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It started off as a cough, nothing more.
A simple cough that never left.
Izuku was 6 when it first began. His mom thought it was just a cold, maybe he had too many popsicles? It was the summer after all and Izuku leaned towards sweets rather than salty snacks.
But as the years passed the cough stayed.
As Izuku grew older it became rougher, harder, wetter depending on the weather.
Once Izuku turned 10, Inko decided to go to take him to the doctor.
"We can't find anything wrong with him but if he cannot breathe make sure to have him use his inhaler" turning to the small child in a faded out All Might shirt, a hole in the child's pants "Breathe in deeply and then push all that air out. Press the button at the top and inhale all of the medicine in. Think you can do that for me?"
"Yup!" The small green haired child said. A bright smile shining.
Inko turned towards her son, a small smile formed as eyes slightly narrowed with concern "How can there be nothing wrong with him?" She thought. But she trusted the doctors, they were more educated than a preschool teacher.
For a few years, the cough seemed to subside. Izuku didn't need to take his inhaler regularly, though he needed it constantly at first.
Inko couldn't bear telling his father...her husband. No, he wasn't that anymore. He had left them alone with only a small paycheck each month as a reminder. The moment he left for America she knew he wasn't coming back. Perhaps it was the look in his eyes or his fake smile but his soft words felt empty to her.
No...she won't tell him. He doesn't deserve it.
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And so Izuku grew, small and quiet. Bruises and burns hidden underneath his uniform and cardigan. No one knew except his old best friend who inflicted them on him. His mother was often busy and tired from watching children all day. On occasion she would babysit in order to pay the rent for their small apartment.
Izuku was small and quiet. He hid when his lungs felt like they were burning, when his arms twitched and ached, and his head was screaming. He didn't want to worry his mother, he loved her too much.
Coughing into his arm he went towards Dagobah beach for his training with All Might.
Ohmygoshigettomeetmyidolohfudgewhatifimessupwhatif-
"Hello my boy! Are you ready for training?"
"Yes All Might!"
He had always wanted this, to be a hero.
To help others.
Now his dream was coming true, he is going to become a hero.
How funny that his dream would never come true.
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It was a normal day during training. Izuku had woken up late, his head throbbing. He thought about going to Recovery Girl but it was Friday and he knew he could power through the day spending the weekend to rest. Aizawa-sensei watched him like a hawk as he was sparring with Kirishima.
The day had gone by a blur, as his head pulsed in pain.
"Almost there" he thought as he countered Kirishima's kick. He went in for a punch when he watched Kirishima duck and push his chest. Already feeling weak, he fell to the ground.
"Hey man you ok? You've been pretty sluggish all day. Should I go get Aizawa-sensei?"
Coughing into his arm Izuku answered "No, I'm fine".
"Are you sure man you've been coughing all day. If you're sick it might be best to chill than sp-"
"NO I said I'm FI-" a coughing fit hit Izuku hard and fast. He felt like his lungs were sizzling and squeezed. He sat up and began to cough into his hands. His cough increased in intensity and wetness. Removing his hand from his mouth he looked at Kirishima "I'm fine." Unbeknownst to Izuku, his other classmates stopped their sparring to see what the commotion was.
"Midoriya," Aizawa said "come here."
Struggling to stand, Kirishima pulled him up, Izuku's legs wobbling. It's only a few steps he thought, I can make it.
Looking at his teacher he trudged forward until his legs gave out on him, in front of everyone. 'Why am I still so weak? Haven't I been training so I could become stronger? I need to be better so All Might will be proud of me...I need to get up'
Izuku struggled to stand until two arms picked him up, "You're heavier than you think kid" Aizawa said. "Everyone else resume sparring. If I come back and you're talking you will be expelled" at the threat...or logical ruse? the rest of the students went back to sparring. Kirishima stood staring at his teacher and fellow classmate, worry creased onto his eyebrows. "Kirishima find another group to spar with I will take care of Midoriya"
Izuku was sure Kirishima had said yes but, in that moment, the world felt blurry and he closed his eyes.
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Waking up hurt like a bitch. It was too bright, too white and he felt like his skin was on fire. His joints ached, he was so...so tired.
Turning his head he saw Recovery Girl hold her cane, knuckles white. Her doctor's coat seemed too big on her small body.
"Midoriya how long have you been sick?"
Sick? Maybe that's what this was...just cold or perhaps the flu.
"Just today Sensei" he was sure that was what she meant, he had caught a bug and was paying the price.
"No Midoriya, it's not on your medical records but I do know you have an inhaler and that you had mild pneumonitis with unknown causes at age 10, but what should be here is that you have a disease of some kind. Did your doctors not go more in depth?"
Oh the coughing...did that mean it got worse?
"W-well my mom was usually too busy to take me and we um... don't have a lot of money so it was difficult to go sometimes" red reached his cheeks, he was embarrased at his past.
"Midoriya your condition is incredibly serious. There's scaring in your lungs and bronchi, as well as bruises all along your back and ribs. The latter may have been caused from training but your lungs are damadged." She looked at the young green haired boy, he had been through so much. From USJ to Stain to the Summer Camp disaster. Trying his hardest but pushing himself too far, too thin.
"I'm sorry to say this but if the scarring keeps up, you will have to quit becoming a hero and need a lung transplant"
"How long?" Izuku asked, eyes empty but the feeling of crying was at the back of his mind. He couldn't break, not yet.
"3 or 4 years depending on how hard you push yourself...maybe even less" Recovery Girl looked down at the papers in front of her "For now rest in the dorms. I will notify the rest of the staff of your development. I have also called your mother about this...I'm sorry Midoriya" she looked at the strong/weak boy in front of her, red crusted on his hand and dark bags hanging under his eyes.
"It's ok, it's not your fault." Izuku said as he got up, still wearing his gym uniform. He looked at the time and noticed that class had finished 2 hours prior.
Slowly he walked back, feet moving slowly. Tears threatened to leave his eyes but he wouldn't break. Not until he was back in his room.
He had to stay strong, if not for himself then for his mom and his friends.
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When he got back to the dorms, Izuku mentally prepared himself for his classmates. He was too tired to deal with them...thinking on what excuse to give them.
His mind made up, he opened the door where his classmates were lounging in the common room. Games and wrappers were scattered across a table and a television show or perhaps the news played quietly in the back. The smell of food wafted to his nose, his stomach remained quiet.
His classmates who were working on homework or doing whatever, at this point be didn't care...he was too tired, looked up and crowded around him. In the background Iida tried to make them disperse as to not pressure him as his (friends?) bombarded him with questions.
"Sorry guys, Recovery Girl says I caught a bug so I'm gonna head to my room and sleep." He smiled sheeply.
"Deku are you sure? You slept for two hours already, you should eat first and then sleep" Uraraka forced. She was concerned for her friend who looked like he just got back from the River of Styx.
"I'll eat later...just save me a plate for later...sorry about earlier and....well....interrupting class" Izuku said as the group seperated like the red sea (how funny he couldn't even think straight now).
And so, Izuku once again hobbled on his way. When he opened his door, he slowly took off his clothes, feeling soreness and tight all over. Throwing on a t shirt and some boxers, Izuku crashed on his bed. He was so tired he didn't notice his door was open, unlocked.
What a simple mistake.
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When Izuku woke up he regretted it. Standing to his side was a tall black blur, or perhaps that was a person.
"Midoriya you need to wake up."
"Aizawa-sensei...?"
"Come on your mom's here to pick you up. She's going to take you to the doctor."
"O-oh...ok"
Throwing some clothes on, and changing his sweaty pj's, Izuku was prepared.
At least he thought so.
...
"I'm sorry Midoriya-san it appears Midoriya-kun has some unknown autoimmune disease. Like Recovery Girl we found some scaring in his lungs and bronchi but its fairly new, only about 6 months or so. Regardless, he will need a ling transplant and the sooner it is done the better. We can put him on a waitlist but I unfortunately don't know when he will be picked...if he is healthy enough for it at that point"
"What do you mean?" Izuku's mother said, he could see how her face crinkled in fear, twisting and ready to protect him. He remembered one of the first times he went to a doctor 'Izuku I'm so sorry'. Ever since then his mother has been wary if those in white lab coats, the people who almost destroyed his dream. Once again they spout words, the truth, that may destroy his dream again.
"Your son's B and T cell levels are low...not low enough to be in danger but they are lower than a teenager his age. If this drop continues he will be forced to stay in a 'clean room' with minimal contact with others until they riseto normal levels."
"What do you mean?" His mother's voice raged, the fear increasing as her pitch rised.
"Midoriya-san...the best I can tell you is that your son has an unknown disease that is breaking his body down...we don't know if its genetic or not due to the lack of...information from the father...but what we do know is that if this continues he will die early...it is best if, for now, he -"
He stopped listening to the doctor, he knew what they were going to say...those cursed words once again.
Izuku was tired of fate curling away from him.
In the background he could see his mother raging at the doctor, tears streaming down her face. He didn't want to know what she was saying...he wish he didn't know...
As they left the hospital Izuku coughed into his shoulder, his mother glaring at him, eyes red and empty.
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When they arrived back at home his mother told him the truth, that this illness...this disease...was most likely fue to his father.
Midoriya Hisashi....
He had a younger brother who was always ill and had supposedly died from it.
His mother cried into her hands as she told the story of how his father tried his hardest but in the end lost the only family memebr he had left. It had scarred him so much that when she became sick, Hisashi would immediately care for her...sometimes it seemed to only ever last a day.
His mother looked into his eyes, she was strong he knew.
"Izuku...I know you don't know him and that he hasn't been part of the family in a long time but I-" she started to tear up again "I need to tell him...he deserves to know if nothing else"
Solemnly nodding, Izuku accepted it. It was best not to argue with his mother when he was practically handed his death sentence.
When he arrived at school the next day, sparring and hero training was off limits. Izuku could feel himself wither inside.
---------------------------------------
Fortunately enough he was still allowed to go and intern with Nighteye, though the man was harsh and seemed to find joy out of Izuku's inability to use One for All for long periods of time.
Throughout the week the man would pull him aside and ask Izuku to transfer the power over to Mirio..."at least before you die Midoriya...be reasonable....it's only logical to give it to the person who should have gotten it in the first place."
Despite the constant sadness that trailed behind him while he stayed at Nighteye Agency, seeing his friends message him throughout the day encouraged him tondo better. He could still be a hero despite having a time limit.
Is this how All Might feels?
During the Shie Hassaki infiltration he could feel himself being torn apart from the inside out as he tried to defeat the demon called "Overhaul"...a man like that couldn't be human.
If he was then what was the point of trying to save people?
No...he shouldn't think like that.
With Eri on his back, her quirk ignited, he fought and was able to defeat the demon. He was able to protect Eri...he was able to be a-
....
When Izuku woke up again he was in a room with white walls. His body felt hot but the pain from earlier was dulled...painkillers?
Turning his head he saw glass seperate him where another door remained closed. On the other side of the glass was his mother. Gloves and mask covering her mouth, head leaning on her shoulder as she quietly breathed.
At that moment Izuku knew where he was...what was to happen.
Tears flowed down his face at his realization.
I...I still want to help people....how can I do that laying on a bed...I need to show others that I'm useful...I can't let them down.
Mom
All Might
His friends....
Izuku made up his mind. He knew what to do.
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After 4 months...4 months of staying in a hospital bed Izuku was allowed to be released.
In that time many new developments occured: Nighteye died, Mirio lost his quirk, Eri was taken to learn how to use her quirk, Uraraka and Iida had started dating, and lastly...his father was going to be coming home.
The last one terrified him.
When Izuku returned back to UA his classmates threw a party for him in his room. The walls were decorated with pictures they had taken throughout the school year and a stack of cards laid unopened on his desk. Confetti was popped, a cake was made, and hugs were given. Even Aizawa-sensei joined in on the fun by patting Izuku on the head, giving him a stuffed cat as a get well present.
Unfortunately, while he may have been better...he was not allowed to do any training. During hero training he would spend his time in his room or staying with Recovery Girl to try and figure out how he could get better. With his strict new diet he was sad that his muscles were wasting away.
Just like him.
During lunch period, All Might had called Izuku out of class...he knew what the man wanted to talk about...-failure, how could you ever be my successor-
"My boy...these past few months have me worried and I just..." All Might meekly said, matching his deflated appearance.
"You want me to give One for All to someone else right? I'm not a good enough successor? How funny that a great hero like you picked me, a weak, quirkless, Deku. In the end I had hoped I would never have to hear you say it...but I guess I should've hardened myself over the years"
"Midoriya-shonen! No! I am proud I picked you as my successor!" All Might had placed his hands on Izuku's shoulders, his face felt wet...oh he was crying.
"My boy, I've been worried about you and I want you to know that despite everything,"
here it is...he's going to reject me and say I'm a failure
"despite everything I am glad I was able to meet an amazing young man like you." All Might's skeleton face turned upwards, black sclera eyes closed as tears fell like waterfalls.
As the lunch bell chimed, All Might held onto him, both unknown to a man in a black suit standing in the shadows of the roof's stairs.
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It had been 12 days and his father was flying over. In a matter of moments he would meet his father.
Midoriya Hisashi.
The mysterious businessman who he apparantly got his curly hair and freckles from.
*knock knock*
Inko walked up to the door, to see her husband who looked like he hadn't aged in years. In his hands was a briefcase and a bouquet of flowers, daisys and daffodils.
"Inko, it's been so long...I apologize for never coming back to Japan" Hisashi looked down at her, his height seemed to be almost equal to All Might's.
"Hisashi before you ask me to forgive you and grovel at my feet, apologize to Izuku first. You were supposed to be here but you weren't. Just remember you don't deserve me or Izuku's kindness or forgiveness."
"I- of course Inko...I know these few years must have been hard on you. Especially for you, Izuku"
His...father turned to look at him. Black eyes meeting green.
"I never knew you...and I still don't, but I guess it's nice to meet the person whose the reason why I'm sick."
Izuku knew he was being petty but...he deserved to be.
"R-right..." looking around Hisashi seemed awkward and unsure. Then, in what seemedike seconds, he walked up to Izuku.
"If anything, my boy, can I at least hug you this once? Before you go back to school tomorrow? I know it's your last day and...I"
Looking down at his socks Izuku thought about how he always wanted his father to hug him, for his father to be there...it made him so happy yet so dissapointed in his childish joy. All Might was close enough to his real father anyways, with the way he cared for him.
"O-okay" Izuku's voice warbled and then he was wrapped in a pair of large muscular arms. He felt warm and so...so...
Izuku wrapped his arms around the tall man, well more like attempted to because his father was much larger than he was. Tears and snot had gotten on the expensive suit the man was wearing.
His mother ended up joining in the hug despite her almost disowning her husband the moment he walked into their home.
A few hours later during dinner, the Midoriyas were a picture perfect family, happy and quaint, despite the looming deadline that was hanging over one of their heads.
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At the last day of school Izuku searched for 3-A classroom. After panting at the last stairway step, he found it. Opening the door he pulled Mirio out of class. "Follow me" he said curtly.
Ince they reached the roof, Izuku looked into Mirio's eyes. The bright blue had dulled over the loss of his mentor and his quirk.
"Mirio I...I need to tell you something important"
"What is it?" even Mirio's voice seemed hollow.
"First, would you like a quirk?"
After spending half of lunch period on the roof Mirio decided he would take on All Might's legacy. They could have easily stated that after the Overhaul incident that he was injected with a drug that caused his quirk to change...most people would believe it.
So after school, when his classmates threw him a party for leaving... no for being unable to come back, they would miss him...Izuku, All Might, and Mirio met.
There, in Nezu's office, Izuku gave up his quirk...and Mirio gained a new one.
A part of Izuku broke at the fact he was useless now...but at least he wouldn't be dragging down the Symbol of Peace's legacy.
And so, he left for his home...he couldn't stand to see All Might's bittersweet face.
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For the next year or so his friends would visit him, giving him presents or just hanging out while Izuku got worse and worse.
He hated wearing tank tops and shorts because of how his bruises would show. He didn't want to see their sad faces.
He had to go to the hospital 5 times before being fully admitted at home. His mother had quit her job to spend time with her family while Hisashi worked on his laptop.
IV's and sometimes blood packets were stuck in his arm while the medical aid visited. He could feel himself slipping most days...never fully awake and never fully asleep.
His parents would stay with him, waking up with one of them sleeping next to him or holding his hand.
As the days passed the countdown seemed to go faster and faster.
Izuku knew he only had a few months left.
He knew.
Or at least he thought.
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Late at night, Izuku wasn't sure of the date but he knew it had to be Spring with all the flowers blooming, his father woke him up.
"Izuku...I'm sorry I never told you the truth about myself and my...brother"
"I-I-It's okay"
"No I...I thought it would be best to separate myself from your mother and you because I didn't want anything bad to happen to you."
"W-W-what do you mean?"
"Izuku...my real name is Hisashi Midoriya but...I'm not a businessman. I'm sure you know my from All Might as...All for One."
"No. No...no"
Nononononono this isn't real...its fake....he has to be lying....
If he was telling the truth then....
"How?"
"Well little one...like how other children are made I had inter-"
"No! That's not what I mean...how could you?"
Tears were streaming down his face, he felt betrayed...so angry...
"Izuku I...no matter what, you deserve to know the truth and I...can't let you go. Not yet. Not my little boy." Dad's...no Hisashi?....All for One's? voice cracked. His eyes were turning red but the man looked like he was holding back tears
"Not again...I won't let you slip from my fingers like Yuuto..." his father pressed his large hand on top of Izuku's, in an instant he felt pain but as quickly as it came it left.
"What did you do?" Izuku was feeling odd, the colors were blurring together...
"I gave you an immortality quirk...the strongest I could find. I won't let you die...not yet. Not until I can find a cure and correct the world, tear down this corrupt 'hero' fantasy. Izuku, know that I will always love you, no matter what." His father ruffled his hair as warmth and fear spread throughout Izuku's small, frail body.
His friends...All Might...
When he woke up would the world still be the same? Would they still be alive?
...slowly he closed his eyes....
shut.....
....and then
they opened.
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Funny how it all started with a cough.