Two pro heroes are complaining about having to work at a convention and deal with droves of sweaty fans, while two booths down a little kid is crying while meeting Deku, and Deku is crying right back. The mum is panicked. She knows how to handle a crying child but doesn’t know how to handle a crying top hero. Everyone in line is taking photos. Deku and the kid are hugging like it’s the end of the world
“It’s okay, it’s really
okay!” Deku wailed as he snotted over himself, clinging to a kid not older than
six. She’d gone red and burst into anxious, overwhelmed tears before she’d
managed to request an autograph. Deku sobbed in a deep breath, training back his
tears and failing as he accepted those slim little arms clinging less than half
way around his thick waist. “You’re so cute, oh my g-“
“Deku,” Kouta
snapped from behind the table where Deku should have been sitting, but never did.
He always stood before it, prepared to hug and greet and, inevitably, cry. Deku
could hear Kouta’s sigh as he typed something on his ever-present phone. He was
a good assistant, and rarely humored Deku’s, well, quirkiness. “There are other
people in line.”
“Of course.” Deku sniffled, his large hands gently
pressing the little fan back by the shoulders. Still kneeling at her level, he
smiled wide, his cheeks damp and his heart exploding for the future heroes of
this world. He could be looking at person who would grow up to save hundreds of
lives. “What’s your name?”
“I’m –” The petite redhead glanced quickly over her
shoulder at her mother, then leaned in close, her voice tiny as a chipmunk. “One
day everyone’s gonna know me as Firefly.”
“Oh.” Deku’s eyes
went wide as he toned his voice down, his brow bowed to hers. “Firefly. That’s
a good hero name.”
“See,” she whispered, and held open her palm. Light
sparked, flashed, and steadied into a growing glow.
“Well, then.” Deku said, his jaw aching from the joy in
his smile, his eyes glistening anew. “I’ll address this photo to Firefly, won’t
I?”
Photos and final hugs finished, and Kouta tapping a foot
behind him, Deku waved goodbye to Firefly with a dreamy sigh.
“So cute. Kouta, you got that picture of us, didn’t you?”
“Sure. Don’t know where the hell you’re gonna put it,
though. You’ve got how many photo albums full now?”
“I –“
“Our turn!”
Deku turned to the next in line. Eyes bugging, he gawked,
a high-pitched screech of glee eking out as he held open his arms in shock.
An absolute mass of ten teens approached, dressed
entirely as pro heroes from the legendary Class 1-A.
“I WOULD DIE FOR YOU,” was all Deku could yell as he ran
into the group of kids and tackled them in hugs. “Will you take a picture with
me on my phone? I’m sending this to everyone!”
“For the love of –“ Kouta dropped into Deku’s chair
behind the table and laid his forehead upon the surface. “Don’t get paid enough
for this shit.”
Deku: And then TEN KIDS SHOWED UP DRESSED LIKE US!
Toad's Cave 