"I’ll prove my existence with my beast dance."

[bakucchan]

[Young Bakugo Katsuki, age four and a half. The boy was born with the same ears and tail that his mother had, but none of the other traits of a dog that she did. She had a snout that she was proud of, paws with sharp claws, and a bark that scared her husband whenever she saw a squirrel outside the window and broke the peaceful silence of the house. Small Bakugo thought that his own Quirk would be like his mom's-- he tried barking loud like she did only to make a pathetic squeak of a sound, he tried to make claws come out of his humanoid fingers, he tried running on all fours and ended up tripping down the stairs over his own feet... it just didn't seem like he'd have any of the cool dog abilities his mother had. He tried to lift the couch once to see if he had his father's super strength at least but that just resulted in him spraining his wrists.

It was nearing the end of his preschool year and everyone else already had their amazing Quirks. His best friend, whom he affectionately yet frustratingly called "Deku", had manifested what was probably the coolest Quirk in class. He could breathe fire out like his father-- but with a twist. The ability to bend the fire at his will. The day he found out, everyone was excited to see how cool his new ability was, especially Bakugo. Everyone else had boring things like wings, an extra eye, but Deku had something that might as well have been two Quirks in one.

Being part dog, Bakugo has a tendency to let his emotions take control in certain circumstances and that was the case here. He got a little too excited just as Deku was trying to show him how it worked, and he got too close. Deku's fire grazed his cheek, immediately singing the skin and sending Bakugo on the ground screaming from the pain, and now he has a scar that always reminds him to reign himself in. And remind Deku to not let his fire get out of control.

That night, after he had gotten home from the hospital his mother treated him to his favourite dinner that he hadn't been able to have in a few months because of the rarity. Sheep. And the moment the four year old scarfed down his dinner something happened to him. He felt pain all over his body and howled to the sky as suddenly-- fur appeared all over his skin, a snout jutted out of his face, and his hands were turned into clawed paws just like his mother's. It was scary, at first, but as his parents freaked out and fussed over why his body had changed so drastically he realized something.

It was his Quirk.

Since then he carries a pack of home-dried sheep jerky on him at all times, and he's gotten pretty damn good at switching between full-wolf form and small wolf form. In his full form, he has something like super strength. It's not exactly that, he doesn't become any stronger than he already is but it's more like while he's in that state, his adrenaline pumps through his veins faster than it normally would giving him a frame of time to go up to 130% of his body's power. Of course if he's not careful with this, like if he tried to lift a car for more than a few seconds, he could easily get carried away and rip the tendons in his arms or legs like any other physical Quirk. He's not limitless, but there's still plenty he can do in this state. On top of that he has all the abilities a dog has while he's like that-- he can hear extremely well, smell extremely well, bark loudly and as aggressively as he feels like and he has thick claws and sharp teeth. He's effectively a perfect werewolf which is why his Quirk was changed from "Dog" to... well. "Werewolf."

And today was his first day of getting to really show off his abilities.

Him and his best friend Deku had both applied to U.A together, the school their idol, All Might had went to and both were accepted. Of course they were split up during the exams they took to get in. Bakugo exclaimed angrily how he wanted to make sure he defeated more of those robots than Deku and he couldn't if they weren't in the same exam, but it was fair to make sure classmates weren't together in case of Hubris. In either case they both ended up tying, though Deku was ahead with Rescue points as Bakugo had.. zero... and they were put in the same class.

It was the first day and they were put to the test with physical fitness exams, told that the person in last would be expelled. Everyone was ready to show off what they got, and Bakugo ended up one of the top three. He can't use his Quirk too many times in one day or he'll overwork himself so he had to be picky with what tests he used it for. He used it for the ball throwing, the 100M dash, and a few others that involved strength or speed since those areas where were he excelled in and all his scores were fairly high. His ego was fairly high as well, but he wasn't satisfied only being third in the class. He wanted to be at the very top, better than all the other losers in his class even Deku. Because he wanted to be the Number One Hero, and beat out even his idol.

..speaking of, unbeknownst to anyone, All Might was one of their teachers.

They had final period with him and his appearance caused everyone to freak out. Deku was in tears seeing him, and Bakugo tried to act like he didn't care but his tail was wagging at speeds faster than it should be able to. He was in charge of teaching the subjects that had to do with being a hero-- subjects like rescue, team combat.. things like that. Of course it being day one his class was more just orientation but the students still left with excitement and a huge impression on their minds. Bakugo even snuck up to him at the end of the class and shoved his notebook and a pen at him to get an autograph, though he refused to even smile about it as if he was bothered by the Mere Idea of getting an autograph despite asking. All Might found it endearing, and signed it happily.

Now the day was coming to an end, and he and Deku were walking home together. The excitement was still fresh in both of their minds, and Bakugo felt a new sense of determination swell up inside of him. Determination to be the best. Determination to have All Might watch as he surpassed him. And after a quiet ten or so minutes he turns his face towards his friend and gives him a sharp nudge in the side with his elbow.]

You gotta stop being such a goddamn crybaby, you shit-nerd! All Might's gonna think I'm a fucking pussycat just 'cuz I hang around you sometimes!

[Despite how angry he sounds, his tail is still waggling very happy behind him.]

Comments

[bakucchan]

[That has Bakugo freeze in place, his nose scrunching up as he glares at Deku but even that doesn't get his tail to stop.]

Shut the fuck up! It's waggin' 'cuz you're pissing me off!

[He reaches behind himself and grabs his tail, intent on holding it still as they walk so it can't give himself away again.]

[mightdoriya]

Puppies don't wag their tails when they're upset.

[He says that with a small smile as he reaches up to lightly flip one of his ears inside out with his index finger.]

[bakucchan]

[Ohhh Deku you are playing with fire here. You are playing with fire literally, because of your Quirk, but also figuratively because Bakugo is going to kill you.

He reaches up with his free hand, swiping at Deku's before he flips his ear back the way it's supposed to go and he growls at him deep in his throat. It's not as threatening when he's in half-wolf form, since his vocal chords are just puny human ones but he's still perfected some kind of growl while in that form.]

Haahhhh????? Did you just call me a fucking puppy?! I'll fucking set you on fire and leave you on your mom's doorstep, you piece of shit!

[mightdoriya]

[Izuku just smiles a little wider, the base of his throat suddenly starting to glow a light orange, the light flickering between the gaps of his teeth.]

You'll set me on fire?

[bakucchan]

[You fucker---

In response to him revvin' up those fryers, Bakugo shoves his side with his hand, his ears flattening by his head from annoyance but he's right.. he right though...]

Wipe that shitty grin off your face! It's just a figure of speech-- ya' ever heard one before dumbass?

[mightdoriya]

[Izuku wheezes as Bakugou shoves him, coughing out a puff of smoke as the spark of his flames die out. He wouldn't really use his Quirk on him, he's always just teasing.]

Right, right...so what was that you were saying again, about All Might?

[bakucchan]

I was just sayin'... fuck, now I don't remember!

[But.. him tail wag thinking about it again. He's a little intimidated admittedly by having the best hero teach him because that meant he would be grading him, too. Watching him very closely to see what he does right and wrong.. having the person you've idolized your entire life suddenly judge you is really nervewracking for a boy just fifteen years old. But extremely exciting all the same.

Though while they're on the subject he reaches into his bag to pull out his notepad, ripping out the page (carefully) with All Might's signature on it and he hands it out to his friend.]

But-- here. You were crying too much to get this, right?

[mightdoriya]

Huh- wah? K-kacchan-!?

[He takes the page with shaky hands, delicately like it might fall apart if he isn’t careful.]

B...but isn’t this yours? I saw you getting it earlier, I couldn’t just take it from you!!

[bakucchan]

If you couldn't take it from me then why's it already in your hands?

[Bakugo barks (ha) that at him, but he shoves his hands in his pant pockets so Deku can't even try to give it back.]

I can get another one tomorrow if I really wanted one but you'd prolly just piss your pants if you even tried, you fucking nerd!

[mightdoriya]

[That causes Izuku to blush, looking sheepishly- get gratefully- down at the piece of paper he’d been handed. It was just an autograph, but...it was like Bakugou just handed him a piece of gold.

So, he can’t help it when tears start to well up in his eyes, and before he stops himself he rushes his doggy-friend and throws his arms around his neck.]

Th-thank youuu Kacchan-!!

[bakucchan]

[The tears he definitely expected, and he rolled his eyes as soon as he saw those huge, Ghibli tears start to manifest in the corner of his eyes but what he didn't expect was Deku suddenly throwing his arms around his neck. It gets a choked sound out of the blonde, and he immediately starts pushing against him while he cries out:]

Get off! Get off, you piece of shit! I'll kill you--!!

[But...... the appendage behind him perks up, and steadily starts to wave back and forth at the excitement drawn out by Deku's happiness. Very much to Bakugo's dismay.]

[mightdoriya]

[Izuku doesn't hang off his neck for too long, letting him go a few seconds after he starts to protest so he can take off his backpack and put it on the sidewalk for a second, pulling out one of his notebooks so he can gingerly put the autograph inside. He'll probably frame it later.]

I'll make sure you get another, don't worry!

[bakucchan]

I already told you I'd just get myself another one!

[Though honestly having to ask All Might for a second autograph just sounds.. really embarrassing.... he probably wasn't even planning on it, really. But at the same time if Deku asks for one then what was the point of getting one for him in the first place..]

I didn't do it so you'd owe me, I just did it 'cause you're a weak little crybaby who still needs me to hold your fucking hand after ten years! Grow the fuck up already, Deku! If ya' can't ask for a stupid autograph then how're you supposed to be a hero, hah?!

[He starts walking again, not even bothering to wait for Deku to finish putting his stuff away because he knows he'll follow along anyway.]

[mightdoriya]

[Izuku hurries to get the notebook put back, throwing his bag over his shoulders so he can catch up to his friend, huffing a brief stream of smoke through his teeth.]

I'm not a crybaby...you can't blame me for getting emotional around All Might, though. I'm surprised you were able to go talk to him on your own at all like that.

[bakucchan]

[To that, Bakugo lets out a derivative snort and scrunches his nose up at the thought. He's not wrong to be surprised.. Bakugo was nervous as hell admittedly but he's got a great pokerface-- one he pulls now under such accusations.]

Like I'd get weak knees in front of anyone! I might admire All Might just as much as you but I'm not a stupid otaku with a spine as thin as a twig.

[Always with the insults....]

Now shut up about this already! Next time just say "thank you" without making it into a huge freakin' deal!

[mightdoriya]

[As expected of Bakugou to get defensive. Izuku knew he was just blowing hot air, though...it's easy to tell how he really feels if you pay attention to his tail, which has been subtly wagging this whole time.]

Okay, okay. At least one cool thing is that with All Might as our teacher, we'll be able to show off our Quirks to him, won't we? If anybody can spot a true hero in the making, it'd be him.

[bakucchan]

[The mention of All Might seeing their Quirks-- of him being able to see if they'd be great heroes gets a grin to spread on Bakugo's face. That is true, isn't it? As much as it is pressuring to have the person you've idolized your entire life suddenly judge you, it's also really inspiring to get to show them your stuff. Get to prove to them that you're worth something more than a stupid little dog playing hero.]

Yeah, I'm gonna make All Might quiver in front of me with my Quirk!

[weird goal but ok]

Originally, I was just planning on going to U.A to become a Hero even greater than All Might and take him by surprise-- but it'll be even greater to have him watch me do it right in front of him!

[mightdoriya]

[WEIRD GOAL BUT OK actually no not weird, Izuku has the same goal, really.

Izuku listens to Bakugou talk as he walks, tightening his grip on the straps of his bag.]

Do you...think he'll think my Quirk is cool?

[bakucchan]

Your Quirk?

[Bakugo repeats that, and he's silent for a few seconds as he considers that. His Quirk was definitely something Bakugo's always been jealous of, admittedly. He's extremely proud of his own Quirk but it's not nearly as flashy or intimidating as the ability to make and control your own fire. And the fact that Deku was so humble about it-- never bragging or trying to use it to get his way pissed Bakugo off as well... but yeah, it was pretty cool.]

It's nowhere near as cool as mine, but it's better than any of those other lame-ass Quirks the losers in our class have.

[mightdoriya]

[That gets Izuku to perk up right away, regardless of Bakugou's attitude about it.]

Thanks, Kacchan. I want it to be something to be proud of, you know? ...I want him to think of me as much of a hero as anyone else.

[bakucchan]

You gotta knock all that crying off first. Ya' ever seen a Hero cry before?

[Bakugo already sees Deku as much of a hero as anyone else.. no, more than that honestly. He's terrified that Deku will end up a better hero than himself, one day, but that deep-rooted fear has always pushed him to move forward. To work harder.]

[mightdoriya]

[He hasn't no...but surely heroes cry, right? It's easier said than done, for Bakugou to just...demand he stop crying...]

...

Hey Kacchan. Wanna race home?

[bakucchan]

Hahh?

[It was quite out of nowhere for him to just ask if he wanted to race, without even acknowledging what he said about crying first so Bakugo looks over at him with an eyebrow raised curiously.]

The fuck you wanna race me for? You're just gonna lose, you fucking nerd!

[mightdoriya]

[Well maybe he doesn't want to talk about heroes never crying. Maybe that makes him self conscious.]

You're not...scared, are you, Kacchan?

[bakucchan]

[YOU CANT HIDE FROM YOUR PROBLEMS DEKU

Though at the mention of being scared, Bakugo stops where he stands, his ears flattening against his head and he lets out a low growl that leads into what he says.]

Who the fuck would be scared of racing a weakling like you?!