pumped a fist
The rest all fell into a chorus of cheers for their classmate despite her not being in control, yet Aksis felt a sudden visage shadow their bodies. Instead of students, he saw others like him, chanting in his native tongue, weapons raising with pride and glory. Most of all, he saw their red capes bristle in the wind, a ghostly reminder of what he once was.
"You know something I learned from observing...?" Aksis sighed, widening his posture while bringing his hands high, crooked like claws. "...All it takes is one move to change everything, that's something the Guardian taught me!"
Slamming his hands into the earth, a sudden voltage nipped at everyone's feet with a small, expanding ring of red light that electrified the ground for a second, leaving the field vibrating as Mirio was ejected from the ground beside Aksis, pain written on his face while he blocked the right hook that threw his body back onto the earth, himself unable to phase through the now charged ground.
"Got you." Aksis snarled, lunging with his fingers curled back into fists, his left striking Mirio's forearm, while the blonde reciprocated the action, only for Aksis to warp in a haze of red static, his left leg crashing against the boy's bare stomach, followed by a vertical roundhouse kick to the shoulder before Mirio final put distance between them.
"Wooow, she even put Togata on the defence!" From beside Mr. Aizawa, Nejire looked pleasantly surprised, eyes sparkling with excitement as she hopped on the spot. "Are you watching, Amajiki? You're totally missing out!"
"I'm fine..." He murmured from his place by the wall, though out the corner of his eye he did see, and even he wasn't expecting the strange girl he met several times before to put someone like Mirio on the defense.
Mirio for his part kept his positive outlook but Aksis saw it, he was taking this seriously, those eyes weren't losing sight of him now. "Eraser was right, you are pretty intense when you want to be, haha!" Aksis didn't reply, sprinting toward Mirio who grinned in response, drawing his own fist. "I can't fight with my Quirk but that doesn't mean I'm out!"
Aksis knew that the second they fought. His right and Mirio's left connected without a second to recoil before their opposite fists slammed into one another. Mirio hopped back, bending down onto all fours before lunging forward, striking with a powerful uppercut to Aksis' lower jaw. Recoiling, Aksis folded his right arm and felt his metallic fist screw up Mirio's cheek, the boy unrelenting while returning a mirrored strike to Aksis' own cheek.
Finally, the pair stopped and stared at one another for a moment, then pressed the advantage. Both their arms crossed with one another, Aksis felt his fist slam into Mirio's face while his pressing firmly into the side of Aksis', the duo froze from the shock before falling backward onto their haunches, having lost their balance the second they stretched too far to reach on another.
"Hahahaha!" Mirio was chuckling loudly while Aksis let out a small chuff though it came out as a mature giggle from Yuki's throat.
"That was an interesting fight, best I've had in a while." Aksis was satisfied, pushing his mask back while the colour in Yuki's eyes slowly began to dilute back into her standard, light blue orbs. "Thank you, Mirio Togata ."
The second Yuki regained control she winced, cupping her bruised cheeks. "Ow-ow-ow-ow, everything hurts, and my arms are numb, and my stomach's in knots, bleh..." Yuki's face turned green, curling up on the floor while clutching her stomach. "Hate you, hate you both..."
My apologies | I did not wish to enhance your body | To make the fight fair
Mirio scratched the back of his head attempting to keep a smile for the girl glaring daggers at him. "Haha, you're a really weird girl, huh?" Most of the class facepalmed at his poor choice of words, not seeing the dark aura glowering from the groaning girl who still had some energy within her to flick a small energy sphere at his face.
"Mr. Aizawa, I can hurt him, right?" Yuki asked, struggling to pull herself to her haunches without alot expelling her lunch
The monotone man simply gave the pair a long blink. "You can't kill him, and refrain from hospitalizing him too, he's here to offer advice to the class about Work Studies."
"Start running, blondie," Yuki growled, picking herself up as she wobbled. "Im'ma deck you until you're counting stars..." This threat was hard to swallow given her wobbly stance but from the encroaching darkness surrounding her form. Then she pointed at her own face. "You're not off the hook either, mister!"
|I'm positively shaking...|
[Later that day...]
After her battle against one of the Big Three, Yuki returned to watch over Katsuki's work, though he had things under control for the most part, leaving her to mull over the fight against the so-called 'untouchable' student. It was a great fight to observe through SIVA's control, but the Work Studies had her interest the most. She had planned for one long ago, her Mom having suggested the idea to work at her agency if she wanted to, and Yuki planned to. Her Mom was alot to bear but at the end of the day, Valstrax was an amazing hero.
"Hey, Yuki, Yuki..." The poking on her cheek snapped her eyes wide, and she realized Izuku was trying to gauge her attention using the same method she used on him. Smiling bashfully she turned her gaze back to her boyfriend, that word still made her giddy inside. "Sorry, were you thinking about something?"
Shrugged she brushed it off then peered over the sofa with a lazy smile. "Maybe... hold that thought, Zuzu." While she absentmindedly watched what was about to unfold, Izuku felt a little elated himself. Her nickname for him was always embarrassing but hearing it from her own lips made it something... tranquil, though he chalked that up to Yuki's infectious smile.
"HEEEEEY, If you got trash bring it over here right now!?" Like always Katsuki was giving it his all, holding out a bag to await the collection of God knows what from the rest of 1-A, something Yuki knew would blow up in his face. With wide eyes and her mouth forming an 'O' Yuki listed off the numbers.
"One, two, three, four, five six... wow, that's alot of trash." Katsuki seemed to have heard her from there, exploding from his purple haze.
"YOU BASTARDS IT'S LIKE YOU'VE BEEN HOARDING THIS STUFF FOR WEEKS!" He thundered but none of them seemed to take his anger seriously. Then he froze at Yuki's whistle
"That sounds alot like complaining Dumb-Dumb~!" That siren song did send a chill down his spine but he raised a fist anyway
"Go to hell you Mute Bastard! Once today's over I'll kick your ass into next week!" Katsuki's threat made her giggle, swinging her head side-to-side, smiling. "What are you smiling about!?"
"Oh, you know, just that you either think you can beat me or that you had four days to yourself and still haven't come up with a better name for me," Flicking her choker necklace she emphasized her point. "I'm not a mute anymore, but thanks for the reminder, love ya - oh, wait, that's Ocha's thing, whoops."
If his pupilless eyes and maroon aura weren't laying in the impression, then his snarl buried under knitted teeth sold his rage perfectly while Yuki slumped back beside Izuku, resting her head on his shoulder as he continued to flick through his hero journal, though now with a slight jitter. Of course, her brow did rise at his reaction but for the moment remained oblivious.
"So, watcha need this adorable 'mute' for?" Teasing him wasn't helping the blood rise to his face any slower, and with recent... thoughts still fresh in his mind Izuku found it hard to look at her let alone handle her in close proximity to himself. No, he had to stop thinking like that, it was natural, sure, but he just couldn't fathom the idea of doing something like that with Yuki.
"I uh... I-I just wanted y-your opinion on - um?" Two fingers pressed to his lips. Yuki sat up, looking at him inquisitively while ignoring the banter around them.
"Izuku, what's wrong?" She wasn't going to let it slide now, Izuku dreaded it but Yuki was far too sharp not to catch on. Removing her fingers from his lips he put his notebook down to look at her directly.
"I..." What All Might said slowly cropped up under her sharp, blue eyes.
"You put too much pressure on yourself now that these new, intimate feelings have emerged, but remember what I told you of Young Yuki, how you became the first person she could openly befriend that was her age?" Izuku did recall that moment, nodding slowly with a few tears wiped away. "She would go on for hours with Akame or myself about you, heck, when you two finally got together she was over the moon!" He laughed, coughing slightly as Izuku blushed deeper. "My point is, viewing yourself under those around you is a bad way of screwing this up, it's harsh but that's the reality of things."
"Try to be more assertive."
"I have to try," Steeling his resolve as though he were up against a villain. Izuku quickly wrapped his arm around Yuki's waist, pulling her up onto his lap and close to his chest, feeling her hair brush his cheek while Yuki's blue orbs widened at the sudden intimacy between them, a faint pink hue coating her cheeks.
"I-Izuku..." This came at a complete left turn but it did make her heart skip seeing him smile nervously.
"I just wanted to hold you, is that okay?" "Seriously, that's it, why am I so bad at this!?" Of all the things he could have said, that one made him scream inside his own mind while Yuki giggled at the strange but otherwise sweet response. Tucking herself closer while purposefully ignoring a few prying eyes she nuzzled his cheek, reciprocating the embrace.
"Like you had to ask," Then she stuck her hand out, blissfully snuggling closer to her emerald hero. "You say a word Nana and I'll personality tie you up and throw you back into a hospital room."
The smaller bluette froze white as snow and steadily slipped away. "Hehehe, I'll just leave you be~" That's what Yuki thought.
Yuki knew something was on his mind, and it seemed important, but she was content this way for the time being. Memories of her injuries back in the hospital and how Izuku reacted when he first saw her awake stained her mind. Mindlessly her thumb went to rub the blemish on her left cheek only to find his own was running in small circles over her mark. Softly, Yuki closed her eyes and held her hand atop his.
"I know you're still overthinking alot of things," Her words whispered to his ear, resting her head into the crook of Izuku's neck. "Work Studies, improving yourself, Katsuki, and lots more, you always forget to breathe when you do."
A long breath tickled her hair. Izuku had alot on his plate, but it all meant so little when he held Yuki; Like for a moment, it didn't matter at all. "Sorry if I'm making you worry." His lips hummed back, feeling her arms tightening to his own.
"Hmm, it's fine, you'll be the best hero no matter what you choose to do, just so long as I get to keep you to myself sometimes that'll be enough for me." Why was it when they were like this did mushy things spill freely? Not that she cared, not when he held her tightly this way. "I love you."
Izuku shared her smile, closing his eyes as he heart jumped again at those three, simple words. "I love you too, Yuki." Not a regret was held when he said that, even those intimate thoughts ceased their whispers to savour this small moment with the girl tucked in his arms, his thumb caressing her blemish tenderly.
[?]
The room was large although being lit by desk lamps left alot to be desired. It was a cold room despite the comfy accommodations provided by those working there, but the girl within didn't like it, she felt so alone and every time a noise or motion outside the room stirred she'd jump. It became easier for some days, and others... she wanted to just hide away. Most her age would be scared of the monsters under their bed but the ones she feared most didn't need to hide, and she had nowhere to do the same.
The door popped open, scaring her to fearful peek from behind her bed, to her confusion it wasn't the people she recognized in labcoats and creepy masks. This one wore a mask with four glowing, blue eyes, the helmet was oddly shaped like a 'T', the rounded horns facing backwards. A lab coat was stretched over black armour with a white barding underneath. What scared her most were the claws replacing hands through the sleeves, and the red energy that lit a few key points across its body, including the talon-like feet.
"Hello there, sorry to bother you at such an hour, but, I require something from you," Dren politely bowed his head, approaching the child as she trembled by her bed, unable to move and unable to reply. Clearing his throat, Dren spoke a little less eagerly. "Ahem, perhaps I'll skip to my point, I just require a blood sample, nothing dangerous, just a prick off the finger and I'll be on my way."
"..." She didn't reply, nothing she said would convince anyone otherwise so what was the point? Seeing she wasn't going to budge Dren sighed and approached her shaking form, picking up her arm while holding his left index finger toward her own, his eyes scanned her body, primarily the source of her Quirk.
"You're afraid of me," Dren murmured, pricking her finger as she winced, the blood drawn quickly and into his metal digit like a syringe, not a moment after his finger glowed and the small cut was mended. "There, all done and not a scratch on you," He realized that was probably the part she hated most, to repair herself from injuries with ease just so they could cut her open again. "A cruel life, I'd save you myself but that would draw unnecessary attention, and Kovik isn't too fond of humans." With a passive wave, he stepped back from the girl, red eyes contrasting his icy blue. "What is it?"
"...why?" Her quiet, meek voice wasn't as he expected, but granted, he never met humans that often aside from those at UA, Yuki Azuru in particular.
"Why indeed," Dren drawled, crossing his arms. "Your power is expeditionary strong, yet you lack control, a shame really, a power like that squandered on - I'm getting ahead of myself, I won't harm you, I only needed a sample to conduct some research of my own, Quirks are so vinegary but fascinating nonetheless."
His posture changed, standing tall as if a realization struck him. "My apologies, introductions always miss me, I am Dren the Anointed." Despite the initial fears, for once, the girl felt somewhat safe around him, sure, he was working with the people that harmed her day-after-day, but there was something strange she couldn't place, an honest feeling.
"...Eri." Came her tiny reply
To Be Continued in Season 4...
And it ends with the build-up between Kovik and Overhaul's teams, and I didn't want to rehash the whole villains meet-up as nothing really changes, Kovik wouldn't be with Overhaul at that warehouse so here I thought to expand more on the villain we'll be following in the next season. This season was a game-changer for alot of reasons, mostly the darker and mature elements that I plan to add later.
There's much to come, an OVA of a 'what if' scenario, the romance growing between our couple Izuku and Yuki (And more of my horrible experimenting), and action galore! I hope you enjoyed, appreciate the support as always, seeya in the next season heroes!
Next Chapter: OVA - Unperfected AU
In a parallel world exists a time where SIVA and Kovik never appeared in Japan, where a girl's whole life was never turned on its head in a second. This is a story of how two teens met under completely different circumstances.
