The Universe Lies Docile in Your Eyes

Kotori and Friend

Hey!!!!! Thank you everyone! This chapter is a bit of a doozy, but I had a lot of fun writing it.  Also, Kotori roughly translates into 'Little Bird'.  Alex (My Beta) found it in a baby book sooo that was awesome.

Izuku took 3 deep breaths. In, and out. In, and out. In... and out. He grabbed the doorknob, twisted, and swung the door open. He felt the sunlight hit his pale, sunken face and he smiled a soft, genuine smile. It was honestly the first real smile he's had since Dabi's death. He pulled out his white cane, unfolded it, and stepped his right foot out the door. He inhaled a deep breath, admiring the fresh air and all the scents the outside came with. Smells of oil and the city greeted his nose and his smile only grew. The smells of sweat, blood, and death washed away by the scent of metropolis. Izuku was the happiest he's been in the past 4 years.

Sensei had finally agreed to let him go out after months and months of pleading. He only let him go out after he was able to hold his own against Shigaraki for more than 5 minutes. It took three months for Izuku to figure out what Shigaraki's weaknesses were. Of course, making the plans was the easy part. Even after that and figuring out how to implement his quirks to help him in stay in the ring for more than a minute, it took another two months to actually be able to keep up with the crusted fuck. After another month of all the blood, sweat, and tears, he finally made it with a time of 5 minutes 27 seconds.
Sensei, of course, had a few conditions concerning Izuku's ability to leave the base. He wasn't be able to stay out past 11, he had to always ask permission before he could leave, and he wasn't aloud to talk to anyone. Ever. And, of course, Izuku planned on obeying these rules. For the most part. The occasional late night city exploration couldn't hurt anyone, right?

So here was now, walking the streets with a smile on his face. He was free. Well, somewhat free.

He felt eyes trailing on his back, but he couldn't care less. It wasn't too surprising, all things considered. It probably wasn't normal to see a blind kid walking the street by himself, and his appearance was definitely a bit strange. He looked like a shell of his younger self, if he was being honest with himself. He had the same pigmentation of a white sheet which made the freckles that dusted his ghostly cheeks even more stand-outish. He had scars covering a good majority of his eyes, cheeks, and neck, and his bright green hair and dark oversized clothes didn't help matters either. So be it, he guessed.

He had spent weeks mapping the city, learning the ins and outs. How else would he find the best place to purchase a cassette player? He decided the best course of action was to earn some money, purchase the stupid thing, and finally, finally learn what secrets Dabi's tape contained. Unfortunately, there weren't many ways to make money as soon to be eight year old, and a cassette player costed at least 25 dollars, which was 25 more than what he had. In other words, he was screwed. He had to start figuring things out and fast, before anyone started to suspect anything. That would be... unpleasant if they did.

Before long, Izuku's thoughts began to spew hushedly from his mouth without him realizing. It seemed to start happening a lot more after Dabi's 'funeral.' Just another side effect of being alone for too long, nothing to be too concerned about. So, he kept walking, until two things happened. One, another body slammed into him and Two, he started falling to the ground with an extra person on top of him. Shit.

His back connected with the ground first, then his head. Pain rippled through his skull and he felt a wave of nausea crash into him. "Ouch." Was all he said after a few seconds of laying on the ground with a heavier body still toppled on top of him.

Izuku started to sit up, the person laying on top of him still. After a few moments longer, Izuku realized that Holy shit, he was being touched. Not only touched, but someone was laying on top of him. His breathing constricted, a strangled sound climbing its way out of his body. He started kicking and scrambling out from underneath the body. He got his torso out and then began kicking the rest of his way out, and soon he was free from the overbearing weight of the other person.