Full Cowling

The Pyre For a Hero

Midoriya hadn't always had a quirk.

Katsuki Bakugo, however, was different. Known by many for his explosive temper, he was who you thought of when you envisioned a hero—or maybe only when Izuku envisioned one. He was tall and fairly strong, one of the few people who'd blossomed early and developed a quirk at the ripe age of four. He was fast, quick-witted, and charming despite his ego.

Many saw him as a challenge to overcome, a road mark on the way to becoming a hero. Izuku never had at least, not in their early stages. He watched as Katsuki grew into the type of student and hero everyone would want to have save them. He had perfect grades, and a picture-perfect quirk. So many expected him to get into the prestigious school every young hero dreamed of getting into. And he did. But nobody expected Izuku Midoriya, the town's quirk-less fanboy to get in. Especially not Bakugo.

"Damnit, nerd!" Katsuki shouted, as he slammed Izuku up firmly against the wall, the smaller boy held a notebook up to his face to protect himself in case of Bakugo's quick fists. "How'd you do it?" He growled low in his throat

"How'd I do what Kacchan!" Izuku's panicked voice managed to scramble out.

Bakugo grabbed him by his backpack straps and slammed him back into the brick wall of Aldera Middle.

"You know what, Deku. How the hell did you manage to get into UA?" He let the smaller go and stepped back, he looked around gruffly before shoving his hands into his pockets and locking his angry eyes back onto Izuku.

"Well, technically nobody's gotten in yet. Not even the people on recommendation. I'm guessing that everyone with at least a 3.7 grade point average passed the preliminary. But, there's of course going to be a physical endurance test seeing as how-"

Bakugo rolled his eyes at the green-haired boy's insistent mumbling. It had been a habit of the boys since he was younger. And it was just one of the many things that pissed Bakugo off the most about him.

"Shut up, shitty Deku. Even if you squeezed past the preliminary, you'll never pass the endurance test without a quirk." Bakugo pointed to himself proudly. "I, however. Will pass with flying colors. While your left with some shitty D-lister job."

That stung. His words always did. They seemed harsher than they were, this was just how Bakugo was, and there was no changing that. Expect,
Bakugo wasn't always like this. They used to be friends, whatever being friends with bakugo might entail. But, as soon as the explosive toddler developed his quirk, along with everybody else their age, he made it his mission to remind Izuku of that every day. That he was strong, and Izuku wasn't. That he was better.

He liked reminding Izuku how pathetic he was, but unlike Bakugo, Izuku had heart and dedication in areas many lacked in. Everyone thought after losing his quirk he'd give up, but he didn't. Instead he studied pro heroes, and whatever people he could, and watched how they moved, how they carried themselves. He wanted to know what it took to be a real hero, but he had always known.

"Well. I'm glad you're so confident Kacchan. but I have just as much of a chance as anyone." Izuku said shakily.

He regretted his words as soon as they left his lips. he dropped his notebook and covered his mouth with both hands before shrinking back into the wall.

"Huh?" Bakugo tilted his head to the side, his ruby red eyes fumed with an expression that radiated the same outrage the boy always felt for Izuku.

"No. You don't Deku." He scolded harshly.
"Just pray you'll be born with a quirk in your next life, then take a swan dive off the roof of the building."

Oh. Wow.

This was different than his normal taunts, it didn't feel as angry, or as antagonizing, this felt real. The words stung Izuku hard, leaving him with his heart in flames and his limbs feeling numb. Did he truly hate Izuku that much? Izuku clutched his uniform and took a deep breath to attempt to get rid of the burning sensation he felt deep in his chest.