AN: A bit late, sorry about that. I just wasn't feeling it yesterday, and I feel like my writing is better when I actually feel like writing, you know? So this is better for everyone. Also, this story is going to go on hiatus for a while. The reason is that I haven't written much more past this point—the Stain arc is coming up and my memory is slightly fussy about what exactly goes down. I remember all the important stuff, but not the small details. I contemplated rereading the manga, but I have decided to wait for the anime to catch up. Experiencing the anime is going to be more exciting when I don't remember every little detail that takes place in the manga, you know?

"My boy."

Izuku stilled at the sound of All Might's voice, calling for his attention. It wasn't unusual for him and the hero to converse with each other, but there was something about the seriousness in his teacher's tone that put him on edge.

"Y-yes!" he cringed as he squeaked out a reply, turning trembling eyes to face All Might. The hero was silent for a moment, further setting Izuku's nerves on edge as he awaited his sentence. It felt like All Might stared right into his very soul, and judged every inch accordingly; like those icy blues read him like an open book, tearing it open and ripping apart the pages one by one.

"Your friends came to me with some concerns regarding your well being," he started. Paused. Then, "And I agree."

Cold sweat began to form on the back of Izuku's neck.

"I know you always worry too much about small details, but I can see that this is more than that. You did speak with our school therapist as recommended after the villain attack, right?"

Izuku nodded carefully in response. "I did." But there was only so much he could reveal; so much one person could help him with.

"Hm…" All Might looked contemplative, bringing one of his large hands up to his chin and rubbed it thoughtfully. "Do you think it helped?"

"I…" he swallowed hard. "...please don't worry about me. There's just a lot going on in my life recently, and I need some time to process it. I'll be okay." Well, it wasn't a complete lie.

"..." All Might stalked close to him, before he patted his back in a comforting gesture, being mindful of his strength as to not send his student reeling. Then, he flashed him a thumbs up and a smile, the light reflecting of his pearly whites in a way that hurt to look at. It made Izuku's eyes water in pain, but he refused to look away.

"Of course! You are strong, my boy! Don't ever think otherwise!" All Might boasted. The anxious boy cracked a smile at that; even if he didn't believe in his mentor's words, it was nice to know All Might had faith in him.

"...thanks."

Izuku's heart felt a little lighter for the rest of the day.

Taking time to spend with people Izuku saw die during the USJ was a therapeutic experience. It reminded him that they were still there, still alive. It didn't have to be a lot, just a "Good morning Todoroki!", "Can I ask a question, sensei?" or a "You don't look nervous at all for the Sports Festival Asui! How can you always stay so calm?". Hearing them reply put his mind at ease, and when night came, he replayed the memories over and over in his head until he passed out from sheer exhaustion, too tired for the nightmares to reach him.

The upcoming U.A. Sports Festival also helped. He could spend all his focus on training, leaving no thoughts left for what occurred at the USJ. And while he was of course nervous to compete on national television, it was a welcome feeling to burning despair and hopeless misery.

He could finally relax, and day by day, the bloody memories of a past that never happened gradually began to fade. It would always stay there, in the back of his mind and in his dreams, but now he could face his teachers and classmates without their dead eyed corpses staring back.

The Sports Festival came and went, and even if Izuku didn't win like All Might (and himself) had hoped, it was fine. Even if his right hand was left permanently crooked and scarred after his (quite literally) heated match with Todoroki, it was fine.

No one died. No villain's attacked. There was no need for a reset, and Izuku could help someone without having to die in the process for once. It was just too bad Iida had to leave before the winner's ceremony was over; watching Kacchan writhe in his restraints on the first place pedestal had been kind of funny.

...since when did he stop being so scary?

Hero names. Izuku wanted to laugh. When he presented his own, it was with a smile, bitter under its bright facade.

"Are you sure? You might be called that for the rest of your life, you know."

Kirishima's concern was appreciated, but ultimately wasted. Better save that energy for someone else.

"Yes, I'm sure. This is my hero name."

Deku. Useless.

How fitting.

AN: Izuku, you need to stop selling yourself so short. :I Things would be WAY worse without you.

Anyways, here's a bit of a mix between happy and depressing stuff! Izuku's already low self esteem have taken a beating after watching his friends die again and again. But you know... things gotta get worse before they get better. My end goal is to give Izuku a happy ending (well, as happy as possible), but he's going to have to go through hell before that.