The air smelled stale and a little grimy. Along with that and the mixture of alcohol and medicinal supplies, it was enough to make Izuku feel queasy.
The makeshift hospital beds in the tents served their purpose, and Izuku really shouldn't complain, but he was still aching from head to toe. And that was even after Recovery Girl got a hold of him. Oh well. At least he made it out of there with his life. He couldn't say the same for others.
He leaned his head up to spot the bustling of nurses and other students who were helping the wounded. They all had the same look in their eyes: horror, trauma, worry. Exhaustion.
Izuku sighed and bit his lip, his mind going right back to the battlefield. Seeing Shigaraki appear lost, Endeavor utterly defeated, Kacchan falling out of the air, Todoroki—
Todoroki.
With a quiet gasp and quite a bit of effort, Izuku pushed himself up as best as he could and looked around the large tent. He could spot many familiar faces ranging from Iida to Uraraka and Tsuyu. They all seemed unharmed, though, which was a relief. Even Bakugou, who was lying on the bed next to him, seemed back to his usual, grumpy self.
But where was Todoroki?
"Midoriya! You should be resting!" Iida said as he locked eyes with him.
"Iida…" Izuku said as his friend approached. He was still in his hero's costume, but his helmet had since been removed. His glasses were missing, which was a bit unsettling, He looked so, so tired, which was understandable. He had carried so many people back to the hospital tent. He wasn't sure how his legs were still working.
"Please, you're not thinking of getting up now are you?" Iida asked.
Izuku frowned. "Well, I was looking for Todoroki. Has anyone seen him?"
Iida's face fell. "Todoroki?"
Kacchan stirred next to him, his head turning on his pillow to look at him. But Izuku didn't look back at him. They both knew why Izuku was asking for him,
"I… haven't seen him, no," Iida said. "But I can look, perhaps."
Izuku sighed and pushed himself all the way up, every muscle in his body protesting.
"No, you've got other things you need to do," Izuku said. "I'll look around."
"Look around? Are you mad?" Iida said, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You were unconscious when I brought you here, you know! You really shouldn't move around so much!"
Izuku patted his hand and gave him a reassuring smile. "Recovery Girl already saw me, Iida. I'm fine."
Iida opened his mouth to speak, but a nearby nurse called his name, asking for assistance. He looked torn, not wanting to leave Izuku's side, but he sighed when he realized he was also needed elsewhere.
"Fine. But only because I can't be here to make you stay," Iida said.
Izuku chuckled nervously, forcing the noise from his throat. It was strained and tight, and not very pleasant at all, actually.
"Sorry, Iida. But I need to make sure he's okay," Izuku said.
Iida nodded once, his brows furrowing. "I understand." He turned to leave, but before he did, he looked over his shoulder back at him. "When you locate him, can you tell him I'm here if he needs to talk?"
Something swirled in Izuku's gut, and his eyes immediately stung. He blinked rapidly and nodded, looking away from him. He took in a deep breath and waited for Iida to disappear from sight before he got up on his own.
"Oi," Kacchan called lowly, gruffly, making Izuku stop. "Tell that half 'n half bastard I'm kicking his ass if he runs away from this."
Izuku smiled. "I'm sure he'd appreciate the distraction."
Kacchan clicked his tongue and then pulled the thin sheet up to his chin, pouting quietly. It was unusual. Kacchan would normally pout loudly. Izuku frowned and shivered as he stepped away from his cot, not wanting to bother Kacchan from whatever was going on in his mind.
He walked slowly down the center of the tent, his legs aching and pinching with each step. He passed by several people who were lying in their cots and groaning in agony. It sent Izuku's stomach into a fit. He thought he would be used to seeing blood by now, but this… this was much worse than he imagined.
He kept his head down as he passed. Something was gnawing on his stomach but he didn't want the feeling to overtake him. Not yet.
"Whoa, did you see this?"
"I know, it's… I can't believe it."
Izuku stopped short and looked over to a few members of Class 1-B who were hunched over their cell phones. Izuku could faintly hear a familiar voice chiming through the tinny speakers.
"…little Shouto was the successful creation. He's even abused that successful creation. I've seen him do it many times."
Izuku sucked in a breath. Dabi. Touya. It was him.
He squinted his eyes and saw the man himself on their screens. He was seated in a chair with his shirt off, putting his broken body on display. And he was giving a speech for all the world to hear.
"Hey! Turn that off!" Izuku called, startling the trio of classmates that were huddled over the phones. They all looked up at him with shocked looks on their faces. "Didn't you hear me?! Stop watching that!"
The three of them paused, brows furrowed, but they all turned their phones off and sat with their hands in their laps.
"You wouldn't want your life put on display like that, so stop it," Izuku muttered.
He started to walk off, his stomach swirling and chest burning hot. He was surprised that his classmates didn't respond. They would normally argue back. He must've looked incredibly rough.
As Izuku walked to the edge of the main tent, he spotted Recovery Girl looking over a chart. She looked like she had been run ragged, too.
"Recovery Girl," Izuku called faintly, reaching out his hand.
She turned towards him and gasped. "Midoriya! What on earth are you doing out of bed?"
"Oh, um… I was actually looking for someone," he answered sheepishly. He rubbed the annoying bandage on his temple. "Would you happen to know where Todoroki is?"
Recovery Girl paused, her narrowed eyes staring after him in mild concern. She put her hand to her chin and hummed, thinking with a sad look on her face.
"Well, I was notified of his arrival, but I haven't gone to see him yet because I was told there were injuries that were more serious," she answered. "Oh my. He isn't critical, is he, dear?"
Izuku shook his head. "No, I don't think so. He probably has some bad burns, though."
Recovery Girl nodded. "All right. Well, he should be around here somewhere. Check one of the other tents."
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you."
Well that was a bust. But he had to keep trying.
He did as he was told and headed out of the tent. Outside of the main tent were several smaller tents, and the smell of sulfur was thicker. He felt a gag reaching up his throat. He swallowed it down and headed to one of the tents.
Izuku started to ask around to other people, seeing if they had seen the dual quirk user, but there was no such luck. He had hobbled to all of the nearby tents and there was no sign of him. Even the one nurse who had been assigned to him said that his cot was empty.
"Damn it, where is he?" Izuku mumbled to himself.
His stomach was starting to clench with worry, with fear, with regret, and damn it, he didn't want to feel that way! The guilt was gnawing at his bones and slowing him down. He just had to find Todoroki. He had to find him and make sure he was okay—
Izuku stopped short when he stepped on something crunchy. He glanced down at the ground and saw a patch of grass coated in a thin layer of ice.
Ice?
He gasped when he spotted a faint trail of ice crystals headed towards the nearby river, closer to the edge of the woods.
"Todoroki," Izuku said under his breath.
He followed the path as quickly as he could and hurried over to the river. There, he saw a hunched over form sitting by the riverbed. He was coated in ice.
"Todoroki!" Izuku called, frantic. He shuffled to his side and got on his knees next to him, holding out his hands towards his friend. "Todoroki…"
Todoroki was hugging his knees to his chest, his head buried in his arms. The ice on his right side was stretching to his left, almost covering the red of his hair. Up this close, Izuku could see the bad burns that covered Todoroki's body. He was even bleeding in some areas.
"Hey, Todoroki," Izuku called. "Are you…" He stopped short, knowing the answer to that question. He swallowed and tried again, "We should get you back to the tents. Recovery Girl needs to patch you up."
Todoroki didn't move. His shoulders were jumping slightly and his breaths were uneven. Shit, was he…?
"Todoroki…" Izuku called again.
"Don't," Todoroki finally spoke, and his voice was rasped and worn, his throat sounding raw from his sobbing earlier.
Izuku hesitated, still eyeing his friend's wounds. It was obvious that he hadn't gone to get help yet. He didn't even patch himself up with his first aid that was attached to his belt. Well, he could've used it all earlier, Izuku supposed.
"But you're hurt," Izuku said. "Those burns look really awful."
Todoroki sniffed and tightened his arms around his knees.
"Please, Midoriya. Just… give me a moment," he said.
Izuku frowned. He hated how defeated Todoroki sounded. It wasn't like the usual confidence that exuded from him. He was so small at this moment.
But, knowing how Todoroki was, Izuku didn't want to press. Especially with him in this uneasy state of mind, the last thing Izuku wanted to do was pull him from his method of healing.
With a deep sigh, Izuku sat down next to him and pulled his legs up, almost mirroring Todoroki's pose. He studied Todoroki's still form for a moment and then glanced up at the sky. The sun was finally starting to set on this horrible day, the sky leaking orange hues that collided with the pale blue. It was truly beautiful.
Although, in the distance, he could see smoke rising from the battlezone. It distorted the beautiful image that he was enjoying and fully brought him back to the reality at hand.
He wondered what the League was doing now. After their hasty retreat, Izuku promptly fainted again. All he could remember was the fallen debris everywhere, and of course, the giant villain that had slumped over several buildings.
Izuku sighed again and wrapped his hands under his thighs. What a mess. This entire day was a shitshow.
"I wonder if things could've been different."
Izuku startled at hearing Todoroki's voice so suddenly. He glanced over to his friend, who had barely moved. He started to wonder if he had been hearing things, but Todoroki spoke again.
"If… things had been different, maybe my family could've been happy," Todoroki added. He lifted his head and stared ahead, his face still covered in soot and burns.
"Todoroki, you're hurt," Izuku said softly. "We should get you back to the tents."
Todoroki's lips pinched. "I don't know. Do I even deserve it?"
Izuku blinked at him, his chest feeling like it was starting to cave in.
"What? What are you talking about?" Izuku asked. "You're not… You're not saying you deserve to be hurt, are you?"
Todoroki shrunk in on himself, his face pulling into a wince as a wound opened up on his forehead. Blood rushed down his face and neck.
"Ah, you're bleeding!" Izuku said. He scooted closer, tugging on one of his sleeves. "Here, let me."
He gently rested it on Todoroki's shoulder to try to get him to uncurl his body and look at his wound, but the action caused his friend to jerk back violently, shoving Izuku's hand off of his shoulder just before it erupted into flames.
"D-Don't touch me!" Todoroki yelled, falling away from him.
Izuku sprung back and sucked in a harsh breath, his eyes widening. The flames on Todoroki's body were weak, but they were still hot. They died out after a few seconds, leaving Todoroki panting and sweating up a storm. Once he got his bearings straight, he looked at Izuku with a horrified expression on his face.
"I… Midoriya," Todoroki gasped. "I'm… I'm sorry, I… Did I hurt you?"
Izuku had never seen that look on his face before. Not even when Endeavor's life was on the line. He snapped back to reality when he heard Todoroki's wheezing and he quickly shook his head.
"No, I'm… I'm okay. You didn't burn me," Izuku said.
Todoroki's shoulders slumped and he hung his head. His eyes narrowed as his face pulled into a grimace. He glanced down at his hands, which were covered in dirt and blistering burns. They shook until they folded into tight fists.
"What if my existence has just caused pain to everyone around me?" Todoroki said. "What if… What if I had just… died before anything bad happened to my family?"
Izuku gasped. "Todoroki!"
"My family suffered because I was born. Because I came into this world," Todoroki said. "My siblings, my mother… they all suffered because of me."
Izuku shook his head, his eyes stinging. He wanted to reach out but feared that getting in Todoroki's space would cause him more harm than good.
"Todoroki, please," Izuku whispered, the lump in his throat growing.
"If I had just not existed, then maybe… maybe Touya…" Todoroki paused, and to Izuku's horror, his eyes filled with tears. "I'm supposed to be a hero. How can I be a hero when I can't even protect my family?"
Izuku leaned forward and grabbed Todoroki's shoulders, pulling him in for a hug. He knew he risked getting burned, but it was a risk he just had to take. He couldn't let him continue.
"Don't say things like that," Izuku shushed, his eyes burning. His hand reached up to pet the back of Todoroki's head, untangling his red and white strands. "You didn't cause any of those things, okay? There's no way you could have."
Todoroki had gone stiff in Izuku's hold, but he hadn't started a fire again, which was better luck. Izuku continued to hold him close and kept stroking his hair, minding his injuries.
"I know things seem screwed up, and I know what Dabi said was awful," Izuku said, "but you can't let his words get to you. You were just a kid, Todoroki. Hell, we all are still kids."
He took in a breath and realized that tears had begun to leak out of his eyes. Damn it. He thought he could hold it together.
Oh, well. If he was going to be a crybaby hero, then so be it. He was going to save every last person he could with tears in his eyes and a reassuring smile on his face.
"I'll help you, Todoroki. I'll help you try to rescue Dab—Touya," Izuku said. "I want to help you save him from his darkness. Bring back the Touya you know."
Todoroki paused, his hands gently resting on Izuku's shoulders to push him back. He locked eyes with Izuku and blinked, tears still running down his grimy cheeks.
"You… think that's possible?" Todoroki asked.
Izuku scratched as his cheek and wiped away a fresh tear. "Well, anything's possible, you know."
Todoroki winced and looked down at the ground. "I'm not so sure about that," he said. "I'm not much into believing in miracles anymore. This is just how life is, Midoriya." He looked down at his fists. "Being a hero… Does that even mean anything anymore?"
Izuku bit his lip. Todoroki was quickly receding back into the dark cloud that hung above his head. He had to act fast or he was going to lose him for good.
C'mon, Izuku! Think! Think before Todoroki no longer wants to be a hero!
"Don't worry, Young Midoriya! For I am here!"
Izuku swallowed and looked down at his crooked hand. The scars that mottled his arm from his misuse of his quirk were still prominent.
Oh, boy. First Kacchan, and now…
Izuku wiped his cheeks and took a deep breath. He leaned forward and gently placed his hand on Todoroki's knee, getting his classmate to look up.
"Listen, Todoroki, this might seem out of the blue but," Izuku paused and took another breath through his nose. "I have something I need to tell you."
Todoroki blinked at him, his expression softening ever so slightly. His brows furrowed a little and he sat up just a bit straighter, waiting for Izuku to continue.
Izuku swallowed.
"It's about my quirk."
Todoroki was quiet for a long time after Izuku told him everything. His tears had long since dried, but he was left looking more contemplative. It was a bit eerie, and Izuku wasn't sure if he preferred it. But he really didn't want to see Todoroki crying again. That was…
Izuku didn't want to picture it again. It broke his heart.
After their talk, Izuku managed to convince Todoroki to get back to the tents. He helped him to his feet, almost stumbling himself, and slowly guided him away from the creek.
"You're limping," Izuku pointed out as they reached one of the side tents. He poked his head inside and found it mostly empty save for a few sidekicks that had gotten caught up in the mix.
Todoroki gave a noncommittal hum as he slipped inside the tent beside him. With Izuku's help, he hobbled to a nearby cot and sat down, heaving out a tired breath and sagging into it like his body was made of lead.
"I'm going to get Recovery Girl," Izuku said.
Todoroki's hand shot out and grabbed Izuku's wrist, making him stop. Izuku looked back at him and was met with narrowed, desperate eyes.
"He said he released a broadcast," Todoroki said slowly. He squeezed Izuku's wrist. "Does that mean…"
His voice trailed off, but Izuku knew exactly what he was going to say.
Does that mean everyone knows?
Izuku knew that without a doubt, the world would know everything about the Todoroki family soon enough. It was only a matter of time. He could only imagine the frenzy the press would be about the whole mess. He had to find help for Todoroki before it got too out of hand.
Aizawa flashed into his mind, but he wasn't sure of his current condition. He knew he was injured but he didn't know if he was even able to speak. There had to be someone who could help.
Izuku swallowed and gently tugged his wrist out of Todoroki's hold, but only to grab his hand and squeeze it, trying his best to give Todoroki as much reassurance as possible.
"I'm going to stand by your side no matter what, Todoroki. And the rest of our friends will, too," Izuku said, thinking back to what Iida had told him. "I promise, Todoroki. We will get through this, okay?"
Todoroki hesitated, his hand trembling in Izuku's grasp. He squeezed Izuku's hand and then nodded, finally releasing his grip. Izuku tried to smile at him but he knew it came out flat, and afterward, he hurried out to find Recovery Girl. She managed to find her fairly quickly and explained to her Todoroki's condition. Once she heard everything, she rushed to the tent.
"My, my, young man. You really should have just gone into the tents like you were supposed to!" she tutted.
Todoroki hung his head and gripped the edge of the cot. He still hadn't laid down on it, but sat on it. It was as if he wanted to refuse any help administered to him.
Recovery Girl sighed. "Now, don't be like that. Lie back so I can heal you, boy."
Todoroki grimaced as he moved on the cot, picking up his leg and hoisting himself on it. Izuku wanted to help but he didn't know if Todoroki would've appreciated it. He probably already felt helpless enough.
Recovery Girl kissed his forehead and the deep burns on his body immediately faded to pink patches along his skin. He still looked to be in quite some pain, though, but Izuku figured that it dealt with more than just physical issues.
"There. Now get some rest," she said. She looked to Izuku and looked him up and down. "The same goes for you, you know."
Izuku straightened his back and gave a yelp. "Ah! Yes, I know."
Recovery Girl nodded. "Good. Then use that cot next to Todoroki. You two can keep each other company." She took in a deep breath. "Well, I've got to go check in on some of your teachers now, so sit tight and I'll be back in a little while."
Izuku sucked in a breath, a light bulb dinging above his head. Teachers!
"Ah, Recovery Girl!" Izuku called before she could leave. "I really need to speak to a teacher about something urgent. Could you send someone here? If they're alright, that is!"
Recovery Girl eyed him carefully and nodded once. "Fine. But only if they're uninjured. Got it?"
"Of course!" Izuku said.
Before she left, she pointed to the cot and Izuku quickly got into it, his legs trembling from the amount of walking. Damn, his body felt so weak.
"Midoriya, what are you planning?" Todoroki asked, his head turning on his pillow. His eyelids were heavy, the effect of Recovery Girl's quirk starting to take over.
Izuku turned and looked at him. The burn on Todoroki's right cheek was still very pink, and Izuku worried that it would leave yet another scar on his poor face. His heart broke for him. All of his scars were given to him by his own family. How screwed up was this world? Todoroki was pure. He didn't deserve any of it.
"If I didn't exist…"
Izuku shook the memory away. He would do anything he could to make sure Todoroki never felt that way ever again.
Izuku shrugged. "I'm… trying to help you out."
"Help me?" Todoroki echoed, and then he yawned and closed his eyes.
Before Izuku could another word out, he heard footsteps and a loud voice booming overhead.
"Well, if it ain't my favorite little troublemaking listeners!"
Izuku winced at the sound but he couldn't help but smile. It was such a relief to see a familiar face.
"Present Mic-sensei," Izuku called, waving him over.
He looked stressed beyond repair but he still wore a smile on his face. It was brave of him, and it was truly a comfort.
"Recovery Girl told me you wanted to speak to me?" Present Mic said. He stopped in between their cots and folded his arms across his face. Sweat trickled down his face and neck, and his smile turned a little fragile. "She said it was urgent, so…"
Izuku glanced to Todoroki and noticed that the boy was fast asleep in his cot, his chest moving up and down slowly. Izuku took in a deep breath and looked back to his teacher.
"Sensei, I… need your help," Izuku said. He swallowed. "Um… Have you seen that video Dabi broadcasted?"
Present Mic frowned, his hands gripping his arms tightly. "Yeah, I did." He glanced over to Todoroki's sleeping form briefly before landing back on Izuku. "Is that what this is about?"
Izuku nodded. "Please, sensei. I'm worried about his future. I'm worried that he's going to get harassed and…"
He thought of their conversation by the creek, the fight that happened in midair, the tears that fell down Todoroki's cheeks…
Izuku was out of his element here. He had no clue how to help Todoroki now.
"I just… I don't know what to do to help him, sensei. He's hurting so badly," Izuku said, his voice quivering. His eyes started to sting again. "Please, is there anything we can do?"
Present Mic hesitated and then sighed, his hands coming up to move his glasses out of the way to wipe his face. He kept his glasses off and then looked at Izuku with a stern look on his face.
"It's not going to be pretty. You know that, right?" Present Mic said.
"I know. But I'm just worried for my friend," Izuku said, his hands balling into fists.
Present Mic nodded and then leaned down to grip Izuku's shoulder.
"We are going to do everything we can to protect Todoroki," Present Mic said. "You have my word, little listener."
Izuku nodded, sniffling. He wiped his eyes and then looked back up to his teacher.
"What happens next? What's going to happen to Todoroki?" Izuku asked.
"You let us worry about that part, okay?" Present Mic said. "We've got it under control."
Izuku frowned. "But I want to help! What can I do?"
Present Mic sighed. "Midoriya…"
"I barely did anything on the battlefield today, and now you're telling me there's nothing I can do to help Todoroki?" Izuku said.
Present Mic reached down and ruffled Izuku's hair, making the panic bubbling inside of him freeze up.
"Stop your babbling before you give yourself a heart attack! Sheesh, you really need to chill out!" Present Mic said. He leaned down to Izuku so he could look him in the eye. "Now you listen here. The best way for you to help Todoroki is to be by his side. Got it?"
Izuku tried to swallow the lump in his throat. "But—"
"No buts!" Present Mic said. He leaned up and put his hands on his hips. "Be his friend and support him. That is what will help him right now. You think you can handle that?"
Izuku paused to look at Todoroki, who was still fast asleep next to him on his own cot. The last thing he wanted was for Todoroki to be isolated. He needed companionship and support now more than ever.
It didn't feel like actively helping him in his situation, but he would take whatever he could get. If it meant helping Todoroki, he would do it.
"Yeah," Izuku said, turning to look back up at Present Mic. "I can do that."
Present Mic gave a sharp smile. "Good! Now then, Recovery Girl told me to tell you to rest or she will be back with anesthetic for you."
Izuku gulped and laid down on the pillow, pulling up the sheet to his chin. Present Mic laughed and waved as he left the tent, leaving Izuku alone with his thoughts. He turned on his cot to look at Todoroki again, just to make sure he was really there. And he was, still sleeping peacefully.
Izuku took in a slow breath, feeling his own eyelids start to grow heavy.
"Don't worry, Todoroki," Izuku said softly as his eyes began to close. "I'll make sure to keep you safe." He yawned. "Why? Because… I am here."
He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, his heart feeling the most at ease since the day began.