Broken Silence

Chapter 3

Summary:

All Might and Bakugou talk. Later, Bakugou meets with his new mentor.

Notes:

Disclaimer: Don't own BNHA or any of its characters.

Thank you so much for all the kudos, bookmarks, comments and hits! Like, wow. Never imagined this fic would blow up like it did. Shoutout to my beta memequeen, Frida who commissioned me to write this fic into an au, and all the folks on discord. I'm so glad you guys like this work. I hope you enjoy the newest chapter. I'm not sure when I'll be able to update with Chapter 4 since I'm planning on doing Dads for Deku week, which you can find out about on my discord or my tumblr. There will be prizes for those who participate. :D

Hope you enjoy the newest chapter!

Chapter 3

Thankfully, the staffroom is empty when they enter. Sunlight filters through the blinds, casting heavy shadows across the couch and bookshelves. He makes tea, hoping it would lighten the mood. Alas, it stays untouched as he and young Bakugou's conversation dragged on into the late afternoon. Normally, Yagi would feel slightly bad at wasting the product, but the subject at hand took priority.

Yagi hates to admit it, but young Bakugou makes him uneasy. Perhaps it is his volatile personality, changing from anger to solemn at a moment's notice. Or maybe it's the teen's constant glare, unrelenting in its intensity. However, the truth regarding the current situation makes the stare feel even heavier on his conscience.

Guilt gathers inside his chest, wrapping around his heart like a snake. Izuku Midoriya: The poor child he had been too slow to save. It's not the first time All Might has failed to save someone, but the pain and shame still haunts Yagi like a ghost, clinging to his back like all the others. The sting of his failure is accentuated by his last words to the child. Not only had he put the young man's dreams down he had effectively led to the boy's gruesome murder. Some Symbol of Peace he is. The self-hatred festers up once more, his pessimism rising like the tide before he smashes it down once more, hiding it behind a tight smile.

It is one of the burdens all Professional Heroes must carry, but the fact by no means lessens the emotional turmoil that comes with the job.

He rests his hands beneath his chin as he contemplates young Bakugou's explanation. "And you suspect this villain is young Midoriya," he responds carefully.

The boy bristles at his comment, crimson eyes narrowing beneath disgruntled eyebrows. "I don't suspect. I know. He said that dumb nickname for me back at the USJ. No one else calls me that. Then that asshole Todoroki ran into him during the Sports Festival. He called himself Deku." He pauses at the name, eyes squeezing shut as if someone punched him in the gut. It takes him a moment to speak once more. "That's the same nickname I gave him."

A frown marrs All Might's face when he thinks over the kanji. Izu-ku, De-ku. The familiar phrase pops into his head, followed by a faint feeling of horror at the connotation involved. "Deku . . .doesn't that mean—"

"Yeah," the teen interrupts, brow rising as if to challenge him. "What about it? You gonna lecture me too? Spare me."

There is much he doesn't know about he and young Midoriya's past, although he can piece together some of it. Yagi had been a young Quirkless child once too. The hike in Bakugou's shoulders spoke of regret and pain. Yagi sighs deeply.

"I will not lecture you, young Bakugou. You have been through a lot this past year," he answers.

"But you think it's all in my head right?" His hands bunch the fabric on his knees. Yagi notes the faded scorch marks. Bakugou's gaze flickers to the window, eyes glassy. "Never should have told you. Fucking figures."