A/N: Okay, so now that things are a little back to normal for me, my update schedule will still be Wednesdays and Sundays! As far as time goes, however, I will not be able to post at a designated time frame for the days stated, so please bear with me.

Ai stood outside of the hospital room, waiting anxiously for the Hosu chief of police to finish talking to the injured students before she was allowed entry. She couldn't help but bite down on the nail of her thumb, replaying last night's events in her head. She was still wearing her athletic uniform, Hawks' feather tucked away in her pocket for the time being. As soon as the door opened, Ai's hands immediately dropped to her sides, and she straightened her posture at the sight of the two pro heroes, Manual and Gran Torino, and the chief, Kenji Tsuragamae.

"Can I go in now," she asked, "is everyone okay?" Ai watched as the three stepped out into the hallway with her.

"Don't pretend like you weren't eavesdropping, Shuzenji," Gran Torino said.

Ai blushed as she wrapped her arms around herself, her gaze dropping to the side. "Is it really eavesdropping if I couldn't hear anything…?" The adults chuckled as they gave her permission to enter, all leaving except for one. Ai didn't move as she faced Gran Torino, unnerved by his stare.

"You have the same heart as your aunt," he said. Ai was a bit taken aback, unsure of how to respond to his statement. "Always looking out for others' wellbeing." Gran Torino gave a smile that Ai shyly returned.

"Did you know my auntie well?"

"More or less," Gran Torino responded. "Her quirk has always been a valuable asset to UA. I'm surprised you didn't decide to become a nurse yourself." He noticed the fall of Ai's smile, but continued. "Regardless, from what you've accomplished at the sports festival, it's no wonder why you want to be a hero. I have no doubt you'll become a great one, given your legacy and your drive." Ai's lip quivered at this, and she bent over in a bow.

"Arigato," she said. Gran Torino gave one last nod of approval before making his way past her. However, as Ai stood up, there was a shift in her tone. "Gran Torino…" Her question made him stop in his tracks, unaware to Ai just how serious the expression on his face had become. "Did you know my parents as well?"

The answer was a simple yes, but the story was a tale for another day. Gran Torino spoke without turning back to face the girl again. "Didn't you come here to check up on your friends?"

"Well… Yes, but-"

"There are other matters I must attend to today, so please excuse me." The dismissive manner of his tone brought discouragement to Ai, therefore making her drop the question entirely.

"H-Hai… I'm sorry for keeping you." Ai watched as Gran Torino continued to walk away without as much as another glance back. Her hands were clenched, but she shook her head and took a deep breath. She knew better than to dig up the past out of nowhere. Turning her attention back to the door, Ai opened it and stepped inside.

"Eh? Ai-cha-" Midoriya's voice was cut off by his best friend throwing herself against him, knocking him back against the infirmary bed. He winced as he held her, but that didn't make their embrace any less tight.

"I got your location last night but made it to Hosu too late," Ai explained, sliding herself off Midoriya and letting her feet plant back onto the ground. As he sat up, she grabbed his shoulders, the boy getting lightheaded from how violently she was shaking him. "You keep getting hurt, you dummy!" A cough in the room turned her attention away from Midoriya. "Iida-kun… Ice King…" She let go of Midoriya and went to hug the other two, careful this time to not tackle them.

"It's good to see you again, Shuzenji-kun," Iida said. Ai gave him a sympathetic smile as she wrapped an arm around his shoulders, for he was sitting at the right height for her to do so.

"You got to Hosu last night?" Todoroki was skeptical when Ai approached him. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders as she embraced his torso. "None of us saw you. How late was it?" Even though it was a momentary reaction, Todoroki could feel Ai tense, as if stuck in a brief daze.

"I ran into Gran Torino," Ai said, turning away from Todoroki as soon as their hug was over. He eyed her uniform, noticing how tightly she clung onto it as she spoke. What is she not telling us, he wondered. "It was after you guys were taken to the hospital. He told me it would be best to rest for the night and visit in the morning."

"Ah," Midoriya said. He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly and gave a small bow in her direction. "I'm sorry to have interrupted your internship for nothing."

Ai put her hands up, shaking them while giving a reassuring smile. "No, it's fine! Hawks had to leave town for a business meeting anyways, so as long as I'm back at the agency by tomorrow, it shouldn't affect anything. I'm just happy to be here with you all now. Last night was…" Ai's hands dropped to her side, and it was as if a shadow cast over her face, ridding it of her grin. "Really scary…"

As the day dragged on, Midoriya had to reply to all of his other classmates as to why he had sent out his location without further warning. He excused himself from the room in order to receive a call from Uraraka, and during that time, a doctor stepped in to do a more thorough inspection of Iida's injuries.

"You two may stay," the doctor informed them. "I'm sure Iida here could use the company." Just as Ai was about to speak, however, she felt herself being pulled back. Todoroki had grabbed her hand and gave the doctor a small bow.

"Excuse us," Todoroki said, "but we should step outside. Iida deserves the privacy and can tell us the results when he's ready." Ai glanced between her two classmates, skeptical to leave the room but caving whenever Iida gave her a nod. She didn't even have time to say goodbye as Todoroki practically dragged her out. They stepped into the hallway, and Ai gulped after Todoroki closed the door, pulling her hand away from him and taking a step back. His expression was serious as he faced her. "We need to talk."

Every public area – including corridors – of the hospital were crowded with eyes. Todoroki and Ai kept walking until they were finally able to find an empty patient room. Even though she knew his character better, Ai still felt nervous whenever Todoroki had locked the door behind him, entrapping the two. Before she could even speak, he already advanced towards her, a hand on her collar while the other gripped the zipper of her jacket. Immediately, Ai's hand shot up and gripped his wrist.

"What are you doing?" Her fingers were trembling, but when Todoroki saw the look on her face, it wasn't one of a bashful girl. Her grip was tight despite her nerves, and her chin was tucked down into the material of her uniform.

"You're sweating," Todoroki said. He didn't release his hold on her, nor did she on him.

"You're trying to undress me!" Her voice was meek despite her attempt to sound infuriated.

"It was hot in the other room, even in this hospital clothing," Todoroki continued. "You shouldn't have your jacket zipped, let alone all the way to the top."

"I'm cold," Ai said, but the dampness of her forehead said otherwise. Todoroki looked unimpressed by her lie, and she bit down on her bottom lip. "Ice King… Just stop. Stop prying when this doesn't concern you."

"My friend is in pain, and you're saying it doesn't concern me?" Todoroki's narrowed stare made Ai flinch. "Then why did you come here today, if our pain does not concern you?"

"That's…" Ai turned her head to the side, unintentionally revealing a hint of what she was hiding. "That's different." Todoroki removed his hand from her collar to wipe a stray tear from her cheek, and she let her grip on his wrist drop to her side.

"Ai." Todoroki's voice was less stern this time, and she glanced back at him with a quivering lip. "Do you trust me?" She let out a haggard breath, eventually closing her eyes and nodding. Ai kept her eyes clenched as Todoroki pulled down the zipper, stopping it just above her chest as his other hand bent back her collar. Todoroki grit his teeth. "Who did this to you? Why haven't you healed it?" Ai couldn't answer his questions. She couldn't even look at him anymore. There was a red tint of bruising around her neck, but she couldn't bring herself to touch it. If she did… She might just disappear. A sudden pressure against the mark made Ai gasp, but her tense shoulders soon began to relax. Todoroki pressed the back of his hand to her neck, alleviating the clots that had built up.

"Is it okay for you to be using your left side?" Ai subconsciously tilted her chin in the direction of the comforting warmth, resting her cheek against his fingers.

"Yes," Todoroki said. "I'm not afraid to use my own power anymore." He could feel Ai's pulse pound against his skin as he reached down with his other hand for hers. Her lips were parted when they stared at each other, fingers intertwined, and the heat that normally came to her cheeks returned once she was able to calm down from earlier thoughts. "You shouldn't be either." Once he released her, Ai's hand was steadier. She hesitated, but eventually brought her touch back to the damaged skin, exhaling with relief as the mark disappeared.

"Ice King…" Ai could feel her words catch in her throat.

"It's okay," Todoroki said. He gently pulled her hand away from her neck, bringing it around his back as his other arm wrapped around her shoulders. The side of her head was pressed against his chest, and as she returned the embrace, her fingers clenched on his shirt. "Talk to me whenever you're ready."

A/N: Thank you for taking the time to read and giving your opinion (: You can also find this story by searching its title on these other platforms, or going to my profiles:

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