"Miss, we need to check on the patient." Sighing heavily, fingers pressed deeply against the bridge of his nose, Dr. Sasaki could feel the familiar pulse of a headache throb at the back of his head, sure to only grow stronger in the next couple of minutes if his previous experiences were to be trusted. "Can you please get out of the bed."

"NO!" Toga screeched loudly, teeth bared dangerously as she growled at the advancing hospital staff, golden eyes wide and feral, flickering every which way as she clung tightly to her Izu-kun. They can't take her from him! No way! She was never letting him go! Never again will she lose him! He was hers!

Izuku watched the events unfolding around him with a look of bemused embarrassment as the godlike girl clung even tighter to his body, arms wrapped protectively around his neck, legs squeezing his midsection in a vice-like grip, practically hissing at the nurses as they tried to remove her from his hospital bed. It would be comical, and downright mortifying, in normal circumstances, but after the strenuous day he had and with the girl who could control reality to her every desire lying in bed with him, Izuku couldn't help but be slightly concerned.

Ever since the raid on Overhaul's facility to save Eri and the villains subsequent defeat, Toga had become even more clingy and protective of him, something Izuku had believed was statistically impossible. Immediately after waking up after his battle with Chisaki, Toga had been stuck to his side like glue, a part of her always attached to him in some manner. Whether it be an all-encompassing hug or simply holding his hand, Toga did not leave his side for even a second. He could have sworn he even saw a spectral apparition of her while getting examined by the doctor, her ghostly figure hovering just at the periphery of his vision, a look of deep concern marring her features.

"Miss Toga! It's only a quick examination and then we'll be done!" The doctor tried to plead, unsuccessfully, with the unreasonable blonde, his voice growing more and more impatient as a trio of nurses tried to pry her away from the green-haired patient, Toga holding on to him with a vice-like grip.

"Nooooo! He's mine! Mine!" Toga howled as she pulled herself closer to his body, dragging the trio of nurses down with her strength, causing them to fall onto the ground in a heap. All Izuku could do was give them an apologetic smile as he lightly pet the godly schoolgirl atop her blonde head, Toga practically purring in content bliss as the doctor let out a sigh of extreme exhaustion.

While embarrassing, especially with her body so close to his, Izuku was greatly touched by Toga's concern for his well-being, despite feeling perfectly fine after the brutal day he's had. The young hero has had his fair share of run-ins with villains ever since joining U.A., Toga being chief among them until recently, so waking up in pain or in the hospital was nothing new to him. The complete lack of memory of what happened after beating Overhaul however was a completely different story.

After Eri's powers went haywire and Toga helped calm them down, Izuku's memory was completely blank, a strange aching in his stomach flaring up whenever he tried to recollect what happened. Through whispers in the hallways and a brief visit from Aizawa, Izuku learned that everyone who was a part of the operation, and even some of the neighboring citizens, said everything after Izuku and Overhaul disappeared through the hole was a hazy blur, many of them not even sure how they got out of there or even what happened during the entire raid.

All they knew was that Overhaul was dead.

While Izuku was being taken to the hospital, the police had found Overhaul, his head crushed and arms completely missing, lying dead atop his mutated body, no evidence of who or what caused it to be found. People could remember seeing Izuku beat him, how Chisaki's grotesque body was laid out unconscious in the middle of the street, very much still alive, head and limbs completely intact. What happened after was a mystery to everyone. Everyone except for Izuku himself.

The green-haired hero had an idea of who it could have been and said person was currently kicking and screaming bloody murder as a team of nurses carried her out of the room, hand outstretched desperately toward him before the door was loudly slammed shut in her face.

Toga killing Overhaul was the only viable theory in Izuku's mind. Her anger toward the Leader of the Eight Precepts of Death had been quite clear, the look in her eyes darkening whenever they stood off against each other, the godlike girl seemingly having a personal stake in saving the tortured child from his cruel clutches. Izuku assumed something in Toga's past made her relate to the abused child, the godly schoolgirl taking a vested in Eri's safety, bringing out a rather sweet and caring side out of her that the young hero had only seen a handful of times.

It wasn't out of the realm of possibility that she could have killed him, the young hero having witnessed first hand just how far Toga is willing to go for people she cared about, the brutal beating of Kacchan still fresh in his mind. All signs pointed toward her being the perpetrator, the motive and method of execution falling in line with her unholy levels of punishment, Toga able to cover up everything she did using her godlike powers.

The thought of Toga killing someone, even if it was someone as un-repentantly evil as Chisaki Kai, made Izuku's stomach roll uncomfortably, his heart clenching painfully in his chest. Killing was something that never sat right in the young hero's mind, that even the most vile, evil person deserved to live, suffering for what they have done in eternal confinement. Many might consider him soft and even downright naive, but Izuku believed there was always another way, that a hero must be above such things, even if it was harder than simply ending their lives.

That's why he had to believe there were extenuating circumstances that led to Toga ending Overhaul's life, that something forced her hand or pushed her to the breaking point. Despite knowing what she was like before, how gleefully she would speak about stabbing or maiming others, sometimes even about him, Izuku knew she was better than that, that she was different now. Previous instances have shown that the godly schoolgirl could restrain herself, that she could rein in her anger and hate toward someone, such as during her battles with Mirio and the Big Three and especially with Kacchan.

As the doctor examined his torso, fingers carefully probing his ribs for any injuries, the green-haired boy had to wonder if that was the truth or if he was just trying to convince himself.

After the doctor finished his check-up, deeming Izuku healthy enough to leave the hospital the same day, Toga was allowed to enter his room again, the godlike schoolgirl practically dragging nurses and staff with her as she rushed to his side, her arms flinging over his shoulders as she pulled him into a bone-crushing hug, small squeals and coos of delight rumbling through her chest.

Smiling fondly at the affectionate blonde, her cheek nuzzling lovingly against his chest, Izuku decided that he was going to trust Toga.


"Midoriya. Toga. Come with me."

Flinching slightly from Aizawa's gruff voice, Izuku turned to regard his homeroom teacher with a questioning gaze, the grave look in his teachers already stern eyes sending a jolt of worry down the green-haired boy's spine. It was never a good sign if something could affect Aizawa's usually dour and sour disposition.

Izuku had just finished a call with his mom, the conversation lasting much longer than intended due to the elder Midoriya's tearful cries and sobs, the pair on their way to check up on Eri when their homeroom teacher found them. According to Izuku's doctor, Eri was completely fine, the young girl currently wide awake and healthy, suffering no ill-effects of her powers going haywire. But, due to the inherent danger of her quirk, as well as her tenuous grasp over it, the white-haired girl had been placed under quarantine for the time being, only allowed visitors for a short while.

But their little visit would have to wait.

"What is it, sensei?" The young hero asked, voice thick with apprehensive fear, noting the familiar sense of impending dread hovering over them. Like the searing pain of crushed bone and torn skin, Izuku was becoming all too familiar with this feeling.

"It's Nighteye." Aizawa replied simply, a look of grim acceptance marring his face, his voice low and uncharacteristically soft. "You might want to say your goodbye's."

And just like that, reality washed down Izuku's back like freezing rain, his heart plummeting like a stone into his stomach. In the rushed confusion and Toga's affectionate antics, Izuku had completely forgotten about his new mentor and the grievous injuries he had sustained during the raid upon Overhaul's compound. A brief wave of nausea rolled through him, shame and anguish gnawing at him for forgetting about Nighteye and the blonde third-year who will suffer the most from his loss.

How could he be so selfish?

The walk to Nighteye's room was spent in gloomy silence, the bustle of the regular going-on's of the hospital buzzing like white noise in his ears, their footsteps blending faintly into the tapestry of sound. Even the usually exuberant blonde schoolgirl was silent as she walked next to her beloved Izu-kun, her golden eyes locked firmly upon his downcast visage, worry gleaming within their molten depths. Her fingers itched uncomfortably, wanting nothing more than to grab his hand and hold it tight, but she held herself back.

The moment for needed comfort will arrive shortly.

Stepping into the deathly silent hospital room, steady beeps of a heart monitor piercing their ears, Izuku felt a lump form in his throat as he laid eyes upon the fallen Foresight hero. He was lying motionless in a plain hospital bed, a series of wires and tubes running into the gaping hole in his stomach, a ventilator strapped firmly to his mouth. Casting his gaze over the room, Izuku's eyes widened in surprise when he spotted the frail, emaciated form of his mentor, All Might briefly turning to regard the newcomers with a grave nod before returning to stare at his former sidekick.

"How is he?" Turning to stare at his homeroom teacher, Izuku saw Aizawa talk to a doctor and Recovery Girl that he had failed to notice when he entered, too shocked by Sir Nighteye's condition to be aware of their presence. The doctor simply shook his head slowly as Recovery Girl lowered her gaze to the ground, seeming even smaller than usual.

"We did all we could," The doctor said, voice thick with regret as he gestured toward the injured hero, "it's a miracle he's even still alive."

"At this point, my powers won't help either." Recovery Girl added with a heavy sigh, the burden of another death resting heavily on her shoulders, the elderly woman having seen too much of it in her long life. "I'm sorry to say this, but we don't think he'll make it to tomorrow."

Izuku's world went quiet, his heart coming to stop in his chest as his body broke out in a cold sweat, his vision tunneling, the only thing he could see was the Pro Hero laying unconscious at the other end of the room. The green-haired boy was not ignorant about the dangers and risks heroes faced every time they stepped out of their front door, that injuries and death went hand in hand with the profession, he himself and All Might being living proof how much of a toll it can take on your body.

But to see someone die, someone he had known, as short as their relationship may have been, left the young hero in a despairing spiral. Despite the mission being of his own creation, Sir Nighteye personally spearheading the investigation to apprehend Overhaul, Izuku couldn't help but feel this all could have been avoided if he had only been stronger. If he hadn't focused everything on saving Eri.

If he had let go of his pride and asked Toga for help.

"Sir!" A woeful cry of agony tore through the fog in Izuku's mind as he shakily turned toward the doorway, his emerald eyes widening at the sight of the distraught upperclassman pushing his way past the hospital staff. Hobbling to the hero's bedside, his movements hampered by the heavy cast covering his leg, Mirio collapsed before his mentor's body, button eyes radiating with sorrowful pain.

"Mirio…" Awoken by his student's cry, voice weak and raspy, almost frail, the Foresight hero slowly turned his head to regard his students with a broken smile. "Why are you crying?"

"Sir! Nighteye, please!" Mirio desperately begged as he gripped his mentor's hand, thick droplets running down his face as he cried. "You can't die! There is still so much you need to teach me!"

"You are a wonderful hero Mirio and I know you will truly become an outstanding hero. I don't need to see the future to know that." Sir Nighteye smiled as he gripped his student's hand tightly, his grip weak within Mirio's hand, but the intention resonating just as strongly with the blonde third-year. He may have taken him on as a candidate to be or the perfect vessel for One For All, to save All Might from his horrible fate and to see the symbol of peace continue successfully. But, with his relentless determination and belief in him as a teacher, Mirio, strange and wonderful Mirio, had become his most beloved student.

He had never wanted to place such hardships upon him.

Shifting his gaze, Sir Nighteye looked upon his former partner, the man he respected more than anyone in this world, the hero he believed could save everyone, reduced to tears. For him, a sidekick he had lost such a long time ago.

"Thank you, All Might. For everything." Nighteye whispered softly, voice choked with years of regret and pain, finally allowed to be spoken. "For always saving us. I'm sorry for what happened between us. So many possible moments, shared experiences, lost to time."

"Mirai…I'm sorry too." All Might choked out through pained words, tears glistening at the corner of his sunken eyes as he regarded his fallen sidekick, his friend. "I let pride, my sense of duty, keep me from one of my most cherished friends. I wasted so much time worrying, over-thinking every little thing that could happen, when all I should have done was just talk to you."

"All Might. Toshinori….don't despair." Shifting his gaze sideways, a smile still curling softly at the corner of his lips, Nighteye regarded the green-haired boy with prideful eyes. "Everything will be alright. You chose a worthy successor."

Shocked at the sudden attention, Izuku stared at his mentor, his new teacher, with sorrow in his emerald gaze, lip quivering as he tried, and failed, to say anything in response. All he could manage was a quiet sob as tears started rolling down his cheeks, his shoulders heaving, small hiccups jumping out of his chest between shaky breaths. How? How could he say something like that about him?

"I saw it, your future. I saw it disappear." Sir Nighteye said with grim fascination, his words pulling everyone in, causing them to miss the brief flash of pain that crossed over the blonde schoolgirl's face. "And yet, here you stand. You truly are one who can, and will, reshape the future."

Sweeping his gaze across the room, seeing all the people who had come to see him off, Sir Nighteye couldn't help but feel a swell of happiness and pride within his chest. Old mentors, loyal sidekicks, beloved students. He had been truly blessed in such a short lifetime. His time may be running short, but theirs will continue on, sure to burn brighter and stronger than ever. He would be leaving this world in a much better state than he had entered it and he couldn't be happier.

If only it weren't for her.

Standing at the other end of the room, apart from everyone else, golden eyes locked only upon the distraught green-haired boy, Sir Nighteye regarded Toga with a withering stare. Sensing his gaze upon her, Toga slowly turned to look at him, the gleam of worry and love she bore for the young hero extinguishing as soon as locked eyes with him, regarding him with nothing but scornful boredom. Like his life was but a mere drop of sand within an hourglass, one that could be tossed away for a better one whenever she so willed it.

He hoped her interest in this world did not wain, for he feared what would become of it if it did.

"Mirio." Regarding his beloved student once more, lifting his hand to gently cup the boy's cheek, Sir Nighteye whispered some words of encouragement to Mirio with a calm and reassuring smile. Going unnoticed by most of the congregated group, Aizawa and Izuku, however, immediately caught how Sir Nighteye completely skipped over the blonde schoolgirl, despite her own affiliation with the Pro Heroes agency and the events of the past day.

Aizawa cast a suspicious eye upon his student, Toga lazily staring out the window, completely unphased by the suffering and despair happening around her, content to simply watch the clouds roll by outside while a man dies in front of her. This callous disregard for another person, a mentor none the less, made Aizawa's skin crawl with disgust and distrust. She was inhuman, an unfeeling monster, possibly in more ways than one.

In stark contrast with his homeroom teachers' thoughts, Izuku regarded Toga with a melancholic look, upset that Sir Nighteye would ignore her like that. She may have been abrasive and curt with the Pro Hero, downright disrespectful at times, but she had done just as much, if not more, to help save Eri from Overhaul and to see the successful completion of Sir Nighteye's mission as anyone else here. It just felt unfair to the young hero that she would be cast aside by him during his last moments alive.

"Please, keep smiling. Society needs smiles and laughter for a brighter future." Whispering softly, his voice slowly fading away, Sir Nighteye's hand fell away from Mirio's face, his eyelids falling shut, remaining closed forever as he quietly passed away, a peaceful smile still curled on his lips.


Izuku's footsteps echoed loudly in the empty hallway as he stepped out of Sir Nighteye's room in a daze, blankly staring at the ground in wide-eyed disbelief, his feet dragging him to some unknown destination. He absently registered Toga following after him as Mirio's tearful wails drifted from the open doorway, All Might moving to comfort the distraught boy, his own tears falling from his electric blue eyes as he silently bade his old friend farewell.

"I could have stopped this." Izuku watched the repeating tile slowly drift by beneath his feet as he quietly lamented what had happened, Toga's footsteps moving in sync with his, following him like a silent specter, always watching, ready to intervene when needed. "We saved Eri, but at the loss of another. Sir Nighteye didn't deserve this. Mirio didn't deserve any of this."

Feeling a comforting hand upon his shoulder, stopping him in his aimless tracks, Izuku turned to face the godlike girl with glassy, emerald eyes. Toga gave his shoulder a soft squeeze, trying to silently convey to him that she was there to listen, to be there for him. Biting his lip, the familiar sting of tears burning at the corner of his eyes again, Izuku regarded her with quiet suffering, a storm of turmoil brewing behind his emerald gaze.

"Did you see this coming?" Izuku asked quietly, his voice coming out shaky, his words holding no accusation toward the godlike girl, just desperate inquiry. "Did you know he was going to die?"

"I could have if I wanted to." Toga's words felt like a blow to the stomach for the poor boy, Izuku taking in a sharp intake of air, his world going blurry for a second as he stared into Toga's glowing, golden eyes. This could have been avoided. He could still be alive. He could have prevented this if he had only asked her.

"I'm sorry, Izu-kun. I didn't use my powers right." Looking up into the godlike girl's face, a small frown pulling at the corners of her mouth, Toga's her words tinged with regret. Why was she blaming herself? He was the one who failed. He was the one who couldn't save him.

"Toga! Please! Please bring him back!" Gripping her shoulders tightly, his usual apprehension toward her powers all but forgotten, his voice frantic and desperate as he stared at her with wild eyes. "You can right my wrong! He didn't have to end his life like this! He deserves to live! Please!"

"Would you be ok with that?" Toga asked simply, her voice even and calm as she regarded the distraught boy with sympathetic eyes, not at all phased by his tight grip upon her shoulders. "Would you be ok with me playing with life and death? To pick and choose who lives?"

His whole body went stiff after her question, his emerald eyes wide and fearful as he stared into her golden orbs, his arms shaking slightly as he held onto her shoulders, fingers digging firmly into her skin. Toga didn't react at all, simply staring back at the green-haired boy as he lowered his gaze to the ground, his body trembling with barely restrained sobs. She hated to see him like this, to see and feel his suffering so clearly, able to just reach out and pull him into her arms if she wanted to. But she had to know, to see if this was really what he wanted.

"Because, for you, I'd do it."

Izuku remained silent, his grip upon the godlike girl remaining firm as he clenched his eyes closed, his mind warring fiercely with his heart. Everything could be better, people would be happy, there would be no more suffering. His failure would be erased, All Might and Mirio would not have to deal with such horrible loss, the world would have a hero back. All he had to do was ask.

".…no." Loosening his grip upon the schoolgirl's shoulder, his body falling limp, Izuku felt all the fight leave his body as he let the reality of everything finally set in. He was gone. There was no going back, no do-overs. No erasing fate. Even with god on your side. "No, I can't be selfish. No matter how much it might hurt."

Nodding gently, her heart breaking for the boy, Toga silently let Izuku work through his emotions, not wanting to influence him in any way. He had to make this decision on his own or else he would never be happy, forever doubting himself, unsure if he made the right one. In Toga's mind, any decision he made would be the right one. Because she trusted him to always follow his heart. His beautiful, heroic heart.

"I'm sorry, Toga-chan."

Blinking in surprise at Izuku's apology, Toga felt the young hero slowly let go of her shoulders, pulling away from the godlike girl, keeping his gaze pointedly fixed onto the ground below.

"For what?" Tilting her head to the side in confusion, Toga regarded the boy with a questioning gaze, unsure what he could possibly be apologizing for, especially to her. She couldn't care either way about Sir Nighteye's fate or the feelings of their doll-eyed senpai and the emaciated failure of a Pro Hero. Her only concern was the poofy-haired cutie standing before her right now.

"For trying to use you for your power. I know you still want to live life with a sense of excitement. That you don't want to know everything that will happen. You should be allowed to live your life how you want, not be a guardian for me."

Despite the sorrow evident in his words, Toga couldn't help but feel her heart soar at the boy's concern for her happiness, that even with his heart heavy with grief and loss, he still worried about her feelings. It made her happy to know he still thought of her, that her feelings mattered, even while in the depths of his own despair. But, he forgot about one crucial thing.

"I'd do anything for you, Izu-kun."

Tensing up, sucking a deep breath, a slight tremble rolled through Izuku, starting from his hands before enveloping his entire body. Chocked sobs reverberated from deep within his chest, silent teardrops falling from his eyes as he lurched forward, directly into Toga's waiting embrace. Wrapping her arms tightly around his shoulders, holding him firmly but with the utmost of care, the godlike girl softly ran her fingers through Izuku's hair, cooing gentle reassurances into his ear.

As the young hero broke down in her arms, his tearful cries painfully tearing at her heart, Toga merely held him tighter as he released all of his sorrow and heartache, knowing that at least she could help him like this. Even without her powers.


Dull black eyes watched the fading sunlight shine through the large hospital window, casting long shadows upon the room, a thin strip of light falling over Mirio's blanket-clad legs. His forlorn gaze stared at the orange-tinted clouds floating lazily in the sky in a daze, the beautiful sight a stark contrast to his current mood, the weight of his loss still wearing heavily upon his heart. He knew, once the day was done and the inevitable sleepless night was at an end, he will have to return to normal, to keep smiling, to work towards his goal of being a hero once more.

But right now, he just wanted to mourn his fallen mentor.

A soft knock on his door pulled his gaze away from the serene sight just outside his window. He was tempted to just send them away, unsure if he was ready to deal with anyone right now, the emotions still raw within his chest. But what kind of hero would he be if he ignored someone else in need?

"Come in." Taking a deep breath, fingers trembling slightly as they gripped the door handle to his senpai's room, Izuku squared his shoulders before pushing the down and entering Mirio's room, his face set into a look of grim determination.

After letting out all of his pent up emotions, all of his sorrow and regret, Toga had quietly led him back to his room, her arm wrapped securely around his waist as she guided him through the empty hallways. Izuku wasn't sure how it happened, but he eventually found himself back in his hospital bed, his eyes staring fixed upon the dull, white ceiling as Toga's light snores drifted over from the chair placed at his bedside, her head resting comfortably upon the mattress, a content smile curling on her lips.

As the godlike girl slept soundly at his side, her hand gripping his tightly, Izuku's mind refused to remain quiet, numerous thoughts keeping his much-needed rest at bay. Sitting up, making sure not to rouse the god snoozing at his side, carefully untangling his fingers from her grip, Izuku quietly made his way out of his room and toward Mirio's. There was something he had to do and he knew if Toga found out what he was planning, she would surely try to stop him, even by force if necessary.

He knew he should be open with her, that she deserved to know what he was planning, but he knew he had to do this and that if he listened to her, saw the disappointment in her eyes, he would not go through with it. She had a way of convincing him, to cut through all of his insecurities and fears, to soothe the bruised heart underneath.

That was why she couldn't know that he was about to give up his quirk.

"What can I do for you Midoriya?" Mirio gave the boy a strained smile, trying hard to keep up a strong front for his underclassman, the raw pain of Sir Nighteye's death still plain upon his face. Walking over to his senpai's bedside, Izuku's emerald eyes glanced at the various bandages covering Mirio's body, painfully familiar with just how uncomfortable they could be, how debilitating it made you feel. The blonde boy had truly put everything on the line for Eri, only to be rewarded with suffering.

"Senpai," clenching his fist tightly, Izuku faltered slightly as golden eyes, filled with disappointment, momentarily flashed in his mind, causing him to briefly stumble over his words, "if…if you were given the option of receiving someone else's quirk. If they could somehow transfer theirs to you. If you had the chance to be a hero again. Would you take it?"

"You sure like talking about some fantastical things, don't you Midoriya-kun?" Laughing mirthfully, disbelief clear in his voice, Mirio gave felt his smile falter slightly when he saw the grim look on his kouhai's face, how rigid and stiff his posture was. He was deadly serious.

"Senpai!" Raising his head, emerald eyes flashing with fire, Izuku gestured his hand out to the blonde third-year, using the last burst of courage he had, hoping to convince Mirio before he lost his confidence in his choice."My quirk…you can-"

"I wouldn't take it."

Stunned into silence by Mirio's steadfast refusal before he even had a chance to offer up One For All, Izuku stared in wide-eyed disbelief at the calm smile on his senpai's face, no trace of doubt to be found behind his dark gaze.

"If I were to take that person's quirk, if such a thing were possible, it would leave them in the same situation I am now. Just because I have no quirk right now, doesn't mean I can't still be a hero. It might be hard, impossible even, but I'll keep moving forward. I won't stop chasing my dream."

Lowering his gaze, fists clenched tightly at his sides, Izuku could feel white-hot shame cover every inch of his body for ever pitying Mirio. How could he even for a second believe the blonde boy was weak just because he lost his quirk. Mirio was strong, stronger than he could ever hope to be. Despite the seemingly impossible hurdles placed before him, with all the suffering he had dealt over this single day, the upperclassman was still looking forward, his dream still burning just as brightly as ever.

"And even so, Eraser said that should Eri ever get control of her powers, she might be able to revert me back to when I still had my quirk. So you see, I'll be fine. Now don't look so down."

Playfully rubbing his knuckles against Izuku's cheek, the rough material of his bandages scratching uncomfortably against the green-haired boy's skin, Mirio gave the underclassman a reassuring smile. Izuku could barely muster a shaky smile of his own, nodding solemnly, the painful feeling in his chest still sitting heavily upon his soul.

"Okay."

A short while later, after exchanging tense pleasantries, Izuku bid his senpai farewell before making his way back to his room, the young hero, in his downcast state, failing to notice the familiar, skinny form of his mentor standing just outside Mirio's room.

Entering his room with a heavy sigh, the door feeling extra heavy as he pushed it open, the weight of the day's events resting squarely upon his shoulders, Izuku immediately froze up as he stared into a pair of piercing golden eyes. Toga, eyes closed into narrow slits, glared angrily at him from the other end of the room, fury practically radiating off of her slight stature, sending a fearful shiver down the green-haired boy's spine.

"What the fuck were you thinking?!"

Flinching at Toga's outburst, her fangs bared dangerously at him as she stalked toward him, her whole body aflame with seething anger, Izuku raised his hands in a silent plea for mercy. There was nothing Izuku could say that could possibly satiate her displeasure, and she was rightly justified in her anger. His decision to offer One For All to Mirio was reckless and born from a sense of diminished self-worth. He had lost faith in himself and invariably in Toga herself, the godlike girl the strongest believer of his worth as a hero, of being the future Number 1.

"I said! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!?" Stomping up to the green-haired hero, Toga tightly gripped the front of Izuku's shirt, roughly shaking him as she furiously roared at him, the young hero surprised to find the smallest hint of tears pooling in the corner of her eyes.

"Don't you know how amazing, how inspirational, a hero you are!? How everything you do, every life you touch, has been changed for the better!? One For All does not decide your worth, you decide its! It would be wasted on Mirio, because he is not like you! He could never hope to be you, to be such a brilliant light in this dark world! You are an amazing hero and you should never doubt that!"

Izuku could feel his heart beat loudly in his chest, a raging blush inflaming his cheeks as he stared wide-eyed at the blonde schoolgirl currently shaking him, her small frame belying the immense strength within her grip. Despite her terrifying glare and furious shouts, Izuku couldn't help the pleasant warmth that spread in his chest, the numb pain in his heart melting away as he stared into her fiery, molten depths.

"You saved Eri and countless others today! And there are many more you have saved before and more you will save in the future!"

'You saved me.' Toga thought silently to herself as her grip upon his shirt let up slightly, the fire in her eyes lowering to a soft simmer, the glare still firmly locked into place. She may love him with all her heart, having utter faith in his heroism and the pureness of his soul, but he could be so goddamn stupid sometimes! She would just have to make sure to always be there to set him straight, to remind him of just how wonderful he was, every single day for the rest of their lives.

"I'm sorry, Toga-chan." Smiling softly, emerald eyes shining brightly for the first time in what felt like hours, Izuku promised right then and there that he would never take Toga's words for granted ever again. "I won't do it again."

Shooting the boy one last glare, Izuku gulping nervously at the fierce fire in her eyes, Toga's face lit up into a beaming smile, all rage evaporating from her body like droplets of rain beneath a summer sun. Letting go of his shirt, the material stretched and ruffled from her tight grip, Toga danced to his side before latching onto his arm and pulling him toward the door.

"Good! Now," throwing the door open with a grand flourish, Toga turned to the confused boy with a mile-wide grin, eyes glinting playfully, "there is someone else we need to visit today."


Pulling the poor boy through the labyrinthine halls of the vast hospital, Toga using her powers to redirect any oncoming nurses and hospital personnel away from their location, the godlike girl led Izuku toward one very specific room, with one very special occupant. Phasing through a seemingly random wall, the godly schoolgirl practically dragging Izuku through the slab of solid concrete, the two of them popped out in front of a very startled little girl.

"Hiiii Eri-chan~!" Eri stared with wide eyes at her unexpected visitors, the silver-haired girl sure she just saw them phase through the wall like a pair of ghosts, absently wondering if they had somehow managed to hear her silent pleas to see them again. Bouncing up to Eri's bedside, hands clasped into fists in front of her chest, Toga cooed at how cute the little girl looked in her hospital gown.

"I'm glad to see you're ok, Eri-chan." Gracing the young child with a caring smile, Izuku calmly made his way to her bedside, Toga prodding and pawing at Eri's dress, letting out the occasional delighted squeal.

A shy blush dusted her cheeks at the pair of older teen's attention, the silver-haired girl nervous under such unexpected scrutiny, causing her to reflexive withdraw back into her shell. But, looking into their caring eyes, seeing their bright smiles, Eri remembered just how much they had done for her, how they had put everything on the line to get her to safety. She wanted, needed, to thank them properly!

Clenching her fist tightly, eliciting another round of adoring squeals from the older girl, Eri silently psyched herself up, red eyes alight with determination.

"Thank you! Thank you for saving me!" Shouting as loud as she could, which was still fairly quiet, Eri tried to put all of her emotions behind her words, to show them just how grateful she was. The pair of students fell into momentary silence, surprised by the young girl's sudden burst of confidence, before Toga let out a cry of joy and jumped onto the bed, her arms wrapping tightly around the small child.

"Aaaaaaa! You are absolutely adorable Eri-chan!" Squeezing the girl tightly, her cheek nuzzling affectionately against the top of her head, Toga showered the young child with a series of adoring cuddles, much to Eri's bewilderment. Touch, especially such a loving and pleasant one, was completely foreign to the red-eyed girl.

All Izuku could do was chuckle at the wonderful and ridiculous scene before him as Toga playfully nibbled on Eri's horn, the red-eyed girl halfheartedly trying to push the older girl away, clearly enjoying the godly blondes affectionate attention. Taking a seat at the edge of the bed, the two girls turned to stare at the green-haired boy in unintended unison, Toga still absently nibbling on her horn, Izuku gave Eri a small smile.

"How are you doing, Eri-chan? Are you feeling ok?" Turning in Toga's grasp, seating herself comfortably in the godly schoolgirl's lap, Eri regarded the young hero curiously, her eyes lifted to the ceiling in thought. Izuku had to agree with Toga. Eri was cute.

"I feel ok." Eri said after a bit of hesitation, lifting her hand to point at the older girl behind her, Toga merely blinking in confusion. "She helped calm down my powers so everything is ok now."

"That's good. I'm glad you are doing well." Giving the girl another bright smile, Eri nodding toward the boy before they fell into a brief silence, Izuku noticed that the red-eyed child clearly wanted to say something more. Fiddling with her gown, her tiny fingers absently gliding over the hem, Eri turned back to the green-haired boy before her.

"I've been wanting to show people how thankful I am for everything they've done for me. The boy with the cape and the man with the scary eyes. I want to be able to thank them but don't know how."

"Well," taking a second to contemplate the girl's question, wanting to give this the serious thought it deserved, Izuku merely pointed to the smile currently plastered on his lips, "a simple simile is something that makes everyone happy. I'm sure that would be enough."

Turning to look at the girl she was currently seated on, Toga playfully pointed to the wide, tooth-filled grin currently pulling on her own lips, her eyes closed with mirthful exuberance. Closing her eyes in concentration, Eri tried to will her face muscles upward, to imitate the same beautiful smiles the pair showed her so many times now, but she just couldn't. Something was holding her back, preventing her face from moving the way they had shown her, remaining fixed in its usual state.

Placing her palms against the side of her face, Eri smushed her cheeks up into a sad attempt of a smile, her red eyes dim and humorless, only radiating a pained sadness. Feeling his grin fade away, Izuku watched as Eri dropped her hands back to her side, her face falling back to its natural state, the young girl letting out a huff of disappointment.

"Eri-chan…do you know how to smile?" Izuku asked tentatively, his voice thick with worry as he looked up into Toga's equally worried face, her golden eyes meeting his emerald ones briefly before their gaze fell back to the child in the schoolgirl's arms.

"No…" Lowering her gaze shamefully downward, her fists clenching the hem of her gown tightly, bunching the fabric roughly between her fingers. She didn't know why, but she felt like she had failed them, that she wasn't normal. Smiling seemed so natural to the two of them. Eri saw them constantly smiling at each other, sometimes even when the other wasn't looking. How come she couldn't do the same?

Izuku didn't know what to say after such a revelation, a frown pulling at the corner of his lips as he considered the implications of this new information Eri had given them. Eri's life had been spent pretty much in constant fear and torment, never once getting to feel the gentle warmth and care from another human, the bouts of joy that would bubble up from deep within when you were with someone you cared about, smiling before you even knew what you were doing. Thus, their dilemma was presented to them, one Izuku wasn't sure you could solve so simply.

Because, how do you teach someone how to smile and feel joy?

Looking between Izuku and Eri, blonde buns bouncing playfully atop her head, Toga's mouth spread into a bright, tooth-filled grin, her golden eyes lighting up with mischief as she came up with a brilliant idea.

"Izu-kun~" Gulping nervously at the look in Toga's eyes, her fangs flashing dangerously beneath the fluorescent lighting of the hospital room, Izuku had a bad feeling about what was about to come out of the mischievous god's mouth.

"We are breaking Eri out of here."

A/N: Operation "Make Eri Smile" is officially underway.

Some changed events in this chapter. Sir Nighteye's death and Izuku offering of OFA to Mirio happening a little differently this time, both events a major turning point for Izuku. He has to deal with the loss of someone close to him, shaking his confidence even more, leading to his ill-advised offer to Mirio.

We get a further glimpse into how strongly Izuku has affected her since she attained her powers, the brief moment of loss she felt from his near death bonding her even closer to him. Though she has to do one of her patented speeches to finally drill just how worthy he is to be a hero into his head for good.

Next chapter: A day out on the town.

Here comes my regular gushing and heartfelt thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed, or simply glanced at this story. It makes my day every time I see that number tick up and getting to hear from all of you. I'll keep doing what I do and hope you all continue joining me on this wild ride. I love you all and hope your days are simply splendid.