Morning sunlight, warm but pale, glowed in the clearing. Midoriya's breath puffed in his face as he breathed, like steam. It was a testament to the chill in the air and the frost that coated the grass underfoot. Cool mornings were growing more and more common, as the season wore on. Midoriya was unbothered by it, though, as he hefted up another log into place. The physical strain burned at his muscles and warmed his blood. Sweat dripped down his forehead and pooled at the base of his collarbone. Midoriya grunted as he lifted one end of the log, anchoring it with his legs. He grabbed the rope from its place in his mouth, and began to tie it around the log, twisting it expertly to fasten the log to the new post in the ground.
The bleating of his dams filled the background, clashing with the soft noises of the surrounding forest. Midoriya tuned it out, focusing on the task at hand. Even though the herd was safely back in their wintering grounds, work still needed to be done. Primarily, maintenance on the corral's fencing had to be finished, before the cold set it. Luckily, Inui had already cut the wood needed to complete the job. Midoriya just had to put the new logs into place.
He tied the rope off and breathed a sigh. There. Midoriya stepped back to admire his handiwork, wiping the sweat off his brow. The tie was secure; all that was left was to tie the middle and the bottom, and the re-fencing was complete.
The corral's fences were basically a bunch of logs stuck into the ground, like posts, with more logs stuck in an 'x' pattern in between each post. It was a simple design, but it kept the sheep in and most of the predators out, so Midoriya couldn't complain. He rolled his head, rolling out some kinks, and set to work. He cut some more rope, tying the same knot as before in the middle to fasten the two middle logs together. Once finished, Midoriya gave the rope a good tug, ensuring his knots were tight. Satisfied, he moved to the last section, tying it off with ease.
There. Finished.
A proud grin tugged at his lips, and Midoriya let himself flop onto the grass. The frost nipped at his skin, but the chill was a welcome sensation compared to the heat rolling off him. Just a few moments of rest, and he would get up.
"Hey, kid, whatcha doing?"
Midoriya bolted upright, his wide gaze landing onto that of his sensei. "O-oh, I was just resting." He scrambled to his feet, gesturing to the completed fence with jerky hand movements. "I uh, I finished the fence, so I thought I'd rest a moment. Is there anything else you need me to do?"
Inui placed his hands on his hips, squinting as he scrutinized Midoriya's work. The behemoth of a man nodded to himself, before uttering a low chuckle. "Nice work, kid," he said. "Nah, take it easy. 'Sides, it's about time for the Trials to start up, so work's over for the day."
A jolt of excitement laced through him. Midoriya bowed once, twice, grinning wildly. "Right, yes, thank you, sensei!" He stumbled after his cloak, snatching it up in a bundle and hurrying off towards his hut. Inui's boisterous laughter rang out behind him, but Midoriya didn't pause to look back.
Today was the first day of the Trials.
The Trails ritual as a whole took place over the course of a week. There were only so many enlistees that could perform in one day, after all, and in accordance with tradition, the entire week was essentially a holiday. The entire village was devoid of work; children played in the streets, lanterns were strung up amid the trees, and a festive air hung about the place.
Sweet and savory smells drifted along the trees. Midoriya's mouth watered, and he could feel his belly gurgling. Oh, gods that smelled good. He hugged his cloak closer, pressing his nose into the soft fur with a sigh. Mornings were spent preparing food, and everyone would eat heartily after the first day's Trails were finished. Then, the entire village would eat and party and laugh, as per tradition. Midoriya picked up the pace, excitement kindling inside him.
He wondered how many enlistees would pass, this year.
Last year, there were only ten enlistees, and only one didn't make it. Midoriya didn't remember how exactly that Trial panned out; he'd missed it thanks to a dire wolf attacking the yearling lambs. He only remembered the solitary hut, skins drawn tight across the doorway and torches extinguished the remainder of the week. This year, however, there were approximately thirty enlistees. It was an exciting year, and Midoriya could feel the buzz in the air.
"Mom, I'm back!" he cried, stumbling to a halt at their hut. He yanked back the skins, poking his head inside. His mother peered into the pot over their firepit, her face shrouded in steam. Warm smells of stew tickled Midoriya's nose, and he found himself migrating towards it. "Mmh, smells good!"
Inko blinked up at him, her eyes crinkling as she smiled. "Yes, well you'll have to wait until later to eat. Go wash up now, we don't want to be late!" She shooed him then, waving her wooden ladle about. Midoriya huffed and rolled his eyes, pouting.
"Fine, fine." He dumped his cloak on the floor, kicking off his boots and peeling off his vest and trousers. The wash basin stood in the corner, a solitary woolen blanket tucked into the low hanging rafters to offer a bit of privacy. Midoriya slipped behind it, tugging it back into place behind him. He left his clothes in a pile where he'd shed them; they were a bit sweaty from this morning, and he wanted to dress up a bit. He grabbed a clean rag, dipping it in the cool water and began to wash himself.
Once his skin was pink and clean, Midoriya wrung out his rag and laid it out to dry. He peered around the blanket. "Hey, mom? Can you hand me some clothes, please?"
Inko hummed, setting down her ladle and disappearing outside. She returned a moment later, fresh trousers and vest in her arms, and she handed them to Midoriya. He beamed at her and muttered a soft, "Thanks."
"Yes, yes," she said, "now hurry up!"
Midoriya tugged the blanket back into place, a wry grin tickling at his features. He pulled on his trousers, nearly falling into the wall while doing so, and slipped into the nice woolen vest. It was dyed a deep, emerald green, to match his eyes. Midoriya loved the vest; his mother had made it, spending quite a chunk of change to acquire the ivory buttons she sewed onto it. Midoriya brushed off some stray lint and straightened the fabric. Satisfied, he pulled back the blanket. "How do I look?"
Inko looked up and gasped. Her eyes grew glassy, and she clasped her hands together at her chest. "Oh, Izuku, you look so handsome!"
He laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thanks, mom." Any awkwardness was thwarted by Inko crossing the space between them and pulling Midoriya into another one of her bone-crushing hugs. He squeaked, fighting it feebly before accepting his fate.
"You're growing up so fast, I just can't believe it!" she wailed. Midoriya tried to respond, but his lungs felt like they were being squished. He just pat her on the back and wheezed a sigh.
Finally, finally, she released him, and they set off.
The Trials took place up in the western peaks, in an arena especially made for them. It was close to the training grounds, set in a hollowed out mountain. Rumor had it that the mountains all once spewed fire, and the people who had first inhabited the area became one with the mountains, earning their elemental magic. Those first settlers were, according to legend, their ancestors. The Trails rituals were in part, a way to embrace their flame and celebrate those ancestors, which was why holding them within the mountains themselves was so fitting. The future protectors of their clans, kindling their fire and their worth within the very birthplace of their clan; a befitting circumstance, Midoriya thought.
Inko and Midoriya strode side by side, slipping into the crowd that trapaised through the forest and towards the arena. There was a current of excitement in the air; he could feel it in the breeze, amid the endless chatter mixing with the sounds of nature around them. Midoriya clasped his hands behind his back and just listened, a grin stretching across his face. Children shrieked and ran about, their smocks clean. Some of the older children even had their first set of beads around their necks, rattling about as they darted to and fro. Midoriya reached up to thumb his own reflexively.
He wasn't sure how exactly the tradition started; something to do with conquests in battle, but every child in their clan inherited a set of beads at around the age of ten years old. The colors usually reflected some significance to the family, and the first set was always made by a family member, usually the mother. His own beads were various shades of blues and greens.
Midoriya's heart squeezed in his chest as he clutched at his beads. His mind jumped backwards, to a different sunny day. He remembered warm eyes, twinkling with a smile. A gentle voice, a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Izuku, this here is my lucky tooth."
He gazed upon the tooth with wide eyes. It was large, almost as long as Midoriya's hand, and curved. A fang, possibly from a fenrir. He gaped at the sight, reaching out to touch the tooth in the palm of his father's hand. "Whoa," he whispered. The warm smile brightened.
"This tooth has brought me great fortune; hopefully it can do the same for you."
Midoriya clasped the relic in his hands, brimming with happiness. He bowed wildly. "I'll always keep it with me!" he cried. "Just like you!"
He let his hand fall away from his beads with a sigh and pushed the memory away. Now was not the time for wistful thoughts of bittersweet memories. Midoriya forced his focus back onto his surroundings, trying to jump back into the festive feelings of that morning. Inko's grip tightened on his arm, and Midoriya turned to shoot her a grin.
The forest gave way to the mountains. The surrounding murmurs gave way to excited shouts as villagers and Guildsmen alike made their way to the Trails arena. Excitement fizzled in Midoriya's veins, and he had to restrain himself from breaking out into a run. Inko served as an anchor, her steady pace and tight grip keeping him in place beside her. Without it, he'd certainly have run off ahead and gotten swept up into the crowd.
Decorated torches lined the paths, their firelight casting shadows on the rock around them. Among the shadows, Midoriya could see Guildsmen lurking, decked out in their ceremonial garb. Signature red cloaks, accompanied by bare chests, and colored beads upon beads adorning their necks. Many of their beads had teeth and claws threaded within the vibrant colors. The Guildswomen wore their finest corsets, threaded with gold and red. All had their ceremonial bracers on their forearms and their best weapons clutched in their hands. It was a show of power; the Guild was to be feared and respected.
Their torchlit path wound up even steeper, taking them past the practice grounds. Mountain peaks reared up around them, some disappearing into the fluffy clouds overhead. The air was chilly here, and Midoriya found himself pulling his fur cloak tighter around himself.
"I wonder what the Trails will be like this year," Inko murmured beside him. Midoriya hummed. The Trials were usually held in the same format; one enlistee faces off against some beast, in a battle to the death. Victory meant proving oneself worthy of joining the Guild, failure was permanent. It was a dishonor to fail the Trails; families of enlistees that failed were often looked down upon by the clan. They mourned in quiet for a few days, before pretending the fallen did not exist. It was...unsettling. Still, it was tradition.
"Well, there's been a lot more activity from dire wolves lately," he said. "Plus, I heard rumors of another fenrir in the area…" Midoriya shuddered at that. Fenrir were massive, wolf-like creatures. They often hunted alone and were thought to possess magical abilities. Encountering one was unlucky enough, as they were fierce and difficult to defeat. It wasn't impossible for the Guild to unleash one during the Trials. "Who knows, really."
Inko sighed, clutching his arm tighter. "I'm just glad I don't have to worry about you doing these things," she said, her voice soft. "I'd be beside myself with worry."
Midoriya felt his heart constrict in his chest, and he forced a laugh. The thought of worrying his mother like that though, made him feel a little sick. It didn't lessen the sting, or the longing within him for something more, but for once Midoriya was glad to be on the audience side of the Trials.
At long last, they were here. The gaping entrance of the arena stood before them. Midoriya craned his head upwards, straining to see the summit of the mountain. It went up and up and up, ice beginning to coat the rocks until it disappeared into the cloudy mist hanging overhead. Shadows overtook him, and Midoriya dropped his gaze back down to what has unfolding before him.
The cave gave way into a massive cavern, lit up by hundreds of torches. The quiet murmurs of his clanmates around him echoed off the stony walls, creating a cacophony of sounds roaring in his ears. Midoriya could smell the sweat and smoke mingling together; an odd smell, that he wrinkled his nose at. Guildsmen herded the newcomers through a short passage and into the arena. Midoriya gawked at the sight. Despite attending the Trails almost every year since he was born, the sight never grew old. Overhead, hanging on a massive chain, was a huge cauldron, with enough wood and tinder to fuel a roaring fire that lit the cavern. The arena itself was an oval, a few hundred feet below where he stood. It was surrounded by the grandstands, sections carved into the rock for patrons to sit and watch the match unfold down below. Every so often, about a good stonesthrow apart, was a little platform for a Guildsman to stand guard. And guarding, they were. Midoriya caught sight of the gleam of a cutlass here, the deadly glint of a club there. Villagers crowded into the grandstands, filing into their seats with an eagerness so potent, Midoriya could almost reach his hands out and feel it. He led his mother down the first row he could slip into, sitting right beside one of the platforms. His gaze immediately dropped down to the arena below.
On the left, stood a solitary person. They stood stock still, hands clenched and ready. On the right, a gate blocked a massive opening, large enough for a monster of gigantic proportions to enter the arena. Which was a likely occurrence, given the history of the Trails. Just about anything could come through that gate. The thought alone was terrifying. Midoriya rested his elbows on his knees, leaning forward eagerly.
He thought he vaguely recognized the enlistee; they wore a white bandana across their forehead, something Awase always did. Midoriya didn't know him personally, of course, but he had seen Awase from time to time in the village. His father was a Guildsman, and a trader. From the occasional pleasantries they exchanged, Midoriya ventured to believe that Awase was a decent guy. It made sense that he'd try to follow in his father's footsteps; most kids did. Midoriya's smile faltered.
Most, anyway.
"Look, it's Captain Bakugou!"
Midoriya's gaze jerked up, darting wildly about. There, across the arena at the top of the grandstands, was an area sectioned off by the Guild. Large basins of fire cast an eerie light on the Guildsmen that stood guard there. Their spears, decorated with ceremonial tassels, glinted in the firelight. Amidst it all was Captain Bakugou herself, in all her barbaric glory. Her wild blonde hair, the same pale color as Kacchan's, was pinned up in a messy bun, with decorative beads and feathers woven into it. A vicious grin split her face, war paint splattered onto her cheeks. She wore the standard leggings and corset, her many beads on full display around her neck. Her cape, blood red and collar trimmed with thick fenrir fur, pooled down her shoulders and brushed the ground at her feet. The crowd shrieked with glee, pounding their feet and waving their hands in the air. Midoriya joined in, his veins fizzling with excitement.
Captain Bakugou raised her arms, and everyone fell silent. "Welcome, everyone, to the Trials Ritual." There was a pause, and the Guild captain surveyed the space, the glee sparking in her features like firelight. "Let us begin."
The crowd roared, and the Trials began.
There was a metallic screech as the gate was drawn back. The cheering died down to hushed murmurs of excitement as everyone watched the scene below with bated breath. Midoriya leaned closer, barely registering his mother's muttering beside him. This was it, the moment they'd all been waiting for. Down below, Awase shifted in place, his body tense. Midoriya couldn't see his expression from here, but he didn't have to; Awase was nervous.
Silence. Someone coughed nearby, and there was rustling as people shifted in place. No one moved, and even the murmurings stopped. It was as if the entire arena was holding its breath, waiting. And then, a blur of fur exploded into the arena.
A dire wolf.
It was large; not as large as a fenrir, but large enough that its shoulders were only a hand and a half below Awase's. Its coat was matted, and Midoriya could see the barest hint of an iron collar around the beast's neck, mostly hidden by its thick mane. The wolf's ears were pinned back, and it streaked straight towards Awase, snarling. It lunged, teeth clacking. Awase dodged at the last second, narrowly missing the ivory fangs aiming for his neck. He stumbled, barely having time to readjust before the wolf was upon him again. Midoriya could see the briefest flash as his hands lit up and then a mountain of grey and brown fur obstructed his view. There were gasps mingling with the deepthroated growls of the dire wolf, and then the beast uttered a sharp yelp.
Awase kicked free, his hands smoldering. The dire wolf stumbled back, its hind legs kicking up as it scrambled free. Its lips were drawn back in a snarl, and it eyed Awase warily. The distinct smell of burnt flesh and hair permeated the arena. Midoriya wrinkled his nose. Yuck. He could make out a bit of smoke curling up from the wolf's side; Awase must have used his flame and burned it.
"Oh, I can't watch," Inko murmured. Midoriya spared her a glance. She hid her face in her palms, visibly trembling.
"It's okay, mom," he said, "I think he's got a plan."
Though it couldn't be a very simple one. From what Midoriya could tell, Awase's flame was just the bare minimum. The grand majority of the clan had only a weak connection to fire; that is, most people could only do something simple, like manipulate air temperature or heat. Awase was able to muster up enough heat to scorch things; if he could do more, he probably would have already. But the boy was clever and light on his feet. He managed to keep out of reach from the beast, despite its size and ferocity. Still, to defeat it, he'd have to wear it out. Dire wolves were nimble creatures, known for hunting in packs to take down prey much larger than themselves. He'd have to exhaust it in order to burn it enough to take it down. Midoriya cringed. The way he saw it, they were in for a long match.
Cheers drew his attention back down to the arena. Awase was on his back, his smoldering hands clasped around the wolf's muzzle. It scrabbled at his face, whining and wreathing. The beast managed to slash his cheek with its long claws, tearing a cry from the enlistee and giving itself a chance to worm free. The wolf pushed its face into the dirt, rubbing its paws at its burnt muzzle. Awase scrambled to his feet. Blood dribbled down his face and dripped down his neck. He raised a palm to swipe at it, before uttering a roar. He charged the beast, palms raised and lit.
The dire wolf scattered. Dirt flew as the beast retreated, flinging up in Awase's face. He skid to a halt, launching himself towards the wolf. Awase closed the distance and threw himself onto its back. The wolf snarled, twisting and bucking like a horse being broken for the first time, but Awase clung to the beast with sheer determination. One hand fisted the wolf's mane, the other, lit and smoldering, reached forward, towards the wolf's eyes. The beast snapped at it, the click of its teeth echoing amid the shouts of the crowd. Dirt flew up everywhere as the two tussled in the arena. Midoriya held his breath; anything could happen at this point. He watched as both boy and wolf kicked and snarled and pulled and growled. They were both twisting and writhing and it was hard to get a good glimpse at what was happening. One moment, Awase was on the ground, the wolf's fangs snapping right above his jugular, the next, Awase was clinging to its scruff with a death grip, hands lit and burning its flesh.
And then, at long last, Awase reached up and slapped the wolf's eyes. The beast screamed, scrabbling and writhing and twisting, but Awase clung on. He moved and wrapped his arms tight around its neck in a death grip. Blinded, the dire wolf charged around the arena, trying desperately to throw the young enlistee off. Time ticked on; one lap, two laps, ten seconds, thirty… Its movements grew more and more sluggish, and a horrid wheezing just barely broke through the screams of the villagers in the stands. Trotting turned to staggering, and the shrieks of the audience fell to silence as everyone waited.
The dire wolf took one last staggering step, and collapsed. Awase released his hold on the beast, crawling out from under it and standing victorious.
The match was finished.
The crowd went wild, rearing onto their feet and roaring. Midoriya roared with them. The adrenaline and excitement of the match flooded through him. That ever present itch to be better, do better, be someone else burned at his skin. He reached up and clasped the tooth hanging around his neck, heart yearning for flames of his own. If only…
A Guildsman strode out into the arena, red cape swirling behind him. He stopped beside the fallen beast, dropping to his knees. Everyone watched with bated breath as the Guildsman reached out, pressing his hand up under the dire wolf's throat. There was a pause, and he nodded seemingly to himself, before rising. "The beast has been defeated. Awase Yosetsu is the victor."
Cheers rang out once more. Midoriya let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, and he watched as the Guildsman pulled out a curved knife from under his cloak. He handed it to a dirt smeared Awase. The enlistee held the knife tenderly, as though it was something precious. He seemed almost awed that this was happening. Slowly, Awase raised the knife up, the cheers growing wilder. Thousands of feet thumped to a beat. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Slowly, with with a reverence and trembling glee, Midoriya watched as Awase lowered the knife and stooped over the wolf. Knots tightened in his stomach.
Oh, yeah. Instinctively, Midoriya threw his hands up and over his face, interlocking his fingers to hide himself from the view of what was to happen next. The thundering in the stands increased into a fever pitch, and there was a moment where the noise seemed to coalesce into an untempered mess, like they were on the edge of a cliff looking down. Midoriya peeked through his fingers, catching the brief sight of Awase holding the dire wolf's heart in a bloodied hand, a wild grin split across his face. His stomach dropped, and he hid his face once more. Then, cheers rang out, and the moment was over.
It was a tradition. One that never failed to make Midoriya feel a bit...queasy. He knew if he looked beside him, his mother would be doing the same as himself, her face green and expression pained. Eating the heart of the beast you defeated; it was something Midoriya never really understood. Or liked. It was one of the very few things that made him glad to be fireless, because at least now he never had to partake in such a ritual.
He only dropped his hands once Awase and the gutted wolf were both removed from the arena.
"I think I'm going to go get a breath of fresh air," Inko murmured from beside him. Midoriya nodded absently, his gaze focused on the Guildsmen throwing more dirt onto the red staining the ground down below. For some reason, the stain tickled at his mind, bringing forth an image of a sheep sprawled in the grass, blood staining the ground around her…
Midoriya shook his head, scattering the image. He swallowed. Trembling fingers played with the beads and tooth around his neck, and Midoriya tried to focus on the victor ceremony playing out before the crowd. Awase was now up alongside Captain Bakugou, a few other important Guildsmen and women forming a semi circle around the two. She held a lit torch, her face stretched in a familiar smirk. "Our first victor," she said, "Awase Yosetsu." Captain Bakugou turned to him, then, and Midoriya realized he still had blood smeared on his hands and face. A wickedly victorious expression colored his features, reminding him of Bakugou. The Guild Captain spoke again, interrupting Midoriya's thoughts. "Do you wish to uphold the light of the Guild, protecting those of our clan with your flame?"
Awase dipped his head. "I do."
"Then light your torch."
The young enlistee tilted the unlight torch in his hands, lighting it with the Captain's. The crowd erupted in roars, and a Guildsman stepped forth with a red cloak. Captain Bakugou handed off her torch and fastened the cloak around Awase's shoulders, signifying his acceptance into the Guild. Awase was an enlistee no longer. He threw a fist into the air, and the shrieks of the clan members around them grew even louder.
Captain Bakugou clapped a hand on Awase's shoulder, leaning close to murmur something in his ear. What, Midoriya had no idea, but the boy nodded and dropped his hand, stepping back. The cheering quieted down, then. Captain Bakugou looked about, a grin curling at her lips. "Let us continue," she said.
And so the next Trail began.
~#~#~#~
The night was brisk. Torches flickered along the walkways and lanterns cast light from overhead. Somewhere, Midoriya could hear the tapping of a drum, along with the keening notes of someone singing. Children darted between the trees, shrieking and playing, and the savory smells of meat hung in the air. It was the night of the first Trails, and everyone was celebrating. Of the four enlistees that fought today, all had passed, defeating the monsters they faced. Most of the beasts used had been dire wolves, though one had involved a harpy.
That was a tough match to watch.
Midoriya leaned against a tree, nibbling on a bit of meat. According to custom, the families of the new Guildsmen came together to roast the beasts their former enlistees had slain, and the meat was shared with all the villagers, alongside the food everyone else had already prepared. Midoriya had snatched a strip of meat from one of the wolves; it was tender and lean, and tasted of smoke and game. He took another bite, his gaze drifting off into the smoke curling in the air. Inko had already left for their hut, citing the need to finish the quilt she was working on as a reason to skirt out of the festivities. Midoriya couldn't help but shake his head; his mother, as sweet as she was, was awkward amidst the villagers of their clan. He supposed they had that in common, seeing as he had no one to converse with and was hiding out amid the trees. Still, he had no desire to sit idly in the quiet of their shared hut, so here he was. Midoriya pushed himself off the tree and let his feet guide him through the milling people, fragmented conversations washing over him.
He was lost in his own thoughts when he tripped over a root, stumbling right into someone. Midoriya yelped and threw his arms out, catching them by the shoulders. "Whoops, so-sorry!" he stammered. Bright eyes blinked at him, and Midoriya felt his heart leap to his throat when he realized who it was he'd stumbled right into.
"Oh, Deku!" Utsushimi chirped. "Hi! Are you enjoying the festival? Did you see my Trial? Wasn't I awesome?" She pulled free of his grasp, twirling with enough flair to whip her red cloak up. Midoriya felt his face grow hot and his mouth grow dry. He tried to stammer back a response, but the words didn't come. Not that it mattered; Utsushimi was already off rambling about everything and anything, constantly swaying the cloak settled about her shoulders. Her match had been quite the show. She'd used her flame to punch straight through the wolf she fought, melting its skin and organs on contact. It had been a very, very quick match.
And a gory one, at that.
"Oi, the fuck are you doing?"
Midoriya flinched, his gaze darting over Utsushimi's shoulder to meet that of Bakugou's. He shouldered his way over to them, his expression irritated. Utsushimi tossed an arm over Midoriya's shoulder and beamed, rubbing a knuckle in his hair. Midoriya squeaked at the contact and tried to fend her off, to no avail. Her grip was strong, and he was left to suffer being manhandled. "Oh, I was just catching up with Deku! We were talking about the matches, weren't we?"
Bakugou rolled his eyes. "Tch. The dumb shepard looks like he's gonna wet himself."
Midoriya wheezed. He managed to finally pry himself free from Utsushimi's grasp and shot Bakugou a frown. "I-I was not…"
"Whatever, don't care." Bakugou turned his glare to Utsushimi. "I thought we were gonna go blow some shit up?"
She tilted her head, blinking. "Blow shit up? I thought you wanted to train?" A mischievous glint shone in her eyes, and Midoriya couldn't quell the bolt of terror rearing up in his stomach. That was never a good look; it always meant trouble. Always. Utsushimi sidled up to Bakugou, poking his cheek. "Aw, are you nervous, Baku?"
Smoke curled from Bakugou's fists, and Midoriya could hear sharp pops bursting into the night. His glare turned murderous, and Bakugou leered at Utsushimi. "No, I'm not fucking nervous, fuck off! I just wanna blow up some shit, that's all!"
Utsushimi giggled. "Sure, Baku." She pat his arm, ignoring the way Bakugou swat her away. "I'm sure you'll do just fine, right Deku?" she said. Midoriya bit his lip, fumbling with his beads beneath his fur cloak.
"R-right. Ka-Kacchan, you always win." His voice cracked as he spoke, his nerves getting the best of him. Bakugou's gaze cut to his, and Midoriya felt himself shrink under the scrutiny. There was a beat while Bakugou stared, some untamed and unnamed emotion flickering there in his flame colored eyes, before he broke the spell with a snort.
"Whatever. Come on." He didn't wait for a response, instead whirling around and stalking off. Utsushimi giggled again, snagging Midoriya by the wrist and tugging him along after Bakugou. He suppressed a sigh. Why exactly he was always dragged along for these things, he never really understood. Why he let himself be dragged along, well. Midoriya didn't really have much to explain himself with, except for how his gaze lingered on the tense line of Bakugou's shoulders. Bakugou was nervous. His Trial was tomorrow, and he was nervous, and clearly wanted to let off some steam. And Midoriya knew if he ignored that knowledge, he'd feel guilty. So he let Utsushimi drag him along so Bakugou could undoubtedly rag on him until he got tired and stomped home. Because that's just how their relationship worked.
"Where are you going, exactly?" Midoriya said, trying not to trip as Utsushimi tugged on his wrist. Bakugou threw his gaze over his shoulder and scoffed.
"Why the fuck do you care?"
Midoriya opened his mouth to respond, when his shoulder collided with something firm. He stumbled back, his wrist yanked free from Utsushimi's grasp. Midoriya snatched his wrist to his chest and looked up, an apology springing forth from his lips. "O-oh, sorry!" His rambles died as his gaze locked with the stranger looming over him. Ice blue eyes burned with a cool intensity that Midoriya couldn't quite place. An involuntary shiver ran down his back, and Midoriya fought the urge to run away. A dark, hooded cloak cast sharp shadows over the stranger's face, and Midoriya could barely make out some bizzare, mottled scars riddling the man's face before he was pushed aside.
"Out of my way," the cool voice said. Midoriya stood dumbly, staring after the man as he disappeared into the crowd. Utsushimi appeared beside him, her lips drawn in a pout.
"What was that?" she said. Midoriya blinked.
"I...I don't know." He turned, his brows furrowing. "I didn't recognize that guy. Who was that?"
Bakugou scoffed. "Who the fuck cares? Come on, you're wasting my time, dumbass." He strode forward, not waiting for them to continue. Utsushimi shrugged and skipped after him. Midoriya wavered in place. He looked over his shoulder, at the space the stranger had stood, a frown tugging at his lips. A bad feeling curled in his gut, making him feel nauseous. Midoriya breathed a sigh and shook his head. Whoever that was, they wouldn't dare try anything in the village with the Guild keeping a close watch on things. He turned and trotted off after Bakugou and Utsushimi.
And chapter two is live on ao3, so I may as well post it here, too! I probably won't update FF as quickly as ao3, so just a fair warning there. Also chapter three is done and just waiting to be edited; I'll edit and post as soon as chapter four is finished and in the loading pen. ;)
-Kat