Sleep would be nice, wouldn't it? Closing my eyes, keeping them open, it doesn't matter what I do, it never shuts down. My brain just won't quit. Drugs get me there, sure, but it's never a restful sleep. That's the kind that's been avoiding me for months now.
Midoriya was tired of repeating that over in his head, tired of staring at the walls of his apartment. Sick of sitting in his room flipping aimlessly through websites, Midoriya decided to take a walk. If he'd still been living in the suburbs it'd be suspicious, but here in the city, no one would wonder what a young guy like him was doing wandering about in the middle of the night. They might even think he was normal.
Midoriya slipped on his hoodie and walked out of his apartment building. He didn't have a specific place to go, he just needed a change of scenery. The exercise may even be enough to wear him out—not that he hadn't tried physical exhaustion as a cure for his insomnia. That time, he was only left with sore, achy muscles and dehydration.
Staring at the concrete, he paid no attention to his surroundings. Ironic, considering he left his apartment to see new things, but he'd already forgotten the reason he'd left his place to begin with. No sleep in four days typically left him with dark circles under his eyes and scattered thoughts.
"Hey, what are you doing?!" a voice shouted, followed by a sharp yank on Midoriya's hood. He stumbled back, collapsing against something that followed him to the ground. Sitting up, he turned to see a man with wispy blue hair shaking his head.
"What do you think you were doing? The crossing light was red!" said the stranger, rubbing his crimson eyes of the dirt that had scattered when they fell. The speeding cars only feet away made Midoriya realize just how close he was to walking right into oncoming traffic.
"I-I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention. I appreciate th—"
Before Midoriya could finish speaking, the man had fallen to his side, unconscious.
"Sir? Are you okay? Oh man, did he get hurt because of me? Did he hit his head?" Midoriya moved to his knees and approached him, taking note of the scars that crossed over his lips and right eye. They didn't appear to be recent and he couldn't see any visible injuries from where he lay.
Taking the chance that he didn't have any serious injuries, he pulled him up and carried him over to the nearest bench.
"I should probably call the police. I don't know how else to help this guy—"
"Don't bother, put the phone away."
Midoriya turned to see he'd woken up, bracing his head in his palm as he leaned forward.
"Are you hurt? Is it because of me?"
"What? No. It's just my condition. I fall asleep randomly for short periods of time. What I wanna know is why you almost became a new stain on the pavement. You don't look like a drunk or an addict."
"Insomnia. I can't fall asleep, not since I lost my mentor. I haven't slept in four days, so I thought a walk would help. Guess I was wrong," Midoriya said with a chuckle as he scratched the back of his head. "My name is Midoriya, thank you for saving me back there." He bowed his head.
"An insomniac and a narcoleptic. Sounds like the beginning of a bad joke. Pick your head up, there's no need for that. I didn't do anything special. The name's Shigaraki Tomura."
"It is an interesting combination. It must be nice to fall asleep so easily."
Shigaraki looked at Midoriya with a cold stare. He knew the kid didn't mean anything by it, but it still pissed him off.
"Oh, so am I supposed to admire your ability to stay awake? Do you think it's easy never knowing when I'm going to collapse? Sometimes, I wake up in places I've never been, not knowing what's been done to me while I was out. I end up with new bruises and scars and no way to explain them. I'm left defenseless because no one wants to hang out with someone like me. But yeah, it must be nice."
Midoriya hung his head and cursed himself for his insensitivity. His ability to think before speaking declined with each sleepless day, and he should have known better.
"That was rude of me, I apologize. It must be difficult for you."
Midoriya's words carried a sincerity that cooled Shigaraki's building anger.
"Don't worry about it, you couldn't have known. I couldn't imagine staying up for one full day, let alone four. That must really fuck with your head."
Midoriya nodded. His mind was still going with no plans of shutting down tonight either.
"I should get back to my place before I pass out again. Try to be more alert if you're going to be walking around, okay?"
"Uh, yeah, sure thing. And thank you again!" Midoriya said as he stretched out his hand. "Maybe I'll see you around? S-Since we both seem to be night owls..."
Shigaraki could tell the kid was lonely. He didn't want to be left defenseless either. "Yeah, maybe."
After that, Midoriya went out every night. The thought of Shigaraki collapsing all alone stayed in Midoriya's mind, a distraction from the typical static. Shigaraki had gone through a lot but still helped a stranger like him for no reason.
Several nights passed without meeting Shigaraki again. Midoriya had managed micro-naps; periods when he wasn't aware he was asleep, but nothing more. Still missing that feeling of rest, Midoriya locked up and went for his usual midnight walk. As he found himself near that crosswalk, his heart sank when there was no one else there. Midoriya was about to turn back when he heard a voice nearby, close to the bench where he and Shigaraki had their first conversation.
It's so dark over there, maybe I should mind my own business... But what if... As Midoriya got closer, the voice became clear.
"Oh wow, this guy really did pass out! I heard about him from the others in the gang but damn, who'd think I'd actually run into him! Bet he doesn't keep a lot on him, but he does have a pretty face..."
An unfamiliar ceiling. Not like it's the first time. Wonder what's missing or broken…
Shigaraki sat up, hands gripping the soft comforter covering him. Looking to his left, he saw blank walls. Small bits of paper stuck behind thumb tacks were all that remained of the posters that had obviously been ripped off the wall.
Movement to his right caught his eye and he turned to see Midoriya seated a few feet away, staring off with a vacant expression. His left eye was swollen shut; small bandages littered his face. Both arms were heavily bandaged as well.
"Mi-Midoriya, what happened to you?!" Shigaraki said as he tossed away the covers and crawled over to his side.
"Oh, you're awake. I was out walking last night, and I heard some commotion. Some black-haired guy with a ton of piercings and burns had found you asleep. I told him that I knew you and was there to take you home. He, uh... He didn't like that idea too much."
"You didn't have to do this. Getting yourself beat up wasn't worth it. I'm not worth it."
Midoriya shook his head, "You're wrong. I'd been hoping to run into you again and have the chance to repay your kindness. Even if that weren't the case, I wouldn't have hesitated. You are worth it, Shigaraki."
Shigaraki stared at Midoriya, who went back to gazing off again. Always feeling like an inconvenience to others, Shigaraki had decided it better to seclude himself, that way he'd never burden anyone. But with only a few words and actions, Midoriya gave him a sense of self-worth. He looked so weary, there had to be something he could do to help with that, at least.
Sliding closer, Shigaraki put his arm around Midoriya's shoulders and closed the gap between them. The sudden warmth soothed the aches and pains Midoriya had earned while defending his friend—could he call him his friend?
Shigaraki gently guided Midoriya's head until it was leaning against his shoulder.
"Thank you, Midoriya." Shigaraki's fingers combed through the mess of green hair, sending chills down Midoriya's spine. His movements were slow and hypnotic. Midoriya concentrated on where he'd trace his fingers next as his eyelids grew heavy. His mind slowed, focusing only on Shigaraki's touch.
By the time Shigaraki's next narcoleptic episode occurred, they were both sleeping peacefully.