Hi there folks! Two weeks and time for an update! Thanks for the favs, follows and reviews so far, really glad to know people are enjoying! Hope you like the new chapter! ^-^


My team's turn.

We head into the arena, passing Iida, Ura and Bakugo on the way. Iida and Ura give a wave to us and I return it with my teammates, but Bakugo is just charging ahead. Ignoring everyone and everything. Seems like the loss still stings. Psycho.

I get into position with Toru and Mashi. We're the villains, our weapon is ready. Todoroki and… fuck it, "Arm Guy", are downstairs. I reckon the arm guy is going to be good at surveillance, but I have to admit, I'm not sure on how Todoroki is going to approach this. Ice. In a building. I guess freezing us in place might work, but he'll have to know where we are first, right?

The horn sounds and our match begins.

My team stands by the weapon and tries to figure out a strategy for if they found us too quickly. Todoroki is an impressive talent, and the Arm guy is decent at hand-to-hand combat too. We speak low and plan to essentially barricade the door whilst I dismantle the floor underneath the 'heroes'. Our plan starts to come together when things get very cold. Very quickly.

Shit.

Todoroki didn't mess around. I had sensed impatience from him since the start of the day, but I never expected such a broad assault. Or such raw power. He didn't need to know where we were at all, he froze everything. In general he seems like a reserved guy, but this is insane. I raised myself at the last second, noting the ice at the door. But my teammates weren't so lucky. I hover and slowly lower myself once the freezing has finished.

"This guy's intense." I sigh, kneeling and trying to see if I could break the ice from Toru's foot.

He wriggles. "I'm real stuck."

"I'm sorry, I should have lifted all of us."

Toru shakes his head. "Nah, he caught us all off guard. You okay Mashi?"

"Y-Yeah… but I'm also stuck. Alex you gotta keep going alone!"

"Uh…" I look around the room, brain stalling. "Right..."

Toru points to the weapon. "Hide behind the weapon and try to get the drop on him."

"Oh! Good idea!" Damn I have a good team.

I sneak behind the weapon and wait for our heroes to appear. It takes a couple minutes, to the point that I wonder if they've failed to even locate us, but finally I hear steps approaching. Only one set. Todoroki is acting alone? I peer out the window to see if the other guy was heading up from the outside but he's standing on the pavement. Arms folded, foot tapping. Sidelined.

Wow.

Whilst Bakugo is a psychotic maniac willing to butcher a classmate, Todoroki just doesn't give a damn about anyone but himself. I'm not sure which I find more distasteful in the grand scheme of things. Both kind of turn my stomach.

The door creaks past ice, scraping it off the floor inch by inch. As soon as he's inside the doorway, I hold Todoroki still. He struggles, he almost growls, but he can't move. Not a single inch. Got you. More ice erupts into the room. A slap-dash attack for such a careful guy. Good to know he can be rattled in strategy as well as hand-to-hand.

I wedge myself between the weapon and the wall. "Careful you don't go and bust open the weapon there Hero." I snap, temper flaring as I see a couple spikes. Mashi made no noise and neither did Toru, so I assume they're not hurt, but they easily could have been. Careless. I clear my throat. "Where's your teammate, huh?"

I only receive a grunt and feel more strain on my power. He's strong. I move his hands behind his back so he can only use his feet. Less aim. An astute guy with a good work ethic, I knew it wasn't laziness keeping Todoroki's teammate downstairs. It was pride. Or ego. Or even worse, both?

I note his tight jaw as he looks to the side. I narrow my eyes. "Did you sideline him?"

"I felt I would be more effective alone. I didn't expect–"

"To be beaten. Yeah. That's real clear." I snort. "Maybe a good time to remember you're not infallible, Todoroki." He glares, but I just start edging him out of the room and open the window. "Hey hero. Your ego-centric teammate kinda fucked it up. Fancy giving it a go?"

All Might's voice burbles over the intercom. "I think this exercise has been informative enough. The villains, win."

Either All Might is genuinely worried I'll hurt Todoroki, or his time is running thin in his hero form. Regardless, I release Todoroki. He jolts, but barely stumbles. I lean against the wall and wipe under my nose. No blood. I managed to hold him without a bleed. That's encouraging.

The ice persists and I raise a brow at our assailant. "Can you reverse it? Or do we need to get a really big hair dryer?"

The room thaws. Apparently the guy has some heat talents as well. He continues to stare off to the side and grind his teeth. I check my team but they're uninjured, which is another win. We make for the door, but Todoroki still hasn't moved. Like he froze himself by accident.

I linger as Toru and Mashi head downstairs. "You coming Todoroki?"

"I'm not ego-centric." He whispers, but I catch it.

We're not the last team, but I can't stand people sulking. I put my hand to my ear-piece. "Hey All Might, is it ok if I have a chat with Todoroki before we head back to the viewing area?"

"By all means. Don't take too long though, it's nearly lunchtime!"

"Sure thing." I step into Todoroki's eye line. It shifts. I move again, noting how his jaw tightens further. "You really this sore a loser?"

"I'm not ego–"

"All right, you're not ego-centric. I'm sorry, maybe that was harsh, but you shouldn't have sidelined your partner."

He frowns and looks me over slowly, moving up from my shoes and then focusing on the cowl. His frown persists, but I think he's just thinking. Either that or I'm about to be turned into a gothic popsicle.

He grumbles. "It seemed the most effective action."

"Most effective maybe, but what did your partner get to learn?" I gesture to the window. "All he got was an ice show from outside and a cold shoulder. Even if you had succeeded, how does that help him beyond giving him a damn inferiority complex?"

His eyes narrowed a fraction. "How is that my concern?"

I'd be angrier if he didn't sound genuinely confused.

"Because it was a team exercise?" I laugh. "I understand being powerful must give you a bit of an issue with playing with others, but we're all learning. Even you. Out on the streets you may well have to work with other heroes at some point."

He unclenches his hands. "You have a point."

"I know I fucking do, don't need you to tell me that." I shake my head at his arrogance and am glad to see that blush. At least he has the decency to feel a bit embarrassed. Then I sigh. Play nicely Alex. You're awkward as hell, maybe he is too, remove your head from your arse. "Look, can I speak plainly?"

His brows shoot up. "You haven't been already?"

I wait and he gives me the nod. "Your Dad is a fucking piece of arrogant work, closes himself off from everyone and refuses help. Like a spoilt kid hogging the spotlight. You seem like the quiet type right now. Don't go and fucking turn into him."

"You're pretty bold, aren't you?" He snaps and I see a flare of that heat again, but in his eyes. As the mask cracked for a second, I felt like I saw the real kid beneath the trained monkey. Either he really admires his Dad and I just pissed of sonny boy. Or he doesn't like being compared to him. Either way, it struck a nerve.

I shrug. "Yeah, guess I am. I don't fancy ever being someone's puppet. Do you?"

"I'm not his puppet."

"Nah? Then maybe go about things differently."

"Excuse me?"

"Your father works alone, and has never managed to push past All Might, all while looking like a little pouting bitch. Maybe a couple of friends along the way might've woken him up to… oh I dunno… enjoying life?"

I don't really know where it all came from, but I want to help Todoroki if I can. He's beyond reserved; I don't recall meeting him until that hand-to-hand encounter and we'd been at school a week. And I'm fairly sure I'd remember meeting that kind of face. Not because of the scarring, but because, to be perfectly honest, he's kinda hot. I just hope it's not a shitty personality beneath. He works hard and has talent. But the arrogance would turn him rotten. That would be a real shame. Something about him seemed kind, the freezing of my water bottle had shown that much, but it lingers under that Endeavour rust.

He blinks. "So your parents are perfect?"

I close my mouth.

He raises a brow at my silence. "You seem to have a very high opinion of your own actions."

"How so? Because I'm questioning yours?" I fire back, and he looks confused again. I don't think diddums is used to people firing back once he gets involved. I've squared off with meaner guys plenty times. This pretty boy was hardly intimidating. "I'm far from perfect, but at least I ain't shitting on my teammates."

His mouth opens but then slowly closes.

I shrug. "Just trying to help. Seems like you're intent on making yourself lonely."

I move past him.

"Why would you want to help me?"

"Because you're a person? I don't fucking know. Didn't realise I needed an essay to justify my actions." I scoff and keep moving. I dunno how long he stands there, and frankly in that moment, I don't care. Whether or not I made an enemy is unclear. But I'd definitely made an impression.


I haul my bag onto my shoulder and head for the changing room door, trying to remember what class came next. Was it English or Maths–

"Move outta my damn way!" Bakugo snarls as I step out of the changing room at just the wrong moment.

Crash.

He slams into me, I stumble, grabbing for anything and ending up clasping his bag strap. My bag slams into the ground, quickly followed by his. Bloody hell. A bruise is already forming on my elbow where the door rebounded off him and smacked into me. Ow. How the hell had I managed to end up injured in the school corridors instead of a training exercise?

Bakugo snatches his bag and looms. He's pissed. As if I'd pruposefully collided with his idiotic arse. I don't need another toddler throwing a tantrum at me right now, I'd only just stopped being annoyed by Todoroki nearly freezing my teammates solid. But I dunno that I have a choice. Every cell in Bakugo's body overflows with rage, despite it being a few hours since his team lost. Midoryia is still recovering and this guy is still freaking out over having lost? It's quite pathetic.

And of course, during this little train of thought, I have continued to fail at moving out of his 'damn' way.

Why is today the day for meeting my classmates' annoying sides?

The idiot almost looks like he's going to try and shove me. My temper flares. For a moment, I almost wish he would go for violence. C'mon, give me a reason to push back at your ego Bakugo. Do it. I dare you. This kind of quick-to-tantrum nonsense wasn't new to me, I'd watched it bloom into a vindictive streak before. Initially Shigaraki had only been a tantrum thrower, but it brewed into sadism. Bakugo has passion and talent, but am I fuck about to let another Shigaraki enter my life.

He growls. "I said–"

I step closer. "I heard."

"Then fuckin' m–"

"I said I heard you. I just fail to see why it has anything to do with me."

"Huh?"

"Walk around me. Move yourself. Since when do you own this corridor?"

A couple people gasp, I'm pretty sure I heard Kaminari give a 'whoa' and someone else is stifling a giggle. I suspect Mina. I stay perfectly still as Bakugo's eyes go that bit wider and the corridor seems that bit narrower. His ego is going to struggle moving anywhere if the walls keep shrinking. But I don't let myself shake. No fear–as far as this guy needs to know anyway.

His teeth click together. "High and mighty because of your win, huh?"

I blink. He's accusing me of being an arrogant winner? When he just barged into me and nearly sent me to the floor? Like that's not the problem. This guy's head isn't inflated, it's up his arse.

I shake my head. "Nah, just not got my knickers in a twist over a loss."

He glares. "Shut your mouth."

"Why?"

"Cause' I said so."

"And? If I don't shut my mouth, what then? Gonna blow me up? Fancy throwing your weight around until we're all scared? Or needing to be taken to the damn infirmary."

He blinks, a shred of doubt entering his gaze for a moment. The hell is it with these guys and trying my patience? There's a normal kid in there, a normal kid being crushed under weird ego issues. I've seen it before. Not just in Shigaraki's poisoned manner, but before it got bad in others as well. You can come back Bakugo. And lucky for you, I'm in a guru kind of mood. For now.

He tries to shove past me, shoulder aiming for mine. Nope. I have enough bruises thanks. I'm all for helping people, but fuck being this guys punching bag. I hold him still.

He writhes. "The fuck? Let me go you stupid bitch. Y'said move, so I am."

"Not before you get a cheap shot in." I raise a brow and he doesn't bother denying it.

"Whatever smart-ass. You're not meant to use your quir–"

"Cut this shit Bakugo." I release, allowing him to stumble against the wall. "You're pissed off because the kid you've picked on for years suddenly bested you in a match. Well boo-hoo you have to work a bit harder. It means you have somewhere to aim for, right?"

"I already do, know-it-all." He brushes himself down, hitching his bag higher. "I'll be number one."

"Why? So you can piss on everyone else?"

"If they're in the way, I guess so!"

"Sounds more like a villain than a hero." I snarl, not backing down or even letting myself flinch when he steps up, all threatening and scary.

Don't do it Bakugo. Don't confuse confidence for arrogance. Don't turn against the world. I know there are better ways to help him, but I'm too angry. I'm too scared to see someone else turn into Sh–I stop myself. This is now, not then.

I soften my tone. "You don't have to be alone at the top you moron."

He clicks his tongue and marches past without hitting my shoulder. "Dunno what you're talking about dumbass."

"Sure you don't." I allow myself a shiver now that he's marching away. "All Might's number one and you know what he says to people helping? Please and thank you."

"He doesn't need help, idiot!" Bakugo flips the bird without looking.

That's it, isn't it? He sees All Might as a pillar, but a singular one. Not a part of anything but his own success. Damn. That's one way to look at All Might I guess, but not one that's gonna win you any popularity contests. Or friends. Or normal human contact.

At the end of the corridor he stops and turns, glaring. "Stay the fuck outta my way little girl."

Oh.

Shit.

My ears start to ring. My body feels hollow, and my heart is trying to crawl out my throat. The corridor gets narrow and the air seems to have vanished. In a split second the hollowness is filled by thorns, raking against my nerves, sending shivers from my head to my toes.

Stay out of my way little girl.

Bakugo's body flies backwards, having barely even time to yell out in alarm as my power throws him like an empty soda can. He topples through the swing doors and skids along the corridor beyond. He stops a couple metres into the open space, shoes squeaking against the floor as he scrambles upright. His whole face is bright pink. What did I just do? He swears and runs off, and I'm left looking down at myself. Shit. I just attacked a fellow student. I threw him like he was nothing.

Get a grip. Stop this–

Stay out of my way little girl.

I swallow hard. Heat floods my body like my temper becomes literal flames. Dammit. Not those words. Not the pain that followed. It aches all over my back, making it even harder to breathe.

I dash back into the changing room, feeling the staring eyes and held breath. My breaths escape in thin pants as I move to the far corner and put my head against the cold wall. Calm down you idiot. Bakugo's just a teenage kid being a dick. Little girl. Stay out of my way little girl. Stop it, stop thinking of that voice. Stop it. Vomit crawls up the back of my throat. Pressure builds in my mind and I focus on the nearby bin. It collapses in on itself. Fuck. Stop.

"Hey… Alex?" Ura's soft voice floats into my ears, her gentle hand landing on my shoulder. She gasps, no doubt feeling the way I'm shuddering. "Alex?"

I can't respond yet. I don't want to look at her in case my power flares in her direction. Why am I so angry? Well I know why, I know exactly why. But it isn't relevant. It was in the past. It has nothing to do with now, this new life, these new chances. Nothing.

Ura squeezes my shoulder. "Alex? Hm… Mina? Could you go get a teach–"

"N-No!" I choke out.

I want to turn round and smile, I want to brush this all under the rug and say I'm tired. Say Bakguo got to me. I'd spun plenty of cons before, to cops, to fellow street kids, to concerned heroes looking for a way to help. I can do this.

I swallow. "I just need a second."

I smell Mina's perfume as she comes closer. "Bakugo's pretty scary but c'mon this is beyond that. You proper stood up to him! Though throwing him through the door might have been a little too far. But I ain't complaining."

Ura gasps. "Mina!"

"What? Guy deserved it, let's be real. But c'mon Alex, you're upset, let us help."

My mouth opens. My mouth closes. What the hell do I say? Oh don't mind me, just freaking over a simple sentence. I didn't even know it would have that kind of effect on me, but it's dragged me right back to that horrible place. Back to being on all fours, nails scraping against concrete as my back is dissolved. As another handprint brands me. They won't understand. They don't need to. I don't want them to. It's fine. Bakugo wouldn't know what that sentence meant, that it always preceded a new brand on my back. How could he know? It's not his fault it makes me want to tear the whole fucking building apart. It's not even my fault. It's Shigaraki's fault.

Stay out of my way little girl, or this is what happens.

My skin aches with the memory.

"Alex?" Mina says again, hand moving up and down my back. Usually it would be perfect, right now it makes the want to vomit worse. "Say something or we're getting Mr Aizawa."

Shouta. No. He can't know I'm this unhinged. I can control this.

I straighten up and turn, leaning back against the wall instead. They gasp and look between themselves. I'm guessing I'm pretty pale and weird looking at this point. Not surprising. But it's still annoying. They won't let up without some kind of explanation. The bin slowly uncrumples.

I try a smile. "Sorry. Just… Just made me think of something from the old days."

Ura holds my hands. "You mean from the streets?"

I nod. That's all they need to assume.

"Just a stupid phrase, not Bakugo's fault. He's a shithead, but I think he's just getting caught up in th-things."

Ura nods. "Yeah, I think so too. We all got a wake up call but Bakugo especially, I think."

I frown, squeezing her hands instead of asking her to continue.

She smiles kindly and keeps going. "You didn't see because you were in your match but when Todoroki used his powers Bakugo looked seriously shaken. Like… Majorly. I dunno if he realised before today how many other powerful kids would be here."

I squeeze her hand. "I didn't mean to lose it."

Her and Mina smile and nod. "We know."

"I just… I used to know someone like that, and they… they turned mean. Didn't wanna see Bakugo do that."

Mina chuckles. "Tryin' to save everyone huh?"

I sniff and smile, gladly leaning into her hug. "Guess so."

"It is the place for it." Mina squeezes. "You okay to move now? You're shaking less."

"Yeah. Thanks guys."


The afternoon rolls along, and I avoid even looking at Bakugo. He sits in front of me in Maths though so it's tricky. He seems quiet, but maybe I'm just being paranoid. I don't think I actually hurt him. I hope. I keep my head low and my power under control. Losing it like that cannot become a habit. If it had built too much I could have hurt Ura or Mina. I could have flung Bakugo out the damn window if I hadn't been careful.

Control. Keep the control.

The end of day bell rings and everyone starts to pack up their things. A few of them are lingering to find out how Midoryia's doing. Shouta offers to go find out, leaving us all to chat about the day, and for me to notice that it's definitely not in my head. Bakugo is more closed off than usual. Shit, I hope I didn't actually hurt him. That would suck.

I swallow my cowardice and go over as he shrugs on his blazer. "Hey, Bakugo?"

"The fuck do you want?" He glares, but at his bag rather than looking at me.

"You seem quiet. I wanted to say I'm–"

"Get lost. I'm fine." He shrugs past, marching for the door and slamming it behind him. I look down at my shoes, cheeks burning as I feel the class watching. No. I can try harder. I run after him, catching him near the stairs.

"Bakugo wait!"

"Or what? Gonna throw me down to the ground floor?" He wrinkles his nose and kicks a crisp packet closer to the bin. "You wouldn't be able to anyway, you got in a lucky shot. A fuckin' cheap one too. Got it?"

I sigh and nod, leaning against the handrail. "I slipped up. And I'm sorry, you were totally right, I shouldn't have even been using my quirk in the first place."

He shrugs and glares at the bin.

Whilst I came to apologise, I have to admit that I'm kinda shocked he's not even considering apologising as well. Technically he started it. Okay. No. Be the bigger person Alex.

I clear my throat. "Apology accepted?"

"The fuck made you freak out like that?" He grunts so harshly that I nearly don't hear him. My mouth closes. A vague handwave would be easy. But is he actually wondering what he did?

"I uh… You said something that uh… that got under my skin."

Somehow, he frowns harder. "What bit?"

I blink. He is wondering what he did wrong?

He rolls his eyes. "What bit was it? Fuckin' spit it out, would ya? Was it the 'bitch'? Or somethin' like that? Didn't think you'd be so easily offended like tha–"

"Not the bitch, or any other dumbass name you called me." I pinch the bridge of my nose and am surprised to see him watching me when I open my eyes again. For a second, he looks lost. I take a couple steps down till I'm only just above his eyeline. "It's not something you'd have ever known about Bakugo, just a phrase that got me rattled. Really it's… it's on me that I reacted so badly. Didn't um… Didn't see it coming."

"Phrase?" He looks to the side and blinks, rubbing a small mark on his cheek. Did I bruise him? "Y'mean the staying out my way?"

I nod.

He clears his throat. "I guess I'll keep that in mind." He pauses and shrugs again.

I purse my lips, avoiding myself making any smart-arse remarks at his shocking ability to go anywhere near something even vaguely like an apology. Because I think that's what that was. His version of an apology. I'm also tempted to point out he might want to offer one to a certain green-haired boy currently partially deep-fried. But I don't. I hold out my hand instead and we shake.

I tilt my head. "We good?"

"Yeah. Now stop fuckin' following me." He tugs his hand free and skulks off. It's a small win, but one I will take gladly.

I already know Kirishima and a couple others tried to persuade him to stick around for Midoryia but he refused.

Right before he disappears down the stairs he stops and points at me, lips warping into this strange grimace. "You won't get the drop on me like that again, y'hear?"

I nod and look at my shoes, having no clever retort. I had acted rashly, I was an idiot. I had let my temper get away from me, and that is not all right. Not when trying to become a hero. I even said to Bakugo something about sounding like more of a villain than a hero. So what did that make me?


SHIGARAKI POV

Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.

Nails rake over tormented skin that flakes from the attack, leaving behind flesh that is angry and weeping. The young man stares at the screen. The news rattles onwards: a few attacks here, a couple mishaps there. Nothing big. Nothing was ever big enough anymore. Not with that damn Symbol, grinning like an idiot. The young man's eye twitches as the name of the stupid school flashes into place again. The Symbol now teaches. How quaint. How… Potentially useful. An idea bubbles into his mind. Time for something bigger. Nothing had quite gone to plan in the last five years, nothing had synched up since she put such a spanner in the works. The plan would have been so much further on by now, if she had stayed put. But now, maybe he had a way of getting things back on track. Now they could use the Symbol thanks to his new position as a teacher.

Perhaps time to roll the dice and see where the game led. So much planning had been happening, and not nearly enough doing. It was time to do. He shrugs on his hoody and demands a portal. No questions are asked, because no questions are needed. He didn't like something, he got rid of it, he destroyed it and watched it turn to dust. Right now, as the portal melted the bar into nothing and revealed a small thicket of trees across from the obnoxious school gates, he hated 'normal' above all else. The peace and quiet of the everyday, it made his head ache he hated it so much. It was time to shake things up. Turn normal into abnormal.

Stepping out of the trees he joins the writhing mass of reporters clamoring at the school gates. They want pictures, stories, statements, even a glimpse would do. Pathetic parasites. So annoying. So stupid. It all had to just shut up and stop being so in the way. Cameras flashing, recorders waving, voices getting more and more desperate. Annoying. Shuffling between reporters and cameramen he hears their annoyance, he feels their frustration. Just one quote. A single picture. Like any of it meant a damn thing. So stupid and noisy.

He reaches out, unnoticed by the eyes too focused on the locking mechanism, willing it to open. The fools would have no idea what happened. He almost wished he could see the faces of the idiots in charge though; they wouldn't know what to do. Who would dare attack their school? Who had the power to do so? Was it a new villain, or an old one coming for revenge on one of the teachers? A small chuckle escapes him as his fingers brush the reinforced metal. The questions would drive the faculty mad. All in preparation for everything else that will follow. Perfect.

One. Two. Three. Four.

He smirks and wonders how upset the silly little Principle will be, or any of the other pro hero teachers. How did it happen? Who did it? The questions. Oh how he wishes he could see their confused faces and hear their endless questions. He grins and pressed the final finger into place.

Five.

Sizzle and rust, dust cascades over his hand before he retracts it and lets the panic rise into the air. A few cries of alarm sound as the door dissolves. But soon enough the reporters won't care. The obstacle is gone. The stories can be grabbed. There's a free path into the school grounds. On you go parasites, go and seek your feast.

Soon enough there will be far more interesting things to talk about.

Just wait and see.


ALEX POV

We leave English class, still laughing. I know I'm a little biased, but it is one of my favourite classes, Hizashi has such flair, even as a teacher. He definitely wasn't as good at hiding his affection for me though, asking me to read several times in a row. The guy is as subtle as his hair is curly. Still, I can't fault him, I love him too dearly. He keeps trying to make me a singer, and I keep trying to get him into therapy–I am not a singer. Nemuri is a class act on hero work or in front of a class. I bite my lip more than once when she gets the boys and girls hot under the collar. She is everything. I love her and only hope I can one day be so polished and eloquent when it comes to turning people into puddles. Though maybe a little less explicitly.

It's about a week after the teamwork training, and my bruises have started to disappear. The elbow one pinched like mad. Otherwise though, things are great. But during lunch, I feel a pair of eyes boring into the back of my skull.

What now? I tug on Iida's sleeve.

He glances at me with a raised brow. "Alex, please refrain from doing that once I have my lunch, I'll surely spill if you–"

"Is someone staring at me?"

He seems confused, but scans behind us before shuffling forward with the line. "Alex, many people stare at you."

"The hell does that mean?"

He sighs and shakes his head. "Never mind. Although I do see Todoroki kind of glaring at you. Please tell me you didn't scold him again so soon."

I grab some food, searching back over the past few days. I'd not had any contact with the kid at all actually. No reason for a glare, anyway. I think I held a door open for him on monday, but that was only because he happened to be behind me. It wasn't specifically for him. That can't be it.

I shrug. "I haven't said a word to him. What? I haven't!"

Suspicion remains in Iida's eyes. "You have a habit of meddling."

"I thought it was great." Midoryia pipes up. "I saw the footage afterwards and you really made some good points. I'd have been too scared to say it, but I'm sure on some level he's grateful."

The glare says otherwise.

We sit and eat, but twenty minutes later when I glance at Todoroki, he's still glaring. His eyes avert, but the frown remains. I stab my rice a little harder than intended.

"You're going to tell him off again, aren't you?" Iida sips his juice. "You are as bad as Midoryia, if not worse. So outspoken."

"And here was me thinking we got along Iida." I drawl, noting how he blushes and flusters over an apology. I laugh and hold out a hand to the babbling boy. "Iida, I'm kidding. I'm not gonna make a habit of preaching, but I don't fancy letting bad behaviour go ignored either. His actions in the team exercise were ridiculous, and today… well he's fucking glaring at me for no reason!"

"Cursing." Iida continues to blush. "I swear Alex, you can be very charming and then you sound like a sailor."

I tilt my head. "Oh aye, I were livin' on the high seas jus' the same as the high street ye hear me boy?"

Midoryia and Ura crack up laughing and even Iida has to purse his lips against a giggle. Normally, had someone described Iida to me, I'd have loathed the boy, but he has a charm. I think it's his sincerity. Instead of a busy-body, he genuinely seems to care. More admirable than annoying. So far. Still early days, I guess.

The subject of home crops up and they share details. It seems like Iida comes from a famous Hero family, a dynasty in the making. This hardly surprises me, but then Ura kinda skims past her answer and it turns out Midoryia's mum has been raising him herself for quite some time. Impressive really.

Those big green eyes focus on me. Aw shit.

Midoryia grins. "What about you, Alex? I hear you have had quite the start in lif–"

An alarm sounds.

We're all as startled as each other; it's some kind of breach. I stick with the group, wracking my brain on what the procedure was for these moments. But I'm coming up blank. Who the hell would attack the school though? And who could get through those defences?

I do my best not to think of pale blue hair and chapped lips.

No. He isn't here.

As we enter the packed corridor, I cling to Midoryia's sleeve, but he doesn't say anything, just helps me along when I end up slightly squished. The students are all panicking. I guess it's good not to be alone in being rattled, but I also have to question what they're expecting. Had they all spent time with a psychotic teenager? I doubt it. These are heroes in training, why are they rambling and whimpering? I'm the only idiot here, right?

The scrum gets worse. Midoryia holds my hand tight, putting an arm around me as we look for Ura who's being swept away. I reach for her, managing to pull her through the crowd with my power until Midoryia has a hold of her and clings. We end up at the side, pressed to the glass. Someone elbows my back, someone else catches me in the ribs. I'd be so bruised I'd look like I'd gone another round of hand-to-hand. The panicked rambling seeps into my ears, making my heart race and my mind reach back to when this kind of panic was everyday. What had I done wrong this time? Would it be no food for a week, or being locked in that tiny rusted cabinet? What now? My tongue feels heavy.

Outside, a swarm of reporters are clamouring at the front door, having gotten through the gates somehow. But seriously, how? Regardless though, it's not a major threat. This isn't a villain attack, it's a media headache. Iida makes the same conclusion and demands Ura get him to float. Someone was taking charge, thank goodness. My head is doing strange things. Every hand that passes by, every nudge or knock, I keep expecting that wiry voice. That damn rasping laugh.

"Hey Alex, you okay?" Midoryia shields me a bit better, and it's only then that I realise I'm hyperventilating. I put my head against the glass. "C'mon Iida… yes, he's made it."

Iida's voice booms over the rambling. The corridor falls still and silent. I focus on the cold glass, face feeling like it's on fire and knees ready to give way. There's some shuffling going on as the crowd disperses, but still Ura and Midoryia stay by my side. I can't move. I want Shouta. I think they're asking me questions, but I can't answer. There's no reason for me to ask for our teacher, it would give it all away. It has to be secret. My knees shake. I still can't take a proper breath. Shit. It's so warm in here, when did it get this warm? Pressure builds in my chest. No. Don't lose control here, don't break the windows or crush the bins. Breathe woman. Breathe. Shigaraki's nowhere near, he can't get to you anymore. He can't get to you.

A cold hand presses to the back of my neck for a few moments and it's like pure relief just got poured over my head, drenching me. It feels like fucking heaven. My knees nearly buckle, but Midoryia's holding me up.

A calm voice rumbles. "Looks like a panic attack, possibly too warm as well. Is this helping, Alex?"

Todoroki?

I blink and nod, trying to get my footing. But my breathing is still thin.

"Sit her down Midoryia."

I'm carefully set down and allowed to hug my knees close. The pressure lessens, my power calming. I stare at my knees, everything else continues to swim. Todoroki kneels beside me.

I try to swallow. "Tha-Thanks."

"It's fine. Take some deep breaths."

His hand returns to the back of my neck. I follow orders, glad to have Ura holding my hand. I hadn't thought of myself as the panicking type, but her I am, heart racing a thousand miles an hour and skin aflame. Bit by bit I come to my senses. Shit that is so embarrassing. My eyes feel warm.

"S-Sorry guys."

Midoryia kneels and smiles. "No need to apologise!"

Todoroki lowers his iced hand, scanning my face. "Are you prone to attacks?"

At first I lean back, afraid he's about to make some cutting remark.

But he just holds a hand up in submission. "I'm not being harsh, I'm just aware of some resources that could help. It's a common side effect to our career choice, after all."

I deflate. "N-No. Never happened b-before."

"Guys could you get some orange juice? Maybe bring her food here?"

They rush off to do so, only a few people remain in the corridor. Todoroki doesn't move, his eyes steady as they watch me. At least he isn't glaring. I put my hand where he had chilled my skin.

He winces. "Did I use too much?"

"No, n-no it was perfect. Thank you." I accept the tissue he holds out, wiping under my eyes. "I dunno why I'm crying. So stupid."

"It's a release for your body. Happens a lot after an attack. Don't fight it, there's no need."

I dab my eyes and peer at him over my knees. "Kinda sounds like you're talking from experience."

He looks to the side. "Mm."

"Wha-What were the resources you mentioned?"

"A couple websites and apps. They've been useful for me, might help you if this is becoming an issue for you. Hopefully just a one time thing though."

"Right." I nod, hearing the others come back. "Say uh… Todoroki?"

"Mm?"

"Why were you glaring at me earlier? You d-don't seem to have a problem with me now."

"I'm helping you now." He raises a brow.

I flinch, ah right. So he was looking past the issue to help me out. Like a hero. Right. Idiot.

He then sighs. "That… That came out wrong. I didn't mean to glare before. I didn't realise I was… But I was trying to think of how to apologise."

"For…?"

The others were nearly back.

Todoroki clears his throat. "For being abrasive in training. I apologise."

Well damn, that was incredibly sweet.

I smile. "Guess that wasn't so hard. Apology accepted."

"Guess not." He smirks and stands when the others get to us. He takes his leave when they sit around me, having brought their own lunches too. They're all so kind.

I watch Todoroki walk away, his hands in his pockets as he returns to the eating hall. I think I see a light dusting of pink at the tips of his ears, though I can't claim to have any idea why. I'm the idiot sitting in a puddle of her own embarrassment. What's he got to blush about?


Considering all that's going on right now, and how many of us are being told to STAY INSIIIDE and such, I may update this a little earlier in the next few weeks. Anything to help appease the boredom and such. Stay safe guys!

Red