Something grows in the pit of Izuku's stomach.
Heavy, it weighs on every one of his limbs. He used to be swift; now, he can barely get a kick in. Voices that he once found cheerful and comforting now sound like harsh, repetitive sirens.
They'd said life with a quirk was never boring, that it was all you'd ever need.
And he, like a fool, had believed.
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Something grows in the pit of Izuku's stomach.
when he looks at the photos of him and his mom, or the plushies he brought from home. the posters glare at him on the wall, bright colors faded from long ago. back then, he used to think all might was untouchable. now, the truth hurts to know.
they said a quirk was what made you strong, and with it, nothing would ever go wrong.
so he followed along.
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something grows in the pit of izuku's stomach.
his friends tell him his eyes don't look so green. what the fuck does that even mean? when he asks them, this is what they say: "you look the most stressed we've ever seen." and he supposes it's true; the work placed on them as hero students has recently been obscene.
they said to use your quirk smart; they turned survival into an art.
he was warned it wasn't for the faint of heart.
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something grows in the pit of izuku's stomach.
he didn't know it would follow him around. vaguely he's aware of it. it doesn't feel right, and he would like to forget. but he didn't know how detrimental it would get until he's brought face to face with the ground. people rush to his side, asking if he's hurt. he says he's safe and sound.
they said a quirk kept you from harm, that it was a treasure that worked like a charm.
so why does he still feel unarmed?
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something grows in the pit of izuku's stomach.
it's in the fight with bakugou, who won't let him escape 'round the bend. this is the biggest fight the two of them have ever had, and silently izuku prays it is the end. of whatever's going on between them; it echoes in his head, "why do you want to hurt me so much? i'm supposed to be your friend!"
they said quirks were the joy that brought people together.
so izuku had hoped the pain wouldn't fester.
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something grows in the pit of izuku's stomach.
wandering roads, growing ever longer, drive him more lost the more that he finds. there isn't a single second when it isn't on his mind. it's the easiest thing in the world to show everyone he's fine, but everything goes out the window when the clock strikes nine.
they said a quirk was not meant to be passed down.
he knows what they mean now.
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something grows in the pit of izuku's stomach.
that perhaps he donned wings that were not meant for his back. that he's never seen what he had, too focused on what he lacks. so in an effort to get on track, he throws all that he has to give into every single attack.
they said sometimes a quirk would ache. sometimes it's too much for one to take.
and everyone knows what happens when you break.
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something grows in the pit of izuku's stomach.
it doesn't need the sun; in fact, it's more active at night. it shows up not when you're prepared; it waits until you're too tired to put up a fight. it creeps into your heart and your hands and your eyes, until you're unable to tell dark from light, or left from right. it holds you like no one else has, warm and alive and tight.
they said… they said a lot of things izuku doesn't bother to recall.
and why should he? they were wrong, after all.
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something grows in the pit of izuku's stomach.
you can tell it's fully matured when he disappears. it's planned out, meticulous, as if he was never here. when people find out, they search and they search, but it's too late; he's ripped out his roots with a sharpened pair of shears. some cry rivers; others barely shed a tear. confusion turns to anger turns to guilt turns to fear.
they said absolute power corrupts absolutely.
and for once, izuku agrees.
because what grew in his stomach said it to his face.
"you're not meant for this place. you had to leave. this is your one life; it's something you can't waste."