Problem,
Quirkless,
Useless,
Defenceless,
Delusional,
Stupid,
Weak,
IcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcantIcant
"Hey Deku, you've hardly touched your food! Mind if I steal some? Pretty please?"
With a yelp, Izuku woke from his trance. Where- Oh, right. How could I forget?
Ochaco sat, cheesy grin frozen onto her face as she looked to him expectantly. The rest of the class were eating and chatting amongst themselves, snippets of idle conversation catching his ear. It was the week after All Might died. 2-A had collectively agreed that an outing was in order, something, anything to stave off the impending dread they all felt but couldn't admit. Collectively, sans Izuku.
Young Midoriya, why are you so withdrawn?
"Because... you're, not here..."
"Hm? What was that, Deku?"
His skull felt as though it could split. He fought a desperate, losing battle to suppress the lump in his throat, to just be with his friends. Fearing speaking would cause him to break down, Deku merely motioned towards his food and gave a frantic "Gotta go to the bathroom," before abruptly dashing off. Why did I let them drag me into this? Whywhywhywhy-
Don't... go...
The hot tears streamed down his cheeks now, his sleeve feverishly rubbing at his eyes as he tried to stay unperturbed by the strange looks he was starting to garner. He slammed the door open, rushing to a sink and harshly washing his face. I'm not ready! Why... why did you leave me!?
The breaking hero began to scratch at his neck, feeling the tension in his muscles tighten, feeling the wear and tear of every broken bone all at once.
"Deku, the hell was that about?"
Izuku whirled to meet the voice. "K-Kacchan...?"
"Some successor you are. Look at yourself, it's pathetic."
It felt surreal to hear the words outside his own head.
"You think All Might wanted his successor to be like this? Pull yourself together."
"Shut up! You don't get it!"
"The hell I don't! Dunno if you noticed, Chosen One, but he wasn't just your idol! Look around, he was everyone's favourite hero!"
"No... he was more than an idol..."
Katsuki clenched his fists, teeth gritted. His scarlet eyes pierced Izuku's mind, seeming to see right through him.
"You don't get to take this from us, Deku. Today is a day where we forget about what happened and just shoot the shit, don't ruin it with your tantrum. He was everyone's mentor, not just yours!"
The heir to One For All marched towards Katsuki, stopping inches apart.
"This isn't about me! This isn't just about All Might! And it's not about you, it's about what All Might left behind! Who he left behind... I'm the Symbol of Peace now, Kacchan! Or, at least, I'm supposed to be. I'm not ready yet, but I can't do it alone..."
Bakugo stood ramrod straight, gaze unflinching. Midoriya gazed back, steely glare unmoving.
"You just don't get it, Deku. Just 'cause he gave you his power doesn't mean you're All Might junior. Don't talk about being alone, I told you to look around."
With that, Katsuki turned on his heel and left, leaving Izuku to process the encounter.
Tomura sat alone at his desk. A small lamp illuminated his uneasy figure. An envelope sat before him, unopened yet not totally sealed.
I can't face everyone. Not like this. At this rate...
He played with the paper, avoiding opening it for as long as he could.
You'll get your wish father. I'll make it happen. I have to.
Breaking the seal with a bony finger, Shigaraki parsed the note from within. It was plain, slightly discoloured at the edges. A thick blotch of ink sat in the top right.
Tomura,
Me and Jin are heading out. Want anything?
You should come out of your office more often. It gets boring sometimes.
Bye bye,
Himiko
Sighing, he sat the letter back down. No one's leaving yet. Kurogiri, we'll come for you. I promise.
His mind wandered, as it often did when he was left to his devices. What would Sensei think? Would he be... proud?
"Tomura."
"I thought I told you all not to come in here."
Dabi scoffed. "Poker night. Thought I'd invite you."
Shigaraki's eyes were drawn again to the letter.
"...alright. I'll be out soon."
The cremation villain nodded, not that the leader of the League could see with his back turned. He moved to exit, but hesitated. "Hey, Tomura? Thanks."
With that, Dabi turned on his heel and left, leaving Tomura to process the encounter.
AN: This was a long time coming. Bit shorter than usual, but it was gnawing at me. I had to get this chapter out there. I was initially planning on extending Izuku's portion, but I like to have some subtlety in my writing. I'll let you judge if I succeeded~