A/N: Sort of on-time? I did my best guys, what with finals and moving back home. But hey! The support last chapter was great, which was awesome to hear. I got real nervous with killing off Toshinori but I'm glad a lot of you seemed to think it was done well. Anyways, I hope you all enjoy this chapter as well!

Chapter 12: Stories and Legacy

Toshinori Yagi's funeral had been a simple affair. No one knew, truly knew, that the man who died in the hospital room that day was the the famous creator of All Might. He had no next of kin, but his lawyer, in talking to Tenya and Deku before the funeral, revealed Toshinori had set them up as his heirs, for all intents and purposes. The All Might name and franchise belonged to them, as did Plus Ultra books.

With the fact that they were his heirs, Tenya took it upon himself to take over the arrangements for the funeral. It was just a few people, the employees at the bookstore, Shoto, Chiyo Shuzenji, and Toshinori's old friend and editor Naomasa Tsukauchi. Ochako went as well, invited by Deku. He had asked her, in a quiet, broken voice, to come with him. He didn't seem like he could handle the pressure of going without her. After seeing him the day Toshinori died, the heartbreak that etched itself into him, Ochako couldn't say no. She wouldn't let him face that alone. So she went.

It was simple and close. Tenya, Naomasa, Chiyo, and Deku all gave speeches talking about Toshinori, the man he was, and what he meant to the world as a whole. Tenya barely got through his before he began to cry, but the smile on his face never left. Naomasa managed better, joking about the days he spent in high school with the famous author. Even Chiyo managed to be upbeat and praised Toshinori's strength and resolve. When Deku took the stage, Ochako was scared for him. He had barely talked in the days since his mentor's death.

But when he took the stage, he smiled. It was shaky, and weak, and tears were already welling up in his eyes. But he smiled. His speech was short, but heartfelt. "Toshinori Yagi," he had begun, "was the greatest man I had ever met in my life, maybe ever will. He took in a young, scared, hurting boy, and helped him see his own worth and talent. His store became a second home to many, and his advice helped us all so much." His voice was shaky, and Ochako saw the tears coming down his face. But the smile never left his face. "I used to admire him as T. Shimura, author of the All Might books, a writer who brought joy to many. But, meeting him and getting to know him as Toshinori Yagi, I now see why he could write those books. He was, in so many ways, a hero. He may never know it, and if I had told him he would have just laughed it off, but Toshinori Yagi was a hero. And may he rest in peace." After that, Deku came back to his seat, slumped over, eyes distant. He managed a small shaky smile to Ochako, but then, it was like he was gone.

That had been over week ago.

After that, Deku had locked himself in his room, only appearing for a few minutes at a time. Whenever he did appear, he barely talked, just grabbed food and locked himself back up. Ochako had barely seen him in the time since the funeral, and even her texts and calls went unanswered. She was terrified for him. And so here she stood, in front of the door to his, Shoto's, and Tenya's apartment. She had been in the apartment several times over the last week, always spending time at Deku's door. About four days in though, she had begun to lose hope. And yet, she was still here. She took a deep breath and almost laughed at herself. Her dad had always joked that she didn't know how to quit, but after high school she thought that part of her had vanished. Looks like Deku brought it back full force.

She raised her hand and gently rapped on the door. A few seconds later, it swung open and a tired looking Shoto smiled at her. "Figured it'd be you," he said as a way of greeting, stepping into the apartment and leaving the door open. "Still no change, but you're welcome to try."

"Thanks, Shoto," she said as she closed the door behind her. "I…" Shoto looked up and gave her a small smile again.

"I'm worried about him, too," he said softly. "Problem is, he knows that. Causes him to hate himself for making us worry, which just makes things worse. Doesn't help a whole lot, but we gotta keep trying, huh?"

Ochako nodded and walked over to the closed door of her boyfriend. She gently knocked on it and waited. As always, there was no sound from within. "Deku?" she called out softly. "It's me, Ochako. Can I talk to you?"

Nothing for a few moments, and Ochako gently leaned her head against the door. She was really out of her element with this kind of stuff. Dealing with her own emotional baggage had been hard enough, and she barely knew how to handle that. Still didn't, if she was honest. But, dealing with another's… she wanted to help him, really wanted to, but she just didn't know how to go about it. Then again, why let that stop her? "Deku, if you want to talk I'm here. I… I can't say I know what you're going through," she said gently. "But, I'm still here if you wanna talk. I know it's hard, that I know, but it does help sometimes. So, please." Nothing come from within, and Ochako sighed, but forced herself to smile for herself. "Okay, that's okay, Deku. Just...you know I love you, right?"

Her eyes went utterly wide as she said that and her cheeks flared pink. That had not been a part of the plan! Dammit, Ochako!, she thought. You probably made it worse! But, then she heard something move in the room. Her phone buzzed a moment later, and when she checked it, there was a message from Deku. I love you, too.

That was it. But, Ochako thought, it was something. She smiled and gently knocked on the door again. "I'll be back soon, Deku. I won't stop until you come out." There was no response, but hey, she already got something out of him. For now that would have to do. She wasn't satisfied by far, but she knew just how hard it was to crawl out of a shell. Any victory counted.

Ochako headed back into the main room of the apartment, finding Shoto on the couch reading. He put the book down as she walked in and gave her a small smile. "Well, any luck?"

"He texted me," she said, taking a seat in a nearby chair. "So, something."

Shoto nodded and watched her carefully. Ochako did her best to hide both her disappointment in her own ineffectiveness and her sadness over her boyfriend's slump. "He'll come out of it, you know," Shoto said quietly. Ochako looked up at the strange-haired boy who turned to look down the hall at Deku's door. "Izuku, for as long as I've known him, has probably always been depressed. I'm sure you know, but it's hard to see that kind of stuff until big moments like this happen." He sighed. "Hard to do stuff to help, too."

"This isn't the first time he's had a slump?" Ochako asked quietly. Shoto shook his head.

"From what he's told me, no. It was before we met, in middle school, but his dad died. Izuku said it hit him hard, crushed him. His dad had been a huge supporter of his writing. A lot like his mom, was how Izuku described him. So losing him must have hurt, a lot more than I can imagine. Izuku was in a slump all of middle school, coupled with some other problems he never went into." Shoto sighed heavily. "The poor guy's had a rough life. I think high school might have been one of the first really happy times in his life, and let's be honest with ourselves, that is messed up."

Ochako frowned and nodded sadly. Her own high school experience had been miserable but she remembered Izuku hinting at troubles before high school. "Do you know what happened to him? What...helped him?"

Shoto opened his mouth and then closed it, getting up and walking into the kitchen. "We might be here awhile," he said, "so I figured I'd make some tea. You want any?"

"Oh, sure. Chai if you have it." Shoto nodded and got two mugs ready and turned the water on before returning to his seat on the couch.

"So, what helped Izuku out?" Shoto leaned back and looked up at the ceiling. "He said it was a book. Or, rather, a lot of books. That year, during his slump, he found out about All Might. When he told me the story years later, he joked that he devoured all of the books in a single week. He said that reading them….helped him out. Taught him joy again, or something like that. He wasn't super clear about what the books did, but well," Shoto smiled at Ochako. "You've read them, right? I'm sure you can imagine."

She could. The books probably didn't teach him joy again, but they probably gave him hope. Something about them, about the story of the Symbol of Peace, just gave the reader hope. When she first read them, years ago, she had found herself laughing and smiling more than she had for a while. They had just a power to them, and she could see how they helped Deku snap out of his funk. "It's a shame that won't work this time," she said quietly. "They'll probably just remind him of his pain."

"Possibly, but he's a tough guy. Tougher than I think anyone really knows." Shoto smiled, a little sadly this time. "He's helped out so many people, it sucks that we can't do much for him right now, but I guess that's life, huh?"

Ochako let out a bitter little laugh and shook her head as the kettle begin to boil. Shoto got up and turned it off, and then prepared the tea as she sat there. "He helped me out, too," she said softly. "It's...It's part of why I like him so much. That heart, the way he just helps without really trying to."

Shoto set the mugs down on the coffee table and nodded. "I get that. Honestly, he's been like that since we first met. Though, with me, he had to try a bit harder." Ochako reached for her mug and then paused, looking up at Shoto.

"He...he punched you, right?" Shoto raised an eyebrow at that and Ochako flushed a little. "Sorry if you don't like to remember it, but it's what I heard from the others."

"It's fine," Shoto said with a laugh. "I'm guessing Izuku never explained it to you, or else you wouldn't worry so much about it." He chuckled again. "Well, we got time if you want to hear it."

Ochako was a bit surprised by that; why would he want to talk about getting punched in the face by one of his closest friends. But she would be lying if she wasn't incredibly curious. "I uh, sure!"

"Well, let's see how to start this off," Shoto said with a small smile.

Freshman Year of High School

Shoto Todoroki didn't get why his classmates tried so hard. If he had to put money on it, he would guess that even today, after school, they would be studying their asses off, pushing themselves hard to get better and to do better. Mr. Aizawa made the classroom competitive, and everyone bought into it. Shoto didn't see the point.

Well, that wasn't entirely true. He saw the point for them. But not for himself. His father was watching, always watching. He expected Shoto, his heir- Shoto tightened his fist at that thought- to be nothing less than perfect. For years, Shoto had been terrified to disappoint. But now in high school, he saw his chance. He wouldn't fail or drop out, as tempting as that was to spite his father. God, becoming a drop-out would infuriate father, and the sheer thought of his rage made it tempting. But no, instead he just went middle of the road. If he failed, his father….no, Shoto corrected himself, Enji, would almost certainly beat him. Shoto had to make it to college at the very least. But if he was perfectly average, then the top schools would never accept him. Enji would be pissed, seeing all his hard work go to waste. It suited him, Shoto thought bitterly. Fuck that man. Fuck what he did to Shoto, to Shoto's mom. His life, raising Shoto to be his heir, would be nothing but a waste.

Soon, Shoto would be free from his father. But first, he had just had to ruin this for him.

And so, Shoto Todoroki left class, bag on his shoulders. He was not looking forward to returning to his father's house. Enji was usually out until late in the evening, but when he got back, he demanded to see Shoto. Fuyumi was the only other one in the house, and though she tried, she couldn't really help Shoto. She didn't understand what it was like. What it felt like to have his father, this monster, pressure him so much. To feel so responsible to what happened to his mother. She could never know or understand.

The weather was oddly cool for June, and the sky was dark. Shoto wondered briefly if it was going to storm, only for his thoughts to be interrupted by someone yelling his name from behind him. He stopped, and turned around. A short, messy green-haired boy ran up to him. His tie was too short and his backpack seemed too big for him. It took Shoto a second to recognize the boy as Izuku Midoriya, one of the kids from his class.

He stood there for a few seconds as Izuku caught his breath, curious what the boy wanted but also annoyed at him for stopping him from walking home. After a bit more time passed, he coldly asked, "What do you want?"

Izuku looked up at him with surprise and his fingers fidgeted for a moment, until he clenched them tight into a fist. "I wanted to talk to you, just for a second, Shoto."

"Well, you are. You have." Shoto turned to go but Izuku grabbed his sleeve and looked up at him. His green eyes were hard and aflame with determination. Shoto sighed and turned back to face his classmate, arms at his side. "Say it then. Just hurry up."

"Why are you holding yourself back?"

Shoto froze for a second. The question was asked with heat, passion, and what almost sounded like rage. Izuku seemed pissed that Shoto was holding himself back, and more importantly, how did he know that? "What do you mean?" he asked, keeping his voice even. Why did this bother him so much?

"You're holding yourself back. Why?" Izuku clenched his fists again, not looking away from Shoto's eyes. "Everyone else in the class is giving it their all and you're not even trying."

"Maybe I'm just not a good student," Shoto said cooly. "For all you know, I am trying my best."

"You got in by recommendation," Izuku pointed out. "Someone thought you were smart enough for this school!"

Shoto laughed. "Ever heard of money?" he asked bitterly. "My old man is rich, he just put me in."

"Don't lie to me." Though he said it quietly, Shoto could still feel the heat in Izuku's voice. "I know you're smarter than that, Shoto! You got in on recommendation and you carry yourself with too much ease. You're not just some average student! So why the hell are you holding yourself back? Everyone else in the class is doing their best and all you're doing is disrespecting them by holding yourself back!"

"Shut up," Shoto growled. Izuku's eyes widened at his tone, and he actually took a step back. "You. You don't know a thing about me. Sure, maybe I'm holding myself back, but I have to." Shoto took a step forward and got close to Izuku's face. He felt enraged, and wasn't entirely sure why. He knew the others in the class were trying hard, he watched them. But that didn't mean he was disrespecting them by slacking. That had nothing to do with him! "I can't let that fucking bastard get what he wants after treating me this way. I won't give my old man the pleasure."

"Your… your dad?" Izuku asked. His eyes widened more. "You're doing this just to spite your dad?"

Shoto chuckled. Rage and frustration and emotions he didn't know he carried were bubbling up to the surface. "Yes. That bastard wants me to be his heir, the smartest student to get into the best university and then the best law school. I won't give him the satisfaction. I'm his life's work. But after what he did to me, to my mom, I'm going to make sure that work was for nothing. So, there, that's why. Now leave me alone." Izuku opened and closed his mouth like a dying fish as Shoto turned and started walking away, his breathing harsh. He didn't know why he just let that pour out, but he couldn't stop himself. As he thought about it he just got angry and then, it was all coming out. But...now Izuku knew. And maybe he could finally leave him alone.

"Shoto Todoroki!" Izuku was yelling his name again. Shoto sighed and turned around, only to watch Izuku run up to him, eyes ablaze with fury. "YOU'RE NOT HIM!" And then, the kid's fist slammed into Shoto's nose.

There was a crack and then Shoto was on the ground. The pain he almost didn't feel, rather he was just shocked. Izuku Midoriya, a boy he had pegged as quiet and shy, had punched him in the face. He raised a hand to his nose, hissing in pain. He could feel warm blood trickling down; his nose was broken. Izuku stood in front of him, holding his right hand in his left. His thumb looked swollen, like he had punched wrong and ended up hurting himself.

"What the hell?" Shoto breathed. He could see students gathered near the school entrance, watching the exchange between them. They probably expected him to get up and punch Izuku. He… he didn't even feel angry though. Just surprised.

"You're not him," Izuku repeated, quieter this time. Shoto snapped back to the boy who looked up to meet his eyes, "and he's not you. You are not your dad. What you do… it isn't for him, it shouldn't be for him. It should be for you." Looking at him again, Shoto realized Izuku wasn't really furious. He was… concerned, passionate, and determined. He had been worried.

"Wha-What are you talking about?" Shoto asked.

"Holding yourself back is only hurting you," Izuku said. He breathed in deeply. "Shoto, you're just ruining your own life for the sake of spiting your dad! You're still letting him control you!"

Shoto inhaled sharply, his eyes widening. No. No, he couldn't. He wasn't! This was him getting back at his dad….right? Right? He felt despair set in and almost wanted to laugh. The kid was right. He was right. "I….I…"

Izuku smiled softly and offered a hand out to Shoto. "I know you're angry at him. I'm sure you have you reasons, but, don't let that or him rule over you. You want my opinion? To get back at him, live your own life. Do what you want, on your own merits." Shoto let out a little chuckle and grabbed Izuku's hand, letting the boy help him up.

"I'll think about it," he said quietly.

"What is going on here?" a quiet, almost deadly voice said. The two boys froze as Mr. Aizawa walked up to them. The perpetually exhausted teacher looked between them, taking note of Shoto's nose and Izuku's hand and sighed. "Shoto, do you need to go to the hospital?"

"No, sir," Shoto said. "I can take care of it myself." It wasn't the first time he had broken a nose. Aizawa nodded and turned to face Izuku who squeaked.

"Izuku, come with me. You and I are going to have a talk." Shoto stepped forward, opening his mouth to defend his friend when Aizawa shot him a glare. "Don't worry, Shoto," he said cooly. "I just want to get events straight. Now, head home and get that patched up." Aizawa walked off and Izuku followed meekly behind, hanging his head. The other students seemed to finally animate and began to head their way, so Shoto took it as his cue to leave. He didn't want to get swamped by people. Besides, his nose hurt. Fuyumi would annoy him about it, but that was something he could deal with.

That night, after Fuyumi helped take care of his nose- it actually hadn't been broken, but it still hurt- Shoto sat in his room, tapping a pencil against his textbook. He couldn't get Izuku's words out of his head. Was the boy right? Shoto couldn't really get the idea out of his head-what if he had just been wasting his time, wasting effort? He sighed. Dammit, he didn't need this.

"Shoto." Enji Todoroki's baritone voice froze Shoto's blood and then inflamed it with rage. He turned his head to see his father standing in the doorway. Broad with deep red hair and goatee, he cut an imposing figure. "I heard from Fuyumi you got hurt today." Shoto resisted the urge to his nose from his father; the sooner Enji left, the better.

"It was just an accident," Shoto lied, turning back to his desk. "I tripped and fell like an idiot."

Enji grunted. "Hmm. Well, be careful; I don't need you getting a concussion. And," Shoto heard his father step forward, "if you got into a fight, however, cut. It. Out. No son of mine will be a delinquent."

"Of course not, Father," Shoto said, still facing his books. Enji grunted again and then walked out of Shoto's room, his lecture apparently over. Shoto grimaced and stared down at his blank notebook. He had wanted to snark back, say something clever or cruel to just get back at his father. But, he couldn't get Izuku's words out of his head. Wasn't that still letting his dad win? He sighed heavily and laid his head on his desk. He had a lot to think about.

The next day, after class, Shoto walked up to Izuku before leaving the room. The whole classroom had been tense the entire day, and he caught whispers about what happened between him and Izuku. They didn't really bother him; gossip would be gossip. He doubted anyone really got what happened.

"Izuku," he said, his voice cool. He didn't really want to sound shaky or emotional; it was better to act as stoic as possible he thought.

The shorter boy whirled around and practically fell apart looking up at Shoto. "Sh-Shoto! What are you doing here?"

"It's my classroom, too," he replied, raising an eyebrow. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

Izuku looked around the classroom in a panic before he swallowed with an audible gulp. "Uh, sure! L-l-let's go!"

The two walked out of the classroom, and Shoto could feel the eyes of everyone on him. It didn't bother him, but Izuku next to him looked like he was going to faint. They walked off down the hall, and Shoto could feel Izuku practically vibrating with anxiety. Finally, they reached the end of the hall and Shoto leaned against the wall. "Thank you," he said after a moment. Izuku froze and Shoto forced himself to smile gently.

"Thank...me?" Izuku said slowly.

"Mmhm." Shoto let out a breath and leaned his head back against the wall, looking up at the ceiling. "I thought about what you said last night. How I was still letting my dad rule me. And I...I couldn't see how you were wrong. I kept trying to find a way to convince myself you were wrong. But I couldn't. No matter how I thought about it, my dad was still ruling my life." He shook his head and looked back down at Izuku. "You made me realize that just sabotaging myself wasn't the way to go. So thank you."

Izuku visibly relaxed and let out a weak chuckle. "Oh...well, I'm glad I could help."

"Why though?" Shoto asked, fixing Izuku with a stare. "Why did you care?"

The green-haired boy thought for a moment. "Because I could see everyone else trying their best," he said. "Everyone is here because they want to do their best and be better in life. Even those who aren't as talented are still trying. Seeing you just wasting your talents, it kind of annoyed me. But, I guess, it also felt like you were looking down on all of us. And then, when you talked about your dad, something just clicked in me." He shrugged. "I couldn't just turn away from you. You seemed like you were in so much pain. Like you just needed someone to help you out, even a little."

Shoto laughed, he couldn't help it. Here he was, wrapped up in his own life and his own problems, and so was Izuku no doubt. And yet, the kid cared enough to try and help him. Not only that, but he cared enough for everyone else in the class to stand up to him. He shook his head, still smiling. "I can't believe it. You know, though, you didn't have to punch me."

Izuku laughed at that and rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, I know… I just got passionate and caught up in the moment. My bad. I hope it didn't hurt too badly."

"It's fine," Shoto said, waving a hand. He then looked up at the ceiling again, overcome with nervousness. "I...I can't guarantee you anything, Izuku," he said softly, "but I'll give your advice a try."

"All you can do," Izuku said cheerily. "Just trying living for yourself for once, and then we'll see what happens." He turned to go but turned back. "By the way, Tenya and I were about to get tea...would you wanna join us? Having some friends would be a good start to living your own life."

Shoto stared at Izuku for a second, and then nodded. He had never really hung out with people his age before but...well it would be living his own life, wouldn't it? "Sure," he said, walking after Izuku. "As long as neither of us speak of the punch again."

"Deal," Izuku said with a laugh.

Present Time

Ochako smiled and shook her head. "That was why? Seriously?"

Shoto nodded, a small smile on his face. It was hard for Ochako to reconcile the Shoto in front of her with the cold one in the story, but she believed it. "That was why. I still laugh about it sometimes. Izuku got so caught up in his emotions, his worry, that he just lashed out. God, the look on his face after when my nose was bleeding was priceless. He looked like he had just murdered me." Shoto chuckled. Even when he looked behind Ochako, no doubt to Deku's door, he seemed happy. "That's why I want to help him. He helped save me. It took a while, like that entire year and beyond, but he helped rescue me from a destructive path. And so, now, I want to help the guy."

"He sounds like some kind of hero," Ochako said softly. "I mean, he could've gotten into trouble for that."

"Aizawa I think picked up on it," Shoto said. "Izuku never mentioned anything about trouble. But yeah, he is, isn't he? A green-haired, dorky hero."

"If only he can see that, too," she said.

"It would probably help some," Shoto admitted. He got up and grabbed their empty mugs to bring into the kitchen. "He gets so down on himself, downplaying everything he's done. It's been better since you two started working o the book, but well, still." Shoto sighed but still offered Ochako a weary smile. "Tenya and I will keep trying. Thanks for coming by, Ochako."

She nodded, upset and frustrated at herself a bit. The story was sweet, and reminded her of why she loved Deku as much as she did, but the fact that she didn't know how to help bothered her a lot. More than she cared to admit. "Thanks, Shoto," she said, getting up and walking to the door. "I think I'm going to head home for now, but text me if anything happens."

"You'll be the first to know," Shoto said with a smile. "Have a nice night, Ochako."

As she walked down the stairs of the apartment building, Ochako though about Deku. There had to be some way she could help him like he helped her and Shoto and, she was sure, so many others. She couldn't think of a lot of ways; it was hard when she couldn't talk to him face-to-face like he had with her.

She paused when she reached the bottom, an idea forming in her head. Shoto had given it to her, inadvertently, by mentioning the book. Maybe she could help show Deku he was her hero after all.

Six Days Later

Izuku didn't feel like getting up again that day. Not that he had for most of the days since….since it happened. He would get up only to shower and then he would go right back to his room. Shoto and Tenya brought him food, which he was thankful for, but he felt awful for it too. Knowing that they were worrying and still caring for him. He didn't deserve good friends like them. All he was doing was being a drain on them, worrying them and making them work harder. Tenya especially, he was probably dying trying to run the bookstore after everything that happened.

And yet, Izuku couldn't find the energy to move. All he could do is lay in his bed and wallow. He didn't even feel like crying; he cried enough the first few days. It just felt like he failed everyone he met. Toshinori… he couldn't do a thing. Toshinori expected such great things out of him, but how could he rise to meet those challenges? He was nothing but a failure. He couldn't even handle Toshinori's death without collapsing. It was just like when his dad died. He knew he should move, try to get better, but he couldn't. All he could do was disappoint the dead, over and over again.

Then there was Ochako. God, thinking about her tore him up. He loved her, he really did. And yet, how could he face her? How on earth could she still love him after seeing him fall apart like this? He was weak, and pathetic, and she deserved so much better. Yet even thinking about that killed him a little inside. She… deep down, he knew she still cared for him. He still remembered her words. Her voice gently saying I love you. Izuku had replayed that over and over again in his head. It helped, a little, but it also made him feel worse in a weird, paradoxical fashion.

Plus, she hadn't been back. He had scared her off. Or maybe she had just realized he wasn't worth her time and love. He sighed and buried himself into his covers. Even reading his old All Might books hadn't helped. Just reminded him of the pain of losing Toshinori.

His phone buzzed gently next to him, and he looked over at it. His mom had been texting him nonstop since the funeral. She… he was killing her too. He remembered after his dad died how broken she had been, but she had still tried to help him feel better. That had been both one of the moments in his life where he felt the most loved, and the lowest. He did his best to put on a front to her now, but he knew she saw right through it. That also tore him up, but he didn't know what else to do. She had more important things to worry about than him.

He grabbed his phone and checked the message. His eyes went wide as he saw it was from Ochako.

Deku, I'm outside right now. I have something for you. Mind if I slide it under the door?

Was...no she wasn't breaking up with him, right? If she was, she would just do it via text. But… maybe a note would be better? But also, Ochako didn't seem like that kind of girl….Deku sighed and rubbed his head, trying to think clearly. It was hard, with the darkness weighing down and his heart pounding. So he just reacted with his gut.

Slip it under.

A second later his phone buzzed.

Here you go. Hope you like it, Deku. 3

His cheeks flushed at that and he turned to see a thin folder slide into his room. He forced himself out of bed, his body protesting at the action as if it was the hardest thing in the world, and padded over to the folder. He carried it over to his desk and sat down, blanket wrapped around him. Turning on the desk lamp, hs squinted against the bright lamp as his eyes adjusted. The folder was unadorned and so he just opened it. His breath caught in his throat as he looked at the page before him.

It was him, the version of him that Ochako had drawn before, but more fully realized. His eyes were so bright and his curly, messy hair, somehow seemed to fit him. He was smiling broadly and besides him...was All Might. A version of All Might in armor and carrying a massive sword, but the hero was completely recognizable. The bottom of the page was captioned "Deku and Sir All Might, his Mentor".

He turned the page, already feeling tears welling up. The next picture was similar, but All Might was thinner, almost ragged looking. He….he looked just like Toshinori. But that fire was still there, and the man had a hand on Deku's head, grinning broadly. Deku was smiling just as broadly, and holding up a short sword with teal sparks dancing on its surface. Izuku smiled softly, looking at the art. It felt so Ochako, the brightness and the cheer that he loved about her. This one was captioned "Deku, taking on Sir Yagi's Mantle".

The next picture was of Deku, battered, bruised, kneeling against a rocky terrain. His short sword was planted into the ground. His clothes were torn and it was clear he was bleeding. A terrifying shadow stretched across the ground before him, but Izuku could still see in Deku's eyes raw determination, a fiery light that would not go out. "Deku, pressed to his limits" the caption read. Was….was that how Ochako saw him? Someone who didn't give up even when pressed to his limits. His smile grew slightly bigger and he could feel a tear roll down his cheek. Dammit, he thought. This girl is too good.

Izuku didn't know what to expect from the next picture, but as he turned the page, he found himself excited. And it did not disappoint.

Deku stood in the same rocky field, but he was glowing. Teal light, fire almost, danced around him in the air, on the ground, and he had a cocky smile. His eyes were glowing, and the light seemed to chase away the shadows. His sword was held above his head, and behind him….behind him was a rainbow of light. Green, blue, purple, red, all of that spilled out from behind Deku like an aura, But gold rose up from it all, and it took on the form of...All Might. A golden, fiery version of Ochako's fantasy All Might, wielding a greatsword, in the same pose as Deku. As if he came from Deku, as if the power was Deku's. The caption was simple, "Deku the Hero Rises Up".

Tears fell as Izuku looked at the picture. This was how she saw him, huh? A hero. Just looking at the picture helped banish the dark thoughts away. It was like that a lot with his episodes; one small thing could make everything better just as one thing could set it all off. And seeing these pictures made him feel better. That girl, she was something else.

Beneath the drawing, he found a note.

Hey, Deku, it began. I know that you're going through rough times. This isn't me writing to berate you or to tell you to talk to me. I mean, if you want to talk I'm happy to listen! But, I guess, what I wanted to say, was how much you meant to me. I care a lot about you, and while I know you're hurting, I'm always here if you need someone to talk to or just vent to. I'm here for you, Deku. I hope I helped a little. Feel better, okay? Love, Ochako.

He got up on shaky legs, smiling. Tears still fell down his cheeks but he wiped them away; he didn't want to ruin the pictures or the note. It had been a long time since he cared about people seeing him cry. Izuku walked over to his bedroom door and opened it to find Ochako. She looked a bit worried, her index fingers pressed together tip-to-tip. When she saw him though, she smiled. It wasn't one of her huge grins, but it was a small, sweet smile. He was sure he looked awful, but he didn't care. Seeing that smile made him smile too.

"Thank you," he said softly. Ochako didn't say much, but she reached out and gently took his hands in hers.

"Nothing to thank me for, Deku," she said. "I told you. I'm here for you."

Izuku smiled again and gently leaned forward. His head met hers and he stayed like that for a moment or two. Just, enjoying it. "I… It'll still take a bit of time for me to be fully normal again," he said slowly.

"I wasn't expecting a miracle cure," Ochako said with a small giggle. Her talking felt funny with his head against hers and it made him chuckle himself. "But, hey, you're starting to feel better. That's good news right there."

"Yeah, I guess it is, huh?"

Ochako gently stepped back, still holding his hands. "I have to go to work soon," she said, "but, text me, okay? Anytime you wanna hang out, I'm there, even if it's just in your room."

Izuku nodded, a surely dumb smile on his face. "I would like that. Now go work, you goof."

"One last thing," Ochako said with a mischievous glint in her eyes. She stepped forward, fast, and gave Izuku a kiss on his lips. Just a quick, soft, lovely, amazingly perfect kiss that caused his knees to grow weak and his face to warm up to the surface of the sun. "Something to remember me by," she teased. "Bye!"

Then, she left, and Izuku stood in the hallway staring after her, dumbstruck and still warm. God, he loved that girl.

"First kiss, huh?" Shoto said from the living room. Izuku jumped and turned to see his friend lounging on the couch with a book. He wasn't even looking up, but still smirked. "Yeah, I was like that when Momo and I kissed. Though, I was the one who kissed her."

Izuku sputtered for a moment before chuckling. "Shut up, Shoto," he said. "You can't judge."

"Just did," his roommate said. Shoto looked up from his book, his smile warmer and more genuine. "Good to have you back, Izuku."

"It's good to be back," Izuku said softly.

He walked back into his room, turning on the lights to face the walls and shelves of All Might merchandise. It was hard, and it caused the darkness to rise up. But, he looked at the drawings Ochako gave him. "All Might's mantle," he said softly. "Toshinori had given us the rights to it, I guess. I suppose...I guess he really did pass his mantle on." He took a deep breath and looked at one of the framed pictures on his desk. It was him, Toshinori, and Tenya inside Plus Ultra, smiling and posing. Toshinori was even giving peace signs. The past has ended, but that didn't mean the present had to as well, or the future. "I'll live up to your legacy."

And then Izuku Midoriya decided, step one of that was to get changed into actual clothes. Small steps.

A/N: And there we go! A lot of Izuku's issues this chapter, and in general, I based off of some reading from what's portrayed in the show, but also my own personal experience. Izuku is just a super relatable character! But I hope you guys enjoyed it! I'm going to be out of the country for about an entire month, so I don't know if I'll get a chapter done for July but I'll do my best and hey, maybe two in August? We'll see. As always, please tell me what you thought and show your support in anyway you can! It means a lot to me. See ya, guys!