A lot has changed in the past two weeks, and nothing has changed. There's something terrifying about that.

I sit on my bedroom floor, tucked away in the space between my bed and the wall, hands poised over the laptop. There's no sound but the occasional shuffling of my cat on my pillow and the low hum of the heater. It's quiet even outside, as though the world is holding its breath. The night sky is full of dark gray clouds, obscuring the stars.

I've been sitting here for thirty minutes at this point, staring at a blank document. I read the article and all those subsequent. I read the report one of his sidekicks wrote up, an eyewitness account. And yet...I can't shake the feeling that...

Finally, frustrated, I begin to type.

Deku–

Though we'd spoken less than a month before, I can't find anything to say, simply staring at the blinking cursor. I can feel the weight of the words I want to write clogging up my chest, but nothing comes out. Is it because of the media? They've been constantly asking me for comments on Deku, for comfort in the face of his demise, for statements of intent to fill his shoes. In the space of two weeks, perhaps I've run out of words to say about my old friend.

No, I know that can't be it. I delete what I have, starting again.

Midoriya–

That's it. Slowly, the words begin to flow.

I wasn't going to participate in this "Letters to Deku" campaign, originally. I hope that doesn't upset you. You know how I am with words.

They always seem to fall flat.

There's a hard lump in my throat as I imagine his final moments. I clench my fists at the thought, slowly opening them again so I can type.

Firstly, I'm sorry. I wish I could have been there with you. Maybe things would have turned out differently. I hope you can forgive me.

More importantly, thank you for everything. I've said it already, but I'll never say it enough. You taught me how to be 'Shoto.' I'd never be where I am without your compassion and sacrifice. The world has lost its number one hero, but we'll keep trying to fill the void.

I hope I can live up to your legacy.

Todoroki

The words are empty compared to the feeling behind them, but even so, I'm certain he would understand.

I print it out and tuck it in an envelope, but I leave it blank. After a short walk through the foggy night, I arrive at the statue. The metal smiles down at me, and I try to smile back. The letters at its feet are in disorganized mountains of unbridled emotion, spilling over each other in chaos. I'm about to place mine in the mess when I stop, sitting down in front of the piles, my heart aching.

Carefully, I take a letter and line up the corners of its envelope with another, and then another, and then another. I don't leave until all the messages are arranged in neat stacks, ready for him to read.


A/N: Critique is welcome! :D

And, I'd like to give a huge, huge thank you to everyone who followed, favorited, and especially reviewed! You guys are the best!

Next up is Bakugo! He'll be the last one!