Me: I was writing the third installment of my Prototype BakuDeku (GouYami) series before I realized that it would've been inconsistent and unsatisfying if I stopped writing in Prototype!Bakugou's POV and continued writing in Shinsou's, and I also had too much to say about him that I kept getting derailed, so I wrote this instead to vent some thoughts out.

~~~~~~~~~•~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Normal POV!

"That guy sure is amazing…"

He didn't mean to, but Shinsou Hitoshi finds himself muttering the words aloud. One would think that after all the shit he took for being born with a mind control quirk, he'd be more careful in speaking, especially since his power is triggered by vocal prompts, but looking at Midoriya Izuku smiling with his friends despite his ragged appearance, it's hard to tell that this was the same person shunned by the people just days ago.

Surrounded by friends, along with wary glances from civilians passing by, the One For All holder still smiles to assure his friends, even with bags present under his eyes, amidst the people who condemn him just because they have no one else to blame.

"It's no wonder All Might chose him."

He'd think so, but the words didn't leave his lips. Silent as a feline, Todoroki Shouto offers him a smile in greeting.

"Don't worry. Everyone thinks the same."

It's ironic how the dual-quirk user can smile more easily now that the world is in ruins, but Hitoshi supposes people are more grateful for things that are hard to come by in these trying times. In this case, he's just grateful there's someplace to sleep with villains prowling on the streets.

"I knew he was amazing," He mumbles when Todoroki stops to stand silently at his side, having no other choice but to continue the conversation when the other hums. "But who'd have known he was hiding something this big."

It wasn't asked, because the answer is obvious. Kind as he was, the boy is a surprisingly good liar. Who'd have known he'd been carrying a burden this heavy, a secret so big that practically threw the world into chaos? None would have known, even with only flimsy excuses and shaky smiles to cover it up if it came from an honest boy like Midoriya.

"It's a bit embarrassing, thinking back to all I've said during the Sports Festival." Hitoshi lets out a long, drawn-out sigh, scratching the back of his head, and continues on. "I was preaching on about how he must've had it easy because of his quirk. But looking back on it now, I realize how ironic it was of me to complain about how other people got to where they are while not putting in more work myself."

Ignoring the heat of embarrassment on his cheeks, he avoids looking in the other's direction as he prattles on. Todoroki was one of the people he'd judged because of his status as Endeavor's son. Even if he'd never said it to his face, the fact that he'd hated this guy for being born powerful when he was going through his own set of issues behind the scenes left a sour taste in his mouth. When put like that, Hitoshi realizes how hypocritical he'd been, bitter at being denied the chance to become a hero just because of his quirk while denying other people because they had a more agreeable quirk. Still….

"I kinda wish he'd said something."

With a shake of his head, Todoroki says to him. "Would that have changed anything?"

Hitoshi hesitates, eventually answering with uncertainty. "If I knew what he went through…"

"That wouldn't be fair to Midoriya." The other cuts in, almost harshly if not for the lack of change in his tone. "If he wanted pity, maybe he would've been more honest. But you know," facing Hitoshi, the next words out of his mouth brought an uncomfortable chill up his spine. "Saying that you could've treated him better if you only knew about his past is the cruelest thing you can do."

Although well-meaning, the words are like a harsh slap to the face. "I guess you're right." Hitoshi chuckles resignedly, letting the silence settle until the tension goes away. When the other refuses to leave, he hesitantly brings up a question he's been wanting to ask but was unable to. "And… you? How did you feel when you found out?"

Todoroki didn't answer, but he did tilt his head questioningly like he didn't quite understand what was being asked.

"Well, you're close with Midoriya." Hitoshi shrugs.

"That's different." Todoroki shakes his head, denying the implication almost immediately. "Just because I told him about my past doesn't mean he owed me his. And it was my choice to confide in him, even if we weren't friends then, so Midoriya shouldn't feel like he owes me a secret just because I told mine."

Hitoshi hums in understanding, quiet as he mulls over the unexpected response. He didn't know about that part, but it explains the rather intense face-off the two had during their fight at the festival.

"I… did feel bad knowing that Midoriya never got comfortable enough to share his burdens." At the timid admittance, Hitoshi waits for Todoroki to continue. "But considering the weight of his secret, I understand that it wasn't about his trust in us."

"He didn't tell us for a good reason." Because now that the secret is out, look at what happened.

"Yeah." The other smiles, a rare display of vulnerability. "But I'm glad he had Bakugou to share that secret with."

"I know they're childhood friends, but it's still weird knowing the two were in cahoots this entire time." Hitoshi snorts. "But I guess it makes sense since Bakugou could make guesses because he knew about the Midoriya who was quirkless."

"Yeah."

"He probably grilled him for answers once he had a hunch of what he was hiding."

"Probably, but I can see why Midoriya felt the need to explain the truth to him."

Despite the rocky relationship between the two, their lives have been intertwined since they were young. They watched each other grow, so it made sense for Bakugou to get answers to his questions when he witnessed the entire thing with his own eyes. Bad blood or not, the two are tight through thick and thin.

Hitoshi snickers, the image of the two getting along being strangely comical, but everyone can see how well the two can work together if they try. "His personality sucks, but he's a good guy I guess."

Todoroki nods. "It's a relief to know that he's with Midoriya during all that." Looking at Hitoshi, he says, "But now that everything's on the table, it won't be just them anymore."

Realization dawns on Hitoshi instantly, and he can't stop the smile that grows on his face as a look of understanding is shared between the two.

"Well, what kind of friends would we be if we left him now?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Me: I just realized how weird it is to use the term, 'childhood friends' in past tense when you don't really stop being childhood friends when you grow up, so now I feel strange when I read, 'they were childhood friends' in other works. Also, my Seasonal Depression is starting to kick in, hence my inactivity the past few months. Right now my productivity is all over the place, so expect new works from me at the most unexpected moments, and come join me at my discord server (tdNdHA9) while you're at it. Anyways, hope you guys enjoyed it

~~~CHAO!~~~