#the chpt was posted so early when i had yet thought about having this series this far. by the time i noticed the hole. we have been to s2

[deiaiko]

#20.8 Spar

"Are you up for a spar, Viole?" Novick asked after they finished snacking on the garlic bread. He was always competitive, especially when he was introduced to new people. However, Dan and Gyetang also looked excited to join. From what Agni caught, they were curious as to how talented Viole could be to have  earned his status as a slayer candidate, which was understandable.

Still, Agni huffed in amusement. His team still chose to train even though he had called today off. Though Agni wasn't against it. He felt like it'd be good for both him and Grace, since exercise always took their minds off things. Bam seemed a little reluctant, but he went along with it, especially after Grace said it'd be a good bonding experience.

Everyone moved to the training area and they made a quick bracket match. Grace reminded Agni not to overexert himself in this spar, even though Agni insisted that he was fine. But he understood why Grace was worried, since he would be too if Grace were in his place.

The first round was Dan against Gyetang. Both of them had improved a little bit from the last time Agni watched their spar. Gyetang was able to read Dan's movement the moment the spar began, and act accordingly to counter his attack. Though in the end Dan still gained the upper hand once he was able to render Gyetang's fuuma shuriken useless.

The second round was Grace against Agni, which would have ended fairly quickly if Grace used his reverse flow control. But since he didn't, he and Grace had shinsu enhanced martial art combat instead. Agni could tell that Grace was avoiding hitting his leg. In a real fight, Agni would use that to his advantage, but on this occasion he appreciated Grace's thoughtfulness. However, none of them went easy with the other, so they dragged out the fight until Agni ran out of stamina.

The third round was Bam against Novick. Despite it being the first match, Novick went all out on Bam by using his ultimate moves as a start. Still, Bam kept up with him, though he kept on the defensive. It wasn't until Novick and Grace encouraged Bam to attack that things finally got more interesting. Novick was slowly pushed onto the defensive, though Agni knew that Bam was still holding back. However, all of Novick's attempts at challenging Grace seemed to pay off, and Agni could see that he was still able to keep up. However, Bam's attack pattern was different from Grace, and one of his bangs took Novick off guard, allowing Bam to subdue him. Even though Novick was clearly still okay enough to keep going and break himself free from Bam, he raised his hand in surrender and ended the round.

Since this spar was for the team to get to know Bam, and everyone knew that Grace was the strongest, the fourth round was voted to be Bam against Dan. Having seen the first round, Bam was able to predict Dan's attack. However, that didn't mean that Bam was prepared to go against Dan’s speed. Bam tried to use reverse flow control on him, but Dan was too slippery to get caught in it. He was used to having to deal with Grace's, so he was able to read Bam's aim. Dan didn't waste time and successfully pinned Bam down to the ground the moment Bam let his guard down. However, it seemed to trigger a fight response from Bam, and he summoned a bang behind Dan. Agni intervened by creating a barrier to null the shot which could cause serious injury, but the bang had already been snuffed out before it exploded. Agni looked at Grace who exhaled in relief with his hand half raised, before calling the match over. Everyone else was too stunned by the outcome until Dan offered a hand and pulled Bam up to his feet. Then Gyetang and Novick finally cheered and congratulated them both.

As they waited for Bam to cool down after two matches in a row, Novick challenged Agni to a spar. It was understandable, since Agni usually was too busy to join their afternoon routine. However, Agni was still worn out from his previous match and a little under the weather, so he aimed to end this one as soon as possible, especially because Novick was a tank which would put Agni at a disadvantage if the match was dragged out. As soon as the match began, Agni activated his lighthouse flow control to stop Novick and teleported behind him. He froze Novick's limbs before he was able to reinforce himself with shinsu, and pointed a knife at his neck.

"Not going easy on me, huh?" Novick chuckled as he admitted defeat. 

Agni melted the ice on Novick's limbs and stepped away to the spectator seats. "I would be at a disadvantage, otherwise."

Since it ended too fast, Novick challenged Dan next. Compared to what he had with Bam and Agni, he went relatively easy on Dan. But in the end, Novick still came out as the winner since Dan was built for agility, not power.

As if saving the best for last, Novick finally challenged Grace for a spar. It went as it usually would. Grace was just humoring Novick, but at least he managed to make it believable and kept Novick on his toes. Agni had seen what Grace was actually capable of, after all. Practicing with them like this was actually wasting potential on Grace's part. He would grow stronger quicker if he faced an opponent that was on his level or above. But Grace looked like he was having fun, so who was Agni to ruin it?

The last match was Bam against Grace, which everyone had been looking forward to. Grace assured Bam that he could go all out with him, which prompted Agni to reinforce the barrier that surrounded the training area even more than usual. At first, neither of them made any move to attack, but it was interesting to see the differences in their mirrored stances. 

"You can have the first move," Grace taunted.

Bam summoned two bangs and released them toward Grace. They were easily blocked. 

"Is that all? I know that you can do better."

Agni thought it was harsh of Grace to say that. A regular on this floor that could control two powerful bangs was already considered a prodigy. But Agni understood the frustration. He himself had been far harsher on his younger self. Their teams were far behind, and would not survive had they lived during wartime. It was a scary thought.

Grace decided to step forward, and Bam switched to his reverse flow control stance. However, nothing happened as Grace kept on closing their distance. Bam frowned and ran forward, pressing his palm in front of Grace's chest. Grace didn't move away from the touch, looking at Bam with anticipation.

"Go on," Grace said when Bam hesitated a moment too long.

Bam bit his lip, before releasing his flare wave explosion. Grace's eyebrows twitched in pain. Even though Agni could feel the wave, it was not as destructive as he had predicted, even with his lowered standards.

"One more time, but you have to give it your all." Grace very rarely used his strict voice, but when he did, it was a clear warning that he was displeased. "If you refuse to, then I will start to go on the offensive."

Bam inhaled sharply and forced himself to release another flare wave explosion that was finally close to the level that Agni predicted Bam could do. Grace covered his mouth and coughed, and Agni saw a glimpse of red. However, Agni kept firm on his seat, since Grace was smiling at Bam.

"That's right, don't hold back." Grace jumped back to create some distance and got in his defensive stance again.

Bam got more serious after that, and his bangs were formed with more concentration. Grace carefully landed a few blows and slowly shifted to offense, while still creating some openings for Bam to take advantage of. Their exchanged blows got fiercer, and it was finally clear that they were having fun.

Not too long after, Bam was starting to run low on stamina, but at one point he managed to sneak behind Grace and hit him with another flare wave explosion. However, Grace saw it coming, so he repelled some of the waves to decrease the damage that he took. Unfortunately, it fired back at Bam and injured his arm. They decided to stop the match then, as Bam seemed really close to passing out. Grace held Bam's shoulders to steady him on his wobbly feet, and gently lowered him so they both sat down on the floor. Agni approached them just in case his help was needed.

"Are you okay?" Grace asked, getting more frantic when Bam suddenly looked like he was having a heart attack. Agni froze in his steps when a red exoskeleton grew and enveloped Bam, healing his injured arm. But Grace seemed less surprised and just comforted Bam until the exoskeleton disappeared.

Agni squatted down next to them and whispered to Grace, "What the heck was that?!"

"Blue Thryssa, incomplete form." Grace looked thoughtfully at Bam, who was staring back at Grace with a confused and scared look. "Your wound healed now, see? It's fine."

"Are you sure?" Bam rubbed his healed arm. He winced, "It's, uh…talking to me?"

"Hmm, maybe I can help you understand it." Grace sat down cross-legged and got in his meditative state, placing his palm on Bam's back.

Everyone else had come closer around them as well, curious about what was happening. A moment later, a transparent blue horn started to form on Grace and Bam's left temple. It surprised Agni because he thought Grace had lost the powers that he had absorbed when they traveled back in time.

When Grace opened his eyes, he gave Agni a look that said they would talk about it later. Bam came back to his senses a moment later. Dan and Gyetang could no longer contain their curiosity and began asking Bam and Grace questions, but the topic soon drifted to more general conversation because Bam was just as lost as they were. Agni called the sparring session over and Dan went to prepare dinner. Bam and Gyetang joined him in the kitchen, and the sight of them getting along together was heartwarming. 

Agni took a seat in the cafeteria, and Grace followed to sit next to him. Agni released the fish from his lighthouse bowl to roam around the kitchen, while Grace exhaled and stretched his arms. All the bruises on his skin were almost healed already.

"Well…?" Agni prompted Grace to start talking.

"Hm." Grace leaned back on his chair and rubbed the back of his neck, "After seeing what Bam is capable of, it made me think about how far I've come."

There was sadness in those golden eyes that tugged at Agni's heartstrings. Both of them had been broken so many times that no amount of fixing could bring both of them to what they used to be. Velt came and swam between them, nuzzling onto Grace's arm before settling on Agni's side. Her company was appreciated, and Agni gave her a few pats. Grace smiled as he watched them.

"About the Blue Thryssa though…" Grace stopped himself when Novick approached them and took a seat nearby.

Agni and Grace shared a quick glance. Honestly, Agni would prefer to talk in private with Grace when they brought up their time travel stuff, but it wasn't like they were actively trying to hide it either. Novick also didn't seem to mind, as his attention was more at whatever was happening in the kitchen.

Grace shrugged and continued their conversation, "It was like…I felt my own Thryssa resonate, and it said it doesn't have any recollection since, you know. It felt like I had just woken it up."

Agni hummed thoughtfully, "Could it be that you didn't actually lose them?" 

"Maybe? I couldn't feel any others though." Grace tried to do something with his left hand, then frowned when nothing happened. "I can't transform it either."

"Oh, hm." If Agni recalled, the transformation was when they were with the beastkin. "I guess you have to get yourself or Bam to get it from Doom."

"I thought the same."

"Well then, guess I will have to update our plan soon."

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[ba-responds]

Catharsis (Villain!Deku x Fem!Reader) Chapter Two

A/n: And here’s chapter two! A short chapter compared to the last, but a chapter nonetheless. I’m trying to push these chapters out a bit, because I go home for winter break Friday, then I’m staying with a friend, so who knows when I’ll be able to post again.

This story will contain dark themes! Please read the warning!

Summary: An unexpected death of a loved one can lead to a sudden influx of emotions. Those same emotions can become repressed, as denial and disbelief comes into play. In this time, one would seek a means of catharsis, a release from those strong, repressed emotions. But what would you do if that means of catharsis, the same release you sought so hard for, becomes addicting? To the extent, that you feel you can not live without it? What if it can’t live without you? **WARNING: This story MAY contain; bullying, suicide, depression, torture, manipulation, mentions of sexual assault, and MORE! You have been warned.

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Prologue II Chpt 1 II Chpt 2 II Check Masterlist for next chapters!

Chapter Two: Happy Memories and Heavy Hearts

The walk back to your home would seem calm to anyone else, but inside you were in shambles. Yelling at your classmates didn’t do nearly as much as you assumed it would, the harsh presence on your chest still as harsh and heavy as it was before. And if it wasn’t heavy before, it seemed to get heavier when you reached the corner of your block. You looked down the way you would go to meet Izuku in the morning, and you felt your knees go weak, almost completely giving out on you. You collapsed into the brick wall surrounding someone’s house, and clutched your chest, willing yourself not to cry.

Then a thought came to your mind. Urging you body off the wall, you turned down that road, a certain intent on your mind, as rushes of memories flooded your thoughts.

You smiled widely as you stared at Izuku, who blushed heavily. His hair was as unruly and curly as ever, but was shorter than he usually wore it, due to the barber messing up. His face still held a bit of baby fat, but it made him look like a cute little munchkin. He continued to stumble over his words as the two of you walked to his house, forming incoherent sentences as he tried to explain himself. You both were wearing the Aldera middle school uniforms, and kicked an empty bottle between the two of you as you walked. With a loud laugh, you cut off his rambling, kicking the bottle into a small pile of garbage near a trash can.

“So, basically you’re telling me that you’re sexually attracted to All Might.” 

He gasped in horror, shaking his head violently.

“T-THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEANT AT ALL! I-I JUST MEANT THAT I...admire him alot…” He yelled, which then lead into a light mumble as he scratched the back of his head, still blushing violently. You giggled as you looked at him out of the corner of your eye, knowing that your next question would send him into, what could be, over an hour long rant.

“So, tell me again, what are your favorite things about All Might?”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“(Y/n)!” You heard a voice call over to you, causing you to turn your head, your stinging eyes glancing upwards to see a worried Izuku rushing over to you. You let out a small congested cough before smiling up at him. You nose was running, and you wiped it onto the sleeve of your school-issued sweater. Izuku stopped in front of you, taking in your unwell figure. His eyes were filled with worry, his eyebrows furrowed.

“I’m fine,” You muttered, but your voice was gone, making it sound like a harsh whisper. Izuku shook his head violently, grabbing your shoulders, and spinning you around, forcing you to go back in the direction of your home.

“W-What---We need to go to school, there’s a quiz,” You managed to get out, before a series of coughs shook your body. Izuku pulled you closer, as if using his body heat would help you feel better, despite it not being very cold outside. His slender arm snaked around your shoulders, his hand coming to rest on your upper arm. His hand rubbed gently, in a comforting way.

“No! I’m taking you home! You’re sick! And since your parents probably aren’t home, I’ll make  you some soup!” Izuku said, determinedly, forcing your body to move with him.

“You know how to make soup from scratch?” You muttered, amused at his protective behavior. His face flushed red, as his eyes widened. He paused in his walking for a moment, before continuing even more determinedly than before

“Uh, no...but I can heat you up a can of soup! It’ll be the best soup you’ll ever have in your life!”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Izu?” You yawned out, walking up to the boy, who seemed to be way too awake for the time of night it was. The sky was dark, with a bunch of stars being visible. Both you and Izuku stood in  pajamas under the street light in front of a brick gate surrounding someone’s house. He wore an oversized All Might shirt, and a pair of blue pajama pants, and was holding a package in his hands. It was a few minutes passed 12 in the morning, only about 15 minutes after the boy called your phone, urging you to meet him a few blocks away from your home.

“You better be glad we live in a pretty good neighborhood, or else I wouldn’t be out here, Izu,”You muttered, wiping the sleep from your eyes. Something was suddenly shoved into your chest, causing you to quickly grab it before it fell. Looking up to Izuku questioningly, he seemed to burn a bright red, turning his head to avoid your gaze.

“H-Happy Birthday (Y/n),”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Your lips slightly parted as you noticed the close proximity of Izuku’s face. Your heart raced, and palms began to sweat, when he met your gaze. This was the first time he’s been this close, and yet, he wasn’t blushing. His eyes shifted down to your lips, before meeting yours again, his eyes filled with fear, but also determination. 

Neither of you spoke a word, before he leaned in, planting his lips onto yours.

This was both of your first kiss.

Your heart hurt with how hard it pounded in your excitement. 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

You sat quietly in the back of the class, boredly playing on your phone as you waited for Izuku to message you back. Your gaze flickered briefly over to his empty desk that was diagonally left of you. Class was about to begin, and he had yet to arrive. Usually you would walk to school together, meeting at the cross-section between your houses, but after waiting a good 20 minutes for him this morning, you decided to go ahead to school since he wasn’t answering your calls. 

“Maybe he’s sick,” You muttered to yourself,  pulling up his mother’s number, planning on sending her a text to make sure he was okay. Suddenly, your phone vibrated, before Izuku’s mom’s number popped up, under the name ‘Mama Midoriya’. Furrowing your eyebrows, you clicked the answer button before putting it up to your ear.

“Hell--”

“Oh god, (Y/N)! P-Please tell me Izu is with you! Oh god--I found a-- and he’s not---please, is he with you?!” Inko cried out quickly, her voice seeming thick with tears. Blinking, a shudder ran down your spine as a foreboding feeling crept through your system,

“N-No, he isn’t. What happened? What did you find?” You managed to stutter out, your heart racing.

“H-He’s not answering my calls---Oh god” She sobbed out, breathing heavily as she tried to form sentences. “He wasn’t here t-t-this morning, s-s-so I thought he went to school e-early, but then I found---Oh god, no, no, not my baby.”

“Mama Midoriya, p-please, tell me what is going on!” You exclaimed standing up in panic, catching the attention of a few of your classmates, who looked at you curiously, as the teacher walked in.

“(L/N),  put the phone away,” He called, but was ultimately ignored.

“Mama Midoriya,  please!” You begged as she continued to cry out loudly. At this point, the entire class was staring at you, Katsuki yelling something akin to ‘shut up’. You felt your blood run cold at her next words.

“I--I found a-a suicide letter----Oh god, not my baby, please not him,”

Staring up at the house before you, you fought back tears. Walking up the familiar front steps, you raised your hand to knock on the door, hesitating. The door suddenly opened, revealing a teary eyed, sickly looking Inko Midoriya.

“Mama Midoriya?” You muttered, tears slipping down your cheeks at the sight of her. She let out a loud sob, pulling you into her arms, crushing you into a hug, as you both cried together.

You knew then that the both of you felt it.

The heavy weight in your chest.

And you knew that it hurt her as well.