Hellooo! Another update, another (hopefully) distraction for you guys! Here comes the Festival!


The crowds cheers. The numbers gather. The festival begins.

I sit with Hizashi and Shouta in the commentary box and watch it all on screens or from our big window. Unsurprisingly Todoroki is off to a great start during the obstacle race, flying ahead after freezing the others in place. Cunning guy. He said he felt confident, and I can see why. He adapts fast. I listen to the narration from Hizashi and Shouta, and chuckle occasionally. I still don't quite know how Hiz got Dad to agree to the gig, but I was very glad it had worked, not only does it help the school's media, but his as well.

Neither of us care about what the reporters are saying, it's all white noise to grab headlines. What bothers me is that these reporters think they have any right to question Dad. Just because he isn't keen on giving out interviews, they're calling him "withholding" and "cold". They question what kind of upbringing that can mean for me, "a sweet child on the cusp of herodom". Their words, not mine. I dunno if I ever counted as sweet; when I was with my real parents (however long that was), when under Shigaraki's thumb, on the streets or being with Shouta. Sweet doesn't survive. I'm still here, so I guess I'll keep putting that extra sugar in my coffee.

It's only been a couple days that I've been able to walk around on my own, and already I've had to break five cameras and two hand-held recording devices. They gasp. They cry out. They even threaten to press charges. Then they join the dots; I'm a minor and they're harassing me. They can't complain about shit. I don't doubt my technological kill count will continue to rise, but hey there's a silver lining, it's good for practising my pin-point accuracy. If the idiots bothered to check, they'd find I've only pulled a wire loose in the battery packs. But they won't. Because as I said… idiots.

The day before the festival though, the tune changed. The focus shifted. By all accounts, the festival was always a big event, but this year was especially so. The first year class of 1A had already made headlines. They were already under the microscope. For the most part I'm annoyed I can't take part, my injuries being nowhere near healed enough to allow for such exertion. But otherwise I'm glad. The spotlight… Despite the fact Shigaraki had already found me, it still seems to burn that little brighter against my eyes now. So many eyes. So many opinions. So much pressure. So right now, with bruises still fading and stitches still in place, and my head still being in bits, I'll sit it out. I can always try again next year.

The stands filled quickly and the crowd is enraptured by the obstacle course shenanigans. As expected, my class shines. Maybe it's not a good idea to show so much right away, but their enthusiasm is infectious. Go guys. Show them what we're made of. Cameras flash, and with a quick scroll through my phone I can see favourable reports already. Good. Things were looking up for the school. That's another silver lining.

The race concludes and some entertainment rolls onto the screen for during the break. I'm tempted to go see my friends, to see how they're feeling, but I don't want to break their focus. I sit next to Dad and nudge his shoulder, getting the nod and making us all some coffee. Dad is of course still using a straw, not exactly able to grip things easily yet. At least the casts had been downgraded to his hands only being bandaged.

I sip my drink and sit with my knees pulled up. "Enjoying the proceedings?"

Shouta shrugs. "It's bearable."

I grin. "You're loving it."

"It's nice to know I'm not going to have a random reporter interrupt and make some weird claim at me. The booth is definitely a plus."

"If I see anyone approach over the balcony, I'll be sure to swat them away."

He snorts. "I've been hearing rumours about broken cameras."

"Dunno what you're talking about."

"That's my girl." He taps the side of my mug as though he's cheersing me and I can't help but beam. We're stronger than ever, aren't we? Hm, I guess right now is as good a time as any. There's at least another five minutes before he's back on for commentating.

"Hey um… I was wondering something."

He raises a brow. "Mm?"

"Well… Y'know how I went and let the cat out the bag? Yelling 'Dad' in the USJ?"

He nods. "Mm."

"Do I um–Should I um–Well what I mean is, do you want me to call you um… that."

"That?"

"Yes, that. Do I call you that all the time now or…?"

He smirks. "Or…?"

I glare and stick out my tongue. "Stop being difficult!"

"But you're making it ridiculously easy."

I roll my eyes. "Never mind then, I'll just call you Arsehat instead."

He snickers and takes a slurp of coffee. "Alex, you can call me whatever you want. Hearing you say that in the USJ…" He sits back with a soft smile. "You already know what it meant."

"Yeah, that the villains all know–"

"No." He nudges me, holding my gaze sternly, all humour sobering. "What it meant to me."

My mouth closes. "Oh. R-Right."

He sits back. "So in terms of what I want you to call me? Whatever you want. I'm not gonna be bothered by it still being 'Shouta' occasionally, same as I won't fucking swoon if it's 'Dad' sometimes too. Probably best to stick to Mr Aizawa in front of the other kids for the sake of formality crap but… go with whatever the moment calls for. Don't overthink it." He pauses and then snorts. "Any more than you already have."

Again. My mouth closes. It would be nice to say I haven't over-thought, same as it would be nice to be fully recovered so I can get up and run away from that damn smirk. But nope. No chance. I have gone and thought myself into many corners over this.

"Okay… Thanks for… Clarifying. Dad." I purse my lips and he gives me a small smile before the entertainment is finished and the main arena is cleared.

I expect Midnight to take over, for Nemuri to dazzle the crowd with her role in proceedings. But no. Another voice pops up on the speakers, the principal. The heck is he doing? I go to the window, watching him clamber onto a podium.

Shouta groans. "Shit, he's going through with it?"

"I tried to stop him, man." Hizashi sighs and they both look at me with this expression of apology. The hairs on the back of my neck twinge. Oh god. This wouldn't be good.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he begins, waving his paws gleefully. "Before we continue with this magnificent event, I wish to take a mere moment of your time to shine a light on a student unable to take part today. She, after all, deserves her own moment to shine."

Someone do me a favour and dig me a hole to crawl into.

I put my head against the window, watching the Principal talk on the podium but not really absorbing his words. I didn't want to. This is shit. Not only is he drawing attention to my damn absence in the Festival but he's painting me as some fucking martyr. Unable to compete due to 'heroic efforts' in the USJ attack. Heroic? Shouta still has to wear bandages on most of his body, you silly mouse-man. I'm about as heroic as fucking Shigaraki. I clench my teeth and then thunk my head off the glass. That wasn't the worst bit. Behind the podium, on big ass screens, footage begins to roll. The cameras in the USJ had caught a lot. It's all well edited of course, but damn did I look stupid flapping about, failing to do much more than delay things.

"Can I pull the plug on the fucking screens?" I snarl, tempted to reach out and break the screen entirely, but well aware I'd just pass out. My power's endurance remains rather fucked. I can barely lift a chair without being woozy. It's going to be a long road to recovery.

Shouta comes over and pats my shoulder. "We tried to get him to rethink, but he felt it was both a good way of celebrating your efforts, and also showing any agencies that might want you, what you can do."

"He pretended it was partially for my benefit? Hah. Fucking rat."

"Bit offensive." Shouta mutters, but I see the damn smirk myself. It was actually more of a pun than anything, but I won't be bought in by the Principal's smiles and oh-so-kind words. He's using me as a tool. I am thoroughly sickened. All that's being shown is my inability to save my Dad. Agencies are going to do nothing but shake their heads in pity, and maybe even disgust.

The showboating finally ends and I move back to my seat in the corner. I don't know how much anyone in their seat can see into the booth, but right now I don't want to be seen by a damn soul. From here I can watch the tag game on the screens above Shouta and Hizashi. It's a pretty boring game to my mind, but at least my classmates do a decent job of getting through to the head-to-head stage.

Although, as the matches are put onto the screen, I do feel a swell of pity for the Tape Guy. His name fails to land in my mind, but the poor guy is gonna get demolished by Todoroki, surely? Seeing Bakugo face off with Ura will be fascinating, I hope he doesn't pull any punches. But he doesn't seem the type to patronise her. He's a dick, but thankfully not misogynistic.

Midoryia's match has me on the edge of my seat. I didn't even know this Hitoshi guy existed, but damn his quirk is terrifying. Once again I am glad to have not been taking part this year, as I'd have likely fallen right on my face with an opponent like that. My confidence shudders. Thankfully Midoryia manages to turn it around. Somehow. The purple haired boy is powerful, crazy powerful, but he's lacking in the hand-to-hand department. Regardless, I'll have to study up on his quirk later. Facing him would be an intimidating thing if he could nearly beat Midoryia just like that. My green-haired classmate is sweet, but also powerful. Yet the purple haired boy had nearly crushed him without even moving. Shouta looks fascinated, and keeps looking over notes. I can't help but wonder if Shouta feels a sense of common ground–being poorly recognised as a worthy Hero course candidate and the entrance exams can't have been easy for him either.

Then it's Todoroki's turn.

I wince as they take the stage, but balk as the Tape Guy manages to almost throw Todoroki out of bounds. Where's Todoroki's head? It's like he's miles away. The edge of the ring approaches, and my hands press against the glass, seat long forgotten. Come on. Wake up. This isn't how you're gonna go out, is it? Todoroki… what the hell's happened between the tag game and now? I want to reach out and slap him.

Finally he wakes up. In a big way. Bloody hell.

I shiver as ice surges over the arena, and the far side is entirely encased in a matter of seconds. It bloomed up over the stadium and likely reached over some of the car park. I stare. Everyone stares. Such raw power was a rarity, and he had only just begun to learn at UA.

"Sorry. I'm just mad." The microphones pick up Todoroki's murmur as he goes over and frees our classmate, thankfully not seeing any need to give the boy frostbite. Steam rises from the ice and I wonder what Todoroki meant. What was he mad about? I am definitely on the sidelines here, this is so annoying.

The one on one fights continue.

Todoroki had done an amazing job with his quirk, but only with his ice side. The sheer amount of power he'd have if he used both makes me nervous. I have lots of work to do. There's so much to catch up on.

The commentary had worn on Shouta at first, but now I think he's getting into it. The two of them have muted the mics and are cracking up over something. Old men with their old jokes. Still, it's nice to see them having fun.

As for me, I need some air.

I sneak out into the corridor, feeling exhausted despite not having done a damn thing. I guess worrying about my classmates had taken a toll. And this whole 'recovery' nonsense. Bloody hell I hate healing, it's so slow and annoying. Dad has deemed me the worst patient ever, and I'm a little offended that he thinks I somehow rank worse than him. But I also can't argue.

The corridor is cool, quiet, deserted. I lean against the concrete walls and slide down to sit with my knees hugged in close. The vague calls from the crowd seem far off. I wonder how loud they feel when in the arena itself, when facing a friend or fellow student in battle. Is it mind-numbing? Can you feel it reverberate in your bones? I have no idea. At least the likes of Midoryia will be able to give me a good description, Todoroki would likely tilt his head and wonder what the fuss was about. I chuckle but then bite my lip. How will I fare under that attention next year? I'd squirmed when it was only second-hand footage. But standing there in that big bowl, thousands of eyes boring down on me, countless cameras too. Damn. My heart speeds up at the very idea.

The spotlight. It isn't something I'd really thought about most of my life, and yet the past couple months are filled with its glaring glow. From my initial fears of Shigaraki spotting me, to this more recent nonsense with people questioning Dad's capability as a parent. It's horrible. But it's part of the job, a big part. Sure Dad has figured out a way round it, his success rate speaks for itself and generally the media used to leave him alone. In terms of rank… well it's never even come up. He's known as the "underground" hero. I have to wonder if that's a polite way of him having flipped the bird at the concept of ranks. Seems like his style. I smirk. Can't deny that makes me proud. I'm not sure how "underground" I want to be in the end, but at the same time, it's good to know it's an option. The shadows, for all the evils they can hide, can also provide a little safety.

But they still hide plenty else as well...

"Oh good, seems like my luck is improving. This level's turning out easier than expected..."

My body grows cold.

I stare at the wall in front of me as that wiry voice filters into my ears, clutching my heart with icy dread. No. Please no. How can he be here? There's no way he can have gotten past the security–shit, the portal guy. Yes. Shigaraki could definitely be here.

My body stalls. I can't even scream.

"I didn't expect to find you alone, little Alex. Not when you're still so weak."

Instinct takes over and I hold Shigaraki's hand in place, a few inches away as he reaches for my head. My quirk is shakey. Pain fills my skull. But I can't let him just grab me and kill me, I'm not going out that easily. I'm not letting Dad come looking for me, only to find a pile of ash. I can't let that happen. Being a victim is not high on my to-do list, not again. Shigaraki's manic eyes gleam with the want to kill, his hand shakes mid-air. The scarring on my shoulder and neck itches. Everything was still healing. One touch and I'll be floored. Probably dead. My power flickers, pain leeching my stamina. I'm surprised I held him back this long. His hand creeps closer. I gasp. I won't keep this up for long.

"Why the fuck can't you just stay away?" I hiss between my teeth, voice choked by the effort. I want to scramble back, flee, run. But I can barely hold myself up. "Just leave me alone!"

He giggles. "No, no little Alex. As long as you live, we'll never stop."

"W-Why?"

"You're too much of a liability. If we can't get rid of you directly, we'll chip away at your little friends and your adorable pseudo family."

I try to focus on his neck. I try to kill him first, but with the shifting focus, his hand is nearly touching my head. Tears prickle my eyes. My head is killing me.

"Leave them alone!"

Shigaraki giggles again. "Like I said Alex, as long as you're alive… We'll never stop. Never."

I feel my power give, I scream, and as he makes contact there's the smallest shred of relief.

At least they'll be safe with me gone.

"Alex!" Someone's shaking me.

I wriggle in their grip and jolt into consciousness. I stare at the ceiling of the corridor. What? Where was Shigaraki? Where was the pain and death? I don't understand. Todoroki stares down at me, eyes wild.

He stops shaking my shoulders, loosening his grip a little. "Are you awake now?"

Awake? So… So it was just a dream?

"W-What… What happened…?" My head feels full of cotton wool.

Todoroki helps me sit up. "I was sent to give Present Mic some stats when I found you mumbling in your sleep, crying and shivering. Then you started to struggle to breathe. Otherwise, I have no idea." His eyes scan me. "Are you alright?"

I look at my hands as they tremble. A dream? Just a dream. But it was so real.

"I think so…"

"Can you stand?"

I try, but he has to give me a hand up. I waver but he holds me steady.

I blink hard, trying to clear my head. "I uh… So-Sorry to freak you out."

"It's fine, I have some time before my next match." He looks to the booth door. "Do you want to go back in?"

I can just imagine Shouta's frown. My face will be a mess, and my hair all mussed up too. I have no idea how long I've even been out here. Not so long that he'd come looking, but probably long enough to cause questioning. I don't wanna answer anything. Damn imagination was getting the better of me, my nightmares turning into terrors. It felt so real.

Is my mind turning against me? Am I falling apart?

It's not my intention, but my hands cling to Todoroki. He's too polite to object.

I swallow hard. "Yeah, but ca-can I just breathe for a second?"

"Sure." He stays still, one arm holding my arm, and the other hovering near my back. I can only tell due to the chill radiating from it. His quirk must be acting up after his outburst. "I'm guessing it was a fairly intense nightmare?"

"Yeah… I guess so." I genuinely have no idea what to make of it, I've never had a dream that vivid before. Not even when I was fresh off the streets, expecting the world to cave in and remind me nice things don't happen to me. So why now? The shivering subsides. My breathing steadies. "You were amazing in your fi-fight, by the way."

"I lost composure. I won, but I'm not exactly pleased how." He sighs.

I manage to stand on my own. "How come you were so distracted?"

"My Father's here to watch." His jaw tightens. Shit, the last thing Todoroki needs is Endeavour in his head. Even the way his eyes darken at the mention of his father would put the fear into me. Let alone them having had a confrontation before a match I had to deal with. Shit. I guess Tape Guy is likely lucky to be alive.

"Bet he's pissed you're not using your flames, huh?"

Todoroki smirks. "Kinda the idea."

"Hey now, don't go hurting yourself simply to spite that prick." I frown and jab him in the chest. He looks down at my hand and then back up, raising a brow. I roll my eyes. "Your ice hurts if you only use it, right?"

He shrugs.

I jab again. "Don't assume you can get by with only half your power Todoroki. Everyone else is gonna be trying their damndest to beat you. You and Bakugo are the ones to beat, you get that right?"

His mouth opens. His mouth closes. "I can't use his power. It would only encourage his–"

"Then claim it for yourself." I lower my hand from jabbing his chest. Guy's made of stone, I swear, no give at all. He looks like I just smacked him across the face. I blink. "What?"

"You're always so… forward."

"Sorry." I wince and then nod to the papers in his hand. It's shaking. He's shaking. I dunno that I've helped at all, I may have just further messed with his head. Dumbass Alex strikes again. "I uh… I shouldn't keep you. I can take the stats in for you?"

He hands them over and backs up a couple steps, eyes distant. "Appreciated."

"No worries, sorry if I just said something I shouldn't. And after you helped me out." I groan and rub my eyes. "I'm an arse. Just ignore my shi–"

"No… You're… You're fine. But I should be getting back." He turns and then glances back over his shoulder, a strange look in his eyes. "You sure you're okay now?"

"Near enough." I half laugh, and he gives an unsure nod before heading back down the stairs.

When alone, I put a hand to my head and take a deep breath. I needed to learn to keep my mouth shut. What right do I have to be sticking my nose into his business? Especially when my own head is in such a mess. Damn night terrors in the middle of the day. Yeesh! If I'm not careful, Todoroki is gonna end up hating me.

I reach for the door handle, but pause. I close my eyes.

Nothing changes. No more visions.

Maybe it was just a dream.

Somehow I find the will to stop bloody shaking and head back through the door. Inside the booth everything is normal. I don't think either Shouta or Hiz even noticed I was gone. I hand over the stats and head back to my seat. Everything needs to stop spinning.

Shouta makes some tea a few minutes later, and brings me a cup.

Despite the time that's passed, he pauses when looking at my face. "You feeling alright?"

I take the tea. "Yeah, just tired."

"You're pale, Alex. If you need to go lie down somewhere we can arrange–"

"No. I'm fine here." I speak a little too quickly. He raises a brow and puts a hand to my head, feeling the cold sweat for himself. Bugger.

I try to move away, but he kneels down and holds me steady. "Alex, c'mon what is it? You were out in the corridor a while. I assumed you just wanted a little peace. What's wrong?"

"Fell asleep in the corridor, had a bad dream." I shake my head. "Just too vivid an imagination."

He doesn't look convinced, but knows better than to pry.

He returns to the mic and continues his duties, but I know he'll be watching me closely. I slump in my chair and focus on my breathing. Sure, I'd had nightmares before. Sure, plenty had starred Shigaraki. But something told me this wasn't like those other times, this was new. It felt like someone had laced a film into my brain and pressed play. Dreams usually became more broken, more fragmented when Shigaraki turned up. So right now I don't know what to make of what I saw. I guess mainly I'm just hoping that I'm not going nuts.

I take my tea to the window and distract myself with the next match. Everyone's training has been really paying off the past couple weeks, whilst my own development is mainly paranoia. Hardly progress. I sip the tea. Next match would be Midoryia and Todoroki. I hope I didn't mess with Todoroki's head too much before he headed back out there. If he loses, I have a lot to make up for.

Endeavour struts towards the front seats and leans against the bannister. He's saying something, but I don't really care what. I just watch Todoroki. He's staring at Midoryia the whole time, ignoring Endeavour entirely. That seems to sting the pro fuckwit. I can't help but smile. Whilst I'd always guessed Endeavour would be a prick to get to know, the more I spent time with Todoroki, the more I felt my instincts confirmed. Thinking of the scar on Todoroki's face gives me pause. Perhaps it went beyond being a prick. Had his father done that damage? I hope not. But the hope does immediately feel naive. Endeavour is demented about beating All Might, it doesn't seem a stretch that he would be hell bent on forging his kids into the means of doing so. My heart aches. Sorry Midoryia, but I kinda want Todoroki to kick your arse just so he can shove the win in Endeavour's pouting face.

Well… Shit...

The fight is intense.

I don't think any other word would fit. Except maybe 'insane'.

Something is brewing between Todoroki and Midoryia, and I have no idea how they're still going. Midoryia has broken nearly all his fingers now. Or has he already and he's rebreaking them? I swallow hard, my stomach churning. Such drive. I have to keep that in mind when it came to those big bright green eyes, they hold an immense amount of passion. I can't let that slip my mind if I'm ever facing Midoryia in a match.

The battle rages on.

The crowd writhes with excitement. Both Todoroki and Midoryia would likely be swimming in agencies offering them places for our internships. Well, Todoroki likely always would have, but this solidifies that idea. As I scan the crowd, feeling proud of my classmates, I see a sign waving. It's not aimed at the arena though, it's aimed at our booth. Weird. I peer, assuming it will be a loving fan of Present Mic, but I can't quite make it out. Use a bigger font you dumbass. I step onto the booth's balcony and try again.

HOPE YOU GOT THE MESSAGE, LITTLE ALEX.

My tea hits the balcony floor. I grip the railing. The person holding the sign has pale blue hair. M-Message? What message? Ice trickles down my spine, but it has nothing to do with the ongoing match. Maybe it wasn't a dream after all. A message. Shigaraki is really here, and somehow he made that vision happen. Right? Maybe.

The sign turns over.

PRETTY NEAT TRICK, HUH? ENJOY THE DREAM?

Shouta must have been keeping an eye on me, suddenly appearing by my side. "Enough brave facing it, you're barely standing u–"

"Sh-Shigaraki." I barely choke out that much as I point.

"Shit." Shouta dashes off.

I sink to my knees, eyes streaming. The arena and the crowd vanish as my panic tries to swallow me whole. It wasn't a dream. The bastard had some new minion with a vision quirk–it's my only conclusion. I tug on my hair. His words, the warning of how he and his damn league will never stop until I'm dead, it wasn't based in hysterical fear. It was true. My family. My friends. They were all at risk because the League wants me, or rather they want rid of me. I'm not a burden, I'm a fucking liability.

I can't breathe.

But wait. Shigaraki's right there, in the stands, within reach. I can get him. The vision doesn't have to be the end of it, I can still stop this, right here and right now. My body jumps into action, twisting and bolting for the booth door. I can get him. I can kill Shigaraki and keep them all safe. I can end this now.

Hands clasp my wrist. "Shouta was real clear on you staying put, girl!"

"Hizashi let me go!" Despite his lean frame, the guy is strong. He holds firm. "I can stop all this. I can get him. Let me go, dammit!"

"You're still recovering. Shouta will get someone to act. Please jus–whoa!" Thankfully he catches me when my knees give out again. What the hell? Pain prickles behind my eyes and I clasp my head. Fuck. "Alex? C'mon talk to me little lady."

"I-I…" I blink hard and shudder. The sun's gone behind a cloud and the room feels cold. My breathing rattles, and the pain fizzes at the back of my skull. Damn this is weird.

I turn to reassure Hizashi as the pain lessens, but find him looking furious.

He glares and bares his teeth.

I try to get up. "Hizashi what's wrong–"

Slap.

I'm cast onto the floor as he strikes me across the face. For a second I'm just stunned, then another slap sends me in the other direction, skin burning from the harsh contact. Hizashi is beating me? What? I scramble away. The carpet burns my hands and his steps follow me. A kick strikes my stomach, flipping me onto my back, nearly bringing my tea back up my throat.

Hizashi looms. "I always knew you'd fuck up his life, girl. Now look. He's injured, he nearly died and why? Because he had to defend you."

"No Hizashi please, I–"

Another kick, this time in the ribs.

"Fuck man… Should've convinced him to get rid of you at the start. Fuckin' rat always gettin' in the way."

I pull myself back, coughing and spluttering as I go. My stomach throbs in pain, and my cheek is red hot. My ribs throb and my heart aches as it races. What had gotten into him? I-I don't understand. He stalks towards me.

I hold up my hands in a meek defence. "Hizashi please calm down!"

"Calm down? How am I meant to calm down when you're gonna get my best friend killed? You're gonna ruin him. It's all your fault you little shit!"

"I'm sorry I didn't do better at the USJ. Really!"

"Sure you are. But I'll make sure you never forget it..."


SHOUTA POV

By the time Shouta returned, Hizashi was at a total loss. He had no idea what had happened. One second she'd been trying to leave, the next she'd rag-dolled in his arms. For a couple moments he got no response at all, until she shivered and seemed to come round. But her eyes were glazed. She started panicking, begging Hizashi to calm down, that she was sorry. She scrambled away and curled into herself, hands tugging at her hair. After that, even less had made sense. Words tumbled into one another and she barely sucked down a full breath. Rambling. Begging. Everything Alex never did. Whatever she saw in her glazed eyes terrified her. And the flinching. She kept wincing and convulsing like she was getting one hell of a beating.

Shouta, once all this had been quickly relayed, knelt in front of Alex. She remained curled in her ball, tugging on her hair and muttering in a broken voice; worn thin by tears and fear. Even when he first spotted her on the streets she hadn't been this frightened, she had always maintained an outer calm. Someone had seriously burrowed under her skin.

As soon as Shouta was in eye-line, she grew still.

She gaped.

Her lips trembled. "He was right. I should've… I should've already left." Pain flashed over her face. Shouta flinched. A cry caught in her throat and she slumped to the side, curling again, hand cradling her stomach like she'd been kicked. The shivering returned, harder. "I'm sorry. Dad I'm sorry. I'll be better, I'll do better. I promise!" She flinched a couple more times, breathing cutting out occasionally. "Please… st-stop."

"Gotta be a quirk, right?" Hizashi breathed. "But how they reaching her?"

"Pull all the blinds down." Shouta muttered, doing his best to mask the thickness to his voice. They did, and as the room darkened, her cries lessened. "Alex? You waking up?"

She sniffed. She breathed. The lights flickered on overhead and she looked around as though having just woken, red edges to her eyes making the tell-tale ache in Shouta's chest reappear. Once again she had been in pain, he was right there, yet he failed to do anything.

Shouta knelt before her. "Alex? I need you to speak to me."

She leaned away from him, looking over his shoulder to Hizashi and then to the floor. Trembles rattled her whole body. He tried to reach for her, but she crawled away slightly and seemed to be desperately holding back tears.

Shouta drew a deep breath. "Alex please, whatever you saw, It wasn't real. We didn't hit you, I think it's some kind of –"

"Vision quirk." She rasped, still shaking. "I know… I just… It felt real. I'll be fine in a second. S-Sorry."

"Nothing to apologise for. Just breathe." He sat down. "They're using the clean up in the arena to cover any unrest."

"Did you… Di-Did you get him?"

"No, I'm sorry." It seemed to be the only thing he was good for saying anymore. "It doesn't look good for finding him either."

She nodded. "Portal guy."

"What was the first bad dream about, Alex?"

She hugged her knees tighter. "Just stupid shit."

He did his best to keep the anger under wraps. "If this Shigaraki guy is upping his game, I wanna know how he's messing with you."

"I'm fine." She shivered as she rocked, it convulsing through her whole frame. There would be no reasoning with her like that. He'd never seen her so frightened.

Hizashi brought them tea, and carried on commentating once things had started again.

Shouta stayed with Alex, not approaching, not leaving, just staying. Every now and then she would look at him, but at least the flinching lessened every time. Bit by bit she was coming back to herself. Whatever vision quirk it was, it was strong. Very strong. If guilt entered her gaze he'd just smirk and shake his head, sipping his tea and enjoying the quiet between them. Everything was fine.

Eventually they got word that the grounds had been searched, but there was no sign of Shigaraki. No sign of damage or anyone being hurt either. Other than Alex. Whilst on one hand that was very annoying due to them not having a chance to catch the villain, it was also a relief. He had gone. She was safe. With that realisation came the release of the breath she had apparently been holding. Alex slumped against the wall and finally stopped shivering. Once again Shouta's chest ached. Ever since seeing him defeated so completely at the USJ, his presence did little to calm her anymore, did it?

Then she surprised him.

As usual.

She crawled over and gladly entered his embrace, clinging to his jumpsuit whilst occasionally apologising. He just held her and shushed her words. There was nothing to apologise for, not from her. Her past had come back to haunt her, it was something he could perfectly well understand. At some point he knew he had to talk to her about such things. But for now he would hold her. No they weren't technically the cuddling type–at least that was what he kept telling himself, despite their inclination to cuddle–but in that moment it was perfect.


Dun dun duuun! Well, that wasn't very friendly Shigaraki. Hope you guys enjoyed, see you soon, plenty more to come!
Thanks to everyone thats faved, followed and reviewed, love hearing from you guys! ^-^ Shoutouts below!

SHOUTOUTS:

BookwormStrawberry (PureParadise): So glad to be considered one of your favs, that means a lot! I'm having a lot of fun writing Dadzawa (not my term, someone else said it to me and I love it lol!) and tbh I love writing him and Alex together. They're a fun duo. Your review is very very much appreciated, thanks! There's plenty more of the story to come, so stay tuned! Thanks again :D

Jerzu: Theme? If you mean the quick updates then yeah, I intended this to be bi-weekly on updates, but as I have plenty of it already written, I feel a bit mean withholding right now. People are kinda stuck inside for the most part, so if I can provide even a little distraction, I want to! Every little helps! Sorry for Alex sitting out the Festival, but I hope you still enjoy her POV on things and the shenanigans that go on for her instead. Don't worry, she'll have plenty time to be a badass. Right now she's recovery, and I guess now, sorta reeling. The media... yeah they're gonna be their usual selves. Thanks so much for reviewing again, it's super appreciated! I hope you enjoyed and see you soon!