take it back

a slight divergence at the end of Heroes Rising, I loved this idea so much it not only turned into a little comic, but a ficlet too :0 such a situation would hurt both of them deeply and I'm here for it

some liberties taken with how One For All works, only for the sake of potential sadness, you're welcome

"Deku!"

Kacchan catches up to him just before Izuku could reach the safety of his room, grabbing his arm and forcing him to face his fuming expression.

"You've been avoiding me," he states, far past the point of doubt. It's true but Izuku wishes it wasn't the case.

"What, no, I-" they haven't spoken a word to each other since boarding the ship off Nabu Island to return to UA, but Izuku's eyes have been glued to Kacchan even more than they usually are. What could he have said? He wants to support Kacchan, really he does! but the hole inside him still ache, he didn't expect it to, though he should have. Having experienced this blessing... He can't help but miss it.

"Take it back already."

Kacchan's words send Izuku's thoughts to a screeching halt. They awaken a hope in him that is only going to make this conversation harder for how futile Izuku knows it is.

"I... I can't," already he feels his eyes welling with tears.

Kacchan's reaction is immediate, his expression scrunches up, a mix of anger and distress and fear warring in his eyes, the hand on Izuku's still healing arm squeezing a bit too hard.

"You think I wanted this?"

Izuku knows he didn't. He forced this burden on him.

"You think I wanted to steal this from you?!"

The way he clutches at his chest, Izuku recognizes this is how guilt manifests in his childhood friend.

No no no no Kacchan you're wrong I gave it to you it's not your fault, he wants to plead but his throat is closed up.

"Take. Your fucking. Quirk back."

Each word feels like being stabbed and it's entirely deserved. Izuku wishes he didn't have to explain but of course he does, Kacchan was privy to the secret but never to all the details. Izuku swallows the lump in his throat, eyes burning.

"One For All... it can't be stolen... it has to be given freely but-"

"How do I give it back," Kacchan interrupts and oh. That stubborn hope. It hurts.

His smile, through his tears, is forced but it draws on something real, on knowing how Kacchan cares so much.

"Kacchan saying this... It makes me very happy."

"Answer the damn question, Nerd! Do you not want your quirk back?!"

your quirk

not All Might's

In less than a year he had made One For All his

"I do! It's just DNA! but..."

But it wasn't his anymore

couldn't be by its nature

how it integrates entirely with its user

The many quirks inside One For All now include Explosion, so by giving One For All away Kacchan would have to give up his quirk entirely, and as much as Izuku believes him when he says he wants to give it back, Izuku knows Kacchan hasn't grasped the true depths of how much he'd have to give yet.

If any part of him wants to keep Explosion there's no way the transfer would work.

Still before Izuku can find words to explain, Kacchan unceremoniously bites into his own palm, breaking the skin without a flinch, and offers his bleeding hand to Izuku.

It's not going to work

It's all Izuku can think as he cradles Kacchan's hand and bring it close so he can press his lips to the wound.

"I thought Kacchan would taste sweeter," he mumbles into the warm skin.

"That's your tears dumbass..."