Uraraka's soul ached deep in her chest. Her heart and tongue had betrayed her mind, opening the Pandora's box of emotion she stored away for so long. The threads holding her together were snapping; constitution broken, words bled from her mouth between raspy sobs as if they were sentient. Each confession poured condemnation over her head like fiery coals. She felt so exposed, but her frustrations had finally reached a boiling point.

Pathetic.

Uraraka felt Yagi's embrace tighten around her, his chin resting atop her head. He had seen through the curtain shielding her heart and did not turn away. Instead, he stayed, tethering her under sturdy arms and soothing words. Her teacher had been weathered through years of experience to handle storms that toppled her over; he proved so much to her time and time again, refusing to be overcome by the rolling tides that crashed into him. Yagi was keeping her afloat, whether he was aware of it or not.

Four simple words muttered from the elder man threw her off kilter: "I don't hate you."

How did All Might, the former pro hero and Symbol of Peace, not curse her for taking so much away from him? How could he still show her compassion when she couldn't do so herself? Uraraka struggled to comprehend the support selflessly handed to her by Yagi, especially after divulging her transgressions to him.

She placed her cheek against his sternum, relishing in the steady thrum of his heart. Uraraka didn't deserve the warmth seeping from him into her bones, but she could not pull away from his comforting hold. Maybe she was being selfish? A part of her simply wanted stay under the shield of Yagi's embrace because he was the personification of what she could not grasp- peace, love, understanding. Her teacher had built his career around these principles and continued to share them past his prime. No longer All Might, Yagi Toshinori was a comforting presence of his own. "I don't understand why you don't despise me."

I hate myself so much.

His words were warm against her scalp, "My dear, I could never hate you. I see so much more in you than the mistakes you feel brands you." Fingers brushed through her hair gingerly as he continued, "You are human, Ochako- a beautiful young girl who shows an exceptional amount of promise as a hero. I see a wonderful student, a caring friend and though you may not see it now, you are worthy of the love and support you've denied yourself."

Uraraka could not stop the tears bursting down her face; she allowed herself to cry ugly sobs into her teacher's embrace. Yagi patiently offered comfort through each wave of turmoil, murmuring gentle counters to the self-deprecating jabs escaping under her breaths. Her thoughts volleyed between his words and the demons clawing at her pitiful soul. You shouldn't have lived. There's no reason a weakling like you should have survived. He doesn't want you to be a liability if you off yourself. The cuts planted in her skin ached for her attention that Yagi had domineered with his kindness.

She shook her head and inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of sandalwood and expensive cologne surrounding her. "I don't feel worthy, though."

Yagi's voice rumbled in her ear. "You know, it's okay to feel that way right now. As I told you before, we will work through this together. Your emotions are valid, no matter how heavy they are. You're going to have good and bad encounters associated with heroism just as you do your personal endeavors- it's how you deal with those situations that can make or break you." He pulled away from the embrace enough see her face. "My dear, I can't bear the thought of you inflicting pain or wishing ill on yourself anymore. We can't miraculously resolve everything in one morning, but you will not go through this alone. Do you understand?"

His eyes. Uraraka could not look away from the fire burning in Yagi's eyes. Cobalt shone with so much emotion, it took her breath. He was peering into her soul with nothing but compassion. Yagi's gaze was intense for a few moments before he tucked her under his chin once more. "My girl, I don't blame you for anything that has happened. Midoriya doesn't blame you. Nor Asui, Kirishima, or any of the heroes involved in the raid. I won't pretend to understand why things happened as they did, but these were risks heroes acknowledged going into battle." Yagi coughs roughly into his fist, chest rattling in Uraraka's ear as a rustic hue bloomed into his palm. He wheezes to regain himself before promptly wiping the color into his opposing sleeve. "Nighteye did not die in vain, Ochako. He did what any good hero would've done and gave it his all to save Eri. It's okay to mourn him- I do to this day- but it is not okay to blame yourself for what he likely knew would happen."

"H-he knew he would die?"

Yagi could not truthfully answer her inquiry. It wouldn't have surprised him if Mirai was aware that he wouldn't return from Shie Hassaikai. He knew his former sidekick understood the sacrifices such a large-scale raid could entail (Nighteye was never one to mince his words, especially when there was danger involved. His brutal debriefings for past missions had even made Yagi's skin crawl on occasion when Sir's unfiltered rundowns turned morbid). If he has used his quirk at any point to determine the outcome of Eri's rescue, he'd taken it to his grave. He had only admitted on his deathbed how his foresight was incorrect regarding Midoriya, but no other mentions of the quirk were made regarding Shie Hassaikai.

Mirai's foresight was something he did not enjoy using for long periods of time. While it could be immensely beneficial in cases that included gathering future intel an individual, it often left him physically drained. Memories of his friend pleading for the retirement of All Might following his battle with All for One seared Yagi's mind and haunted Mirai until his last breath. Nighteye was a man deeply (albeit stubbornly) rooted in his ideas to help others, putting their lives before his own time and time again.

Much like Yagi, if one was to be honest. Both men were too stubborn for their own good when it came to protecting those they cared for. Taking a moment to sort through his thoughts, he replied, "He may not have known for a fact, but he very much understood the consequences of battle. The very basis of heroism is to protect those who can't protect themselves, even if it means placing yourself in the face of danger. Mirai, did just that every time he fought because as hard-headed as he could be, he cared so much for his country."

Yagi felt a sob hitch his throat but coughed to evade the feeling. That is for another time, "What I'm trying to say, my dear, is that being a hero is not always a glamorous road to travel. To be a hero means you are going to face failure, be it in the form of botched missions, injuries, civilian or hero casualties- they're unfortunate, but unavoidable if you continue in this career." Another shaky breath filled his lung as he felt the betrayal of his own tears down his cheek. "Heroes are seen as untouchable deities when we're in fact very human. Do not let that humanity leave you, dear Uraraka. Feel those emotions, cry for those who have been lost, but never let their loss consume you."

Uraraka pulled away when she felt her hairline become damp and met his gaze. When her eyes fell on the silent pain falling from his eyes, she allowed herself to feel his words. Yagi was passionate, but never let his negative emotions reach the public eye. His smile was symbolic, a force permeated in the identity of All Might himself. To see and hear how exposed he was to her for her sake broke something in her.

He gave her a watery grin when her tears fell in tandem with his, "It's hard surviving what others don't. I've been in similar shoes more times that I'd like to admit, but time helps heal those wounds. They don't go away, but they become manageable with the proper care. This world needs Uravity- I need Uravity." Yagi settled his hands on her shoulders, "Living for those whose flames were extinguished is the ultimate payment of respect. I want you to live. Midoriya, Asui, Kirishima, Aizawa, they want you to live. Mirai would want you to live a full life and help others just like he did."

"Will…" Uraraka brought her hands to Yagi's timidly, setting her palms against his knuckles. She furrowed her brows, deep thought etched across her face as she shed more tears. "Will you stay by my side, sensei? There are so many voices in my head demanding me to hate myself, to hurt myself… I don't think I can do this alone." Admitting such hurt so much, but she could no longer hide. "I honestly don't feel like I deserve this much care, but I want to live for you and all my friends."

"My girl," Yagi pulled her into his embrace so quickly, she almost toppled over. "I would be more than happy to help you in any way needed. For now, I want you to rest. Afterwards, I want to make you tea since you never got to enjoy yours earlier."

Uraraka opened her mouth to protest, but the words would not fall. Yagi wants to help me. The mantra looped through her mind as means to keep her anxieties at bay. She allowed herself to ponder on the offer for a moment before she flushed heavily, "What about Aizawa-sensei? I know he's aware I'm here, but wouldn't a female student in your apartment raise questions if others found out?"

Thankfully, Uraraka could not see the slight tint of embarrassment forming along Yagi's cheeks in response to her question. He shook his head fast enough that she could feel it through his embrace, causing a faint giggle to leave her. "P-please don't worry! I will fill in the blanks with Nedzu and Aizawa if you will allow me. I will stay here and let you rest in my room down the hall as long as you need. I can even invite Aizawa over once you're awake so we can discuss options for treatment together." His fumbling words came to a halt as he coughed into the crook of his elbow. "You've had a long morning, so I want to be sure you're well rested before we discuss where to go from here, okay?"

There was a clawing voice in her brain wanting to steal her focus from Yagi, but Uraraka did her best to ignore it, "Thank you, Yagi-sensei." A genuine smile, almost invisible to the naked eye, tugged at the corners of her mouth, "There's a reason you're still the number one hero in many people's eyes, including mine."

Yagi hacked heavily at her words, compliments directed to him and not All Might were still foreign to him. He took a moment to still his breathing before he conjured up a response, "No, thank you, Uraraka. I am here to help you. You will not walk alone anymore."

For once, Uraraka felt like she could believe that statement.


Yagi nursed a fresh cup of green tea between his hands, the heat radiating from the ceramic soothing against his bones. He melted into his chair and relished in the quiet of his living room for only a moment; down the hall, second door to the left, his student had finally succumbed to the lull of rest. She had agreed to stay where he could respond quickly if she was once again plagued by nightmares but tried to turn down the offered bed. It took time to convince Uraraka that it was okay for her to rest in his room, she would indeed be safe, and he would indeed contact Aizawa to meet up later for the three to talk.

In a different situation, Yagi might have been hurt by how heavily guarded she was around him. He was the (former) Symbol of Peace; All Might was supposed to convey security to those in affliction. However, he understood the nature of guilt, feeling similar emotions as Uraraka when he watched Nana die to All for One. His mentor's somber smile still seared his memory as she fell into the snarling teeth of death. Yagi had been forced away from the battle by Gran Torino, ear piercing shrills erupting from his throat as Nana's form faded into the distance. Gran, as intimidating as the troll can be at times, helped Yagi work through his demons following that day (while beating him senseless to train One for All in Nana's absence. There were times Yagi thinks his sensei wanted to inflict brain damage so he would forget about his trauma).

Heroes face many tribulations in their career. Yagi only wished his class had not been forced to face so many in such a short time.

As he brought his tea to his lips, Yagi vowed to do everything in his ability to protect his class. He would be there for Midoriya, Uraraka, and all his children like the guardian he desired to be to them. You're growing soft in your older years, Toshinori. He smiled to himself.

Maybe he was okay with validating All Might, the man, the legend, was also fallible. If it meant his kids could grow into greater heroes than he'd ever imagined, it would be worthwhile.