YES IT'S AN UPDATE!

Guys, girls and everything in between (T~T) words are so not enough to express how much I love you all. I'm so glad a lot of you liked the last chapter. I appreciated every review that assured me I did the whole topic justice. I'm also blown away by how much you all love Daichi and Masaki. Especially Masaki, I worried some might not like that she freaked out like she did and would accuse her of mean things. Before I finished the chapter, I let my sister read the draft and she was so sure I was going to make Masaki react badly. I'm glad you love her just as much as Natsu, Daichi and I do.

Some of you admitted to shedding tears over the support they gave Natsu and while it's never my intention to make people cry, I'm proud of myself for doing it.

This chapter took a long time to be posted, and it's only half, but I had to re-write it a couple times.

After the last chapter, it just wasn't up to standard, and because I was going to introduce cannon characters, I really wanted to do it right.

Anyways, I'll let you all read.

Chapter 4: Friends & a Funeral Part 1

"Natsu-chan?"

He felt guilt fester at seeing the obvious concern in his mother's eyes. He didn't often take note of just how similar a blue they were to the sky. How could he not when the blue of the sky was the last thing he'd seen before he died.

"Hn," he drolly replied.

Masaki giggled and the bell like sound relaxed the broody mood overwhelming him.

"You sound just like your Papa doing that," she teased.

"Do not!" he pouted.

Hell no was he anything like his troll old man. Masaki only laughed and he sighed while glaring at the floor. She started to hum a soft tune and stroke his hair. It was distracting but best of all it was very comforting.

"You don't have to come if you don't want to Natsu-chan," she assured.

He felt shittier at that.

A week had passed since he'd settled matter's about his gender with his parents. Everything should have been all rainbows and happy families after that, right? Wrong! Of course the universe would decide it was time for him to be tormented with his fucking death. Of course he had to have nightmares about how he died right after his parents accepted him.

Because why the fuck not, right?

Fuck you universe and the fucking trauma he's suffering.

"Do you want to tell Mama about it?" Masaki whispered in his ear.

She'd been asking him the same question each night. Daichi and Masaki had been very attentive to him since his nightmares had started. The only way he ever managed to calm down from a nightmare was to realize Masaki was cradling him in her arms. He never screamed himself awake but both his parents always seemed to know.

"Don't want to," he mumbles into her shirt.

He's a grown ass man who's had some freaky shit happen to him.

He can't keep throwing them so many curve balls.

He only just told them he was a boy!

"Okay baby."

Masaki doesn't push him to talk. She just holds him tightly in her arms and silently lets him know she's there.

"Masaki?"

"In here!"

Daichi finds them just like that. He knew his old man wasn't much for comforting people; something he'd noticed since he'd been a babe. It's not like Daichi had ever treated him like a real baby anyway.

"What are we doing?" he asks before settling down with them.

"Mmh, Natsu-chan?" Masaki prompted.

'Last chance' she seems to be implying. He's tempted to take it, but to do so would be selfish. Masaki was really excited about this job interview. He'd be a real dick to ruin it for her.

"Fine, gonna go get ready," he mumbled with a huff.

He felt her relax and felt another twinge of guilt. For Masaki, he'd ignore his gloom and misery and go to the park meeting thing. He felt a heavy hand settle on his head and ruffle his hair.

"Good boy," Daichi praised with a smirk.

"Not a dog Papa!" he snapped before shoving the hand off and giving him a glare.

"Hn."

Stupid old man! He opened his mouth to bite the hand patting him, but Masaki beat him to it and slapped Daichi's hand.

"How many times do I have to tell you stop teasing him Daichi!?" she scolded.

"Hn."

"What! No we're not running laaaate- OH NO! Natsu-chan we-"

"Got it Mama! I'll be quick."

"You're the best, baby!" she praised.

She kissed his cheek quickly and then rushed to get ready herself. He watched her go and slowly shook his head.

"Papa mean," he grumbled.

"Hn."

"Jerk."

"Hn."

"I am going to get ready."

"Hn."

"I'm gonna tell Mama you changed the clock."

"Hn."

Sneaky old troll.

It was only when he was alone without either of his parents nearby; that the gloomy angst overwhelmed him once again. He stared at his wardrobe. He ignored his bed, having not used it for several nights. Instead, he'd been sleeping with his parents. It didn't stop his traitorous mind from thinking about his stupid nightmares. He stared a little harder at his wardrobe, trying to find something to wear.

"Natsu-chan! Are you ready!?"

He blinked rapidly and was shocked to find he'd been crying. He hadn't even realized he'd changed out of his favorite dinosaur shirt and frog overalls. He stared at his four year old reflection. He'd changed into a cute black laced dress that ended just above his knees. It had no sleeves and looked much too nice to wear to the park. He also had on cute white ruffled socks with a hair clip in his hand.

"Natsu-chan? Did you not hear me-"

Masaki gave a soft gasp at seeing him. It dawned on him that it'd been a week since he'd last worn any of his feminine clothes. He couldn't explain, all he knew was that it felt right and the dress he wore reflected his mood.

"Mama? Can I wear this?" he asked softly.

Masaki giggled lightly and took the clip from his hand. She combed her fingers through his hair and smoothed it out before clipping it into place. She smiled at him and he marveled at just how gorgeous his mother truly was. '

"Of course Natsumi-chan. You always look perfect."

He couldn't stop the sniffle he gave and was fucking embarrassed. Did he care? No, not when he was blessed to have wonderful and accepting parents like Daichi and Masaki. Daichi walked them to the door and gave Masaki a sweet kiss. He bent over so they were at eye level. He stubbornly stared back, matching his father's intense stare with no intention of backing down.

"Be a good girl for Mama."

The burst of warmth in his chest over powered any gloom haunting his thoughts. He smirked back at his old man and cheekily imitated his favorite phrase.

"Duh Papa! Knew you weren't stupid."

"Brat."

"Mama!"

"Daichi!"

"Hn."

O_o-BNHA-o_O

No one really notices just how fucking shitty their feeling until they're left alone.

The walk to the park had been- dare he say it- rather fun. Masaki held his hand and sang a catchy little rhyme; flowers bloomed and rainbows shined and somewhere in the world a unicorn was shitting gold. He twirled about in his dress, giggling like the child he physically was; finding the tapping of his glossy mary janes hilarious. He waved and smiled at the old grannies watching from their windows; rightfully smug at hearing how they called him adorable and cute.

It was an awesome walk.

When they actually reached the park, Masaki urged him to play, looking rather nervous. It was then he remembered that this was a really important interview and not just a play date. He could tell by her hovering that she was using him to stall. For the record- he was positive she'd ace the whole thing. She was his mom and he had awesome as hell parents. Still, everyone needed a bit of cheering every now and then.

He tugged at her dress until she leaned down, close enough for him to smack a quick kiss on her cheek. He smiled wide and gave a fist pump into the air.

"You're awesome Mama!" he cheered.

Let it be known, that the power of an adorable child face is nothing to be scoffed at.

It worked like magic.

She nodded back at him with determination, copied his fist pumped strolled off with confidence in her stride. He couldn't have been any prouder to call her his Mama. Only after she left did everything go back to being shit.

It was the laughter and loud cheering that did him in.

He found himself suddenly frozen and couldn't look away. They were so lively- so bright and real.

So…..

Alive.

Masaki and Daichi usually kept him at home unless they had errands to run. Daichi was home schooling him and so far neither of his parents seemed to have friends. At least none they thought to bring home. As such, he may or may not have taken advantage of the situation and ignored the fact he was in a manga/anime.

It was one thing to watch heroes on TV, another to see his parents use their quirks; but none of that was as fucking terrifying as seeing an entire community happily doing the same out in the open. On some subconscious level, he must have been in denial; ignoring the problem in hopes it'd eventually go away. A habit from his last life that seemed to have followed him.

Right before his eyes, was a girl with a monkey tail and ears; by the swing was a boy pushing himself with some wind sort of quirk. A few benches were occupied by parents- a crocodile looking lady, a mother literally drooling lava and a father with horns.

"STOP VILLAIN!"

He jumped at the cry as a group of boys came rushing pass him, chasing after another.

"It's fine now. Why?" another started before together as a group they all shouted.

"BECAUSE I AM HERE!"

He vaguely took note of how breathing was starting to get harder. He could feel his chest growing cold at the base of his spine, moving towards the center of his chest. Just as his thoughts started to flash back to his nightmares, something collided into him and knocked him to the ground on his back.

Suddenly everything was just silent.

He heard nothing, felt nothing.

All he could do was stare at the endless blue above him.

He wondered if this is what he last felt.

If instead of being reincarnated, he would have been trapped in his cold corpse staring at the sky.

"A-ah! I-I'm sorry! Are you alright?" a meek voice cried.

He didn't move- couldn't really, not when he was too busy thinking about his corpse. Besides, he was dead right? Dead bodies don't do anything. He continued to stare at the sky and said nothing.

"Neh? D-do you need help?"

Soon the endless blue was gone and replaced by luminous green. The face above him had such round eyes- it felt as if God tried to stuff every ounce of innocence he could into them. It should be illegal for someone to have eyes like that. Then he got distracted by the scattering of freckles on the child's face. All the little green thing would need was a halo and his angel atheistic would be complete.

Shit maybe he really did die again!?'

"Oi! Deku!" someone called

The green eyed angel child above him looked away.

"A-ah! Coming just w-wait a b-bit!"

The child looked down at him and smiled awkwardly.

"H-here let me help you up."

He took one look at the pudgy hand being offered and felt the cold inside him melt just a little. A child this sweet should literally not exist. Let alone be so sweet to his asshole self. He didn't deserve something like that, which is why he ignored the hand and sat up on his own.

"I'm fine."

"B-but I-"

"DEKU! HURRY UP!"

"Go. Your friends are waiting." He urged.

He visibly saw the conflict on the child's face. He pointedly focused on dusting his dirtied dress, hoping the kid would simply feel awkward and leave. It worked perfectly and he inwardly smirked at his genius. The small victory didn't last long as once again he was alone and it all came flooding the fuck back.

PTSD was a bitch.

The world seemed to shift and all he could think about was the cold sensation of his insides. The thoughts in his head taunted him and screamed. They repeatedly whispered in his mind Jonathan's words. Despite the loud children around him, he'd never felt more alone and lost since his rebirth.

He wonders if that's the reason the empty sand pit seemed to call to him.

He wonders if that's why he felt the need to pick up the shovel and start digging.

It was only simple logic and it made sense to his brain.

Dead bodies needed to be buried right?

He loses himself to the motions of digging; idly mapping out the exact length and width he'd need to dig for his body to fit. He tries his best not to think too hard about what he's doing. He takes no notice of the curious green eyes that never stray far for long. Instead he wonder's just how deep he plans to dig; mostly because he doubts he could dig a 6ft deep grave before his mother finished her interview.

O_o-BNHA-o_O

Izuku tried his best to pay attention to Kaachan's story. He really did! It was just really hard. The girl he'd accidentally ran into earlier was still there. He worried that she might be mad at him. After all he made her fall and dirtied her pretty dress. Although he said sorry he still felt as if she was mad at him. She hadn't said she'd forgiven him! So that must mean she's still mad.

"OI! Deku pay attention!" Bakugou snapped before throwing the ball at his face.

Unprepared to catch it, Izuku yelped as it hit him in the face.

"Ow! Kaachan that hurt." He cried with teary eyes.

"You should have caught it then. Geez how useless can you get Deku." Bakugou laughed with a shake of his head.

He rubbed at his nose hoping the stinging feeling would go away. Around him the other kids just laughed and joined Bakugou in calling him names. He tried his best not to cry as he knew crying would just make Bakugou angrier.

"Neh Bakugou! Let's play Heroes again." One of the boys cheered.

Izuku sat up with eyes wide in excitement. He loved playing heroes- it was one of his favorite games to play.

"Can we Kaachan!? If we do, can I be All Might this time?" he excitedly asked

Bakugou looked at him with an annoyed expression. The other boys were making faces too and seemed to be laughing at him. However, he took no notice. Izuku never noticed anyone else most of the time. He was too focused on Bakugou, waiting to hear just what his amazing friend would say.

"No way Deku."

"B-But why not?"

"You're way too slow to be All Might. You'll be the victim- I'll be All Might and save you."

Izuku couldn't help but feel sad. It's not that he didn't think Bakugou wouldn't be great as All Might. It's just that he was always the one being saved. Just this once he wanted to be the one to save someone.

"But I'm always the one being saved." He mumbled weakly.

"That's because you're so useless. Just let Bakugou be All Might already, Deku." Another boy huffed.

Izuku didn't really hear him. He was too busy feeling hurt. He should be used to always being told no. They never let him choose a game or even let him be All Might. They always call him names and it's not fun always being the one teased.

"Okay! You got it Deku!?" Bakugou addressed.

"Wha-what was that Kaachan?" He stuttered

He hadn't even noticed that he'd started watching that girl again. She was still digging in the sand pit all by herself. It was almost as if nobody else even saw her. In his distracted state he didn't notice the irritation on Bakugou's face.

"I said Koushiro's the villain so you have to start running so he can chase you."

Izuku doesn't know why he says it. He doesn't even think about it- it just comes out. However once he says it he realizes it's the truth.

"What did you say?" Bakugou repeats with a glare on his face.

"I-I don't want to be the victim." He repeats

He's clenching his eyes so tight both in panic and fear. He doesn't want to see how angry Bakugou's probably gotten with him. Bakugou hates people who don't listen. Izuku never thought one day he'd be one of those who'd not listen too.

"Fine. If you don't want to be the victim then you don't get to play at all."

"No! W-wait!" He scrambles to say but Bakugou smirks at him without care.

"I don't play with babies, Deku. Be the victim or don't play."

There's a tense silence among their group. No one dares to say anything and Bakugou just stares at him waiting. Izuku knows this is the part where he say's sorry and agrees to play the victim. He knows that's what Bakugou is waiting for- an apology.

And yet.

He still doesn't say anything.

He knows he's not going to the minute he looks at his feet rather than Bakugou's face. As such he misses the strange look that flits across Bakugou's face before it's replaced with a dismissive sneer.

"Fine. Let's go guys, Takuya can be the victim."

"What about Deku?"

"Deku's not playing."

Izuku only realizes he's crying when everyone's back has turned. It's not the other boys leaving that he watches, instead he can't look away from Bakugou's back. He feels a clenching sensation in his stomach and his tears fall harder.

It's the first time he realizes he never wants to see Bakugou walking away from him.

Just as he's about to chase after him and say sorry. He's distracted by the sound of digging. Once again he finds his attention snagged by the girl from before. She's still digging and no one else looks to be with her.

Izuku will never really know why he does it.

But instead of chasing after Bakugou as he usually did, his feet took him elsewhere.

Through the blur of his tears, he looks at the girl in the black dress. He hesitates just a little bit but then finds it in him to actually speak.

O_o-BNHA-o_O

"What are you doing?" a meek voice questioned with a small sniffle.

He stops digging and is surprised to see it's the same kid from earlier. He finds himself staring at the obvious tear streaks on the kids face. The asshole in him wants to tell the kid to fuck off and mind his own shit. If it were any other child, he probably would have; but this kid was channeling that angel aesthetic way too fucking much.

If he ever did die again, he did want to make it to heaven you know.

Making the most angelic kid he's ever seen cry would probably screw that up.

"Digging," he honestly answers with a curt tone.

He thinks the kid would leave him alone after that. After all, there's nothing particularly fun about digging a hole.

"Why?"

He's wrong of course- because you know, why the hell not.

He turns away from his looking-to-be-decent-sized hole and peers closely at the green boy. The kid's eyes are still red but he's not bawling or anything. He'd never liked to see people cry, it always made him uncomfortable, now isn't any different. He looks pass the green child and spies the group he'd been playing with.

What he wasn't expecting was to be glared at by a blonde demon child.

He only registers two very important things following that;

One.

Is that little shit fucking glaring at him?

And two.

Holy Fuck! Who has naturally red eyes of such color?

The blonde shit doesn't falter at being caught staring. Instead the kid literally somehow manages to increase the intensity. He could literally feel the utter hatred being directed at him.

Who even was this brat?

Would it be too much if he simply flipped the kid off?

He inhales deeply and counts to three before releasing it with a heavy sigh. He reminds himself that he's here for Masaki, not to pick fights with blonde shits who could fuck off. He'd actually forgotten he wasn't alone until the green boy speaks again.

"Hime-chan?"

He's read and watched plenty of manga and anime as a teen to know that he'd just been called a princess. He was a lot of things; asshole, dickhead, awesome, but princess was so not one of them.

"What?" he blurted in shock.

As if he hadn't already melted his heart enough, the green angel blushes a dark red.

"I'm sorry! I-I just- I don't know your name a-and you look v-very pretty in your dress. I'm sorry."

No but seriously- was this kid even legal!?

He could feel his face burn with a blush of his own. It wasn't fair! This was practically an ambush! He'd grown so used to being around just Daichi and Masaki, he totally forgot other saintly blessed humans existed. He was also aware that children had no filters till about the age of 24 and often blurted their honest thoughts.

He needed a distraction ASAP or he'd die of embarrassment from being called pretty by a broccoli angel.

"Natsumi! My name is Natsumi!" he all but shouted.

The green cherub looked startled before his face literally brightened into a wide eyed grin.

"Pretty! My names Izuku."

The burning of his ears was no joke. Despite his efforts he still felt awkward in the face of the compliment and hastily turned back to digging his hole.

"Please don't call me pretty. Also I'm busy," he managed to mumble.

The confusion and sad look Izuku wore gut him right in the feels. He was beyond certain the child before him was the next Jesus Christ, sent down to destroy all evil and save their ungrateful worthless souls.

"O-oh! Sorry."

"Please stop saying sorry."

"S-sor- Ah!"

Oh.

Oh shit.

Fuck, the kid looked like he was going to cry. He scrambled to say something-anything to hold up the tears, when he caught sight of the demon blond watching. He blurted his words out with little thought.

"Why aren't you with your friends?"

Izuku froze before he hesitantly looked behind him. Coincidentally, the demon blond was looking elsewhere and had started yelling orders at the other kids. The expression Izuku wore was just so sad. It looked like he was-

Oh.

Just a second.

He knew that expression.

He'd seen that look before and felt kinship bloom within him for the boy.

It was yearning.

If anyone bothered to look deeper into the expression, they would probably find the hidden hurt and disappointment mixed deep within its depths. The earlier gloom he felt returned with a vengeance and he suddenly knew exactly what to say to cheer Izuku up.

"Did you want to play with me?"

Izuku turned away from the subtly watching blond boy. While his eyes were still a little sad; they were slowly brightening with curiosity. He tried not to overthink and grow anxious about further interacting with the kid. When Izuku next spoke, there was less hesitance and more hope in his tone.

"C-can I-I be All Might?"

Ok.

As cute as the kid was- there was no way in hell they were playing that.

He had a hole to finish digging and….

He spent a few more seconds really looking at the kid. The cold sensation slowly returned and slithered its way closer to his chest. He stared at the green haired, wide eyed freckled boy and bit his lip.

He shouldn't.

It would be a dick move and who the fuck knows what consequences the kid would suffer mentally.

But….

He needed this.

He took a measured breath and thought 'Fuck it' before he whispered his next question.

"Do you-…. Have you ever been to a funeral?"

He'd already died, why not take the risk and buy himself a ticket straight to hell anyway.

This could have been longer but I didn't want to exceed over 7,000 words. Unlike the last chapter, I'm not writing about an important and controversial subject such as sexuality or gender identity. It's literally just a bit of gloom and light angst. In other news, I'm aiming to post part 2 by Saturday so here's a hoping.

Please review and offer feedback! I really do want to do BNHA justice and don't want to screw up Bakugou, Izuku or any of the characters.

Thank you for the reads x