behind the scenes

ᵍʳᵉᵉⁿ ᵇᵉᵃⁿˢ ᵃʳᵍᵘᵉ

Slight angst? It isn't how I normally do it though. Heavily inspired by Hawkeye on Disney+. I deadass just watched a tiktok about it and wrote it.

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"L/n, why don't you like All Might?" Midoriya ask curiously. He's taken note of their interaction throughout the year and everytime Yagi ends with a scowl on his face. It was uncommon for him to see his favorite hero without his normal smile.

Zihao raised an eyebrow at the boy, "Didn't we already have a talk about overstepping your bounds?"

"Well yeah, but All Might is such a good hero! He has done a lot for everyone! I just don't understand how someone wouldn't like him..." His voice trailed off at the end as his hand movements began to lower.

Zihao sighs as he fiddles with the lighter in his pocket. "Look kid, he's a good person in the light of society. But deep down you know words and things he does hurt people."

"But he's a hero! Even if there is collateral damage he is just trying to save the day! We don't know what he's seen..." Midoriya tried to defend.

Gritting his teeth, Zihao tried to push back the anger beginning to grow. "Collateral damage? Is that what it's called?"

"What else would it be? He tries to save everyone he can!"

Swirls of smoke began to circle Zihao's head in tiny whisps. The smell of green tea grew stronger as Zihao stalked closer to Midoriya. "Was my dad just collateral damage too? Was his death just an accident? His entire career was ruined all because All Might couldn't be careful!"

"But-"

"Stop trying to fucking defend him! He ruined my father! MY FATHER COULD'VE WENT BACK TO WORK IF IT WASN'T FOR ALL MIGHT TRYING TO COVER UP WHAT HE DID!" The smoke began to move more rapid as his control over it began to loosen. "YOU DIDN'T SEE HIM MIDORIYA. YOU DIDN'T SEE HOW FUCKING BROKEN HE WAS!"

Midoriya tried to find a way to defend his role model. But every idea fell short. He allowed his head to hang low as his mentor yelled. Shame was all he felt.

"Don't even try to defend him." Zihao hissed as he composed himself. "I know what he said to you the first time you met." Midoriya didn't even attempt to cover up the shock on his face. How did Zihao know about that? They didn't meet until a year later...

"What would you have done if he never tried to find you afterward?" Zihao slowly paced around Midoriya. His words came out cold as he allowed time for them to sink in. "Would you have even tried to get into UA? Would you have finally given up on your dream?"

Rings of smoke danced around Midoriya's feet. The dark green contrasted against the vibrant red. "You nearly died due to that sludge villain. And what did he do? That's right, he slapped you. And left you there alone, you could've been severly injured."

"But he had to take the villain in!" Midoriya said hopefully. Yet his tone wasn't convincing. It sounded more as if he was trying to convince himself instead.

"You poor poor dear." Gracefully, the smoke began to rise. Gently tugging at the air, it caressed itself against the younger's face. "Tainted by what you've heard. Ignorance is truly blissful. Think long and hard Midoriya, has All Might ever truly been honest to you?"

"W-what do you mean?" He asks unsurely. Scared of what he may realize.

"He didn't tell you everything about your quirk. Not word about All For One. He didn't even teach you how to use his quirk. Now that doesn't sound very hero like, does it?" Zihao made a tskt sound as he finally came to a halt.

"N-no, I guess you're right..."

"See? Isn't life much more fufilling when you can see all the perspectives? Its all about perspective Midoriya, that's all that will ever matter."

Did I write a whole ass chapter about All Might slander? Oh hell yes I did.