Here we go! New week, new update, and some Festival aftermath! Dun dun duuuun!


Once the festival had finished, we headed home. Thankfully I avoided my classmates, and as far as I know, no one else seemed to know about Shigaraki's appearance. My friends would be told once they returned to class, but in the meantime there was no point worrying them. Clearly his target had been me.

With school being off for the next two days, Shouta is able to stay home. Normally I'd have insisted he go about his day, not worry, but I can't stop the damn shivering. Every time I blink I keep expecting some new vision to play out. Like my mind has a door that's been left open. I linger near him for the whole two days and damn the man is patient. He makes tea, we watch films, we do the food shop and enjoy a coffee whilst out. It's all very sociable. I just wish I wasn't so jumpy. I'd been dozing on the sofa when he laid a blanket on me and I was halfway across the room before he could blink, my power creating a shield around myself and my breathing broken to panting. Good to know my reflexes are on point, not so great to be flinging myself away from him like he's a nightmare incarnate. Am I losing my mind? He set down the blanket, approached slowly and talked about just random things till my heart rate decreased. Only then could I release the shield. My body literally refused before that.

Daft things like that. It just kept happening.

Shigaraki has officially gotten under my skin.

When the two days are up though, I've had enough. I insist on returning to class. Dad isn't keen, but he understands that I didn't want to miss any more class. Shigaraki is messing with my mind, but at least I can still learn. It's a means to move forward. To keep trying to outrun the fucking past. Plus, it allows distraction. Keeping busy doesn't let me linger on the visions, on seeing Shigaraki reach for my head, or seeing so much hate in Hizashi's eyes and then agreement in Dad's. My hands shake at the idea of it ever becoming reality.

Even with returning to class, I don't leave the building. Open spaces don't exactly help with this feeling of being watched, or indeed being about to be attacked. For lunch I eat in the homeroom, and during breaks I'm either there or in the teacher's lounge. Thankfully the faculty are used to it. My classmates however, are not. Their concern is brewing. After initial discussions and excitement over talking about their performances, I drift away from them. Despite clinging to Shouta whilst in our bubble, I know that also can't continue. Shigaraki's warning rings in my ears. He'll never stop. The League will never stop hurting me or my family, till I'm out the way. So I have to protect them. I have to keep them away from the danger I create. At least, that feels like the only option.

The end of the third day back at class draws to a close, and Shouta leaves to get his bag from the teacher's lounge. I stay in the classroom, sitting on a window sill, watching the other students head home. Some head out via the training grounds, some seem to be lingering for extra practise. They're probably higher up the school, with internships and such looming. There's still so much to do, and yet I feel like I've got a leash round my neck, holding me back.

"Thought I might find you here."

I jolt, my head snapping round before I can even register the voice as Todoroki's, a chair raised like a shield in front of me.

He pauses at the door. "Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."

"N-No you're fine. Sorry." I settle myself and put the chair back. "Just tired."

"You're a decent liar." He closes the door and approaches, perching on a desk next to me. He straightens the chair. I frown and he raises a brow. "I admit I have an advantage though. Inside information."

I stay quiet.

He sighs. "My father told me about the incident during the festival."

"And just how the fuck did he know about it?" The words come out far angrier than I intend, but I think Todoroki knows I'm angry with his father, not him. At least his expression doesn't seem hurt. Then again, I'm not sure I can actually read this guy yet. My heart is thundering.

"All pros were informed that another move had been made by the League. They all have to be as informed as possible, regardless of wounded pride."

I lean back from the accusation. "Excuse me?"

He tilts his head. "Isn't that the issue? Why else are you so defensive? As your class I thought you'd tell us yourself." He holds up a piece of paper. "Instead we got written hand-outs about an incident at the festival, with you only being alluded to. Seemed weird."

"This isn't about my pride." I grit my teeth and get down from the sill, heart now thumping because of my temper. "But hey, good to know your opinion of me. Always good to have clarification."

"My opinion? I don't understand." He sets the paper down. "I didn't mean to be cruel, I just…" He looks at the floor. "Sorry. Guess I read that wrong. I'm still trying to get used to actually interacting with people my age."

Well now I'm the asshole.

Somehow.

Dammit.

I clear my throat. "I didn't say anything because I didn't wanna hav-have to say it out loud." Then I catch myself and smirk, which bubbles into soft laughter. "And I guess because I didn't wanna admit I got caught out again by a fucking lowlife villain. Guess that is sorta to do with pride. You got me."

He still looks at the floor. "I genuinely didn't mean to insult you."

"I know that, I'm just so tightly wound right now. Sorry." I nudge his foot with mine, and he slowly looks up, still a little sheepish for it to suit him though. "Why were you looking for me? Just to ask about the note?"

"Well… Yes. But I also figured you wouldn't want to wait for Mr Aizawa alone. He got caught up my Present Mic and All Might about something, I saw him going into the lounge in deep conversation."

"Great." I sigh, not bothered about waiting, but guessing the discussion would revolve around my basket-case situation.

All Might was like an overbearing Uncle at times, and Hizashi was that at all times. No doubt Nemuri would be chomping at the bit to talk to me as well. They mean to comfort me, but right now they need to be getting away from me. Me and my threat. I'm the target. Shouta already worries a lot and with All Might and Hizashi to bounce off it wouldn't get better. They have to stop worrying. They have to step away. Otherwise they were all going to be at greater risk. Shit, how do I fix this?

I nudge Todoroki's foot again, keen to get him away from me too. I guess we're not technically friends yet, I'm more of a conundrum to him than anything else, but I don't want him hurt by association. He'll be a great hero one day. I can't get in the way of that.

I give a friendly smile. "Thanks for coming though, I'd have started overthinking if left to my own devices."

"I can imagine." He folds his arms. "I won't pry, but am I right in hoping you weren't physically hurt?"

He wants to know more. Why? Cold but sweet. I smile and nod, his posture immediately relaxing that little bit that counts as a lot for him.

I tap my temple. "All the damage was done up here. Some kind of vision quirk."

"Was that to do with the dream you had?"

"Seems so." I put my head back against the window and watch the ceiling fan. "Seems so."

At this point I'd been so broken in front of Todoroki that he had to see me as useless. First my tendency for nosebleeds, then my failings at the USJ, now this vision thing. Just a victim. A damsel in need of saving. Hell, the whole class probably sees me like that now. I couldn't even attend a school event without being hurt, captured or fucked with. My heart is heavy at the idea. I'm officially a burden.

I click my tongue. "Real victim here, eh?"

"I'm sorry." His voice has gone cold. I look and find him glaring to the side, jaw tight. I've no idea where the shift to anger came from. I reach to touch his arm, and his eyes snap to that spot. "I just left you after you'd been attacked. That was sloppy."

Of all the conclusions to arrive at... It was astounding.

I squeeze his arm. "Todoroki I had no idea it was an attack, I thought I had a messed up dream. You had a fight to prepare for anyway. Please, there's nothing to apologise for." I grip his arm when he leans away. "Seriously. You're very sweet, but this totally wasn't your responsibility."

He isn't convinced at first but after a few lingering moments he relaxes. He looks up from beneath that slightly too-long fringe and tilts his head again. I have to wonder if he knows how much he looks like a puppy when he does that.

He frowns. "Sweet?"

I snort. "Yeah. Not something you've been called often?"

"Can't say that I have, no."

I chuckle and he nearly joins in. I hear car horns and bicycle bells; the grounds are emptying but he's making no move to leave. Clearly he fancies hanging around to avoid home. I need to create distance with these people, to keep them safe, but even with that in mind I don't have the heart to shove Todoroki away. Not when it means he has to go home to that bastard Dad Endeavour.

The least I can do is give him a decent conversation. "By the way, your fight with Midoryia was amazing. He seemed to be really getting to you with what he was saying." I grin as he blinks, a light blush appearing. "I know it had to be stopped in the end, but it was astounding. Your power was–"

"I still don't know if it was right." He shrugs, raising a brow at my confusion. "What?"

"Why wouldn't it be right?"

"That power, the flames… I don't know that I did the right thing."

"I know you hate Endeavour but… Why do you hate the power?"

A strange kind of pain enters his mismatched gaze. It almost makes me want to look away, like I'm not privy to the information, not close enough to be allowed to see.

He hesitates, but then points to his scar. "The power. His power. It's why my mother did this."

I sit back, understanding falling into place. It was far more complicated than I realised.

He clasps his hands in his lap and takes a couple deep breaths. One part of me wants to ask why he's speaking to me about such a thing, but the other part tells me to shut up. I am here to listen, I am here to help, and clearly Todoroki feels I'm the person for that somehow. Right now is not the time to be bashful, just take it as a compliment and listen. Idiot.

He shrugs. "I just don't know if using it was claiming the power for me, or giving into him. Or… Or somehow dishonouring her."

It wasn't all that surprising to learn that the broody guy in class had some seriously messed up shit to be brooding about, but clearly he wants input. I just hope I can keep my foot out of my mouth.

"Likewise, I won't pry but…" I clear my throat, his gaze slowly making its way up my legs. "Surely your mum wouldn't want you impeding yourself for her sake?"

"Why would you assume that?" The words indicate anger, but the tone is genuinely lost.

I bite my lip. "Well your Dad's an asshole, but you're not. You must've picked up a decent personality from your mother. Only logic behind it. Sorry if she's also–"

"No. No she's… She's all that got me through." He nods and the smile nearly returns. Odd, but I won't question it. He suits a smile. "She's in a hospital. Has been since it happened."

"Do you visit?" I wince and then hold my hands up. "Sorry! Sorry, I said I wasn't gonna pry."

He laughs softly, it's a beautiful sound. "It's fine. I uh… No, I don't visit. I always thought seeing me would only cause her more pain, she's had enough of that."

I can barely believe how kind this guy is. Obviously I have no clue what his mother is like, but to be talking about her so warmly, when she gave him that scar, it's astounding. Todoroki is too pure. And no wonder he comes off as stand-offish. Those that are meant to protect him most in the world have either been cruel, or presumably driven to a moment of madness and left him permanently scarred. That would be hard for anyone to endure and keep going, let alone come out the other side with a sunny disposition. Yet despite all that, he's managing to open up. He's actively trying. That in itself… Well it's damn admirable.

I hoist myself back onto the sill, letting my feet dangle. "I hope I can be as kind-hearted as you one day."

"I can't say you seem particularly cruel." He mutters and when I look up at him, I see his bright blush. Too pure. "It's not like you've not had your own troubles to overcome. You lived on the streets, right?"

I nod.

He shakes his head. "You must find me so foolish."

"Uh..." Of all the words I could attribute to Shoto Todoroki, I really don't think one would be foolish. "I mean... Quiet, yes. Ambitious, yes. Stubborn, definitely. Talented, of course. Foolish? Not high on the list. Not even on the list to be honest."

"I find that hard to believe." He breathes out through his nose.

I nudge his knee with my foot. "Why?"

As he looks at me, I see guilt in his gaze. I have no idea what it's doing there. "I lament my upbringing so much, and yet I do so when I had a roof over my head, a bed to sleep in, parents to know and be supported by, however much they did it wrong. I just… I can't help but wonder what I must seem like to you."

It started to make sense. The reservation, the hesitation, even the slight resentment. Under that cold demeanour truly was an adorable heart. Good to know. Shame it's so well hidden most of the time.

It's my turn to tilt my head. "Have I ever given you reason to think I was bothered by your issues?"

"No."

"Good. Because I don't think less of you for being in pain Todoroki. I consider you strong to have endured your father's torment."

"But you lived–"

"On the streets, yes." I roll my eyes. "I have a past, same as everyone else. I don't resent anyone for having had a bed to sleep in, I'm glad I'm a rare case." I laugh softly and the chill lessens, I look up and realise he's watching me.

"You say I'm kind… What does that make you, Alex?"

"Dunno about that, but as for your specific concerns… Your issues hardly pale to mine. Sure, you had a home, but Endeavour is a prick, pardon my language but he is."

"No argument here."

"But that's just it… You can't escape that simple fact. You can claim the power, you can throw it back in his face, but at the end of the day your Dad is and always will be a prick."

He raises a brow. "Not sure that I'm following."

I get up, turning on the spot and throwing my arms out. "I can pretend anything I fucking want about my birth parents. I never knew them. On the days I feel like blaming them, I can think of them as the worst people ever, I can cast them as villains and lament my situation as much as I like." I pretend to play a violin. "Or, I can imagine I was stolen away, that they've searched for me long and hard, and it's simply a tragedy of circumstance." I pretended to swoon and he shakes his head with a soft chuckle. I go back to the sill and sit down. "Who knows what happened. I don't. I never will in all likeliness."

"That… Must be strange."

"I guess so, I've never known different. Who knows. Maybe they were the best people in the world, but had no quirks. Maybe they panicked about a powerful child and ran."

Concern pinches his brow. "That would be terrible."

I feel that familiar lump form in my throat whenever the theory arises in the back of my mind. I'd never said it out loud before, but I feel the need to say it to him. He's shared with me, and now I'd share with him. Someone might at least know before the League kill me.

I draw a shaken breath. "Maybe I killed them by accident."

He grows still.

I give a weary smile. "The point is, I have nothing to miss nor resent. So no, I don't think of you as foolish. I think of you as a classmate I admire and respect."

"I… That's not where I thought this conversation was gonna go."

"I'm sure." I clear my throat. "I may as well have appeared in the world at ten years old, because really that's when I started living. Mr Aizawa gave me that chance. He's not my birth parent, but he's a real Dad to me."

Todoroki leans back on the desk, propped up on his elbows. "You have a very enviable relationship."

"Shit talking each other constantly. Yeah, we're adorable."

He snorts. "I'm glad you can be a bit more open about it. Makes him seem more human."

"No point hiding it. The media's having a field day." I roll my eyes. "Still, at least we avoided that for the first five years. You've had that your whole life."

"You get used to it. And I'd guess you already have a good grip on how to deal with the press."

"I can break cameras very, very easily." I laugh and he joins in momentarily. My worries about training, Shigaraki and the future in general fade slightly. At this moment, I just enjoy the feeling of making a new connection. I suppose truthfully, despite my earlier guesses on how he viewed me, me and Todoroki had grown closer gradually over the school term. Like me and many of the class. But with Todoroki it's so hard to tell. Until this point I really did think he saw me as a pest.

And of course as soon as that moment concludes my chest aches. A new connection? Idiot. You're meant to be pushing them away for their safety, not tying nooses for them!

Steps approach along the corridor.

Todoroki stands and hitches his bag onto his shoulder. "I'm glad to know you don't find me foolish, Alex."

"Why?"

He heads for the door. "Because I also admire and respect you."

"Good to know. Glad I haven't ruined that yet."

He opens the door and looks back over his shoulder. "I doubt even you could manage that." And then he leaves, Shouta appearing a moment later.

He looks along the corridor and then raises a brow at me. "Seriously, something going on between you two?"

"Endeavour blabbed about the festival thing, Todoroki just wanted to see I was actually okay."

"Huh… Sweet of him." Shouta smirks and gathers his things. I do my best not to read into that wry grin as he shrugs on his coat and waits for me by the door. I try to walk past him but he nudges my shoulder. "Teasing aside, I'm glad you're making connections."

I nod and move past, pursing my lips against the way my cheeks feel like they're on fire. Todoroki said he respected me, that's all. So why are there strange fluttering feelings in my stomach? And why do I feel like I just totally went against my plan of keeping people at arms length? I am not good at this.


By the end of the next week, my power has started to cooperate again. I can float objects for more than a few seconds and hold back physical attacks without being immediately woozy. Tsu helped me practise by trying to hit me with her tongue, then I tried holding Midoryia back in hand-to-hand. That one had its hits and misses, my shoulder still aches from the failure. But they're all helping me. They're all too kind. It's still slow progress, but at least it counts as something.

A couple more evenings are spent chatting to Todoroki before heading home after school, and with each conversation my new rule about being close to classmates bends. I can't help myself. Being able to speak freely with someone normally so reserved, it feels like an opportunity too good to miss. Turns out, the guy is kinda incredible. He's even kinda funny, intentionally or not remains to be seen.

As it's friday, I head to relax in the teachers lounge whilst Shouta finishes some marking. It always takes longer on a friday, and Todoroki had been forced to head home right away. He apologised profusely–not that I know why. It's not like he's obliged to speak to me. On top of that, Dad is taking longer than usual due to having taken on some school work from other teachers to make up for his lack of patrolling capabilities. But he'll be back on form soon enough, his arms are healing really well. Same with his eye issues. As usual, Eraserhead goes above and beyond.

I head into the lounge, intent on using the fancy coffee machine. They'd even got one of those steamer wands for the milk. I'd been watching videos on how to properly froth for Cappuccino last night and wanted to test it out. But I never make it to the coffee machine. Instead, I find myself stopped in the doorway by shock.

What the hell?

The sofa, normally a pleasant yellow, is stained red. So much red. The afternoon sunshine suddenly fails to warm me, my whole body feeling ice cold. I cling to the threshold, young eyes not wanting to take this information in. Nemuri. She lies propped up on the far end of the sofa, holding ice to her head, with bandages being pressed against her shoulder and leg by Hizashi. It looks like she has been slashed with knives. Lots of knives.

"Close the door, Alex." Hizashi waves me in. I do as told.

Nem's eyes are closed, brow pinched in pain. I approach as she blinks, having stirred at the mention of my name.

She gives a weary smile. "Sorry my dear, not looking my be-best."

"What happened?" I take over one of the wads of bandaging from Hizashi, noting the others I hadn't seen before on her stomach and chest. They're already heavy with her blood. I can already taste bile at the back of my throat–I'm fine with my own blood, but when it's someone I love, I can't stomach it. "Have you called Recovery Girl?"

"Yes darling, she's heading up here any moment. Sorry you had to see this."

I shake my head. "It's fine, but what happened? It's too early for you to have been on patrol."

They give each other odd looks. I hold the bandage in place and wait, but their silent communication continues far too long for my liking. They're hiding something.

Hizashi clears his throat. "All good, ma girl. Nothing for you to wor–"

Nem silences him with a hand to his arm. "Hiz she's not gonna buy that kinda brush off. Alex my dear, it was a random attack. I headed for my car after lessons and got jumped. Rookie mistake I know, but I wasn't exactly expecting it just outside the school grounds. I'll be fine. Just… Just sloppy work on my part." She tries the weary smile again, but she's weakening with the bloodloss.

Her pupils are getting bigger, just like Shouta's did that time he came home and ruined our sofa. I concentrate on the wounds at her stomach and chest, lessening the bleeding as much as I can. My skill is better now, but I can't deny the trembling that's gripping my spine.

A wiry voice echoes in my memories.

Chipping away at my family.

They'll never stop. Because of me.

A random attack doesn't feel quite so random with those words so close to hand. Shigaraki is making good on his promise already, and so close to the school. It indicates that the villains don't know where anyone lives, yet. But that's just it, the 'yet' hanging over it all. I focus on her wounds and stay quiet. I can tell Hizashi and Nemuri have already considered what I have; this is the League's doing. The only difference is, I know it's definitely the League whilst they're only theorising. There's no reason for them to definitively make that connection. But I know it's them. They're still attacking because of me. They'll never stop till I'm out the equation.

The door opens, bringing Recovery Girl's scolding with it. "All right where is she? My, my you've made a mess of that couch, haven't you?"

"Sorry." Nem chuckles and winces.

I'm shooed out the way by Recovery Girl and I step back to let her work. The conversation turns to pain levels and details, and after a few moments I go the windows and grip the sill. I can't breathe.

The other kids are all heading home for the weekend, chatting, laughing, making plans. No one seems to even know about the attack. How can that be? I look over my shoulder as Recovery Girl works and the wounds heal. That had been a lot of blood loss. A lot of damage. It had to be a quick job, not many had managed to see Nem before she was brought inside. Fuck. If she hadn't been found, which poor student would have stumbled upon her? Would she have even been found tomorrow morning? I press my head against the cold glass. I can keep a lid on this. I can.

The rhythmic thud of a cane leaves the room.

Hizashi saunters over, laying a steadying hand on my shoulder. "Doing okay, ma girl?"

"Mm. How's she doing?"

"Doin' just fine now. Asking for you though, she can't exactly move herself yet ya dig?" He squeezes. "Go see her, yeah?"

I nod and do my best to suppress the shiver.

He squeezes again, letting me know I fail. "If you can handle it, that is. She don't wanna upset you if–"

"I can handle blood, Hiz."

"Blood from someone you know is harder than any other." He gives me a brief hug before sending me on my way.

I go over and watch Nem's eyes fail to focus. She'll be on rest for a few days I imagine. No patrol. No teaching. I'll make her favourite chicken soup, take it over in the morning and ask Shouta to look after her a bit whilst I get her place in order. She always uses the weekends to clean. She hates mess. I'm so glad I don't have to think in the past tense.

I kneel by her head and take her hand. "How you feeling, Nem?"

"Like a million dollars darling. Sorry if I scared you."

"Seriously not what the problem is right now." I whisper, throat thickening as I consider how close we could have come to losing her. No more cocktail lessons, no more teasing designs for my hero costume, no more card games to pass the time when one of us in the hospital. No more Nem. It came so close to being reality.

I sniff. "What's Recovery Girl's orders?"

"Four days of rest at least. Rather too excessive as far as I'm concerned, but I shan't go against the old lady." She winks and I chuckle, unable not to when under that twinkling gaze. She shakes her head. "Stop looking at me like I'm a ghost my love. I'm tougher than that."

"But it was so close to school… How… Why did they…" I stop myself. I know why. I do. But I can't explain how, can I? Or else they'll start focusing on the wrong thing. Me. They need to look after themselves. "Sorry, I'm being dramatic."

"S'fine. I know Shouta'll be a passive pain as usual, so you're spoiling me."

"How about some chicken soup tomorrow?"

"Oh lovely, only if you promise to bring the grumpy bastard along to deliver it though." She laughs and ruffles my hair with her other hand. "Really Alex, I'll be fine."

"Mm." I nod, unable to raise my head just yet. I've nearly gotten rid of the tears.

The lounge door opens and closes, a couple of rushing footsteps coming over to the sofa.

"Jesus, they weren't kidding." Shouta is right beside me, though still standing. "You really did fuck up the sofa."

I snicker, and feel Nem start to stroke my hair.

The other footsteps linger behind the ruined furniture, excess fabric rustling. Heya All Might. "The CCTV wasn't of much help. The guy was careful in his approach and escape. But the police are gonna follow the movements back into town as much as they can."

"Thank you All Might, I appreciate the quick work. Can someone get this young lady a hot drink, or a ride home? She's spent." I only realise she's talking about me when she pats my head. "Getting all teary eyed over little old me."

"Shut up, Nem." I snort and bite her knuckle before standing and nudging Shouta. "We're chicken souping tomorrow. No arguments."

He opens his mouth to start, but just groans when I jab him in the ribs. "Yes, Ma'am. Y'know she gets this from you Nem, right?"

"Oh I do. And I'm damn proud of it." She winks and then looks between Shouta and All Might. "Alex love, don't suppose you could wait outside for a few minutes? Just wanna discuss some plans for what comes next with these two old codgers. No need for you to worry, just–"

"Procedure." I wink and head for the door, hands clasped in front of me so they don't notice the shake.

I close the door and lean against the wall. I slide down and hold my knees to my chest, counting to ten with each breath in and out. It doesn't help. My eyes continue to itch, my breathing is thin, my hands won't stop shaking. Shigaraki kept his word. They would never stop. Shit. I curl slightly, pressing my closed eyes against my knees as the tears fall, hoping they'll be finished by the time Shouta comes out. I can handle this. I can fix this. Can't I? But how? How do I do this? I'm just a stupid kid. A stupid kid with a big target strapped to her back. Fuck. My family, my friends, they're all at risk because of my troublesome arse.

"I'm sorry Nem." I whisper, sniffing hard. I wish I could say it to her face. I wish I could explain that this was all my fault. But I can't. If I do, they'll fuss on the wrong area and then Shigaraki will just win. The harder they fight to avoid it, the faster it'll happen. Protecting me is the problem. I'm the problem. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

"Hey kid, holding up?"

I hadn't heard the door open. I wipe my eyes on my knees and hold up a thumbs up to Shouta before I blink and oh-so-subtly face away from him as I get to my feet. He'll have no idea I was crying–as if. The man notices everything. It's as caring as it is annoying.

He sighs as my eyes focus on his belt. A hand comes up under my chin and encourages me to look up. "She's gonna be fine. You know that. She's been in worse shape after patrols before."

I nod.

He drops his hand. "Why the water-works? You really just tired, like Nem said?"

"Y-Yeah. Exhausted. Need my nap, being such a kid." I sniff and laugh at myself, rubbing my eye for effect and shrugging at his lingering frown. "Really, I'm just shaken up from lack of sleep. Aches and pains kept me up last night, you know that."

"Mm." He gestures along the corridor. "Hiz is gonna see her home and stay over tonight, we're on chicken soup duty tomorrow, like you said. Wanna head home?"

We head to the car and as I hop on one foot to get my shoes back on at the lockers, I can feel him watching me. I dunno what's going on in his head, but I ain't prompting a discussion. Right now, I need to think for myself. Shigaraki's threat is like a broken record in my head. I need to break the cycle. The bastard needs to be dealt with.

"Y'know you can talk to me, right?" Shouta scuffs his boot against the flooring. "I'm an asshole, but usually I'm known for being a pretty good listener." He shrugs when I glance at him. "You've been distant, Alex. I'm old, but I'm not an idiot. Whatever's going on… Eventually talk to me?"

I tug my shoe on. "I'm doing fine, Shouta. I'm just trying to wrap a hormonal teenage head around this shit. Okay?"

"What shit?" He holds the door open and we head into the sunset flooded courtyard.

It's still warm, despite the leaves starting to skitter over the stonework. The cold from the shock of seeing Nem has dimmed. I kick a small pile of leaves, making them dance with my power. He smirks, holding his back strap tightly, wincing as his shoulder aches. I roll my eyes and lift the bag off the bad shoulder and onto the other one.

He snorts. "Show off. Now answer me, what 'shit'?"

"The Festival attack." A half truth would do. "I won't pretend it hasn't fucked with my head. But I wanna try dealing with it in my own way first. Is that all right?"

He rolls the old injury and flexes the recovering elbow. He hates that he can't fix it all, that his quirk can't just erase the pain and send me back to the unknowing kid I was. If I ever was. It's not like I was ever particularly sheltered. But there's a difference I think. In his mind at least.

At least he's nodding. "Yeah, that sounds reasonable. Can I uh… Can I ask why you wanna do it alone so bad?"

It's funny, in moments like this I can tell he's learning as much as I am.

"I'm a big girl, Shouta. I need to know how to stand on my own."

He kicks some leaves. "Guess I've made it hard to ignore the fact I won't be here forever."

I stumble a bit. The hell did that mean? I clear my throat and watch that ever so slight dusting of pink take to his cheeks. That's what he's worried about? That I'm suddenly aware he's not immortal? He hates that he got injured in front of me, that I saw him fall? I can't believe it.

"Dad I don't see you as weak now or anything. In case that's what you're being stupid enough to think."

"Hey, I'm just going with what's occurring in front of me. It's perfectly logical that what happened at the USJ would lead to you doubting–"

"I doubt fuck all." I snap, stopping dead, refusing to keep walking with this hanging over us.

He glares. Not because I swore, not because I'm arguing, but because it makes no sense to him. Logic. That damn word is like the bible to him. Idiot.

I match his glare with my own. "You did your best against incredible odds."

He rolls his eyes.

I keep going. "Any number of other pro heroes would have never gotten as far as you did. I'm proud of what you accomplished that day. I doubt nothing about you, Shouta. Don't be an idiot. Certainly not a self-pitying one."

"I'm not–"

"Sounds a lot like it, old man." I snort, temper giving way to amusement as he slowly closes his mouth, flexing the elbow again for good measure. Jokes aside though, clearly this had been bothering him. I was just too wrapped up in my own head to see it. So I'm a selfish asshole as well as a danger magnet. I am racking up the golden girl points...

I clear my throat, knowing this has to be underlined. Even if I'm trying to keep him at arms length, I don't want him thinking that's got anything to do with him. It hasn't. He's amazing. I'm just bringing danger to his door.

"Dad… Y'know what I see when I see the scar under your eye?"

He clicks his tongue. "You don't wanna know what my real answer is."

I narrow my eyes. "Spill."

"A hero's sell-by date. And I'm well past it." He kicks more leaves. "Not pitying. Just trying to be realistic about how it played out on that day. I failed."

"You're an idiot."

"You've heard Nem say it often enough, did you think she was joking?" He purses his lips. "Sorry kid, just being honest with myself and you. Why, what is it you see? Gonna give your old man a pep-talk?"

"When I see that scar, I see every life you saved."

He's very still, but his eyes did go a little wider. For now at least, I can read Shouta.

I keep going. "Every one of my classmates might have been killed by those villains if you hadn't fought so hard. Shigaraki isn't one to leave loose ends. Only a couple to spread the word. He'd only have left one or two struggling to move their legs." I suck in a breath and step that little bit closer to Dad. "In that scar, I see why I screamed out the fucking word 'Dad' in front of far too many villains for us to keep our connection hidden. I didn't wanna lose my family. I didn't wanna lose you. My…" I sniff, this was totally not what I was meant to be doing. This was only gonna make it harder to get him to let me go, if that was the only way to be rid of Shigaraki. But I can have Shouta of all people doubting himself. I sniff again. "My Dad."

"You're such a cheese ball." He laughs before slinging an arm round my shoulders and holding firm. "Thanks for not losing faith in this old shit."

"Not yet. Don't go and rest on your laurels. Your training's been slacking lately."

"Someone's been taking up my time with her own recovery." He winks. "Love you, fucknugget."

"Love you too, shithead."

As we laugh and head home, I let myself enjoy the moment. It was a golden afternoon despite the blood-stained sofa. I'll figure this out, and maybe if I can avoid it, I won't let Shigaraki tear apart everything that I've built. This was my new life. This was the life I was always meant to have. Right? Doubt lingers and I steel my nerve.


SHIGARAKI POV

Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.

The attack had been swift and successful. As annoyingly ineffective as the low-down thugs had been at the USJ, at least a couple of them knew knife skills. It wasn't lethal, at least not on the surface. Shigaraki grinned at the television screen, knowing it was too soon to see anything about it, and guessing there wouldn't be mention anyway to avoid panic, but still he grinned. Alex would be terrified. Not only had the League got their message to her via their new associate, sending her down a little vision tunnel of misery, they had made good on their promise. The Midnight hero was close to Alex, same with the voice guy. Both so annoying, but both vital. Shigaraki wasn't sure how far they would have to push, how many would have to end up in a hospital bed, but he knew it would work. Alex was many things, many annoying things, but she was also predictable when it came to caring about people.

Bit by bit, she would be broken. He giggled, not quite sure which route he hoped for in the end. On one hand, her holding out longer meant more mayhem. But on the other, they had already laid good groundwork. Her nerves would be shot. Between the USJ and then the Festival, and now this, she would be shaking in her arrogant boots. Master wasn't best pleased, knowing it risked losing her power, but for now, Shigaraki just wanted rid of her. His fingers traced the small scars left behind from all those years ago, where his bones stuck out of his skin thanks to her stupid quirk. He laughed at the headline speaking of UA's continued recovery from past mistakes. They had no idea what was coming. No idea.

What would she do? Hand herself over to the League outright? Run into the unknown and disappear? Or simply try to escape one night with some of her precious new Daddy's medicines from the cabinet? Shigaraki laughed again, curling in on himself. The idea of her mind warping, narrowing to only the final solutions, seeing no other way out, it was brilliant. Like he had found the ultimate cheat code. For so long losing her had got in his way, had made him doubt things. But no more. Now he had control again. Now he would make that troublesome brat suffer.

They would get her.

Or she would get herself.


Thanks for reading! And big thanks to all that have favourited, followed and left reviews, it really means a lot ^-^ See you soon with another update, hope they're allowing some distraction for you guys!