Note: This was inspired by episode 7 of MHA Season 4. I read the original manga chapter so many times, the animation made me want to cry a little. Time to get out of this rut a bit with some writing. It might be needed more than I initially thought since Midoriya Izuku himself has not seen much time in Chocolate Seashell. Here we go.

This was originally posted on Tumblr back on Nov 30, 2019, but here's to sharing everywhere else.

Short Story 1: To Be in Better Spirits

A small baggie was in front of his katsudon. Izuku found himself looking at it for a second before jolting. It was purple tied with a pink ribbon and Izuku could've sworn it wasn't there before. He didn't order anything extra from Lunch Rush. When did it show up? Heck, where did it come from?

"Midoriya-san?"

Izuku looked up to see blue eyes staring at him. Hoshino-san's lips were pursued in a thin line as she blinked at him, her pink hair ribbons framing her face as she leaned in— holy shit, she was close. Not as close as Uraraka-san, but close. "Midoriya-san? Are you okay?"

"H-Hoshino-san?!" His feet made him jump up before reacting, but once she opened her mouth to gape wordlessly, he sat back down as quickly as he could. "Y-Yeah, I'm okay, but, wait," his gaze darted between his lunch tray and her eyes, and Hoshino-san merely stared at him. "When did you get there? A-And, was this gift bag yours?"

To his surprise, Hoshino-san smiled. It was a small gesture, barely stretching her cheeks, but it was a smile that reminded Izuku of his mom back home. It was a gentle and kind smile. "Just a few minutes ago," she cradled her lunch bag to her chest, shrugging. "And that gift bag is full of cookies and yours now, Midoriya-san."

His heart leapt out of his ribs. "Wh-Why?"

"Why not?" A giggle left her this time and Izuku could've sworn it sounded nervous. "I-It kinda looked like you needed it because when I passed by, you haven't even touched your rice."

Izuku could feel his cheeks start to heat up. Glancing at his bowl confirmed it, as, sure enough, not a single grain of his katsudon was disturbed and the bag in front of his bowl of miso soup seemed all the more startling. "I-I'll eat, I'll eat, Hoshino-san! Really, I'm okay! You don't have to give me something like this!"

Hoshino shook her head. "It's not an issue of 'have to,' Midoriya-san." She reached over and gently poked his head, smile widening on her lips. "I wanted to. Okay?"

Izuku felt his mouth go dry.

"Sure, I don't know that much about what's going on. After all," she pulled her pointer finger back, glancing away with a small tilt of her head. "I'm the one who chose not to be a Hero. But supporting a Hero, supporting a friend of a friend," she turned back to him and in that moment, Izuku could've sworn her blue eyes shined. "It's the right thing to do and I wanted to. Okay?"

The chaotic feelings in his heart, the turmoil that came with work-studies and being All Might's successor, it spilled over a little bit, right then and there.

Izuku lowered his head and gently took the bag into his hands, trying not to cry. "Th-Thank you, Hoshino-san. Thank you."

Arms were suddenly wrapping around his shoulders and a cheek was on top of Izuku's head before he could react. "Aye," she said gently, nodding into his hair. "It's the least I could do. Keep up your spirit with the cookies, okay? I'll make more if you need it again." The grip was warm, as shaky as it was. "Oh, I-I'm sorry for hugging you so suddenly. I can let go?"

Izuku, as embarrassed as he was at a girl hugging him, shook his head. "I-It's okay, Hoshino-san. Heroes need hugs too…"

The hands around his shoulders stilled before tightening their grip, a warm breath brushing his hair. "Aye aye then. Take as long as you need, Midoriya-san."

Izuku had a feeling he had just made Hoshino-san's day with those words. The hug, her reply — it all provided a light and fuzzy feeling that was in no way unwelcomed.

In any other case, Uraraka would've felt uncomfortable. But when it was Tomo-chan…

"Hm? What is it, Ochako-chan?"

Uraraka shrugged with a bright smile before reaching over to hug her by the waist. "You're too good for us Heroes, Tomo-chan."

Tomo-chan squeaked as always before relaxing. Contrary to their many interactions before, she reached over to press a hand to Uraraka's shoulder, immediately returning the hug. "I try to be, Ochako-chan. I try to be." There was a pregnant pause before she added, "…Do you want a baggie too, Ochako-chan?"

"Yes, please."