[ that's something that falco solemnly agrees with. he slowly nods in response to (both) the questions, but it's clear from his expression: he doesn't take any pleasure or excitable pride in it. ]
We had to. I started training when I was . . . Five, I think, and . . . There was conscription when I was eight. [ he has baggage there, guilt subtly creeping into the creases of his eyes. ] The people with the highest scores are picked and prepared to be Warrior Candidates— next in line to inherit a titan. You can secure your family's safety, that way. They get privileges.
Mine was, [ instead of calling it a tragedy, ] under an emergency. It wasn't conventional, so it's different. It was almost like a took two instead of one.
[ Five... He thinks of Kaworu, raised to destroy. And of Paul.
Tears fill his eyes. When Midoriya was five, he was... a kid playing at the playground. He downplayed how much he got picked on for having no Quirk because he didn't like seeing his mom sad. He's afraid Falco might do the same if people cry every time he tells his story, so he quickly wipes his tears away. ]
You're like me, you're so helpful, thinking of your family. You really didn't have to do any of it. You shouldn't have. And you're here now. You should have the years to just... be a kid. Do fun stuff. Experience things. We're here for you so you can do that.
[ We. His friends, his House, anyone he knows who would care. It feels weird to tell someone around his age that when there are plenty of people way older than both of them who could say it better. But sometimes it helps to hear it from another young person, given that it was adults who royally messed things up. ]
[ even if it's by three (and soon, four) years, falco still considers izuku older and more experienced— not only that, he's . . . so perceptive of emotion. the shine in his eyes. it's not that he wants anyone to feel bad, but, the sentiment? he knows it's real. he appreciates it. his smile back at the camera is warm and responsive. like him, he says. that's a compliment without izuku meaning to— it makes falco's chest swell up with a bubbling prick. the same as the corners of his eyes.
his time beyond twenty-five is a mystery (would he come back? would he stay dead?), but he still hopes and wishes to live the best of it. ]
I've never wanted anything else, Izuku. [ he drops the mister, but not out of disrespect— it's out of proximity. a level of intimacy that he'd like to accept, if you would. he said we, and they are from the same house now. ] That's why I'm glad to be here, with you, and Paul, and everyone— even if there're harsher moments, I don't think . . . I'd ever want to trade this.
[ he's never had this. the chance to go to school, to study, to eat candy, to read books that depicted quite the opposite of warfare. in many aspects, there were plenty of faraway dreams being touched. ]
[ He is drawn to the emotions of others. He's looked out for people since he was a very small child. Some of his first memories are attempting (and failing) to defend other kids from bullies.
He draws a breath and brushes saltwater away from eyes again when he hears his name unadorned. He's always let people call him whatever they felt like, but from Falco it's special. It draws a trembling smile out of him. ]
Don't forget, even when things are hard. You've got us.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cw: child soldiers
We had to. I started training when I was . . . Five, I think, and . . . There was conscription when I was eight. [ he has baggage there, guilt subtly creeping into the creases of his eyes. ] The people with the highest scores are picked and prepared to be Warrior Candidates— next in line to inherit a titan. You can secure your family's safety, that way. They get privileges.
Mine was, [ instead of calling it a tragedy, ] under an emergency. It wasn't conventional, so it's different. It was almost like a took two instead of one.
Re: cw: child soldiers
Tears fill his eyes. When Midoriya was five, he was... a kid playing at the playground. He downplayed how much he got picked on for having no Quirk because he didn't like seeing his mom sad. He's afraid Falco might do the same if people cry every time he tells his story, so he quickly wipes his tears away. ]
You're like me, you're so helpful, thinking of your family. You really didn't have to do any of it. You shouldn't have. And you're here now. You should have the years to just... be a kid. Do fun stuff. Experience things. We're here for you so you can do that.
[ We. His friends, his House, anyone he knows who would care. It feels weird to tell someone around his age that when there are plenty of people way older than both of them who could say it better. But sometimes it helps to hear it from another young person, given that it was adults who royally messed things up. ]
no subject
his time beyond twenty-five is a mystery (would he come back? would he stay dead?), but he still hopes and wishes to live the best of it. ]
I've never wanted anything else, Izuku. [ he drops the mister, but not out of disrespect— it's out of proximity. a level of intimacy that he'd like to accept, if you would. he said we, and they are from the same house now. ] That's why I'm glad to be here, with you, and Paul, and everyone— even if there're harsher moments, I don't think . . . I'd ever want to trade this.
[ he's never had this. the chance to go to school, to study, to eat candy, to read books that depicted quite the opposite of warfare. in many aspects, there were plenty of faraway dreams being touched. ]
no subject
He draws a breath and brushes saltwater away from eyes again when he hears his name unadorned. He's always let people call him whatever they felt like, but from Falco it's special. It draws a trembling smile out of him. ]
Don't forget, even when things are hard. You've got us.
no subject
Especially when you’ve all got me, too.
[ that was very shounen of him, but . . . he just wants to care for all of you! ]
i think we can wrap this. them!!
Y-Yeah. And we'll make sure of it.
[ We, Falco's friends, but also we, Falco included. ]