Chapter Text
Since the portals appeared, the world divided itself.
The huge black holes could open anywhere, and the color that shone from them represented the level of terror they held inside.
Nobody wanted to get close to them—until the power started to overflow and giant creatures began appearing near the portals. That’s when people realized they needed to close those things as fast as possible.
When nations decided to explore such strange phenomena, it was discovered—through trial, error, and many deaths—that the portals led to dungeons of sorts. These contained challenges seemingly impossible for a normal human. If someone managed to overcome them, they could reach the dungeon’s boss. Once the boss was defeated, the portal would close.
A question could be asked: Why would anyone risk going through these dangerous challenges? What could they possibly gain from it?
Well, that’s where the “Gifts” come in.
These magnificent “doors” to another dimension caused chaos when they first appeared, but they also brought something else: powers, known as Gifts.
Gifts are abilities randomly granted to a select few humans. Not everyone can bear a Gift, but those who can are considered incredibly lucky.
Whenever someone with a Gift “clears” a dungeon—meaning, defeats its boss—they receive all the gold in the dungeon, and the power is distributed among the members of the group that conquered it. That’s why guilds exist: groups of people with Gifts who enter dungeons and clear them to grow stronger.
Espers, as they are called, are people capable of mastering an insane amount of energy and power, usually for attack. Although there are many subcategories, all Espers are classified based on the level of destruction they can cause and the amount of energy they can wield.
Espers range from Class C—the weakest—to Class S, those rare individuals who possess an immeasurable amount of power.
But of course, these powers don’t come for free. The more powerful you are, the heavier the toll on your body. Class S Espers, when using their full potential, often die. A human body just can’t contain that much non-human energy—it’s simply nature taking its course.
And because of that, the portals also brought about another kind of Gift.
Guides: people who hold the power to heal and soothe, to take and give power—the ones who help those who wield power.
Guides are incredibly important because whenever an Esper overuses their ability, toxins accumulate in their body. In extreme cases, this excess can lead to the loss of the Gift. That’s why guiding sessions are essential to detox and restore balance.
Guides also range from Class C to Class S. However, a Class S Guide is far rarer than a Class S Esper. These Guides can heal almost anything—some say even death itself can’t stop a session with a Class S Guide.
So it’s only logical that when a Class S Guide appears, they draw enormous attention. Every guild wants one. They're the rare piece that completes the dungeon puzzle.
Knowing all this too damn well, Katsuki Bakugou wondered what the hell this guy was doing here.
“So you’re a Class S?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you’re looking for a job here?”
“Yes, sir.”
“In a Class C guild?”
Katsuki stared firmly at the boy. He couldn’t be older than 22, looking like a random college kid. Hell, if the world hadn’t fallen apart a few years ago, maybe he would be in college.
“What would you gain wasting your years here? In our lil’ old guild? You know we’re all Class C, right?”
“Yes, I am aware, sir.”
Katsuki was getting annoyed. What was this guy’s angle? Was he a spy? He had never even seen a Class S Guide before, and now—right after he announced the position—someone this overqualified applied?
“So why?”
“Because…” The guy fidgeted, playing with the hem of his hoodie. “I was under the impression, from the ad, that you guys don’t go into dungeons very often. And I was looking for a job where I could do just basic guiding… holding hands and stuff.”
The kid blushed. Blushed. Katsuki was too old for this. Jesus Christ.
“You wanna hold hands?”
“Yes… but I mean, if the person’s really hurt, I can also kiss... like, on the cheek?”
If Katsuki were less trained, he would have face-palmed right then.
This had to be a joke. Someone must’ve put this kid up to it. He could be a spy. He could be lying. He could even be here to kill someone. And Katsuki had a job: he protected his guild. Its members were his family. He couldn’t fail them.
But he also knew they needed a Guide. And this guy was exactly what they needed. Maybe even more.
“You’ve seen the salary?”
“Yes.”
“We’re a small guild. We only offer that, and nothing more.”
“Yes.”
He sighed, letting his guard down for a moment. This was frustrating. He couldn’t get a read on the kid. Laying back in his chair, he looked him over: red sneakers, worn jeans, a battered All Might hoodie, a beat-up yellow backpack, and overgrown green curls almost hiding his face.
“Shit… sit there.”
The kid scrambled to the chair near Katsuki’s desk, while the man got up and extended his hand, palm up. When the kid hesitated, Katsuki’s patience thinned.
“So are you going to guide me, or should I wait here all day? Use all of your power.”
“Ah, right—’m sorry…”
When the calloused, freckled hand clasped Katsuki’s, he nearly gasped. How long had it been since his last guiding session? The warmth spread from his fingers to his arms, bubbling in his throat before escaping in a sharp breath.
The kid’s power shone golden, the flow surging straight into Katsuki’s body. Without thinking, he grabbed the kid’s face, fingers squishing his cheeks to bring it close and get a good look.
Midoriya Izuku’s eyes glowed the same hue as the stream of power. His lips were pursed in a pout from Katsuki’s grip, his freckles popping against the red of his skin. Katsuki’s fingers twitched at the sight—so pliable and innocent.
He licked his lips. His hand slid gently from Izuku’s cheeks to his jaw, then rubbed a thumb over his full lips. Izuku’s mouth parted slightly, just enough for Katsuki to slide his thumb in, pressing against his tongue.
Sweat beaded on Katsuki’s forehead. A single look at Izuku’s disheveled face told him exactly where this was headed if he held on for even one more second.
He turned away abruptly, breaking the connection. The guiding energy vanished. A whimper almost escaped his throat from the loss, but he held it back. He had already humiliated himself enough for one day. He couldn’t—wouldn’t—let this person in.
He was about to apologize and send the guy away when the kid spoke up.
“I-I’m sorry. Please don’t send me away… This is a side effect, I swear. Hhng…”
Katsuki turned back. The kid had his head down, legs squirming. What did he mean? Wasn’t he disgusted? Wouldn’t he report him?
“What do you mean?”
Katsuki’s voice came out rough, making Izuku look up. And oh—what a sight. Glassy eyes, tears, and sweat all made him look insanely enticing. Katsuki stepped forward involuntarily—then smelled it.
A sweet honey scent that nearly made his knees buckle.
“When I use… hng… too much, I become li-ah… like this. I’m truly—hm—truly sorry, sir.”
Oh. Oh.
This guy was… Oh. Katsuki saw his knees pressed together, shame written all over his face as he stood, slinging his backpack on his shoulder, ready to run.
Katsuki grabbed his arm, stopping him.
“Welcome to Onaip, Izuku. You start tomorrow at nine.”