Of Heroes, Blood, and Boba

by Marshmellowtime

There was a red thread that connected each and every one of them. It could bend, twist, and tangle, but it would never break. Though considering who her classmates were, she was getting pretty close to cutting it herself. "If you get your ass kicked one more time, I'm not healing you." Oc/?

25. Sweet Orange Tea

I was grocery shopping when I saw this tea and it spoke to me, hahaha.

IM GONNA BE AT ANIME EXPO THIS YEAR AND THEY'RE SHOWING SEASON 4 AND XEVENINGX IS COSPLAYING AS FUYU.

BE THERE.

I do not own BNHA.

---

Of Heroes, Blood and Boba

Chapter Twenty Four:

Sweet Orange Tea

---

Sweet orange tea; an herbal infusion of orange peels, lemongrass and hibiscus flowers. A citrus flavored and lively tea (a certain brand's description of the tea is "wild oranges don't need to be tamed, just understood")

---

Ai Kouki has been told many times throughout her life that she's a fool.

She doesn't look dumb. She's almost certain of that. Especially because she took more after her mother's looks and as her papa says it, "All her charm and none of her grace" but she still heard the word thrown her way, on fonder and less fond occasions.

When it came from her father—that was fine. They butted heads every now and then because her mother sweetly, always said that they were more alike than they thought. Papa was always telling her left and right that bad luck and dumb decisions ran in their blood despite their namesake, so they had to play their cards right.

She remembered being called a fool or just dumb in general more than once in her younger years. Kids were always saying even stupider things left and right—but they're kids. A handful would always tease her for getting nosebleeds and yelling at boys who threw rocks at stray cats—"You always bruise so easily, you're like an apple!"

Because you're throwing them, you jerks. Sure, she was born with a weaker constitution than most that had her papa on her heels, nagging about this and that, but she was pretty tough.

She had to be.

Pain's only in your head.

When it tended to come from the adults—Ai had less patience. But it wasn't hard to pretend she didn't know what they were talking about and walk away before she made her mother upset.

"That man's a fool if he thinks he can get away like that."

"There's no clean slate for people like them."

Her father was not a villain.

Primary school was a rocky, turbulent time for developing egos and personas for children in their super powered world—she knew this especially well now, with all the work she'd been putting into becoming a teacher—you were still a kid, whimsical and self-important and curious—but you were a powerful kid learning about abilities you had that became parts of you.

Ai wasn't stupid. Well, she was, when she was younger, but now she's not. Quirks are volatile things. Fickle. Violent. And beautiful.

When she was younger, she mostly saw the flicker of appeal here and there. Her papa's Quirk was always this beautiful and insanely cool thing to see—maybe she'd get something like that. Mama's voice was beyond godly and could put any ill heart at ease. Kids were always shouting in excitement, different Quirks in her class popping up left and right like birthdays.

Her Quirk was a funny thing.

Empathic and physical transference.

On her Quirk registry card, they just called it Heart Link.

Ai could see strings. Glow-y things curving out from people's hearts. They'd described it as a sort of "soul" link, but since that had shaky grounds for understanding—anything with a beating, breathing heart was free game. Cats. Birds.

People.

It wasn't the kind of thing you could show off. Wasn't the kind of Quirk where sparks lit up in her hands or she could breathe fire at all the bullies who teased her about being poor or whatever else. It was a simple thing born of a mixture between her parent's Quirks and maybe something further down the line.

But she loved it. Just fine.

The Quirk didn't mean much to her before except being able to help people out. Heal a broken paw on account for a broken finger or wrist. Explain to people where an animal was hurting that they couldn't see themselves. Most of her classmates didn't think too much of it because Ai never made much of it. She used it a lot more than people realized—her friends noticed here and there, classmates pleaded for help with papercuts and this and that—and her papa always said to just remember it was hers and no one else's.

It helped her understand people.

She was fine with that. People were always so complicated. It was nice, understanding them better.

And then one day a classmate had fallen over. He'd been racked by convulsions, showing all the signs of a stroke as teachers flocked forward and panicked and Ai had opened her eyes and—

"It's not just that—his stomach hurts—I think it's—"

And then things changed a little after that. Teachers sat her down and talked. Quirk counseling was resumed, even though her bored local counselor had written her off as being fine—Quirk counseling sessions were far more than what people made them out to be. Ai learned, later, going to school for teaching; that they were supposed to be crucial in helping children with the vast amount of Quirks in this world, find a way to blend in and mesh in this vibrant society.

A bad counselor—therefore a bad Quirk counseling—could have dire consequences.

People started coming. Teachers kindly invited her parents into their office for long discussions. People in fancy suits and leather briefcases talking about possible pathways for the future considering her Quirk and what it could do.

"She could be a star in the medical community with this."

"Her Quirk could help save lives."

"The head of our company wanted to know if she is considering a future in—"

"She could be a hero."

None of the options she and Naomi would eavesdrop in on—because normally mama would be right there with papa when all these people came, but mama threw a vase at one of them once and papa said he'd take care of it from then on—ever sounded too appealing.

She'd always liked the idea of being a teacher. She'd probably just stick with that.

"She," papa would say, scathing and cold all at once—and it was a dangerous tone on a man like Yagi Kouki, young, hardened, wiser, with that scar beside his eye and those icy blue eyes and a man built and dressed as though he'd worked through hell and back to stand right there.

"Will be whatever the hell she wants to be."

---

Fuyu never really liked dreaming.

They were frightening ways to lose grip with reality.

But she knew you couldn't control dreaming. There was probably a Quirk out there that could, but she had yet to meet anyone or get in contact with them. Maybe in the future. Ask them as politely as possible to make it so that she'd never dream again. Finally lulling herself to sleep was one thing, but dreaming?

Can't risk it. Can't risk it.

Behind thin, paper screen doors—dreaming had become dangerous. Amidst blurred memories she couldn't even trust and hazy faces of people she'd never want to remember—except you, and you, and you—dreaming meant fantasizing.

What would it be like to get away from this? When will they come for us? Can you imagine, the world waiting for us beyond those walls?

She'd dream of a shy, gentle boy crouched by a riverbank with hair like peppermints. She'd dream of all the children around her rushing out the doors and throwing themselves into the rain and laughing without brands on their skin. She'd dream of running back into the estate, crawling into that woman's lap and curling up beside her as she stroked her hair and told her stories. She'd dream of that man showing her how wonderful their powers could be and holding that woman so tenderly and being—

At some point the dreams stopped. Perhaps it was after watching one too many hands that belonged on her wrist drop to the floor in a pool of blood. Perhaps it was after the boy who dreamed of flowers and forests and heroes was ripped from her side and she was left screaming at a tree that shouldn't have been blooming.

Fuyu had allowed herself a very slim number of dreams she couldn't help.

Dreaming of all of this ending. Dreaming of being free. Dreaming of escaping it all—

"If we never had these powers," the boy with eyes like leaves would say, turning to her in silence as they stared at each other, "we wouldn't be here."

Dreaming of never having a—

When Fuyu finally opened her eyes to the world, the old dreams quietly ceased to a place they couldn't follow in this waking reality.

But not gone. Never really gone.

She was getting sick of waking up to a number of familiar sensations. They crawled into her rousing conscious with bitter familiarity.

Heavy eyes. Dried, tired. Cracked lips. She licked them, tasting metal on her tongue and antiseptic in the air. I want something to drink. She had no idea what hospital she was at, but the local one always had this milk tea she liked.

Her head felt heavy. Her inner thoughts felt tired. Her body—she knew, was in better condition. Far better than she should've expected on waking up. Her blood was thrumming at a steady pace through her veins, just beneath the skin. She could feel energy pulsing, waiting to be called on.

Her limbs felt heavy, but it was nothing more than the fatigue bleeding from her mind. Fuyu knew she was healthy. Healed. No broken bones. No cracked ribs or bruises.

She was healed. No injuries.

Fuyu had one hell of a headache though.

The pale lighting told her instinctively she was in a hospital room. I'm used to that. She experimentally moved her fingers. She could feel several tubes stuck into the inner side of her arm. A heavy sensor attached to her fingertip in case something happened. Fuyu breathed through her nose, feeling the familiar attachments that kept her hooked up to an I.V and the steady beep beep of the monitor next to her.

The pillow beneath her was softer than she expected. She felt the bleached, stiff sheets beneath her. Hospital clothes. Fuyu shut her eyes for a second, trying to gather herself back.

What happened?

The room sharpened into view. A low, aching pain behind her eyes flickered to life. Fuyu felt them warm for a second, her Quirk working to soothe the remaining flashes in her body. Paneled ceilings. It was somewhere in the day—a bit of natural sunlight streaming through a window. I've always liked the window rooms. She could see the metal of the monitor beside her now. The hooks and the drips and the tubes and—

Fuyu's eyes traveled down to her feet and to her hands.

And then as though someone had pressed the cold metal of a gun to her head and fired—it all came back.

The monitor beside her shot up, spiking violently. Fuyu lurched, images flashing wildly behind her eyes like one terrible, terrible nightmare. Her hands slapped over her mouth, stomach lurching as tears pooled into her eyes, dripping fast and hot down her cheeks because—that happened and that happened and—

The training camp. Her classmates—her friends. . Daiki. A last ditch effort. Wounds. Everyone getting hurt. Midoriya. Oh, god. Oh, god. Midoriya—

Inescapable pain.

Bakugou.

The final image of a warped gateway and shadowed tendrils. Bakugou's searing eyes as burnt fingers curled around his neck and then they were gone and fuck, fuck, fuck they took Bakugou—

Her heart rate thudded wildly against the screen. The loud, blaring beeps flooded the entire room. Fuyu hyperventilated, chest rising and falling, eyes flashing left and right as she grabbed the sides of her head, gripping so hard she could rip the sides of her head in two because—

Daiki.

Her heart twisted in on itself.

Midoriya almost died—

Fuyu almost screamed.

They took Bakugou.

Took him. Took him. Took him.

Images of severed limbs. Of dark bruises and screen doors. Nomu and—

What people were capable of—

Fuyu ripped the needles from her arm without a second thought, eyes flashing wildly. Need to go. Need to go. She remembered laughing with Shuzenji about how people were always doing that and how dangerous it actually was—don't care. Don't care. Fuyu tugged the breather from her mouth and nose, pulling roughly and ignoring the sting as she shoved the stiff blankets off her. Have to see if everyone is okay—

Soft, worn down fabric touched her fingertips. Fuyu's eyes dropped down sharply, almost tossing it to the side of the room. The chaos in her mind jolted, startled by the familiar gold and white that must've been draped over her while she'd been unconscious.

This is...

Her head swung to the side.

His gnarled staff leaned against the railing of her bed. His hair was that soft, sooty color. He'd dyed a strip white against the side of his head. Long ends framed a slender chin, eyes shut in quiet sleep as he leaned back against the chair with his arms crossed over his chest. A soft, gold colored sweater. Civilian wear. The chair beneath him barely held him up against the wall, his body slumped in on itself.

Sora.

Fuyu's heart flooded with fondness. With relief. With something better than how she'd been feeling in the past rapid seconds. Her lips twisted into a pained smile, shuffling to the side of her bed and reaching out to touch him. He came. He must've heard or they told him and he came.

Stupid mentor, you care too much for your own good.

His presence set her at ease in a flickering heartbeat. Her shoulders slackened a bit. That's right. You're okay. Breathe for a second Fuyu. No one's going to hurt you here.

"What about everyone else?"

If you're okay, they're okay. No one would let them die or anything else happen to them. We all must've been rushed to a hospital and—how long has it been?

"What about Bakugou?"

Fuyu's stomach folded in on itself, tight and turbulent.

She stared at Sora for a second and withheld from waking him, curling her fingers back toward her chest.

Sora.

He looked frighteningly no older than maybe eighteen or so—

Fuyu's eyes dropped to her hands.

"You just can't stop."

Her stomach dropped low, sinking deeper and harder into the ground.

Fuyu, what did you do?

"When in doubt, just break it down."

Fuyu gingerly pressed the heel of her palms to her eyes, keeping them shut. She normally wasn't a calm person—she was loud and rough and always bumbling her way through life. She liked being like that. It made her feel more alive. More her. Being like this, quietly calm—chaotically at ease with herself—it reminds me of before. She wanted to scream. Wanted to wake Sora up and cry into his shoulder and tell him about everything and call her grandparents and yell and shout and panic—

Cold. Quiet. Calm.

Fuyu's mind fell into silence. The memories of everything that must've occurred only so long before—hours? A day? Days? How long had it been since that living nightmare? Were the pro heroes okay? Kouta? She slowly let it all piece itself together, let all her thoughts run rampant and flood her mind and her heart.

She went numb to the rest of the world. She let it all come crashing down. Let it all come flooding in absolute clarity.

You failed.

Her blood went cold.

Yagi's face flickered through her mind, eyes soft.

Now what will you do?

Fuyu looked up over her fingertips. She carefully slid down the side of the hospital bed, testing her weight. The cold linoleum pressed into the heel of her bare feet as she lowered herself down. Her knees threatened to buckle for a second, almost sending her smashing hard into the ground. Fuyu grabbed the railing, knuckles turning white.

You don't get to rest. Get moving.

Bakugou—her friend—could be fighting for his life this very moment.

Fuyu pressed the back of her hand to her mouth. Bile rose up in her throat and her legs trembled.

Bakugou. Carmine eyes. Burnt caramel. Rough hands, a bit sweaty, but always warm—

"The fuck you doing, Apples?"

Move your damn feet.

If the frightening reality of her memories—up to what she could remember at least, to the moment she felt as though her heart were being burned alive and a pain she'd never known before overtook her—were right, she knew what she needed to do next.

The only thing she could do next.

Fuyu carefully made her way around the bed, relinquishing her hold on the railing and testing to make sure she wouldn't fall. Her hands were bare of anything else. She didn't know where her ring was. Fuyu grabbed the dangling needle and cut a quick line into her palm, letting blood flow out and steady itself around her legs like braces. She willed it beneath her fingertips like her own crutch, hobbling over.

She carefully tugged Sora's cloak over his slumbering form, reaching up with soft fingers and easing the crease between his brows. "He'll kill me if anything happens to you, you know?"

Fuyu touched his limp hand, hoping she could convey as much gratitude as possible in that slim moment. Thank you, Sora. Thank you for everything.

She didn't know how much he'd had to fix, but if his appearance was anything to hint at—

Fuyu stopped. Her eyes landed on the chart hooked to the foot of her bed.

With careful fingers, Fuyu lifted it up. Her eyes briefly skimmed through the scribbled report and her information, dragging her finger down and staring at the hefty stack of papers layered beneath it. They'd taken her to the nearest hospital instead of all the way back to Shizuoka.

Bright red marked several locations. She recognized these forms like the back of her hand.

Fuyu's eyes darkened. Her face settled into something quiet and blank as she softly began to flip through her charts.

---

"The boy's fading in and out of conscious," Detective Tsukauchi said, quietly flipping through the written reports his officers and nurses had managed to get from the assembled students within the hospital grounds. "We can ask him more when he feels better. The rest of the group that was with him are better off, and their recounting will be good enough. We have Muscular, it's all right for now."

Several of Yuuei's first year Hero Course had been admitted into the nearest hospital grounds. A handful still remained unconscious, perfectly within the green for now thanks to the hardened efforts of everyone around them. The specially marked group he'd had to single out for specific data retrieval were on their feet and back at home, where the rest of the students belonged, but the other few who he needed to talk to...

Tsukauchi shut his eyes, shaking his head. It didn't matter. Time was of crucial essence, but these children had been through enough.

What a mess.

Aizawa had his thumbs pressed to the crease between his brows. Eyes shut in deep contemplation. A few bandages were wrapped around his hands where the old lady had been adamant about seeing to him as soon as she'd finished with the rest. The heavier injuries had been dealt with by special aid thanks to Merlin. His elbows rested on his knees, head bowed.

A bit of dried blood still clung to the cuffs of his uniform. He'd gotten off the phone with Nezu just minutes ago. Motions to have a legalized press conference were already underway as soon as they got word further for the investigation.

His tired eyes flickered over to the bit of blood.

"Hey," a scarred hand reached out for him. The little girl paused, staring at the appendage as though it weren't her own. She curled her fingers back.

He remembered reaching out, calmly grabbing it in his own. He held it, loose enough for her to leave if she wanted. Firm enough to let her know she was welcome to stay.

Her fingers slowly curled out, hooking around his own.

"Is there anything I can do," she'd said, looking up at him with those beaten eyes, just barely holding on to a bit of light. "To thank you?"

Aizawa shut his eyes. The feeling of that small hand slipped away.

Tsukauchi slid his phone back into his pocket. A new line of phone calls had been sent to him from a collection of parents.

Precautions were already being taken with the students. Necessary measures to make sure they remained away from the public eye while reporters flocked to Yuuei's gates.

And one student in particular, whose guardians had been a bit of a mess to reach.

"Kouki-san hasn't woken up yet," Tsukauchi said quietly. "I heard... The hero Merlin had come to help and she should be—"

"She's going to pull through fine. They all will," Sekijiro Kan stepped from the opened door to one of his student's rooms and into the hallway where the other two men were waiting. He shut the door behind him, face hardened. "It's all a mental state at this point."

The three adults gazed at each other in silence.

"We're ready to head back with you to the station," Aizawa said finally. "Vlad and I took care of all the necessary paper work needed for the students for now. Recovery Girl will see to the rest. Your officers—"

"Will be round the clock on watch," Tsukauchi said firmly. "If anything changes or any of them can share any more information, they'll get it and send it right away."

Aizawa nodded, shutting his eyes for a second longer. Kan rubbed the back of his neck, shoulders tense.

The folder in Tsukauchi's hands was already growing painfully thick to look at. They'd already gotten through and received statements from all of the available students, gotten the hazy accounts from those that they could. Steps were already being taken to move forward from here on out.

Then there's the alarming case with those villains. An almost wounded civilian child. The pro heroes... Tsukauchi shook his head. The news of one of the League's criminals had been a blatant slap to the face on their own negligence and the cold fact that he and his police force alone couldn't get to everyone in this world.

Tsukauchi gripped the folder tight between his fingers. Aspiring heroes, perhaps, but for God's sake, these were children. They were someone's daughter, someone's son—someone's child.

And with the case of the now missing Bakugou Katsuki, along with the other pro heroes who suffered...

Tsukauchi frowned. Yuuei itself was going to be facing dire backlash. Was already facing backlash. News casters were flocking the school's gates like a swarm. Online forums had already started blowing up and no one even knew the truth of the entire story yet.

All that mattered was that people had failed. And the failure had been great.

"Anything and everything will help," Tsukauchi said. "I know it's a stressful time and you'd all rather be with your faculty and students, moving forward. We'll be as quick as possible—"

"Uncle Zawa."

Aizawa went rigid, head snapping up. Kan turned around in surprise and Tsukauchi looked down the hall, eyes growing wide in faint surprise.

The young girl clutched her left side. Sweat dribbled down the side of her face. Exhaustion evident. Her hair looked lighter from when they'd met, only days after the incident at the shopping ward. It clung to the sides of her face, pale, dark circles under her eyes.

Blood clung to her ankles, winding up her knees. Bits dripped onto the ground, showing she'd left a small trail in her wake. Hurried footsteps were echoing down the hall where nurses and medical personal must have noticed.

Kouki Fuyu stood before them. Ragged. Alive. Barely. Tsukauchi could tap her shoulder and she might fall over.

The detective stilled.

She didn't have the face of someone who would fall.

His grip on the folder tightened.

She wanted something.

"Kouki—" Kan started sharply.

"Fuyu," Aizawa stood, moving to her side in a second. Fuyu's face crumpled and Aizawa caught her around the waist, bracing the student against his side. "What the hell do you think you're doing up—"

Her blood fell with a horrific splatter to the tiled floors. Tsukauchi tucked the folder under his arm, rushing over with Kan to help. Fuyu grabbed at Aizawa's clothed arms, panting heavily as she struggled to stay upright.

"You're in no condition to be moving around. How did you get out? What do you think you're doing?" Kan barked out quickly. "You need to be resting like everyone else—"

"Uncle Zawa," Fuyu repeated. She grit her teeth, trying to straighten herself out. Her eyes slid sideways, catching Tsukauchi's worried face and something sharpened in her gaze. "Detective... Tsuka..."

"Hello, Kouki-san," Tsukauchi said. "I heard what happened. You don't need to worry, your classmates gave perfectly detailed accounts. You should head back and rest now."

"I don't know what you're thinking," Aizawa said roughly, but quieter. "But no one needs you to heal them. Get back into that room—"

"I want to see him."

Aizawa stiffened. His face turned to stone. Tsukauchi's brows furrowed, noticing the shift in the teacher's disposition. Kan's face went slack and the larger man shook his head, coming over.

"If you're talking about Midoriya Izuku," Kan said. "He's stable. Don't worry. We heard about what happened—that was reckless but brave of you. Your other classmates are all stable and—"

"No," Fuyu said, she huffed, catching her breath before she raised her head firmly and stared hard at all of them. "I—I checked out their rooms. I know they're okay right now... I... I want to see him."

"Kouki," Aizawa said coldly. "You are in no condition—"

"Fuyu!" everyone's head turned, save for Aizawa whose eyes remained hard on Fuyu's.

Sora's form shot down the corner of the hall, flustered and panicked as he followed the thin trail of blood. His eyes shot upwards and his entire face contorted into a dangerous mix of relief and fury. "Fuyu, you idiotic little—where do you think you're going, brat? Do you know how dangerous it is? Even with my healing, you shouldn't be one step outside that room!"

Fuyu's face twisted into its own mix of relief and fear. Her eyes sheepishly turned toward the hurrying man.

"Hi, Sora," Fuyu said weakly. "I missed you. Thank you. For everything."

"Don't I missed you, me!" Sora hissed. "I know you saw that chart. It's no joke, brat. You're coming with me back to that damn room right this instant—"

"Pro Hero Merlin," Tsukauchi said, "Thank you greatly for your help. I... You're younger than I expected."

"I get that a lot," Sora snapped. He stopped before all of them, huffing and eyes narrowed. "Come on, Eraser Head. I'll help put her back."

"No," Fuyu said. She shoved herself from Aizawa's arms and stumbled. Tsukauchi's hand shot out instantly, grabbing her upper arm to steady her. "I feel fine. I know you wouldn't do any less."

"Doesn't mean anything," Sora said. "Mentally and emotionally, you need to rest—"

"He isn't resting," Fuyu said quietly. "That means everything."

"Who are we talking about?" Kan said. "I told you, Kouki, everyone is fine. You need to listen to your teachers and—"

"I want to see him," Fuyu said loudly. Her eyes flashed, bright and flaring. The blood on the floor stirred. Aizawa's eyes narrowed and Tsukauchi's face slowly began to clear in understanding. "He was captured, wasn't he? Where is he?"

Tsukauchi's eyes shot up to Aizawa's face in alarm. The teacher's expression was hard, unreadable. Sora frowned in confusion while Kan looked startled by the suggestion.

"You're referring to one of the criminals we brought in," Tsukauchi said slowly. Fuyu whipped her head to him. "The one who goes by the singular name, Daiki."

Another survivor of the Sakura Raid.

Another victim.

Turned criminal.

Tsukauchi's chest hardened. Another child we failed to protect.

Todoroki Shouto, The Flame Hero Endeavour's son—he'd been the one to provide the most amount of information on the criminal youth. Diagnostics and information were being searched to determine more about his history and identity.

They were coming up unnervingly short.

"He," Tsukauchi remembered the dual haired student saying, eyes dark, "was just like her."

Tsukauchi's eyes flickered to Fuyu's shoulder. The deep scar against the upper half of her back, burned through and gouged out.

"But he," Todoroki Shouto had also said. "Is nothing but a villain."

Fuyu stared at all of them, head swinging around. Her eyes flared and she whirled on Aizawa, fisting the front of his uniform in her hands. "Aizawa-sensei, please! I have to see him—let me talk to him. I have to talk to him."

"That isn't, in any way, shape, or form," Aizawa said without a hint of emotion. "A good idea."

"I thought he was dead!" Fuyu shouted. "I thought—they all told me he was dead! He's alive. He's alive and he's with—with them. I need to talk to him—"

"And what?" Aizawa said sharply. "What do you expect to come out from something like that? You're in no state to be seeing a criminal, Kouki. No matter the circumstance, that cannot be forgotten."

"He knows where Bakugou is!" Fuyu said, grabbing tight to the fabric between her fingers. "Let me talk to him—I might be able to find something out—we can't waste time! Who knows what they're doing to Bakugou—who knows what they want from him. Let me talk to him."

Tsukauchi's eyes traveled down to where his hand gripped Fuyu's upper arm. His Quirk flickered to life and Fuyu grit her teeth, face desperate.

"Hold on," Sora said. "You want to see one of those villains? Are you crazy?"

"I know him," Fuyu said, eyes wide and pleading. "I knew him. I know him. He's—he's my friend—"

"Kouki," Aizawa said.

"I don't know how he got wrapped up in all this mess," Fuyu said, grabbing at her head. Her face twisted in pain and Sora stepped forward. "But he's—he's not evil, I promise—he's not. Let me talk to him."

She wasn't lying or delusional in the slightest.

"He's one of the only ones who's regained consciousness," Tsukauchi said slowly. Fuyu turned, eyes wide. "He hasn't spoken a word yet, despite interrogations."

"You have him locked up—he can't do anything," Fuyu said. "Please, just let me see him."

"Kouki," Aizawa said darkly. "Nothing good can come of this. You're exhausted. You need to rest. You're forgetting he's the one who—"

"I know!" Fuyu snapped. "I was there—I-I saw what he did."

The entire hallway fell silent. Kan looked on in disbelief, seemingly ready to haul Fuyu over his shoulder himself. Sora's face was clouded, eyes hardened in deep wariness.

"I've lived almost eight years now thinking he's been dead," Fuyu said softly. "Back then—back with him, we only had each other."

Fuyu met their eyes evenly. Blood red eyes didn't shift. Didn't waver. Dark.

"He won't hurt me. I'll get him to tell me where they are. Everything he knows."

Determined.

Aizawa's gaze darkened. Tsukauchi's unsettled expression said enough.

"I need," Fuyu said, correcting herself. "To see him."

What, Tsukauchi couldn't help but think. A mess.

---

The rules laid out grudgingly and thinly before Fuyu were crystal clear and non-negotiable. The only budging, reluctant issuance had been under the idea that she might be able to get more information on their whereabouts from him. And at this point, anything was crucial.

Should any of them be breached at any time or anything come to pass that tipped the feelings of her superiors and guardians in any way—the whole thing was off.

Aizawa had been unforgiving and merciless about the delivery. He and Kan were escorting her to the station where they would stay to give their report to Tsukauchi and she'd been sent back to the hospital the moment it was finished. No exceptions. Sora would be waiting by the hospital entrance to make sure she was delivered back soundly.

Fuyu had ten minutes.

Three of the four captured villains were already on their way to Tsukauchi's central police headquarters for thorough investigation before they would have their trials and sentencings. He was being held back for a day due to the extensiveness of his wounds and several other factors they hadn't disclosed to her.

Fuyu could guess on some.

The room would be heavily monitored at all times. And recorded. A thick, heavy glass would stand between them but they would be able to communicate. The room had been proofed entirely, Quirks were nullified, including her own. Aizawa had stressed this and after brief deliberation, Fuyu had promised she would be fine during the ten.

She had to be.

No contact would be allowed or otherwise possible to begin with. He couldn't touch her. She couldn't touch him.

A guard would remain right outside the door. One sided glass would allow Tsukauchi and the rest to observe the entire exchange.

Trained guns would be readied on his form from his side of the room. If he so much as moved a little suspiciously, they would fire on sight. Fuyu had asked for specifics about this to make sure nothing unnecessary would happen.

Sora's jacket hung loosely over her shoulders, pulling at her wrists. A spare change of clothes had been left behind in her room with a note from Naomi, asking that she call as soon as she could. A loose shirt with leggings to wear beneath. A container of picked radishes waiting beside a small plate of apples—a hand written note had told her who the apples were from, to her quiet and heart wrenching surprise.

The long hallways of the police office were brightly lit. Cameras zeroed in from every which way as one of Tsukauchi's officers led her to the room.

The door was heavily fortified. Metal. Sturdy. The officer—a cat-looking man who might've been at the USJ, pressed his keycard to the pin pad, typing in a code as well.

"Are you ready, Kouki-san?" the officer questioned, turning back to her.

Her body felt heavy. In reality, she really was physically fine now. She might still need some time to make sure she had enough blood running through her body to be considered healthy, but she was realistically fine.

Enough.

She knew what she needed to thank Sora for.

"Yeah," Fuyu said quietly. Her hair hung loose over her shoulders, uneven ends framing the sides of her face.

She'd spent a long time staring at her reflection in the hospital restroom, tugging at the strands of her hair that had turned so much lighter and idly poking at the corners of her eyes.

"I'm ready."

The officer nodded. He motioned to one of the cameras above them and promptly turned the door handle.

Click. Click.

The room came to life. Fuyu felt her hands ball into fists at her side. Do they always keep it in the dark?

The thick, reinforced glass flickered in front of her, warped a bit. The other side of the glass was dark, where his room would be. A long wall faced her right side. Tsukauchi and the others would be on the other side.

The officer stepped aside, allowing her to walk in ahead of him.

"You have ten minutes," he said, pressing his watch.

Fuyu stepped up to the cold metal table. Within seconds, she could feel the nullifiers coming into action. The pulsing of her blood beneath her veins shifted to something—foreign. Her heart faltered for a second, her entire body grew cold and there was...

Silence.

She'd forgotten what it felt like—living without her own blood living inside her.

Fuyu took a deep breath. She could already feel her body growing weaker—tired. There was no hum of energy beneath her skin. No itch at her fingers, no warmth behind her eyes.

Nothing.

She stared at the bare glint of her reflection gazing back and quietly pulled the chair out, taking a seat. She kept her fisted hands in her lap, waiting. You can do this.

The door swung shut behind her with a ring of finality.

The metal chair was hard beneath her. The table in front of her pressed into her stomach from how close she'd scooted up to it. The other half of the room behind the glass remained pitch black until a whirring sound came to life.

Pay attention to your heart.

Lights flashed on, bright, blinding.

And there he was.

Fuyu's heart came to a stuttering halt. Her stomach twisted violently.

She told herself, repeating firmly, threateningly, in a single mantra, that she would not cry.

It wouldn't solve anything. It wouldn't change anything.

Even if it would make her feel insufferably better somehow.

The soft ends of his hair were matted and tangled. He squinted harshly against the bright light, shying away from it as he tried to regain his bearings. The light dusting of freckles across his cheeks. The left side of his face was heavily bruised, swelling beneath his eye. A bandaged had been patched against his neck where he must've been cut. She could see more peeking underneath the collar of his shirt. Torn and smeared with dirt and ash.

His entire body was strapped and reinforced into his chair. His hands were cuffed, linked together with a heavy looking device that beeped against the side of his wrist. Quirk cancelling hand cuffs. Around his neck was another metal collar that seemed to monitor his vitals. They hadn't changed him into a uniform yet.

Fuyu felt some part of her break one more time. She wasn't sure what part though. It all felt broken at this point.

He blinked once. He licked his lips, split at the bottom. Then his eyes flickered upwards to the glass.

Paper thin screen doors didn't separate them this time.

Just glass thick enough to stop bullets.

Just everything else.

"Daiki," Fuyu said quietly, hating how her voice choked on the single name.

"Hey, Fu," Daiki said, just as soft. "You're alright."

Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry.

It won't do you any good.

Don't think about anything else.

"You look pretty beat up," Fuyu said.

Daiki's lips quirked up. He looked tired, but his eyes shone brightly. "Your... classmates really let me have it."

No one ever told her how these things were supposed to go. No one ever told her how she should go about it in the first place.

Fuyu didn't know what to do.

I'm so lost.

"They wouldn't tell me anything about you when I asked," Daiki said. "Even when I offered up some info. Pretty tight lipped, these guys."

"You're a criminal," Fuyu said. She tried to keep her voice as emotionless as possible. Reminded herself of everything he'd done in the span of twenty-four hours and nothing else.

Nothing else.

"Wouldn't believe what they would tell me anyway," Daiki said, turning his head away. "Not unless I saw you for myself."

Daiki smiled, a little bitter. "You'd know, right?"

"I'm sorry. The boy you asked us to search for is gone. The last records indicate that he was—"

"Does it hurt?" Fuyu almost asked. Even though every other part of her—every reasonable part said she shouldn't even dare to think about it. He didn't deserve it. He wasn't—

You're still my flower boy.

"I'm fine," Daiki said, a bit softer. His eyes loosened at the edges, sensing Fuyu's unasked turmoil. She didn't want to show him how relieved she was that he'd answered for her. "Don't worry about me. I can handle worse than this."

He smiled, looking up at her from beneath those soft, matted bangs.

"Both of us can."

I feel like I'm being torn apart.

"Why are you working with them?" Fuyu said. She couldn't stop the anger from bleeding out into her voice—the hurt. The uncertainty. Where are you right now? What are you thinking? How did they find you? I want to know so much—

Are you still—

Daiki's face flickered at her tone, "Because they're offering to help me get what I want. Help us get what we want."

"Daiki," Fuyu said, her voice broke a bit and she leaned forward. A red light on her side of the table flashed in warning. She didn't think about the others watching. Didn't care. "We're—it's gone. That place is gone. It's all gone. You don't have to think about it anymore."

You can become something better. You can look for something better. You don't have to be what you think.

"They can burn that prison down," Daiki said quietly, voice catching. "But you and I both know we're not free from him."

Not yet.

Fuyu wanted to tell him no, you're wrong.

But the hands reaching for her head hadn't stopped yet. The fear that could flood her veins in a second at the mere mention. The incident in front of school with the man and Shinsou and Aoyama—

"You think they're going to roll over and work just like that for you?" Fuyu said, leaning forward. Daiki mimicked her, watching in silence. "Do you really trust them? You think that's smart? They're villains, Daiki—they're no better—"

"Not like him," Daiki said quietly. "I wouldn't be with them otherwise. Sure, you know, Shigaraki isn't my ideal image of a leader. But what they want is something beyond what that bastard was looking for."

Daiki leaned forward, Fuyu waited.

"And you and I," Daiki said softly, "and those policemen and heroes listening in—we all know he's not the real boss behind all of this."

Red lights flashed on the side of the table. Fuyu stayed rooted to her spot. She'd heard her share of nightmarish whispers. Fuyu had been poorly educated on the kinds of heroes out there in the world, and to be honest, villains had been the same when all she cared about was whether or not she could find it in herself to make it home again.

She didn't care about the hierarchy of villains lurking. Not yet. It was her job as a hero to save those who were within her reach.

Fuyu stared at Daiki in front of her.

"It's true then," Fuyu said. Tsukauchi needs a reason to keep letting me talk to him. "This whole organization is bigger than just some demented freak."

Daiki shook his head, "Those aren't your words. I've heard what Shigaraki's put you guys through, but you're not the type to say anything like that."

Daiki smiled, "You've always been willing to give even the shittiest people a chance."

"Fu, they're not the same anymore."

"But maybe I can just try to connect with them—help them somehow."

"They're not... they're not people anymore."

"They're doing what he was doing," Fuyu said. "The nomu—it's basically what he's been working towards. They just made it worse."

"They're not saints," Daiki laughed. "But they're not going around selling off kids, are they? They're not throwing us behind bars, they're not bidding us to people with big enough pockets." Daiki turned his head to the glass wall, sneering. "They're not trafficking. You can write that down. The League? They want something else."

Fuyu forced the memories down. "But they're not good."

"No," Daiki said. He nodded in agreement. "But they're not bad, are they?"

Stop thinking. Stop thinking. Stop thinking.

Fuyu kept the emblem of Yuuei's walls bright in her mind.

"They picked the two of us up when no one else would've batted an eye," Daiki said. He shook his head. "I know... I know you're not to blame, Fu. I don't blame you. I mean, I've spent all this time looking for you because I could barely find out what happened myself. I was worried you were dead. I know if you'd known, you would've done something."

Daiki turned his head toward the flat glass staring back at them. He offered them a bitter smile, spitting on the tiled floor. The weapons above him twitched into action.

"More then you heroes ever did, right?" Daiki spat. "I don't mind listening to a few orders, breaking a few bones, or burning a few buildings if it means—"

"You almost killed him," Fuyu whispered. Daiki looked up and he stopped.

Fuyu's eyes watered but she didn't cry. She bowed her head, carding rough fingers through her hair. "Daiki, he... he almost... it was my fault. I know that. I know that. But Midoriya—did you know that's his name? You did, right? With that list he had. Midoriya is—"

"It wasn't your fault," Daiki said resolutely. Fuyu shook her head. "Fuyu, it wasn't your fault. You can blame me if you want. But we all made a choice. I had to make sure the mission was successful, he went after—"

"Daiki, he almost died! They all could've died. They're... they're good people," Fuyu said, pain lacing every syllable.

"They don't deserve that."

---

"He's still coming in and out of conscious, Midoriya-san. We promise we'll call you the moment he wakes up properly. He's absolutely in the safe zone now."

"No, it's alright, I left him a note," Midoriya Inko gingerly shrugged her cardigan back on over her shoulders.

She paused at the buttons, staring down at her scuffed up, worn down flats. Her son had bought them for her. He'd saved up on allowance money and presented them for her birthday—

Her eyes flooded with tears. Inko sniffled, rubbing at the corners of her eyes. The nurse's brows creased, gently offering the woman a hand. Inko shook her head, walking forward determinedly as she patted the nurse's arm. "Thank you, I'll be fine. I just..."

Inko laughed, soft, a weak sound. Her tear filled eyes trembled with her lips. "This hero business of his... It really isn't good for a mother's heart, you know?"

"What happened was an absolute travesty," the nurse said softly, walking beside her. "To think that these villains would target them like this..."

"They're just children," Inko said softly. "They're just kids."

Fuyu had waited, crouched against the wall with her head pressed into her knees. She counted in her head, waiting for the sound of soft footsteps to die down before she stood up and carefully made her way to the hospital room.

Fuyu stared at the nameplate. Her fingers slid the door open to the side.

Soft, mossy green hair came into view. His bandaged face. His arms. Him.

She let the familiar beep beep of a monitor slip past her ears.

---

"I've already killed before," Daiki said quietly. Fuyu's face twisted in pain. "One more won't change that."

"Daiki, that's not—"

"And if it meant helping you," Daiki said, gaze not budging an inch as he held her stare. "I'd do it again."

Five minutes.

"You're my friend," Fuyu said. Daiki stopped, something hesitant and uncertain coloring his eyes. Fuyu leaned forward from her chair. The light flashed in warning. "You're always going to be my friend. I'm never, ever going to leave you behind again. You're the only family I had back then and you still are."

Daiki's face flickered this time in pain. His eyes softened at her, shifting in his restraints. Fuyu's fingers bit into her palm, pain and blood leaking out without her Quirk to stop it.

"I don't know how we're going to go from here," Fuyu said, motioning to the cuffs and the walls and everything around them. "But we're going. I'm not leaving you here to rot, okay?"

"Even if you had that kind of power," Daiki said gently, "they're not going to listen to you, Fu. We both know it."

"Then I'm going to make them listen," Fuyu snapped. Her heart hammered weakly in her chest and she took a deep breath. Hold on. Hold on. Not yet. You still have time.

"Then what?" Daiki murmured. "Go to school with you? Play pretend and try recreation as a would-be hero—"

"Does that sound so awful?" Fuyu questioned, voice cracking. Daiki stopped. "Going to school?"

Fuyu laughed. Her eyes watered and she bit her bottom lip. Daiki watched her, face shifting as he leaned forward and a warning beep blared back at him when his chest hit the table.

"With me?" Fuyu laughed bitterly. "You know, a uniform, getting lunch... Maybe join a club or two after school..."

She could remember how far away that all seemed. She did remember. How out of reach it all seemed underneath her fingertips. How she couldn't believe what it felt like to hold a school uniform. What it felt like to walk into class, even if she didn't speak to anyone or try to get to know them—knowing I can go to school. I can go home.

Silence crackled through the intercom that allowed them to speak with each other on either side. Daiki stared at his hands, moving his fingers along the metal cuffs.

He shook his head.

"Nah," Daiki said quietly. "Nah, that sounds... sounds fun, doesn't it?"

The unspoken words hung heavy between them.

""Sounds like what we used to dream about."

Daiki raised his head. Their eyes met evenly.

"But that's not what would happen."

"I know it's not perfect," Fuyu said. "I know they weren't there for us but they came, Daiki. They came and they saved me and now I have Yagi and Naomi—they're my grandparents. Did you know that? I have grandparents and they're amazing and so, so many more people—"

"They just want to use you—"

"They want to see me thrive," Fuyu said roughly. "They want to see me live. They're trying to give me everything they can and now I'm going to return the damn favor. And I'm going to do the same for you."

Daiki stared at her for what felt like an eternity. Their precious seconds ticked away.

"I get it," Daiki said softly. "There's good people out there. I don't deny that, Fu. I know it."

Her head was feeling lighter. You're running out of time.

Daiki shook his head, "But me, her, them, you—we don't have time to wait for those good people to make something happen. We waited. Look where it got us. Kids, Fuyu. Children and for years it went on—"

"I know. So we can't fix the past, then we—"

"These people are all just dogs on a leash," Daiki said. "It's a loose one. But once things start getting shaky—it'll get tighter. And then what can they do? Nothing. Like they've always done. We have to take matters into our own hands."

"You don't have to listen to them—"

"They want to use you—"

"They've helped me—"

"You just want to be free," Daiki said roughly. Fuyu's hands twitched. Her heart thudded heavier in her chest, louder and louder. "I know that hasn't changed."

I am free now. I'm free to make my own choices and choose to be someone who can help others change what they thought was destined—

"I'm sorry about your friend," Daiki said, turning his head to the side. "I don't regret it. But I'm sorry. They're all just pawns in this system anyway, I get it."

"They attacked a bunch of students," Fuyu said. "Your boss wants them dead. And he took my friend."

Daiki looked up and Fuyu pressed her forehead to the glass. She shut her eyes, hands inching forward and stopping when her fingertips touched the cool wall.

"Daiki," Fuyu whispered. "Where's Bakugou?"

Daiki's face shifted. He kept his eyes on her and Fuyu bowed her head, pleading, "Daiki, please. You know, don't you? You have to tell me where he is—"

"I'll tell you," Daiki said. "If you promise to go alone."

Fuyu looked up sharply and Daiki smiled, a soft, understanding sort of smile. "They could take it from there. But I know that's not gonna happen, even if you wanted it to, Fu. That's just how it works with heroes, right? The law."

"Daiki, this isn't a joke—"

"They won't kill him," Daiki said. "I'm sure they've figured it out for themselves. Shigaraki thinks your classmate will wanna join the cause. They wouldn't kill you either. Toga and I would've made sure of that. Don't worry."

"And when he doesn't," Fuyu said roughly. "Because he won't—then what? They kill him off? They barter him?"

Fuyu's eyes flashed. "They turn him into—"

"They won't do that," Daiki said. He opened his mouth, paused, glancing to the glass wall. His eyes narrowed and he shook his head, sitting back in his chair. "I know you're just worried about your... friend. But like I said, they won't kill him. We had explicit orders last night."

"Daiki—"

"It all would've been easier," Daiki said softly. "If you'd just come with me, Fu."

Fuyu went rigid. She grabbed her hand, holding it tight. Daiki tipped his head to the side, soft eyes watching her. They didn't judge, didn't cloud with anger or hate or any kind of resentment and that was—

What hurt more than anything else.

"They just want my Quirk," Fuyu said. "They don't want us."

Daiki's expression flickered. "I thought that too, at first. But you know... I dunno... there's just... something with this group. I can't explain it. Besides, if that's how it would've turned out, I would've just cut and run with you and Toga."

Daiki smiled. "That doesn't sound too bad, does it?"

Her pulse felt weaker.

Don't think about anything else.

"Kouki-san. Time is up."

Fuyu flinched, eyes shooting up in alarm. Daiki look startled, eyes snapping up at the same time. Both their faces twisted in panic and Fuyu quickly turned back to Daiki. No, no, it can't end like this. This can't be the last time I see him. I don't know where they're taking him after this—

You're useless.

"There's more than enough of us to take you guys down," Daiki spat at the glass, throwing tidbits of information to keep them stalled. "You can look and look all you want, but you're not going to find what you're looking for."

"Daiki," Fuyu said, she struggled for air for a second. Her heart beat pitifully in her chest. "Daiki, please, I know... I know it's all... shit..."

But please listen to them. Please wait for me. I'm going to get you out of this. We're going to work through this—

I'm not going to leave you behind again.

Her heart fluttered weakly.

Don't become—

"Fu, I'm getting you out of here," Daiki said fiercely. "I promise. I'm coming back for you."

"No," Fuyu said weakly. "No... no... you're not listening..."

Fuyu faltered. Her knees collided to the side of the table. He stood up from the chair with a clatter. Loud alarms started blaring. Muffled shouting sounded from the other side of the door and Fuyu weakly pressed her forehead to the glass, placing her hand up to the window. Daiki shuffled closer and the alarm rang louder. The guns along the wall moved.

"Hey! Fu! Fuyu!" Daiki shouted. His eyes went wide in fear, cuffs clanking against the glass. "Fu! What's wrong? Where are you hurt—"

"Get back from the wall!" an officer shouted. "Back into the chair or we'll be forced to take action!"

"She's fucking hurt—"

"Kouki!" the door slammed open behind her and Fuyu weakly shook her head against the glass. Daiki pushed forward and the guns flickered to life, a soft hum filling the room. "Kouki, you're alright—"

Damn it. Damn it. Damn it! Fuyu coughed, grabbing at her chest as she hit her knees. Hands were grabbing her arms, hauling her back. Daiki was shouting furiously from the other side of the room, beating at the window as his lips moved and his eyes watched her desperately. An officer shoved in from his side, grabbing the back of his head and hauling him back. Please... don't hurt him...

"Get her out of the room," Aizawa ordered. "It's her Quirk."

Her teacher shook his head, holding her tight to his chest. He stood, gathering her up in his arms. Fuyu always forgot how small it made her feel, being held like that.

"I shouldn't have let you come," Aizawa said quietly.

Her heart twisted.

"Get this data to headquarters right away," Tsukauchi said. "We're moving forward with the investigation on our end."

"Get back against the wall—"

Fuyu's vision went hazy. Daiki's lips moved.

"Hey," the little girl reached forward with her scarred hand. It settled over the little boy's. "No matter what..."

"We won't be like them."

---

"I'm getting you out of here."

---

You're the one I need to save, you stupid idiot.

---

Sora's hand on her shoulder was the first thing to bring her world back into rigid color.

She didn't even realize when the police officer had escorted her back to the hospital doors. The entire car ride had rolled along underneath her feet in some kind of deafened numbness. The city had rolled along in front of her without any hitch.

They'd practically thrown her out of the police office with how fast she'd been dragged out of there, Aizawa barking orders until she was in safe hands beside his own.

All questions she had about Daiki were denied until further notice.

Tsukauchi had approached her in the car when they'd been about to take off and she'd regained consciousness. The moment they'd lifted her out of the room, her Quirk had shot back to life and suddenly she was alive again.

"Will she be alright?"

"It's her Quirk. She was born with—"

Fuyu stared at her feet. Scuffed up orange high tops. There were still specks of blood splattered over them and dried into the side of the shoes.

"He's just a criminal, Kouki-san," Tsukauchi said. "Don't listen to him."

The hospital moved with life around her. People walked up to the front desks, families and friends and dozens of other people moving about their own business without any idea of anything else. They had their own lives to worry about after all.

Fuyu wished she could pull one of them aside and tell them everything. Scream and cry and shout and ask them what she should do.

Because I have absolutely no idea.

"Come on, kid," Sora said softly by her ear. He gently guided her away from the front desk and the clamor of others, walking by her side as they headed for the elevators. "You sure you're okay?"

Energy crackled beneath his fingertips. Fuyu nodded, nudging him a bit to make sure he wouldn't over exert himself. Sora wouldn't have listened to her either way, but he seemed to get the message for now, simply sliding his arm over her shoulders and guiding her back to the room.

Did she even have the strength to walk on her own?

Sora watched her for a moment, brows creased in that permanent way of his. His hand on the other side of her tightened, pulling her closer. Fuyu shut her eyes for a second, letting the warmth of someone far sturdier than herself soak in.

She could pretend to be a little okay.

"You're not gonna ask about anything?" Fuyu questioned softly.

"Oh, I've got plenty of questions," Sora said. His fingers rubbed soothingly against her arm. "But when you've lived as long as I have, you also understand that things can get complicated."

Fuyu's heart faltered. She looked up at Sora.

"Don't worry about me," Sora said quietly. "I make my own choices. When you decide to become important to someone, you have to take everything that means with it."

Fuyu let his words hang in the air. They slipped somewhere deep inside her, promising to have far more truth to them then she already knew.

Sora watched her for a second longer before gently shaking her shoulder. He tucked her close to his side and despite his youthful appearance, it felt exactly like having Aizawa or Yagi bring her close.

It made her feel safe.

"I'm just glad you're okay, kid," Sora said softly. "You just be glad about that too."

"Kouki."

Fuyu looked up immediately at his voice.

Kirishima's expression came full force first. He stood there, dressed in his regular clothes—Kiri, what are you wearing? Fuyu almost laughed, never having seen his leopard printed shirt before. His wild red hair still stuck up, face looking as healthy as ever—he was safe with the others back at the camp—but his expression was wide, eyes popping out of their sockets and sharp teeth opened up with his slack jaw.

A plastic bag filled with a different assortment of items hung from his fingers. As though he couldn't figure out whether he should get things he thought were the best or stick with what was classic of hospital visits.

His expression was harder to read. But it always was. Like looking through a block of ice, not sure of what was clearer than the rest and what was just fogged up cold hiding everything else.

Todoroki Shouto stared her down, only a few feet away. A basket of fruits hung from his grip, loose, but the top handle was started to frost over. A neat dress shirt and shorts, a crossover bag slung over his shoulder—you're okay too.

Even though she'd heard to from the teachers herself. Even though she'd visited all their rooms in her little runaway escapade—seeing them, in the flesh, alright—she needed this. Needed them.

Todoroki's expression hardened, but not spitefully. His brows creased and he stood there, unmoving, expression flickering back and forth like a candle. His eyes dropped to her feet and searched over her, once, twice, combing back and forth as though he might've missed something, checking everything was in place. Checking for her.

"Hey, guys," Fuyu said finally, half to break this ridiculous stand off and half to get Todoroki to stop looking at her as though she were about to fall apart. Even if I am.

Sora's face cleared in recognition. He glanced between the two boys, contemplative with Fuyu tucked close to his side.

"F-Fuyu!" Kirishima blurted. "You're okay! I mean, I heard you'd be alright—but you're awake! You're moving! Should you be moving? Are you—"

Kirishima stopped. He stared with wide eyes at Sora, taking in his protective stance beside her and his youthful face and Kirishima's eyes clouded with confusion. "Uh... hey... are you, um, her brother?"

Kirishima stopped, "No, wait, you don't have any siblings..."

"Pro Hero Merlin," Sora quipped. Kirishima went rigid, eyes round. Sora offered him a curt nod. "I was her mentor during internships. Nice to meet you, brat."

"I-It's nice to meet you too, sir—"

"I'll wait for you in your room," Sora said, ignoring the other two with one last glance Todoroki's way. "You must want to talk to your classmates."

His hand squeezed her elbow. Sora fixed her with a stern look, but his eyes were warm. Fuyu turned to him instantly. "I'll get some tea ready for us."

Don't forget, you're okay. Call me if you need anything.

"Okay," Fuyu said softly.

Sora nodded. He patted her shoulder and continued walking with a sweep of his cloak. He shot one final, lingering glance toward the two boys, eyes narrowed slightly before he turned his head with a snort and walked off.

"I didn't..." Kirishima started awkwardly. "Wow, I didn't know he was so...young."

"He gets that a lot," Fuyu said, watching her mentor go before turning back to the two of them. "But hey, glad to see you guys are alright. What are you doing here—"

Heavy, muscular arms wrapped tight around her. Fuyu wheezed, eyes wide in blatant surprise as Kirishima lifted her off her feet, hugging her tightly and blurting out—"Fuyui'msogladyou'reokay!"

"Kiri," Fuyu croaked. "Air."

Kirishima promptly dropped her back onto her feet. Fuyu stumbled, eyes spinning for a second as she tried to process the fact that she'd just received her first bear hug in almost forever. The smell of boy and something spicier clung to her for a second as Kirishima braced himself in front of her, face twisted with an entire storm of emotions.

Hugs were... strangely effective.

Oh. Fuyu thought quietly, staring at the heavy bags beneath Kirishima's eyes. Her classmate was the definition of a sunny day—always beaming, boisterous and bright—looking to make each day count for all of them. You're not okay either, are you?

She knew exactly why. It was the same thought keeping her on edge, after all.

Bakugou.

"Sorry," Kirishima said. He raised his hand and then dropped it to his side, curling it into a fist. "I... I didn't expect you to be up so soon. You..."

Kirishima's fist tightened.

"I'm glad you're not hurt," Fuyu said. She reached out tentatively and touched his curled fingers. Kirishima loosened them instantly, looking apologetic but she simply shook her head. "It's good to see you guys. Did you come to visit?"

"I... I couldn't sit around," Kirishima admitted. "We didn't come together though. I ran into Todoroki just now and we were going to head together to see how everyone was doing. We were going to see Yaoyorozu first actually and then check up on you."

Fuyu nodded in understanding. She stood there for a moment before finally letting a bit of a wry smile curl over her lips, turning toward the block of ice who'd yet to speak since calling her name in the first place.

"You're quieter than usual," Fuyu said. "What? Do I look like a ghost or something?"

Little bits of ice jutted out from between Todoroki's fingers where he gripped the basket tightly. He stared hard at her, just a step behind Kirishima.

"What's up, man?" Kirishima said, turning around. "Are you—"

"You shouldn't be walking around," Todoroki said. Fuyu didn't take any offense to the frosty edge to his voice, figuring it must be coming from a better place. I hope.

"I think you forgot what my Quirk is," Fuyu said. She waved one hand. "You know, healing—"

"I think you forgot," Todoroki said quietly, almost strained, "that you almost died."

Kirishima flinched. His grip on the plastic bag tightened. Fuyu fell silent, staring at Todoroki as he pinned her in place with that unmoving expression.

"We all almost died," Fuyu said finally. "I'm no exception."

"No," Todoroki said. "You didn't see yourself. You were—"

He cut himself off. Todoroki's free hand grabbed the other side of his arm and he looked away. Fuyu's brows furrowed, staring at the spot on his arm he'd grabbed.

"It was... one hell of a sight," Kirishima said weakly. "When the paramedics came, everyone was all gathered up and then all of you guys came through and they even had Monoma and..."

Kirishima couldn't seem to find it in himself to finish. He stared at his feet, eyes lowered and hands tightened into fists at his sides.

"I'm... I'm sorry if I made you guys worry," Fuyu said. She rubbed the back of her neck and forced herself to try again, "I... sorry, it must've been one freaky thing to see, right? Just like you said, somethin' outta hell. But you know, my mentor—he's about as powerful as you can get when it comes to healing—he and Shuzenji-sensei made sure I wasn't gonna kick the bucket yet—"

Heated fingers wrapped firmly around her wrist. Fuyu jumped, eyes dropping down at the flaring warmth that pressed tightly into her skin. Fuyu looked up, tensed as Todoroki held her wrist, refusing to budge.

"Todoroki?" Kirishima said, sounding uncertain. "Hey, I... I'm worried too, but if Fuyu says—"

Two of his fingers pressed to the inside of her wrist. Fuyu stopped, staring at him with quietly round eyes as he shut his own for only a moment. He seemed to count the pulses beneath his fingertips before he finally released her wrist, reaching up.

His fingers carefully lifted the ends of her hair. Fuyu went rigid, frozen in place. The words died off her lips as Todoroki held the ends between his fingertips, holding the now light gray ends up between them.

His expression was unreadable. Sea glass and stormy gray too turbulent, too well hidden for her to see what was trying to be conveyed beneath.

"I thought I was going to lose you," Todoroki said quietly.

His grip on the basket tightened, hard. Chips of ice fell to the floor. Fuyu's chest tightened, as though he'd gone ahead and grabbed that as well.

"And there wouldn't be anything I could do about it."

"You have to understand what it means, to have people important to you."

You have to understand what being important to someone means.

The memory of small hands reaching out toward her flickered behind her eyes. Fuyu stopped, the blurry, hazy image of a small boy with peppermint hair grabbing her fingers as he pulled and she rose up from the water, dripping and laughing and his lips moved and those eyes watched her and—

Again.

"I'm right here," Fuyu said softly. Her eyes grew faraway for a second, lost. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I'll wait right here for you this time, okay? Don't be long!"

Something flickered through Todoroki's eyes. His expression shifted into something readable. He didn't say it, but she could see it.

I'm not convinced.

"We're just glad you're okay," Kirishima said, breaking the heavy silence. Todoroki dropped his hand to his side and Fuyu's eyes flickered briefly to his arm and then back to Kirishima's sheepish grin. "Were you about to leave? Did you just get discharged?"

"No, I'm still supposed to stay another night apparently," Fuyu said.

"Only a day?" Todoroki said.

"It better only be another day," Fuyu said, narrowing her eyes at him. Todoroki remained impassive, standing by his words. "I headed out—"

Fuyu winced. Her eyes flickered briefly to Todoroki and then to Kirishima's patient face and she quickly backtracked, forcing a small smile onto her lips instead.

"To get some fresh air," Fuyu said, albeit weakly. "I... I hate hospitals, to be honest."

It's not totally a lie. Fuyu glanced to the side, refusing to meet their stares. Todoroki's eyes bore into the side of her face, slightly narrowed. I just... It doesn't' seem smart to tell them about Daiki right now.

Fuyu rubbed her arm, dropping her fingers to her other hand and tracing the familiar scar.

There's a lot I need to talk with them about.

"Well, hey," Kirishima offered, "if you're feeling better—and if you're sure you're better," he added, after Todoroki shot him an icy stare, "you want to come with us and check on everyone? I don't know if you've had a chance to see them all yet."

Fuyu's shoulders slumped with relief. She considered her options for a second and that if she wasn't back in her room within a reasonable amount of time, Sora would be storming through the hospital on a rampage she'd rather never have to witness.

"Haga and Jirou are still out cold," Fuyu said. "I checked out their rooms—only checked out their rooms," she fixed, when Todoroki swung his icy glare her way. "I get it, alright? I'm off healing duty for at least another day. So—Merlin took care of them and the others, but apparently they just need to wake up at this point."

"Great!" Kirishima said. "Come on then, we can visit Yaoyorozu first. I heard she woke up a couple hours ago and texted Jirou."

Fuyu nodded, just glad to be moving and doing something. She could think about Daiki in a bit. Right now, she'd just worry about how everyone else was doing.

Fuyu's foot stumbled slightly. Hot fingers grabbed her elbow, steadying her. Fuyu winced, rubbing the side of her head. "Thanks, Roki. Sorry about that—"

"You should go back," Todoroki said rigidly.

Kirishima looked awkward a few steps from them. Uncertain about whether or not he should butt in. Fuyu decided to make the decision for him before he turned over to Todoroki's side.

"You," Fuyu said, hitting Todoroki's shoulder with her head. He winced for only a second, completely skipping past her eyes. "Should check your bedside manner."

Todoroki's hand lingered for a moment before he pulled it away. A soft jingle echoed beside them and Fuyu stopped, looking down.

He pressed a familiar, red ribbon hair tie into her palm. Fuyu's hand opened instantly and the warmed metal bells touched her skin, resting there as he wordlessly pushed it into her fingers and then pulled away.

---

"Todoroki-kun," Ochako shouted, throwing her hands and arms wide, desperation clear in her eyes. "Todoroki-kun, please, you have to move aside."

Todoroki's lips didn't budge an inch. His eyes burned, almost moving past Ochako had Iida quickly grabbed his arm. Todoroki's eyes snapped, head swinging around as his lips pulled back, almost snarling.

Her limp body was stretched out on the floor. Aizawa was speaking firmly and quickly into Monoma's ear, his head moving with nods as his hands hovered over her body, lined with fissures and still soaked through with blood. Lights flashed all around them, emergency vehicles and bright helicopter search beams.

Acrid smoke rose up into the air all around them.

"What do you mean, Bakugou's gone?" one of them shouted. Kirishima. "Are you saying the villains took him?"

"Bakugou is—"

"No, no, there's no way—"

"They've got her, Todoroki-chan," Tsuyu said quietly at his side. Iida's face looked strained. Todoroki looked ready to erupt any second. "You've done enough."

"She's literally breaking into pieces," Todoroki said roughly. "Is it even enough—"

"Todoroki," Todoroki turned. Aizawa fixed him with a calm stare, meeting his gaze evenly. One hand rested on Monoma's shoulder, a silent motion to wait as blood gathered unsteadily in his hands, moving and threatening to fall to the ground.

"You did good," Aizawa said quietly, evenly, loud enough for him to hear. "Thank you."

Brine erupted at his heels. The patch of grass beneath his foot burned to nothing. Todoroki watched them, shoulders rising and falling before his head turned.

Orders were being shouted across the clearing. His eyes zeroed in on the hunched figure being clasped in cuffs, head bowed, blood dripping from his nose.

His eyes silently watched the gathered group around Fuyu's body, waiting.

Todoroki strode forward.

---

Momo likes tea for sure. Fuyu stared at the pristine white vending machine. A rather simple variety of drinks stared back at her, ranging from water, to teas, hot and cold, and coffees and a few other drinks. It was a hospital after all, so she'd never expected much.

Fuyu stared at the prices. She didn't have any of her things on her, including money, so she'd asked Kirishima to borrow a few yen until Todoroki just shoved his bag into her arms, watching her like a hawk as she made her way around the corner and then following to the corner to see what vending machine she was heading to.

Fuyu had silently pulled out the simple, dark red wallet from his bag, staring at the crisp bills that stared back at her and then fished for the coins with infuriating ease.

"If you keep hovering, I'm going to kick your ass."

"You can't."

"Well, you're about to see me try—"

He'd followed her and confirmed her location and then let her be. Todoroki and Kirishima went ahead to the room to see if Yaoyorozu could take any visitors. Fuyu had decided to get them all something to drink since the first thing she always wanted when she woke up in a hospital was something to drink. She's probably sick of water and medicine at this point too.

Fuyu stared for a second too long at the spiced coffee, advertised with a little explosion behind its words.

She hit the button for the most expensive tea the machine had. Fuyu hit a sports drink and then a strange flavored milk and finally, the spiced coffee for herself.

She gathered up all the drinks into her arms. Fuyu gingerly moved the still hot coffee toward her chest, keeping it tucked there as she headed back toward the room. Two figures just disappeared at the end of the other hallway and Fuyu calmly made her way to the door, glancing to Yaoyorozu's name plate and then awkwardly moving her hand to knock on the door.

"So you can help us rescue Bakugou!"

The world quieted.

Fuyu stood there before the door. The hot can pressed into her chest, the rest gathered up in her arms. Fuyu stared at the sliding door, as though she'd just imagined what she'd just heard.

Thump. Thump.

"I didn't say that," Momo's voice, even and strained came through the door. "I... Yes, what you heard is true. I'm capable of making the tracking device to match the one we planted on the... the villain. But it doesn't mean I will—"

"But with that," Kirishima's voice carried over, loud and powerful, hope and desperation filling each note and Fuyu's eyes went wide. "You're saying we can track them down to where they have Bakugou and save him—"

Fuyu yanked the door open.

Three pairs of eyes quickly turned back to her. Fuyu stood there in disbelief, heart beginning to beat wildly against her chest as she held tight to all the drinks, threatening to slip through her fingers.

Kirishima's face was beginning to set into a fiery sort of determination. Todoroki's expression seemed unmovable, remaining hidden from her understanding.

Momo's eyes went wide. Her face flushed, a few bandages looped around her ebony locks that framed her face so delicately. She quickly threw aside her blanket, throwing herself with as much grace as possible from her bed. Kirishima quickly took a step back and Momo was suddenly closer and closer until—

Slender arms wrapped tight around her. Fuyu stumbled, eyes round as Momo pressed close to her, hands coming firmly onto her back as she buried her face into the crook of Fuyu's neck. The smell of flowery soap and the bite of hospital metal floating around her nose.

Warmth enveloped Fuyu whole.

"Fuyu-chan!" Momo gasped, clutching her tighter and tighter. "Fuyu-chan, you're alright—after everything that happened—are you sure you should be up? You look good as new but—"

Oh. Fuyu shut her eyes for a second. The drinks in her arms pressed uncomfortable to her middle where she held them close so they wouldn't stab Momo. Her head turned, pressing her cheek briefly into Momo's.

"Hey, Momo," Fuyu said softly. "I'm glad you're okay—"

"I should be thanking you!" Momo pulled back, holding Fuyu by her shoulders. Tears were starting to gather in her eyes and Fuyu balked at the sight. "You—do you have any idea what you did? You took my injuries for me. You took the injuries of almost our entire class and—"

"Momo," Fuyu said, a bit breathless, eyes warm as she gazed back at her friend and took in all of her, making sure she was truly alright. "Momo, I know. I'm sorry—and thank you. But... But what you guys were just talking about just now—"

Momo's face flickered, uncertainty quickly clouding her eyes. Kirishima straightened and Todoroki's expression hardened, brows creasing.

"A tracking device..." Fuyu repeated. She looked at all three of them, eyes shining. "There's one? We can find Bakugou?"

"No," Momo said. "No, that's not quite—"

"That's exactly it!" Kirishima said, hands curling into fists at his sides and his entire expression was hopeful. "Yaoyorozu and Awase managed to put a tracking device on one of the villains—the nomu. She's can make a device that receives the signals."

Momo planted a tracker... Fuyu's head started to spin, turning round and round as it rapidly processed what she was hearing. She can find out where it is... We can find out where they are...

Kirishima stepped forward. His eyes blazed. Fuyu listened to every word, rooted to her spot.

"We can go save Bakugou!"

Fuyu's heart threatened to stop.

We can go save Bakugou.

We can find him.

We can get to him.

We can help him.

"You can do something."

Bakugou scoffed at her, leaning back in his chair and opening up his notes. "For once, you dumbass."

He turned over to look at her. His eyes flashed, his lips curled into a sinister grin.

"So? What are you going to do now?"

Fuyu's world shifted, suddenly much, much clearer.

"It's not that simple," Momo said quickly. Her hand tightened on Fuyu's shoulder, as though to move her behind herself. "I... yes, I can make another one. But do you understand what you two are suggesting? What that entails?"

"We do," Todoroki said evenly. "I was the one who was supposed to grab Bakugou. I didn't."

Todoroki's expression was rigid but his eyes were alight, burning and furious.

"We can change that."

"I didn't get the chance to do a single thing," Kirishima said, pressing a hand to his chest. "Yaoyorozu, when they told us what was happening—I couldn't do anything. Bakugou's my friend! Now we have the chance to do something about it!"

"Kirishima-san, I understand your sentiments," Momo said. "I... I am frustrated as well that this was all that I could do while you were all..." her grip on Fuyu's shoulder tightened. Fuyu shot her a furrowed look. "But you have to understand, the moment I gave the device to All Might and the police—this is their job. We have to leave it within their jurisdiction."

"I know," Kirishima said. He looked desperate, brows furrowed, eyes earnest. "I know. You're right, but Yaoyorozu please, just think about it!"

"You don't have to do anything aside from making the device," Todoroki said calmly. "It'll be our decision to go. In the end, of course, it's your decision. We won't make you do anything."

Momo's expression turned, brows creased heavily. Her understanding in trusting Todoroki—his capabilities and if there was anyone who could go toe-to-toe, then of course it would be him. But this... This was...

A hand softly gripped her own. Momo turned, eyes wide as Fuyu's hand gently gripped hers, holding it there.

"Momo," Fuyu said softly, barely above a whisper. Momo's face flickered, brows creasing as she bit her bottom lip.

Suddenly bright red eyes looked up at her. Momo's grip on her hand tightened, her eyes clouding with clear uncertainty. With obvious fear. With worry.

"It's Bakugou," Fuyu said fiercely. "If there's a way to get to him. If we can find him before there's a chance they do anything to him—"

Fuyu gripped Momo's hand tightly between both of hers. The drinks clattered to the floor with vicious clangs. The spiced coffee can rolled in between their feet, resting there.

"Then we have to save him!"

---

The only light illuminating her hospital room was the small lamp she'd asked one of the nurses to bring.

Fuyu sat at the foot of her bed, staring at her bare feet. Sora had found her a spare change of clothes to wear to bed to be more comfortable at a boutique next door. An extra comforter was thrown over her bed, waiting for her to tuck herself under.

Fuyu stared at the cellphone in her hands. Miraculously unchipped, not a single crack.

A flurry of messages blared to light in front of her, waiting to be recognized.

We know where Bakugou is.

Sora was turned over on his side, occupying the spare bed right across from her. He had a blanket pulled up over him, sleeping peacefully.

We can go after him.

"Please..." Momo said softly, clasping Fuyu's hands back in return and bowing her head. "Give... Give me some time to think about it. I promise I will not speak a word to anyone else."

Daiki's face stared back at her in the back of her mind. His expression. The way his lips moved as he spoke to her while they carried her out of the room because her heart was weak and she was weak and nothing, nothing, nothing without the blood flowing through her veins.

"I don't think you should go," Todoroki said quickly, flatly, pulling her aside as they'd left the room and Kirishima had stepped away for a second. Fuyu had turned, looking at him in disbelief. "I know you want to go. You'll do anything to go. I get that you want to save Bakugou too, but it isn't smart."

"Are you insane? Of course I'm going. Who the hell is going to have your asses if something happens—"

"Kouki. You weren't just injured."

Todoroki had almost towered over her, eyes refusing to let hers leave his own gaze. Fuyu was stuck, standing there before them, eyes flashing and lips curling at the corner.

---

"I'm sorry you're like this again because of me," Fuyu said quietly.

"It was worth the couple years," Sora said simply. He reached over, above her discarded chart, and set his hand on her knee. "But you get it, right, kid? Just how dangerous all of this was?"

---

Patient Name: Kouki, Fuyu

Sustained Injuries:

Fractured ribcage. Fractured wrists and ankle. One punctured lung. Heavily induced toxin poisoning throughout the bloodstream. Severe head wounds. Several cuts and abrasions all throughout the body. Heavy damage to abdominal tissue. Damaged and possibly broken left arm. All injures in route to being healed.

Possibly permanent damage to the occipital nerves. Under further understanding, currently temporary loss of eyesight. Motions for Quirk have not yet been made to begin healing process. Preparing to undergo surgery.

---

"Fuyu, you almost went blind."

---

"Part of this is my fault." Fuyu said, eyes flashing in determination. "If I hadn't asked you guys to help me with Daiki, we might've stood a better chance."

"You can't blame yourself for that—"

"Roki, it's Bakugou."

"Our Bakugou."

There's no way I can leave him like that. Not when I know there's something I can do.

Fuyu carefully turned her phone over. She looked out the window, staring at the pitch black darkness that gazed back. Only a few lights from the streets down below providing any kind of comfort.

Fuyu finally hit the contact on her phone. She brought it up to her ear, waiting.

"Hello? Fuyu? Honey, is that you?"

Fuyu shut her eyes tight. Tears leaked out from the corners, dripping down the sides of her cheeks and fast down her chin. Fuyu nodded, even though her grandmother couldn't see, keeping her eyes shut as she simply let Naomi's voice flood the entire room and her heart, chasing anything that could possibly hurt her away.

Yagi's muffled voice came from the other side.

"Hi, gram," Fuyu said softly. "Can we talk? I... I need some advice."

---

Next Chapter:

An operation underway. A bunch of fools. Moments that will define the rest of our lives. Choices that will change our future.

"You do whatever you want to do. And you do it, you fool."

---

Comment Highlights:

"This is all a mess and I love every single of it"

"This chapter hurt me more than a scooter hitting my ankle. Multiple times."

"I slammed my left shoulder into my wall when I saw the update notice but that's beside the point but HOLY FUUUUUUUUUUUCCCKKKKKKKKK U IMPALED THE CINNAMON ROLL?! Also SWEET BABY JESUS CHRIST YAGIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII TTOTTOTOTTOTOTOTOTTOTOTOTTTT"

"Midoriya and Todoroki be like holding her wrists. EVERY. DAMN. TIME."

"At the end was that a dream or where they in heaven for a brief moment also can you hear my screams of anguish from wherever you are?"

"LIFE CAN'T GIVE HER A FUCKING BREAK APPARENTLY, AND REALLY NEITHER CAN YOU YOU CRUEL WONDERFUL PERSON YOU"

"wow i'm sobbing on the toilet"

"Fuck you and everything you stand for, how could you just cut it off there not update for a month and expect our mental wellbeing to still be intact. I'm so beyond not okay it is insane right now."

"YOUR STORY IS LIKE A FUCKING EMOTIONAL EXERCISE THAT I DON'T REALLY NEED (scratch that I really need it like some drug addict) IN MY LIFE AND MAN, I FIND MYSELF GETTING A HAND OF THE WHOLE 'NOT CRYING THOUGH I REALLY WANT TO CRY' FACE. Now I could only blink once and the tears would be gone, but the stabbing feeling inside remains."

"Never in a fanfiction have I ever seen as much aoyama characterization as much as I have in this chapter alone."

---

Will we ever know if Yagi's okay? Stay tuned! Am I prepared for a various amount of different reactions from you guys with the chapter or maybe two chapters to come?

Hell yeah I'm not! But we're gonna do it, woot woot!

Thank you all so much for your patience, oof. Sorry this one took a bit longer than usual. I planned to update it much sooner, but I recently finished up with school and am now getting to enjoy my summer break, but I only gave myself like one week to be a bum and I still have work because I'm a broke hoe whose financial aid only covers so much and next semester is gonna be yikes.

Definitely plan on updating sooner—hopefully within two weeks maybe? I'm really excited to plow through this and bring it home and enjoy some angst and good ol' slice of life and remedial healing with a supportive cast and then BRING ON CHISAKI.

But, you know, provisional license arc first ofc, that'll be fun.

BUT YES YES, LIKE I SAID ABOVE—I'll be attending Anime Expo in Los Angeles again this year! I'm going for all four days with my sisters. Last year I got the chance to meet some of you guys in person and it was one of the cutest, greatest, omg yeah, I'm really that dumb in real life thank u for reading—experiences ever. If any of you are planning to attend, you can get in touch with me on tumblr through alkhale or shoot me a pm and let's meet up! DO IT SO I CAN HUG YOU IN REAL LIFE, DAMN IT. I MIGHT EVEN SHARE A SECRET FOR THE FUTURE OR TWO.

And omg if u can, please check out xeveningx 's tumblr—she's going to AX and she's COSPLAYING AS FUYU AND I'M NOW DECEASED. DFHEIGEROGN.

To answer some questions! Could Fuyu heal All Might's body? Fuyu can't heal old wounds that have already been lost or healed themselves—say, you lost an organ, she can't help heal a new one. But if it was damaged with a bit left, with some extensive healing and a lot of work on her part, she could help heal that back into perfect condition. The issue is as well, that I'm sure All Might is aware that Fuyu could be of some help, but she herself isn't aware even to this point of the whole All Might and Midoriya thing (which I wanted on purpose) and some reasons we'll touch on later.

Guys there's some really good fucking fanart of Fuyu on my tumblr alkhale please check it out because u guys are amazing and wonderful and thank you so much.

I can't believe we've received this much support and love, there's a special chapter coming up very soon that I think y'all are either gonna love or just sfhwfire and it's either going to heal some hearts from the soulmate au or break them.

Love you all, thank you for reading!

Marshmellow-

-OUT!