Rejection comes in waves. Who gives a fuck what the reason is?

( ◣∀◢)ψ

Dear Kacchan,

When you noticed this letter slide under your door, I'm pretty sure your first inclination was to burn it immediately, wasn't it? I know you well enough. Still…

I hope you didn't.

I'm writing letters to Class A about One For All and Shigaraki/All For One. Fortunately for both of us, you already know the backstory, so I can save the filler, lol.

Thank you for everything, Kacchan .

I wouldn't have made it this far without you . Having you by my side as my sparring partner, bully, and best friend has made me a better hero, person, and man. I wouldn't have become the person or hero I am, mentally, emotionally, and physically strong enough to go up against Shigaraki as All For One's vessel without you in my life. Your friendship means everything to me. More than words can describe. I wish we could've fought alongside as pro heroes like we always dreamed of when we were little—well, like I always dreamed. And I dream about that a lot, Kacchan, even to this day. I never expected to get into UA, and I never thought I'd get the chance to live out that dream with you, but then I met All Might and saw a clear path forward to making that dream into reality—a clear path to you.

Do you know how much I respect you, Bakugo? How much I admire the hero the 'little hellion' Katsuki has become?

I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough for you. I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough to keep you out of harm's way. I'm sorry the League of Villains kidnapped you because I was too slow. I promise never to make you or anyone else wait for me while in danger again. I'm sorry you got impaled by AFO because I was too weak. I promise never to make you or anyone else suffer, protecting One For All again. That's not how I want to protect the people I love.

That's why I'm leaving UA.

I know, I know… you're probably cursing me out right now, but I can't risk your life, Kacchan. Not again. I have few meaningful life memories you're not a part of, and I don't want to live in a world you aren't in anymore, especially due to me. So, I'm going on my own to end this once and for all. But don't worry! I won't be alone. All Might, Endeavor, Hawks, and Best Jeanist will be teaming up with me to settle the score with the LOV. Other local pro heroes will support us so that everyone else can see the future with a smile… so that you can have a bright future because I WILL WIN THIS even if I have to burn my Quirk down to the very last ember. I promise you, I will protect everyone.

Even if I must die.

That's why I need you to promise you won't follow me. Promise me that you will stay alive and become a stronger, greater hero than All Might for the both of us. The coming world still needs a number-one hero. If it can't be Deku, it has to be you, Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight. You should know that I love your pro hero name. I can picture your face reading that, but let me have this. I think it suits you the best, even better than the others we came up with when we were younger, even All Mightier Explosion Murder Demon. Ha! Do you remember that one, Kacchan? And how you scared the heck out of Ms. Aikawa when you told our kindergarten class and made glass with her sand garden during show-and-tell? I never understood why you had to blow her up, too, for the 'show' part. Her tear Quick never stood a chance…

Do you still have that All Might bottle cap? I don't know why it just came to mind, but a corny part of me that's nostalgic for our innocent childhood is curious.

Anyway, you probably think I'm muttering again. Sorry. I know that gives you the creeps. Please take care of Class A in my absence. Everyone already looks up to you. Be there for Shoto, Uraraka, and Tenya. If I die, they'll be the ones to take it the hardest, and they'll need my best friend more than ever. But if I could be so bold and forward, let Shoto take my place when I am gone. Let him in. Love him like you love me (yes, I know you love me, Kacchan). Let him be your best friend. I cherish both of you and know you both very well. Don't explode over this, but I know how well your personalities balance each other; very well. Use that to save each other after I'm gone. I hope you can find solace in one other, in loving memory of me.

Okay, enough of the sad stuff! Heal your wounds and get better soon, okay? Then, become the greatest hero the world has ever known—Number One. Do it for me, Kacchan. Make our dream come true. I wish we could fight Shigaraki with you one last time…I'll miss fighting with you. I'll miss doing life by my hero's side even more.

Oh, and, could you do me one final favor if I die? My dying wish: please visit my mom as much as you can. She loves you like she birthed you. She'll be happy to still have a son. Take care of yourself, Kacchan.

And thank you for being the most important part of my Hero Academia.

Deku xx

P.S. If you made it this far, I'm glad you didn't burn this letter! (And so proud of you! ^_^)

P.P.S. If you've made even further to this part, and I don't make it back alive, I just want you to know that I love you, Kacchan. I've loved you since we were little kids playing heroes and villains in your bedroom after youchien. I'll love you into the afterlife and the next life and...

P.P.P.S. ...and Kacchan, if you've made it this far, then it's only right for you to know. I choose you. If I do make it out alive, let's start over, okay? Will you let me be your hero and take you out on a date?

Because...

I'm in love with you, Katsuki Bakugo.

( ◣∀◢)ψ

a/n: it's valentine's day and cupid gave me permission to break some hearts, but...oof- and now we know why deku broke down in tears after being fingerfucked last chapter. my poor hero smh anyway! i've wanted to write this chapter since i started thinking about this fic. i've wanted to know what deku wrote kacchan in that letter since watching him rip it to shreds in s6e22. i wouldn't say it's perfect but it was fun to write because idk when bakugo's gonna get it right or at least be a bit more discerning about his timing...i really don't. (at least, not in this fic lol)

anyway!

this chapter is written entirely in izuku's voice (though i'll leave you to decide who wrote the intro) because it was originally intended to appear only in his story (Book III of The Big Three Trilogy: title and work unreleased). but as i was drafting Frostbite and Float, it hit me that it would be more compelling and necessary to add it into Bakugo's Inferno, too...first...from his perspective/with his conflicted context...which, ofc is vastly different than deku's. it's still a ways to go before we even crack into deku's lore, so i thought this would be a nice, bittersweet treat to add to this unrequited love story on Love's Day. i'll be drafting the next few chapters and concentrating on Book II: Someone to Shoto a lot more, so probably don't expect another update until late March. but who knows? life's full of surprises...

also, youchien refers to kindergarten and preschool in one building.

thank you to everyone reading, subscribing, lurking, liking, and commenting on this fic. i hope you are enjoying it and love hearing your feedback. and to the bots that keep finding this story: STOP.