#deku is a puppet

[justatalkingface]

Izuku vs Deku, Person vs Puppet

While I'm at this... I've made this point before, in that one Izuku mega-post I've made, and maybe once somewhere else? But I feel it's worth posting again outside of it, in a post just for this, if only so it's easier for people to look at this on it's own merits.

People use the name 'Deku' to refer to Izuku and I, on a personal level, dislike that. Don't get me wrong, I know why they do it, so I don't blame them (or you, theoretical random reader), but I don't like it all the same. Why?

On a fundamental level, I think of Hori making Izuku's hero name 'Deku' to be something that damages Izuku's development as a character, that it's not something done because that is what Izuku, the theoretical person would do, or something that will help him grow in some way; Izuku doesn't benefit from it all, actually.

No, the only person that really benefits is Bakugou. Here's the thing: Izuku doesn't like to be called Deku, he never did. Bakugou calls him that as an insult, deliberately, and the one time Ochako does it, based on a misunderstanding? Hurts him; he feels betrayed that his new friend is suddenly insulting him.

Of course, he's understanding when she explains why she said it, and all is forgiven afterwords, but that underlying fact is still there: Izuku does not like that name. So, why did he call himself that?

The way it's shown to us, the audience, the whole encounter with Ochaka is supposed to make him look at that insult in a new light, so Izuku calling himself that is supposed to be 'reappropriating' that name, and theoretically, that sounds great! The problem, though, is the reality of how it's presented to us:

When Ochako explains what happens, she says she thought it meant 'Dekiru', which is promptly explained to us that it means, 'You can do it!', and the way it's shown to us makes it clear that it's being given as an answer to the question Izuku has been struggling over: who am I as a hero?

The fundamentally cheerful and uplifting nature of the word, how quick and easy it is to say (as opposed to Aoyama's paragraph long abomination) and perhaps most importantly it takes that old, hateful name he's been called his old life and changes it, makes it new, encouraging, and hopeful, and has real resemblance to All Might's catch phrase, 'I am here' (as in, 'you no longer have to worry because I am here').

The setup for Izuku's name is for that, for Dekiru, the hero that says, 'You can do it!', which symbolizes the primary influence on his life shifting from Bakugou, from being belittled and looked down on, to All Might, to being enthusiastic and hopeful and encouraged; that is the reclaiming of Deku promised to us, like a new tree growing from a burnt down forest.

So... why is it Deku, then?

I'll say it again: it's because of Bakugou. It seems clear in how MHA's writing is set up that at first, Bakugou wasn't supposed to be as important and omnipresent as he ended up being, and at some point Hori shifted his plans to force him in the story, even as he was trying to keep Bakugou as Bakugou, keeping those same fundamental character traits that, realistically, he should have outgrown or have been punished for. And one of those traits?

Is calling Izuku Deku, calling him useless. The reason Izuku ultimately called himself 'Deku' has nothing to with Izuku himself, it's about Bakugou: if Izuku's hero name is Deku, and Bakugou calls him Deku? That suddenly isn't a bad thing, anymore; he's not insulting Izuku, he's just calling him by his hero name! But at the same time, it's clear by how Bakugou acts that he isn't calling Izuku by his hero name, he's just calling him by that same, belittling childhood name he always has; reality itself has just shifted to make that seem acceptable.

But if Izuku called himself Dekiru, though? Then suddenly, that shallow protection Hori afforded to him vanishes, and it's clear that Bakugou is, in fact, constantly insulting Izuku, every time they talk. It makes him look bad. And, well. Hori can't have that, so... Deku it is.

Do know what the peak irony of all this is, though? The accidental metaphor that makes it clear just how little Hori cares about Izuku, as anything beyond being a vessel to advance the story?

The meaning of Deku: it can mean a couple of things, like useless, for example, the way Bakugou uses it, but another meaning is a puppet. Hori literally stopped Izuku from calling himself Dekiru, from saying, 'I can do it!', so he could call himself a puppet instead... and all for the sake of someone else.

The symbolism on that is so strong that it hurts.

[elkios-god-of-chaos]

How 431 shoulda gone:

Bonus:

[ibarkatpeoplewoofwoofbitch]

People I'd think that'd love the eraserhead baby

Number 1:jason vorhees and his mom

Cmon shed kill for jason. And jason wouldn't kill him.

They'd love the eraserhead baby. Honestly probably because everything they deem as "ugly" they find awesome.

Luda may IS SO SWEET.

Michael myers mom. She'd be scared at first but she'd love it like her own.

Can't tell me he wouldnt

She'd got that motherly love

He's a gentle giant

Nice gramps

[ogaybitch]

The last chapter is about how Izuku realizes something is missing in his life and wants to catch up with Ochako again since they barely talked during these 8 years. It makes no sense because do phones not exist in mha universe?? Why would they never have a chance to talk all those years? Why wouldn't they try to talk??

Like seriously.

In this chapter we find out Izuku and Ochako haven't been talking much after they graduated from the UA. Izuku stayed where he was to become a teacher at UA while Ochako travels the country with Tsuyu, Momo and Iida for her Quirk Counseling Expansion Project.

While physically meeting up would be hard considering the circumstances, there's nothing stopping them from calling or FaceTiming. Ochako and Iida were Izuku's close friends, it makes no sense for them to cut ties; especially with the fact that we saw a panel of Izuku and Ochako talking during their last years of UA so it's not like they grew apart after the war that exchanging numbers when they graduated was not a possibility anymore.

This chapter, their circumstances still don't change: Izuku doesn't want to quit being a teacher and wants to keep teaching at UA and do hero work on his off days, and Ochako still has her project to focus on so she will continue traveling the country. Meaning if they plan on catching up, their ways are going to part one day again anyway and they'll have to use phones to keep in contact. Which brings up the question why they didn't do it from the beginning.

It's not like they forgot about Izuku: the whole ex-Class A has been funding his billion dollar mecha suit for years. They could spare cash for Izuku but they didn't bother giving a call? No group chat? They couldn't even email bro??

The other possibility is they DID keep in contact, which contradicts everything going on about Ochako this chapter. If Izuku and Ochako did keep in contact with each other during those 8 years, why would Ochako start seeing Toga in her dreams only when she saw Deku when he became an active hero again a couple of months ago? Because that's the only thing that changed about Izuku. The reason Ochako started seeing Toga in her dreams was Ochako subconsciously reminding herself that she still has feelings for Deku. You're telling me she wasn't yearning all these years they talked until she saw Deku with his new mecha suit? "Toga" waited till Deku had the suit to appear??

This would mean she has feelings for Hero Deku and not Izuku himself. Which is bad because we had Izuku saying "even if I had OFA I'd still want to be a teacher" in this chapter. So ...what now?

Ochako wasn't hallucinating Toga for 8 years. It only started happening when she saw Deku again. If she's been in love with him for all these years, why didn't she continue talking to him after they graduated? For Toga to appear now, Ochako has to have never talked to or seen Izuku even once in at least years so Toga's reappearance as a reminder of her feelings and guilt makes sense. At the start I'd understand them not having the chance to chat much since they were both probably busy with her starting the foundation of her project and him going to a university to become a teacher, but it's been 8 years? Izuku has been a teacher for years. She was still funding his suit but never called him to check up on him? They were best friends. She obviously still cares about him. Even without the romantic aspect, why wouldn't she keep in contact? Her bottling up her feelings never stopped them from interacting normally before so that's not the reason. So why?

"They didn't have the opportunity because of work" doesn't make sense because they're still busy to this day with their work. Heck, Izuku's going to become even more busy now that he's going to spend his off days doing hero work. They couldn't talk before but now they can, even though nothing changed about their circumstances?

"Giving special treatment to everyone means that no one is special to you. Show your special people that they are special" was what made Izuku reach out to Ochako again. How is Ochako a Special People if Izuku didn't even try to keep in contact with her? You can stop talking to your colleagues but you talk with your friends no matter what. Izuku was treating her like she was a colleague from his last job, not his best friend. Because again, they were best. friends. He still cares about her too. Izuku didn't even make the minimum effort of keeping in touch with her. Suddenly she's one of his Special People? Chapter 431 Izuku's special treatment for her was upgrading her to a friend status??

The "I want to talk to you more" would make sense if they had been talking in the first place. But they didn't even bother. And suddenly they care now? "The Deku Who Does His Best" didn't even try getting in touch with his friend after they graduated? This was Deku's best??

"Deku probably didn't want to bother them when they're so busy" Early middle school Deku can chase after his bully, even when Bakugo was pushing him away, because he was Deku's Image of Victory and he had faith in him, but last year middle school Deku can't ask for his close friend Ochako's number even tho she's literally his Hero? Izuku had NO excuse to stop talking to her. They. Were. Friends. Even calling once a week was enough. FaceTiming once a month was enough.

"The war matured Deku" we calling not bothering reaching out to your loved ones maturing now? They've been through a literal war together but reaching out to them is too childish?? Wtf maturing has anything to do with keeping contact with your friends???

"Killing Shigaraki changed Deku" is also bullshit excuse because while that did change Izuku, that change including ignoring your friends existence makes no sense. What even is the correlation?? If anything, Izuku should have been in contact with Ochako the most because her program literally did more for Tenko and Tenko's wishes than anything Izuku ever did. They should have been brainstorming ideas for upgrading her program so it's the best it can be. They were supposed to be bonding over not being able to save their villains.

While Izuku was busy remembering Tenko's last words "do your best" which was about Tenko trusting Deku to help the oppressed, bring justice and prevent people from ending up like him as an encouragement to go talk to a girl he didn't try reaching out to for 8 years, Ochako was putting in the work creating a program that is being considered one of the most essential aspects of current society.

"Deku's guiding the future generations" in the most prestigious school almost no one is able to join?? People like Shigaraki don't end up at UA!? He's guiding people who already want to be heroes and help people??? That scissors face kid is there because the granny held his hand, Tenko ended up as Shigaraki because the granny didn't hold his hand. Izuku's guiding people who got lucky instead of finding the unlucky and saving them! He was supposed to be the one to hold their hand when no one else did! He was supposed to show the society not just the UA kids, that anyone can be a hero! He was supposed to Save to Win!! He promised Tenko to do his best!!!

He became a teacher because there wasn't much he could do otherwise with no quirk, now he has an opportunity but he chooses to stay a teacher? What do you mean Izuku is going to do hero work on his off days?? It feels like Izuku is happy about the suit only because it made it possible to spend time with his friends instead of getting to be a hero again.

Deku was the type of person to keep in contact with his friends no matter what. Deku was the type of person who would use the opportunity the gifted mecha suit gave him to go save people he couldn't save as a quirkless person. Deku was the type of person who went out of his way to save people. Deku was the type of person who was selfless. Deku was the type of person who would keep his promises and do his very best and then go beyond that.

Where has Deku's spirit gone? No wonder he's content being just a teacher. He didn't miss being a hero, he missed being with his friends. We spent the last chapter of MHA watching Izuku focus on anything but being a hero. He's still a good person who wants to help people when he can but now he has no drive, no seek for going "Plus Ultra"... Izuku is no longer Deku OR Dekiru now. He's Midoriya Sensei. Which is confusing because this is the story of how he became the greatest Hero.

[missingalaxies]

Link: okay, so, about that- *runs away*

[opabiniasarecool]

While I'm not excited by the fact the Legend of Zelda movie will be live action (I personally think animation fits the games perfectly), my dad pointed how they could use old style puppeteering (Like the Labyrinth or some parts of the DnD movie) and honestly I think that would be so cool. Not only that, but think of how well it would fit the "Dark Fantasy" vibe that so many of the Zelda games have, like seriously, just imagine how cool it would look <3

[rawliverandgoronspice]

. (spoilers Echoes of Wisdom)

I think the series had tried twice to do the "population enthralled by some delicacy that makes them lose their mind", and I do think it was a bit of a flop twice unfortunately (but the dekus are my only really really light complain story-wise so far).

But it's super interesting to see how many ideas are, lel, echoed in between EoW and TotK --and how EoW knocks it out of the park in comparaison. EoW managed to execute the concept of "puppet Zelda" in a way TotK only ever grasps at (by that I mean the concept of "an impostor is running havoc"). It hits emotional beats and helps simple but coherent character arcs, it never tries to cheaply trick you into believing in the charade when it's obvious you'll never be tricked, it literally threatens the main character in pretty immediate ways (being threatened with execution by your own father!! that's a surprising amount of bite for modern Zelda)

Anyway, I'm almost done and it's still delightful. <3

[foxythevampire]

My five submissions for the anime contest for eaps!

ok so a year ago the Monty gator and foxy show had this same contest and I drew puppet at shoto Todoroki for that contest and make it in. So the motivation that came with this contest hit hard !

[cloudedmindzartzandthingz]

Random art stuff I made(Ochako still needs her hero name put onto it)

Btw sorry it's just My Hero Academia characters on the question thing

[deadgirlsam]

do not enjoy people saying toga got a complete character arc and the best ending out of everyone SHE LITERALLY KILLED HERSELF

[ttomuras]

jus realized i follow two ppl w void in their user AHHHHH ANYWAY how we feelin 😭 idk if u saw the leaks yet 😖

hshshshs hi lily!!! i saw the leaks on saturday against my will 😔😔😔 scrolling through this hellsite…i am still grieving 😓😓😓 bkdk content but at what cOST hEAD IN HANDS

[justatalkingface]

Everything Changed When The War Arc Attacked:

Or, why do I hate the War Arc so fucking much?

At this point, eh, why not? Writing every day is supposed to be good for improving as a writer.

ECWTWAA is a simple, quippy line that holds all of my festering loathing for watching MHA gleefully hurl itself off a cliff once the War Arc happened, and, much like someone jumping off a cliff like an utter moron (or the Air Nomads after the Fire Nation attacked), it has never truly recovered.

*sigh*

In retrospect, MHA had been going downhill for a long time before that point, and a lot of it was something I noticed unconsciously, but didn't quite rise to me really paying conscious attention to it, beyond a few notable points (*cough*, Bakugou, *cough* FuCkiNg NIGHTEYE), but as my brain was somewhat in the off position as I read, I was still enjoying the ride, even as it bumped; the enjoyment was as much, if not more, that I used to enjoy it more than the actual content, but there was enjoyment.

If MHA before The War Arc was a somewhat imperfect roller coaster ride, the only way I can describe the War Arc is if the roller coaster ride abruptly ended in the side of a cliff, only somehow dragged out for months of slow paced agony. I watched, in vaguely real time, as Hori systematically trashed the last foundations of his story, the swan song of one of the best, most interesting characters in the series, toss aside the sudden yet exciting development of it's main villain, and escalate to a higher gear than ever before the constant work to protect some of the most vile characters, including said mass murdering villain, from even the slightest criticism by sacrificing everyone around them, as well as the very integrity of the story, to the alter of, 'They're not that bad, honest! Don't hurt their little feelings, you bully!'

And, I watched him finally finish the lobotomy on his main character, permanently ripping away what remained of his original personality and intelligence, leaving an empty puppet, a Deku, with the singular purpose of driving the story faster, and faster, and faster towards that thing that Hori seems to crave above everything else now: The End.

Freedom, freedom from the strangling chains of a merciless Jump schedule, of a plot long grown too complex for him to manage, or for him to even want to try, and from the burden of writing characters and stories he so clearly seems to despise, for some reason. And if they only way he feels he can get it is by burning everything he's done down to the ground, well, Hori's clearly more than willing.

In all honesty it became obvious that, in all of MHA, he only actually liked six things: Endeavour, Bakugou, body horror, dramatic, flashy fight scenes with flashy super powers, attractive women in minimal clothing and vaguely fetish-y torture scenes on attractive women in minimal clothing.

These things, from that point on, are the only things he has spent real, actual time on, developing, giving focus to. Everything else, everything else, is rushed, pushed constantly forward by Deku, the puppet, as he runs from plot point to plot point as fast as he can, never allowed a moment to rest, to reflect, to really think at all, all in the name of progression as empty as he has become.

In all honesty, it was a needed, if unwanted, shock to help me realize the truth, but at what cost? At what cost is this clarity? The joy is gone now; once I dropped my unconscious acceptance of the narrative, everything I had been ignoring came to me a rush of horrified realization, even the most mild of flaws became glaring, and now reading the early chapters that got me into this story in the first place is just... hollow now, like I'm watching my old self enjoy them, rather than enjoying them myself, and I can't help but be both jealous and vaguely contemptuous at the innocent pleasure that person had.

I'll admit, I'm being more dramatic than I'd like to be, but... I've said this before, I'd been reading MHA for years before this point. Years of enjoyment, interest, and focus, and it's all ash to me now. I'm somewhat bitter about it.

[fever-dreamer97]

Uraraka: Deku-kun, can we…talk about the way I witness you and the guys handle disagreements?

Izuku: Oh, uh, why?

Uraraka:

-

Bakugo, talking with a Cookie Monster puppet and in Cookie Monster voice: Would it kill you to put the dishes in the dishwasher?!

Todoroki, talking with a Kermit the Frog puppet and in Kermit voice: I will put MY dish in the dishwasher.

Bakugo, in Cookie Monster voice: THIS IS A SHARED HOUSE!

Izuku, talking with an Elmo puppet and in Elmo voice: Guys, guys, let’s be calm!

-

Uraraka: I’m just very concerned.

[yanderenightmare]

2023 collection part two

July

BNHA—Yandere captor Deku and all his selfish imposing ways:

♡ SELFISH

BNHA—Shigaraki finds his soulmate:

♡ FATE CAN BE A BTICH

JJK—Naoya x cureless maid reader:

♡ PROPOSAL GIFT

BNHA—Alpha Bakugou mating his terrified Omega reader:

♡ Five Steps for Alphas Mating Omegas

BNHA—Poly wolf-boys Bakugo and Deku with a bunny reader in heat:

♡ HEATED

HQ!!—Bully Tsukishima helps you study:

♡ DINKERBELL

JJK—Mahito discovers his carnal urges:

♡ PLAYTHING

JJK—How scary is yandere captor Gojo:

♡ SCARY

JJK—How strict husband Naoya is with his little wife:

♡ LUCKY BRIDE

JJK—Sukuna making terrified reader sit in his lap:

♡ SCARY-HOT

JJK—Sukuna tells you his real name:

♡ FORGIVEN

August

JJK—Cult leader Geto takes advantage of one of his devotees:

♡ MONKEY

JJK—Geto likes seeing you cry:

♡ DACROPHILIA

September

JJK—Toji was paid to kill you but decided to take you instead:

♡ BARGAIN SALE

JJK—Toji fucking his captive darling:

♡ smutty drabble

BNHA—Yandere Shigaraki roofying his cheerleader crush at a party:

♡ CHEERS

JJK—Cockwarming Mahito while he reads you horror stories:

♡ SCAREDY-CAT

BNHA—Deku terrorizes his ex-girlfriend:

♡ GREEN PAISLEY

BNHA—Parole officer Bakugou accepts your bribe:

♡ OUR LITTLE SECRET

BNHA—Jock bully Bakugou fucks nerdy reader:

♡ SECRET OBSESSION

BNHA—Bakugou likes his hopeless classmate:

♡ COOKING CLUB

JJK—Yandere Yuta x kidnapped reader:

♡ SAFE

BNHA—Shigaraki is all about the tits:

♡ TITTIES

JJK—Gojo and Geto x assistant supervisor:

♡ SUIT

Misogynist boyfriend keeps you captive:

♡ A SHITTY MOVIE

October

JJK—Sukuna with his beloved before he became a demon:

♡ SPIDERLILLY

BNHA—Douche fuckboy Deku and his biggest fan:

♡ FANGIRL'S DREAM

JJK—Geto x curse darling:

♡ PAYMENT

JJK—Gojo x curse darling:

♡ MEETING ♡ LIVING TOGETHER ♡ ANGST

BNHA—Shigaraki reacts to his darling developing Stockholm Syndrome:

♡ KISSES

BNHA—Overworked and touch-starved Prohero Bakugou x girlfriend reader:

♡ ONE MORE TIME?

JJK—Mahito can't transfigure you:

♡ PURE

JJK—Megumi surprisingly has game:

♡ SHAMELESS

JJK men x curse darling:

♡ CURSE DARLINGS

BNHA—Wolfboy Shigaraki buys bunny reader from a sex trafficker:

♡ DEAL

JJK—Sadist Gojo with curse darling:

♡ WEAKNESS

JJK—Mahito goes from platonic yandere to romantic yandere:

♡ PET 

Thirsty thoughts on big yanderes x tiny darlings:

♡ FUN-SIZED

JJK—Nanami comes home tattered and bloody from a job:

♡ GONE

JJK—Megumi when he’s older and looks more like Toji:

♡ THE APPLE DOESN'T FALL FAR

BNHA—Orc Enji x elf reader:

♡ ORC x ELVEN PRINCESS ♡ ORC x ELF

November

Thirsty thoughts on big yanderes x tiny darlings:

♡ GENTLE GIANT

BNHA—Fuckfriend Bakugou turns yandere:

♡ BORING

BNHA—Yandere captor Bakugou wants captive darling to be willing:

♡ WILLINGLY OR NOT

JJK—Bully Gojo teaching his little victim a lesson about who she belongs to:

♡ BULLY GOJO

JJK—Bully Gojo & Geto drugging crush:

♡ ODD…

BNHA—Reader develops Stockholm Syndrome for Dabi:

♡ PERFECT

BNHA—Incel Bakugou kidnaps reader to be his sex-puppet:

♡ TOUCH

JJK—Poly Gojo and Geto sharing captive darling headcanons:

♡ HOUSEWIFE

BNHA—Prohero Bakugou going yandere for childhood friend and coworker:

♡ EMPTY SHELLS

BNHA—Hermit forest-dweller Bakugou takes lost hiker reader captive:

♡ HERMIT

JJK—Bully boyfriend Gojo roleplay and fluff:

♡ NEVER

JJK—Gojo being a pervy wierdo with strange taste:

♡ WIERDO

JJK—Smug teasing boyfriend Gojo:

♡ PLAY

JJK—You didn't pay Toji's fee, so now he's coming to collect:

♡ BOUNTY

BNHA—Gross Shigaraki makes you wash him:

♡ SHOWER

Step-bro creeps on you:

♡ CREEP STEP-BRO

BNHA—Yandere sadist Shigaraki is really into BDSM:

♡ PET

BNHA—Shigaraki drugs and fucks Dabi's pretty girlfriend:

♡ GOODIE TWO SHOES

JJK—Sex therapist Nanami being pervy with his patient:

♡ SEX THERAPY ♡ SEQUAL kinda

Orc master loves making a cum-slut out of his pretty elf slave:

♡ ORC x ELF ♡ ORC x ELF

Punished for trying to run away from your yandere captor:

♡ PUNISHED

JJK—Ex-boyfriend Sukuna fucks you at a party:

♡ EX

BNHA—Poly Proheroes Bakugo and Deku blackmails criminal reader:

♡ STREET SCUM

JJK—The Itadoris all living together in a run-down house:

♡ SHAMELESS

BNHA—Dabi has new cock-piercings he wants to try out:

♡ ARMED AND READY

December

BNHA—Soldier Hawks & Dabi knock on your door and expect to be fed:

♡ THE QUARTERING ACT

JJK—Mahito is like a nosy roommate:

♡ PRACTICE

JJK—Arranged marriage with Geto, but he shares you with Gojo:

♡ ARRANGED MARRIAGE

Yandere kidnapper softly nonconning darling:

♡ SOFT NONCON

BNHA—Incel Shigaraki crushes on the pretty store clerk at the comic/game shop:

♡ CUSTOMER SERVICE

Colleague crushing on reader in office au:

♡ CUT TO THE CHASE

JJK—Sorceror reader teasing imprisoned Sukuna:

♡ INSUFFERABLE

JJK—Alpha Gojo teasing Omega reader:

♡ SCARED?

Strict yandere captor hates when you curse:

♡ FILTHY

BNHA—Shiggy and Dabi share a darling:

♡ PULLED LEFT AND RIGHT

BNHA—Shigaraki is the worst BNHA yandere:

♡ FILTHY

Yandere kidnapper takes your virginty:

♡ VIRGINITY

JJK—Sukuna gatekeeps you:

♡ CHASTITY BELT

BNHA—Alpha Bakugou figures out why he bullies Omega reader:

♡ LESSON ♡ HEAT

JJK—Gojo is too late to make you his:

♡ SOMEONE ELSE

JJK—Yandere Gojo fighting your man for your hand:

♡ DUEL

Your strict teacher fucks your throat raw in detention:

♡ DETENTION

♡ 2023 COLLECTION PART ONE ♡ ALL MASTERLISTS

[nemisuki]

𐔌✧.* ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴍᴇ .ᐟ ֹ ₊ ꒱

ೀ⋆ || Falling for your dense classmate is a challenge, especially when trying to confess ❀⋆.���࿔*:･

. ♬ ݁˖ || inspo song : spotify version & yt version ᯓ★

ᝰ.ᐟ || izuku midoriya x f!reader, she/her pronouns, pure fluff, words of affirmation, 1.7k word count •°. *࿐

It didn't take long for y/n to realize what she felt for Izuku far surpassed the typical feelings you would have for a dear classmate.

This sentiment only seems to marinate after many months of admiring from a safe distance — behind the term 'friend' — attempting to disregard the attraction that increases day by day.

Regardless of how much she tried to hide it, at times, her infatuation appeared to control her like a puppet, making words exit her mouth before her mind could catch up.

"Deku, I don't understand this one..."

It's a blatant lie, only wanting to catch his attention, and it seems to work.

His head perks up in an instant, gaze softening slightly as he leans closer, taking a peek at her notebook — filled with erase markings and scribbles — not one ounce of judgement in his gentle look.

"Hm? If you don't mind, I can help! Let me have a look..."

Her heart quickens, fingers clenching on her pencil as she tries to stay still, focused on quieting her racing pulse, growing afraid he might hear it.

The boy becomes so immersed in explaining the equation step-by-step that he doesn't even realize just how close he's gotten; considering she can now count every pretty freckle and scar.

He gently smiles, turning to look at her.

"Do you get it now?"

Her whole body feels like it's on fire, every nerve and muscle yearning to close the distance, urging herself to melt in the arms of the precious ambiance that is Izuku Midoriya.

Yet he never seemed to grasp this concept himself, always preoccupied with strict training regimens and study sessions, mentally distanced from the notion of romance.

So some days she grows bolder than others; giving him little hints to test the waters, subtle indications about the burning affection within her.

"Deku! I um— got you this... I hope you don't have it already. I saw it in the store and well—"

His face visibly lights up, scrambling up from his seat to approach her, receiving the small gift like a lively child on christmas day.

"Uwahhhh! This is the magazine with all mights latest interviews! I can't believe you managed to get a copy before it sold out! Even Kacchan couldn't get one!"

Izuku is already flipping through the pages, his awe filled gaze zeroing in on each sentence, gushing over every little thing that his mentor responded with.

Despite knowing All Might personally, it seems he'll always be a fan boy at heart; the thought makes her smile back with hidden admiration.

The way his eyes glistened with joy always had her in a trance, hence she couldn't pass up pre-ordering the item — when she saw it on a instagram post he liked — y/n just couldn't resist.

She smiles.

"I guess I got lucky, huh?"

He eagerly nods.

"Mhm! You're like a good luck charm y/n!"

She's visibly taken back, the words getting stuck in her throat, slight goosebumps peppering her skin — despite no breeze being present — unable to comprehend his random declaration.

"E-Eh?!"

He takes a few steps forward, his head still in the clouds, holding the magazine closer to his chest with pure joy.

"I mean it! It seems like whenever you're around me, good things happen!"

She shyly averts her gaze in an attempt to ignore how close he is, how close she is to just erasing the gap between them all together, wanting nothing more than to hear his endless rambles and praise.

Praise that seemed to easily leave his lips, maybe too easy, after all, she seems to be stuck in that category of 'just friends'.

A label she'd like to change for something more intimate.

"You... really think so?"

"Of course I do!"

Being friends with Izuku Midoriya makes a person question if the world is truly as cruel as they say, because the boy in front of her counters all of that.

The true embodiment of a kind soul; disguised as a mere high school student.

So she shouldn't be shocked when his popularity sky-rockets during their last year in UA, fangirls approaching him whenever given an open opportunity, leaving the boy a stuttering mess as he nervously fidgets around.

It irked her more than it should've but nonetheless, she was grateful, considering it ignited an ambitious drive inside her heart, urging her to seek him out.

Leading them to this very moment, the duo standing in front of the cherry blossom tree on campus, a cliché yet beautiful scenery of falling pink petals under the warm sun.

The curious green-haired boy looking right at her.

"So what did you want to talk about y/n?"

She gulps.

All her confidence suddenly vanishes into thin air as he tilts his head, mindlessly smiling at her, despite not knowing she's on the verge of overheating right then and there.

"Well... I have something important to tell you, if you don't mind."

He immediately nods along.

"Ah—! Okay then, I'm all ears!"

She bites the inside of her cheek, attempting to ignore her sweaty palms; embarrassingly becoming a complete bundle of nerves, right in front of the boy she's been crushing on.

A boy who she knows will treat her the same, with everlasting kindness, regardless of the outcome.

"We've known each other for quite some time and... I think you're really amazing deku... you probably don't know this but you've inspired me more to become a great hero. And if you'd let me, I-I'd want to stay by your side til then because I—"

Regardless of the forming butterflies in her stomach, y/n clenches her fist, the last remaining amount of courage fueling her drive to meet his gaze, her whole body heated with emotions.

He looks at her, a bit caught off guard, clearly not expecting the conversation to go like this, his expression completely unreadable — for once — only prolonging her anxious thoughts and hesitance.

The breeze feels cool against her skin, reminding her that it's either now or never, unable to continue hiding her feelings for the cheerful classmate any longer.

So with a deep breath, she speaks with conviction, holding firm eye contact.

"I-I really do love you Izuku!"

He's visibly taken back, eyes widening at her confession, frozen stiff for a few seconds as if contemplating their whole relationship — all the memories and laughs they've shared — to eventually relax with an oddly calm gaze and warm smile.

His cheeks barely dusted with a light pink.

"Oh— I love you too y/n! You're an amazing friend as well!"

Silence.

The girl could only stare at him with disbelief, she had almost forgotten how dense he is, despite being one of the smartest students in their class; if there's a subject Izuku Midoriya isn't too bright on — it's romance.

She saw the way he short circuits whenever a fangirl even so much as compliments him.

Which means she has to be even more clear with both him and herself.

Well, they say the second time's a charm...

"N-no that's not... I meant— agh! Izuku! What I meant to say was that— I'm in love with you!"

He blinks a few times, like his mind is unable to comprehend her statement.

Then realization seems to hit him like a brick, she could tell by his blush intensifying from a soft pink to a bright red, multiple shades deeper compared to the cherry petals falling around them.

His arms flail around as he stammers uncontrollably.

"W-what?! You're in l-l-love with me?! But why— s-since when?!"

Now it's her turn to be flustered, shyly holding her cheeks to feel the burning sensation beneath her finger tips.

"For a while now..."

"Eh?! Are you sure?! M-Maybe you're just—"

He doesn't finish his sentence, quickly shutting himself up at the sight of her condition — equally as bashful and fidgety — mirroring his own physical state.

His eyes light up at the picture perfect image, her hair flowing in the wind, petals raining down like a scene out of a cheesy rom-com, sun beaming a little too brightly to highlight the glossy look in her gaze.

It was as if the breath got sucked right out of him, unable to avert his eyes elsewhere, she was just that breathtaking.

And it was right there, where Izuku Midoriya realized that maybe... just maybe... his best friend truly has fallen in love with him.

Yet he couldn't make sense of why; how in the world he got the attention of such a beautiful girl.

Previous insecurities resurfacing to question if her feelings for him weren't just a miscalculation on her part, perhaps mistaken for something more than mere friendship but...

Izuku Midoriya may be dense, altho, not a complete fool.

The intense look in her eyes, holding more than a thousand words, gave him reassurance that she, in fact, meant what she said.

Only making him more shy as she awaits his response.

He softly mumbles.

"U-Um... then how about we go out to an arcade this weekend... just us two... uh-! I mean we don't h-have to if you don't want to I—"

Her eyes lit up at his invitation, and she suddenly couldn't resist — as if her body just moved on its own — stepping closer to peck an innocent kiss on his cheek, motivated by nothing other than pure joy.

Many months of pent up infatuation finally taking its course.

"Ah really?! I'd love to!"

He freezes.

And after a few moments, she immediately jerks back, realizing just how bold she was with that one action alone, feeling flushed at her own cheekiness.

"Oh— I'm so sorry Izuku! I didn't mean to—"

She gasps as he sees him stumble over, falling onto the vibrant plush grass, thankfully cushioning his fall — as his brain no doubt short circuits — practically melting like a puddle on the ground with a dazed expression.

The boy dramatically wounding up unconscious.

"Wahhh?! Izuku?!"

He woke up in the infirmary a few minutes later, still beyond starstruck as he attempted to answer recovery girls questions.

The older woman only gives him a comical deadpanned expression as he begins rambling on about his situation with y/n, frankly panicking about never being in a relationship before.

Already searching up 'tips to have the best first date' for future references, all while his hand remains on his cheek, right where she kissed him.

Smiling fondly at the memory, as if reminding himself that this is not a dream.

That sometimes your soulmate is your best friend, whom you hopelessly fell in love with.

✦ ⎯⎯⋆ ˚｡⋆ ୨ masterlist || taglist || intro || socials ୧⋆ ˚｡⋆⎯⎯ ✦

ᴀ/ɴ ||| hi my beautiful flowers! wow this fic is long what the heck, i was locked in?! this is a fic request from the number one deku fan hehe, i hope u like it lele!! lowkey this made me want to write for izuku more so yippieee, now time for me to go, plus ultra! ᕙ( •̀ ᗜ •́ )ᕗ ᴛᴀɢꜱ ||| @leleyro (❁ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)

[divine-draws]

him and billy have matching shoes

izuku as amanda saw au??? yes pls