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armybratz123 · 2 years ago

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Dearly Loved Au: Part One

Intro

*Trigger Warning* There is some reference to suicide, it's not described to much, but Midoriya had almost jumped and Dabi talks about dealing with jumpers before.

"Hey there, I'm Todoroki Touya , known as the Pro Hero Dabi. Nice to meet you kid."

Dabi stared at the shaking boy, whose eyes kept roaming at the scars on his face. He doesn't mind, Dabi lets the kid stare. Slowly getting used to the bumpy and rigid discolored skin. Eyes lingering on the multiple staples with a wince, then the kid's green eyes finally met Dabi's bright blue.

As loathe as Dabi is to admit it, this isn't the first jumper he's found and stopped. Nor is this kid the first one to see his identity. Dabi uses the mask so he is not recognized by his father and so that people aren't afraid of him because of his scars when he goes to save them. But the jumpers, are different. More often than not, they need someone to reach out, and to do so on a personal level. Best way to do that for Dabi is by taking off the mask and talking to them face to face.

"What's your name kid?", Dabi asked gently.

"M-Midoriya Izuku.", Izuku stutters.

"Okay, Midoriya, can you climb back over the railing, and we can have a talk.", Dabi asks carefully, "We don't have to move from this spot, I'd just like to chat with you from the other side.

Midoriya looked hesitant for a second, before slowly nodding.

"Okay.", the boy muttered as he slowly climbed over the railing and joined Dabi in the middle of the roof.

"Usually in cases like this, heroes would ask why you wanted to do it before spouting out some speech to inspire you.", Dabi looks deep into the kid's emerald green eyes, "I do this a little differently. Aside from the fact that I'm a hero, what reason would you have to a) confess your trauma and troubles to me. And b) listen to whatever inspirational nonsense that I have to give to you."

"Have you done this before?", Midoriya asks hesitantly.

"Many times.", Dabi tells him bluntly.

Dabi has also quickly learned to always be honest in this type of situation. Or otherwise you just might find yourself with a case of a returning jumper.

"My point is that I'm asking you, as a total stranger, to tell me personal details of your life. Now I'm a give and take kinda guy, I'm not gonna take what I can't give. So for now, you can ask me five questions about me, my quirk, and my life, and I'll answer all of them honestly. Then I'll ask you five questions.", Dabi pauses, before gently smiling at him reassuringly, "And if we need to go another round, we'll go another round. I'm in no rush."

Midoriya stares at him, eyes wide at what Dabi was telling him. Five questions isn't a lot, but if asked carefully and with the right questions, they can be very detrimental to Dabi's life and even career if Izuku decided to share them with the world. Not to mention of a chance and offer to ask five more. It's a lot of trust for a hero to give a random stranger.

Doing exactly what Dabi said he would.

It'd take Midoriya a lot of trust and courage to tell the number four Pro Hero why he's found himself up here on this roof. Dabi is giving Mirdoriya the exact same trust he is asking of the kid.

And the mere thought of the consideration, almost brought Midoriya to tears.

"O-okay. Then why?", Midoriya asks, a strength beginning to fill his voice.

Dabi tilts his head asking, "Why what?"

"Why... did you take off the mask? Show me who you are? Your identity, everyone knows how secretive the Pro Hero Dabi is with his personal life.", Midoriya rambles a little, "So why show some quirkless nobody like me?"

"Easy. You're not just some nobody.", Dabi tells him gently, "Heroes, we are usually showcased as people who are untouchable. Beings who are always there. Heroes who are always right when it comes to right and wrong with their flashy quirks and abilities. And it works, despite the fact that it's not a concept I really care for all that much, because we're human too. But it doesn't assure people if they think we are as flawed and weak as the rest of them when we are the ones in charge of their lives, basically decide that they get to be saved."

"This.", Dabi's points his finger between himself and Midoriya, "Is different. You, are different. Cases like yours, people like you who need to be saved on a personal level, are different. Because they don't need a being from higher up to save them, they need someone who can understand them. Be with them on that level so they can raise them up to be something more, and, hopefully, to someplace better.

And that's where the mask comes in, I can't talk you down or help you as a Pro Hero. So the mask comes off and I try to help and understand you and help you as another person."

Midoriya looked like he wanted to cry, his lip trembling. It's only the first question, and the greenette already feels touched at the fact that this Hero, that Dabi is willing to listen, to be personal, to be human with Izuku in the midst of his pain.

Dabi reaches out and squeezes Midoriya's shoulder comfortingly, waiting patiently when Midoriya seemed to regain control over his emotions.

"My turn to ask a question.", Dabi says softly, "What brought you to the roof."

"Today.... was just hard."

And just like that, things boiled over for Midoriya as he told Dabi everything about his day.

Everything.

His teacher humilating him at school, all th bullying, his old friend telling him to kill himself, the slime attack, and so much more.

It took all of Dabi's will power to not act out the horror he is currently feeling towards everything that Midoriya has confessed. All that has happened in. One. Single. Day.

Dabi is scared to find out all that Midoriya has gone through over the years since he's been diagnosed as quirkless.

Midoriya even told Dabi what happened with All Might and his secret, so blinded by his own emotions, Izuku didn't even realize he forgot to leave that part out as he to the Pro Hero his horrible day.

"All that has happened to you. It is not okay.", Dabi tells him quietly, almost a whisper, "But you are so strong for still trying, still continuing to live, despite all the mistreatment you have endured. Today just happened to be the last straw, right?

Midoriya nods as he sniffles, wiping away his tears as he tried to regain control of his trembling voice.

"That was your second question.", Izuku tells Dabi with a shaky smile.

Dabi couldn't help but to burst out laughing, "It's going to be like that then, huh?"

Midoriya nods with another smile, "Third."

Dramatically, Dabi puts a hand over his heart as he leans back, "Oof, your killing me here smalls."

But despite trying to look hurt from Midoriya's 'ruthlessness', Dabi couldn't stop his shoulders shaking with barely contained laughter. But couldn't stop the wide grin on his face as he looks down at Midoriya, who was also giggling uncontrollably at Dabi's antics.

"W-why did you b-b-become a hero?", Midoriya manages after a minute or two.

Dabi takes a deep breathe, and then let's out a breathless chuckle, "You really like to dig deep don't you Midoriya?"

"I-I'm sorry if it's too personal!", Midoriya frantically waves his hands in apology.

"It is pretty personal.", Dabi agrees, "But that's the point of this, isn't it? I give and take, my trauma for yours.", Dabi then sighs thoughtfully, "Now, how to put it to words.... Well, simply put, my childhood was not a happy one. Seven years ago, things happened and I ended running around on the streets with all these fresh deep burns that have slowly healed to the scars you see today. Two years later, I was pretty much becoming a villain at that point. A low-time villain, but a villain none the less."

Midoriya gasped, staring at Dabi with his jaw dropped, "You were a villain? But you're a hero."

Dabi snorted at Midoriya's reaction, "I know, who knew huh? I probably would've stayed that way, gotten worse even, if I hadn't met this girl who had changed my life. Threw it upside down and pulled it inside out, more like. But to make a long story short, we got into trouble and she later ended up kicking my stupid ass and told me to go be a hero. And I'm still with that girl today."

Dabi sighs, a reminiscent look on his face, soft smile twitching onto her lips. It was a strange sight to see with someone that is as intimidating as Dabi is.

"She turned my head on straight and helped me realize that I may have not gotten the help that I needed when I was young.", Dabi looks over to Izuku with a soft smile, "But I can become the help that needed back then, for kids who need me today. Kids like you."

"Are you two... together?", Izuku couldn't help but ask curiously.

Heroes, especially Pros, rarely have time to date or find romance. Much less find a family. It's one of the reasons family's, hero families especially, like the Iidias and Todorokis are so rare and looked up to in awe and curiosity. It's incredibly hard and difficult to keep up any relationship when living the life or a Pro-Hero.

"As in dating? Yeah, going on three years now.", Dabi answers with a smile, "That was question number four by the way."

"Oh, right.", Izuku mumbles to himself, having forgotten that bit.

But.... there is one more question that he has... no.... needs to ask. All Might had already made it perfectly clear what he thought, but All Might isn't here on the roof with Izuku now, Dabi is.

Maybe... just maybe.... his answer may be different. Izuku can only hope, it's all he has as in this moment. Next thing Izuku knows, the question left his lips before he could even think.

"Can someone quirkless become a hero?"

For a long moment, Dabi is silent. Staring at Izuku with an unreadable expression.

There are many things running through Dabi's head.

Because he had promised Midoriya that he'd be honest when answering the kid's questions. Dabi had to sit and think for a moment on the question. He honestly never thought about it before.

Dabi's mind goes to the many Pros, Underground Heroes, Vigilantes, and Villains that Dabi has met. Many of these people, specifically the Underground and Vigilantes, have quirks that aren't as flashy, showy, or even physical more than half the time. Forcing them to fight quirkless.

Erasurehead is a prime example. Dabi has only met the hero once or twice on some of his nightly patrols, and the few times Nezu has invited Dabi as a guest speaker/teacher/trainer at UA, which is becoming more and more frequent now that he thought about it.

Something for future Touya to overthink about later.

Now, Dabi has to stay in the now, because a suicidal child has just asked him a deep question.

And Dabi has just now noticed that the said child has started to outwardly show his panic.

Damn it.

"Hey, kid, sorry got lost in thought there.", Dabi assured the greenette as he rubbed the kids shoulders soothingly, "I had to think about it because, to be perfectly honest, I never thought about it before."

Dabi watches carefully as Midoriya takes in deep calming breaths. Sometimes taking deep exaggerated breathes himself when he notices Midoriya's eyes glaze over and his breath quickens when he gets lost in his own head again.

It took several minutes, but Dabi is patient, and Midoriya manages to calm down.

"Sorry for leaving you hanging like that kid. I didn't mean to make you panic.", Dabi apologizes.

"I-it's fine.", Midoriya mumbles sheepishly.

"Its not.", Dabi tells the kid with raised brows, but ultimately drops it, "But i'm gonna drop it anyone, we don't want you to end up having another panic attack. Your tired enough as it is, and that was only the beginning of one, trust me, they're not fun to have."

Dabi falls back from his crouch, landing on his butt so he is now sitting comfortably next to Midoriya.

"Now, do I think a quirkless person can be a hero.", Dabi hums, "Well, that depends.", he turns to Midoriya with a raised challenging brow, "You have what it takes?"

Midoriya blinks in surprise, speechless as he listens, physically unable to do anything else. For this, these words.... it's new.

"I know a lot of people and got into contact with a lot of their quirks as well.", Dabi explains, "And some of those people have mental or not as flashy quirks that makes it harder for them to fight. Forcing many of them to fight quirkless."

Dabi turns to Midoriya with a soft smile.

"As long as you are determined and your heart is in the right place, with the right training and equipment, yeah, I definitely think you can be a hero. Quirk or no quirk."

And just Midoriya thought he was going to break down crying again, there was a loud explosion going off in the distance. A large cloud of dirty smoke rose up from where the explosion came from.

Dabi's eyes narrowed as he jumped to his feet, Midoriya already standing wide eyed, next to Dabi.

Dabi flips his visor back down and over his eyes, clicks the hidden button on the back of his headphones, and his mask rose up over his mouth and nose, meeting with his visor with a quiet 'click'.

Turning to Midoriya, Dabi tilted his head, "Want help getting down?"

Midoriya almost jumped at the scrambled way Dabi's voice sounded with the mask back on.

"W-what?", Midoriya couldn't help but ask, confused.

"I'm asking if your ready to com down.", Dabi explains, even with the more intimidating and mechanical way his voice sounded because of the voice modulator attached to the mas, the Pro didn't sound impatient or frustrated at all.

As if he had all the time in the world to wait for Midoriya to be ready. And that was all Midoriya really needed in that moment.

So Midoriya nodded and took Dabi's hand in his own. The Hero picked Midoriya's smaller form up, resting him comfortably on his hip before running and jumping off the roof. Midoriya letting out a shout from the initial jump, clutching tightly to Dabi's coat, but other wise remained silent.

Midoriya watched fascinated, as Dabi turned mid-air, facing their backs to the ground holding out his wrist and a thin, yet strong, cable fired out of the cuff on Dabi's wrist attaching itself to the roof, allowing Dabi and Midoriya to swing safely to the ground. Dabi landing in a crouch with a small huff before withdrawing the cable from the roof and back to his cuff.

Dabi looked down to Midoriya.

"You gonna be okay kid?"

He's still not okay.

One conversation is not going to make everything better. One conversation is not gonna make everything right in the world. But, Midoriya has hope now, this hero gave Midoriya something that no one else has in a very long time.

Belief.

Ever since he was diagnosed quirkless, no one believed Midoriya can become a hero, not even All Might himself. But the number four Pro Hero, Dabi, he believed.

And that... made things a little better. Midoriya can work on the rest.

"Yeah, I'm... I'm okay now.", Midoriya nods in assurance, "Or, I will be."

Dabi nods, "Good, make sure things stay that way,"

His head snapped up at the sound of an even bigger explosion. Dabi made sure to ruffle Midoriya's fluffy curls with a satisfied grin, he's wanted to do that for a while now honestly. Midoriya couldn't see it, but he felt the satisfaction from the hero from the action.

"Duty calls kid.", Dabi says before running off, climbing to the nearest building with the help of his cable, calling out over his shoulder as he does so, "Stay safe Midoriya! Remember, you can do it!"

For several minutes, Midoriya stood there. His emotions a mess, but he knew that he was watching Dabi's retreating figure in awe. Midoriya has watched many hero videos, interviews, even read some theories and articles any chance he got about any hero he could learn.

At this moment, Midoriya thinks that Dabi has become his new favorite hero. That he needs to go home and watch as many videos and read as many articles he can find on the Pro.

But for now.... Midoriya wants to make sure his Hero is safe. That he saves the day, but comes out okay.

Without a second thought, Midoriya runs off. Following the trail of smoke and sounds of explosions.

Hey Guys!

I know this series is still farely new, but I have been toying with different ideas, and not quite sure which one I want to do better. I have equally good ideas for both.

I'm trying to decide if I want Midoriya to still have One for All in this series, or to become the first quirkless hero.

Now keep in mind, no matter which happens, Midoriya is not going to have as close of a relationship with All Might as he does in canon. So if that's your decider, forget it because it does nothing.

You can message me or leave your decision in the comments. If I feel like I'm not getting enough I will probably make a poll for it.

Be Your Best You! Bye~!

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