Laughter rang in the air. Midoriya ran a finger along the top of his glass, his gaze darting about. It was late; outside of the swinging doors he could see the dark night sky. Inside, though, the candlelight made for a rather cozy atmosphere. Glasses clinked and voices rose and fell as the various patrons chatted amongst themselves. From their table, Midoriya watched Satou socialize with the guests that leaned against the bar. His youth seemed to add to his charm, and Midoriya saw most everyone walk off with another drink or two.

He sighed. The food was good. Excellent, even. A loaded plate of roast pork, so tender it practically fell apart in his mouth, and thick slices of honeyed bread laden with a helping of creamy, melted cheese. Add to that a sweat, cool ale, and Midoriya felt so full he could burst. He lifted his glass to his lips and took another sip. Warmth filled his stomach and seeped into his limbs. "This is so good," he said with a sigh, leaning a bit into Uraraka. She giggled beside him, nudging him with her shoulder.

"Right? That's why we always stop here." She took another bite of her bread, letting out an exaggerated moan that had Midoriya stifling a snort. "The Satous' cooking is worth a thousand crowns," Uraraka said. Hadou nodded from across the table.

"Yes, absolutely. Especially after days of digging around in the mountainous forests for herbs." She took another gulp of ale, slamming it down onto the tabletop with a pleased sigh. "Ugh, that always hits the spot, lemme tell you."

Uraraka fell into another fit of giggles, the sound infectious in Midoriya's ears. She doubled over, her rosy cheeks stained darker and her shoulders shaking. He couldn't help but join her, leaning even more into her space as he snorted. He felt giddy, almost. The other patrons around them were a hazy afterthought; it was as though the world had shrunk down to just their table. Midoriya snuck a glance to Uraraka. Mirth danced in her gaze, warm and bright, and they devolved again into laughter. Hadou sighed from her place across the table. "You two are a mess."

She rose, then, downing the last of her ale. "Come on, let's turn in for the night. It's late, and we've got a lot of flying to do tomorrow."

"Aw, come on, just one more drink?" Uraraka whined. Hadou tsked and shook her head.

"I'm pretty sure you've had enough for tonight. Come on." She clasped Uraraka's arm and tugged, urging her to her feet. Uraraka pouted, the sight having Midoriya's heart squeeze in his chest. He bit his lip and dropped his gaze to the flickering candle on their table, focusing instead on the shifting light. The familiar patterns of oranges and yellows soothed the erratic pounding of his heart, just for the moment.

"Fine, fine, I'm up," Uraraka said.

They wound their way around the remaining patrons and tables. Midoriya felt a few cursory glances cast his way, the curiosity and mild confusion they brought palpable in the air. He shifted uncomfortably beneath the cloth of Uraraka's cloak, feeling suddenly out of place. The cloak was too short on him, showing off his bare midriff, something that, based on the attire of the other patrons, was unusual. He'd been feilding odd looks all evening, but they were easier to ignore in the face of hunger and good company. Now, Midoriya found himself crowding closer to Uraraka and Hadou, ducking his head as his face burned.

Once in the safety of the rickety staircase's shadows, relief erased the tension and Midoriya felt his shoulders drop. He breathed a sigh. Uraraka cast him a curious glance, the light from the lanterns dancing across her features. "You okay?"

Midoriya forced a grin and jerked his head in a nod. "Yeah." It wasn't particularly a lie; he was fine, now. Besides, a good night's sleep and they'd be up in the air, far away from curious glances. Uraraka peered at him for a beat longer before offering a slight shrug, jogging up the rest of the steps to catch up to Hadou. He trailed behind her, stifling a yawn. With every moment that passed, sleep was starting to sound more and more appealing.

They crowded into their small room, moonlight adding splashes of light to contrast the layers of shadows. Midoriya found his way to his side of the room and crawled into the small bed. Up close, the bed gave off a musty smell. He crinkled his nose and peeled back the scratchy blankets. It was better than sleeping on the ground, he supposed. Midoriya tugged Uraraka's cloak off, carefully folding it and placing it on the floor beside the bed. He settled under the blankets, turning to peer at the bed beside him. Uraraka and Hadou were sharing it, huddled side by side. He couldn't help but feel bad. The room was clearly too small for three people, and the beds were certainly too small for two. Earlier, he'd offered to sleep on the floor, but both girls had shut him down and insisted he take the second bed.

He sighed, wondering again how he'd come to deserve such kindness.

Hushed whispers drifted from the bed beside him, but Midoriya paid it little mind. Sleep tugged at the corners of his mind, making him drift under that comforting darkness. He dreamed of little that night; of a confused cacophony of sensations and feelings, all forgotten by the time Hadou roughly shook him awake. Midoriya rose up, blinking away the bleariness. The room was lighter, soft grays painting the shadows.

"Time to wake up," Hadou said. Midoriya rolled off the mattress with a tired huff, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and bracing himself for another full day of travel.

~#~#~#~

Flying for the second time around was nowhere near as terrifying as the first. Midoriya was still breathless as they bolted into the air, the sensation of the earth dropping away below them making him feel dizzy. But he didn't squeeze his eyes shut in terror. Instead, he watched the buildings and people shrink and shrink and shrink below them, becoming little more than ants tracking across a boulder. It was strangely fascinating.

The wind was at their backs again. It pushed them forward, swelling under the magic that kept them suspended. Uraraka and Hadou seemed to flourish with the breeze, whooping and hollering. Moods were high at the start of the morning.

Down below, the tiny town fell away within moments, giving rise to a curious sight. Hills arose, dotted here and there with trees. But what Midoriya really noticed was the patterns. Emeralds and limes and aquas and pale yellows crisscrossed below them in patches, much like the patchwork quilts his mother made back at home. Midoriya gawked at the sight. He'd never seen anything like this before. He leaned to his right, staring down with furrowed brows. How had the earth come to resemble a quilt? It wasn't trees- the forests always looked like moving moss down below their feet. And it certainly wasn't mountains; even from this new angle, Midoriya was certain he'd recognize the formations of his home.

"It's the fields!" Uraraka yelled. Midoriya looked up.

"The what?"

"Fields!" She beamed at him, nodding down to the patchwork below. "Remember how I said that village grew grain?"

He nodded slowly, lips pursed. Grain fields. So...the patchwork design was a result of working the earth. Midoriya turned his gaze back downwards, awed. "Strange," he said. Uraraka laughed, and he could feel the way her laugh vibrated in her whole body. He swallowed, throat thick, and tried to quell the heat rising in his cheeks.

"It looks sort of pretty," she said. "And these fields connect with those from other towns too; the soil here is perfect for growing crops."

Midoriya hummed. They never grew much in the ways of crops in the mountains. The soil was poor and the air was thin; not much grew there outside the established pine forest. And even the forest had its limits, not bothering to dwell on the higher peaks. They had to rely a lot on trade for things like grains, which were quite expensive, according to the traders and the Guild. So to see fields as far as the horizon full of grain was quite the sight. He found himself leaning into Uraraka as they sped through the sky, watching the patterned fields speed by below him. Midoriya tried to tell himself he was just trying to keep from falling off the broom, but his thundering heart said differently.

If Uraraka noticed, she said nothing.

~#~#~#~

Midoriya grimaced. His legs felt wobbly and unsteady, like he was a newborn lamb. He'd done the stretches Uraraka had shown him last time, but that didn't seem to help too much. He supposed flying for what was certainly an entire day probably had something to do with that. Midoriya could hardly feel his toes; they were all tingly. Pinpricks ran up and down his legs, and he staggered behind Uraraka and Hadou, trying not to fall over. Midoriya was tired and sore and couldn't feel his feet.

"How far are we?" he asked, cringing at the way he wheezed. Hadou didn't seem to notice, not even sparing him a glance.

"Just about a mile out."

Uraraka tossed a sympathetic look over her shoulder. She slowed, waiting for him to catch up. "Sorry," she said, "we'd have flown closer, but…"

"It's frowned upon to fly close to cities," Hadou chirped. She was exceedingly chipper, too much so. There was a bounce in her step, and the older girl seemed to vibrate happiness. Midoriya didn't know where she got the energy, but he couldn't help but feel a little jealous. He bit back a sigh and shouldered the pack he carried.

"Why is that?"

Uraraka shrugged. "It makes townsfolks nervous, I guess." She didn't elaborate further, leaving Midoriya to ponder in silence. Her answer felt a bit like a deflection, or a shadow of a truth, but he had no idea what that truth could be. Midoriya felt very out of his element here, thrust into a shiny new world with customs he was unfamiliar with. He was exposed, out in the open, wide stretch of road, surrounded only by rolling hills, smatterings of trees, and the uncertainty of his future weighing down on his shoulders. Midoriya sighed, gaze dropping to the dirt below his feet.

The stretch of road they walked on was wide and well trampled; well used. Midoriya could see gouges in the earth, accompanied by the smattering of dish sized hoof prints. Wagons, he assumed. Here and there, he could make out dusty boot prints as well. Around them, shrubs and trees bordered the road, lending a little shade. The fields had fallen away for the most part a few miles back, as the earth had grown more and more hilly. Still, signs of civilization were here.

Midoriya adjusted the pack's strap on his shoulder. Gods, it was heavy. He couldn't wait to put it down once and for all. He snuck a glance at Uraraka walking beside him, who hardly seemed phased by the two heavy packs she carried. She practically bounced as she walked, her short hair swaying with grace. Warmth blossomed in his belly, and Midoriya jerked his gaze back to the road ahead. Focus, he scolded himself. His face burned a bit, and Midoriya hoped Uraraka wouldn't notice.

Ahead, a distinct crack sounded in the air, making Midoriya jolt. It was accompanied with jingling and creaking, and Hadou veered them off the road and into the tall grass. Around the next bend came a horse drawn wagon, its conductor cracking a whip in the air above the two sweaty animals. The horses' heads were bowed, dust smeared on their bodies around the harnesses strapped to them. The man sitting atop the front of the wagon was dusty too; he dabbed at his face with a rag, smearing sweat and mud across his haggard features. He was all bent and hunched, beady eyes staring ahead with a vacant look. He hardly seemed to notice them as his rickety wagon trundled past. The wagon itself was empty, aside from a pair of scraggly looking kids, who peered over the edge of their wagon at their group as they passed by. Midoriya watched them go, the rickety wagon disappearing down the hill and vanishing from sight. "Come on," Hadou said, voice soft. They trudged back onto the road, curving around the bend.

Around the bend, the road dipped down another steep incline, and the trees receded away from the edges of the ditch. Midoriya raised his gaze from his boots to what lay ahead, and he stopped with a gasp. Down below, was a wide valley. A blue ribbon cut through the landscape; a river, perhaps. Dominating the skyline, though, were great stone walls, that rose from the earth and stood proud, like a king on his throne. From here, Midoriya could see an archway, where a multitude of dots milled about. People, entering and leaving. Beyond the walls, he could see the gentle rise of rooftops, giving way to the grand battlements and towers of the castle standing proudly in the middle of the city. He gawked at the sight. This...this was the city? Even from here, it was huge. Midoriya teetered in place, dizzy and overwhelmed.

Uraraka bounced on the balls of her feet, an excited grin lighting her features. "So? What do you think?" A light breeze picked up as she spoke, tickling Midoriya's face and tousling his hair. He looked from her bright eyes to the winding road ahead of them, anticipation curling in his gut. Midoriya bit his lip.

"It's...big."

At that, Hadou barked out a laugh. "Oh, just wait until you see inside. There are so many buildings crammed into that city, it's ridiculous. You could almost take a stick and poke one and they'd all knock into each other like dominos and come tumbling down! And that castle. The King went all out building that thing, that's for sure. I've been inside of it a few times, y'know, and whew, I almost got lost every time. 'Course, I suppose it didn't help that I kept getting distracted by all the pretty decor-"

"Okay!" Uraraka cried, jumping forward and clasping Hadou's arm. "I think he gets it."

Midoriya's lips twitched, and he bobbed his head vigorously to hide his amusement. Hadou rolled her eyes and huffed. She shoved Uraraka away with a pout, and Midoriya had to bite his lip to keep from chuckling. "Fine, fine," she huffed, waving her hand. "Well, we shouldn't dilly dally, come on, kids." Hadou tossed her head, her glossy, shimmery hair swaying as she stalked forward. Uraraka shot Midoriya an exasperated look before trudging on after her. He couldn't help the snicker that sprung loose. Midoriya shook his head and followed.

Down the hill they went. The incline was steep, and more than once, Midoriya feared he'd lose his footing and roll head over heels to the bottom of the valley. They moved slowly, Hadou's idle chatter filling the afternoon air. Ahead, Midoriya could see more clusters of travelers, with wagons and horses and even some on foot. The stone walls of the city grew in size as they approached, and before long the dusty stone towered over them, casting them in shadow. Up close, he could see soldiers moving around at the tops of the walls, pointed spears clutched in their hands. At the archway, more soldiers lingered. A few had spears, but most had swords belted at their sides. They stopped travelers, checking wagons and bags and questioning troupes before permitting them access through the massive archway. Midoriya watched with furrowed brows, his curiosity piquing as the guards nodded the next pair on ahead. He leaned closer to Uraraka. "What are they doing?"

"It's a checkpoint," she said. "They make sure no one suspicious enters the city."

Midoriya frowned at this. Suspicious? "Like who?" he blurted. Uraraka let out a soft laugh.

"I dunno. They didn't always do this; it's been a new thing the past few years." Her smile faded, an almost somber look overtaking her features. "Ever since Prince Touya disappeared, anyway," she muttered, voice so low Midoriya almost didn't hear her. Curiosity sparked in him like a flame, questions already welling up on the tip of his tongue. Prince Touya? Who was that? He nearly voiced his thoughts, but the shadow in her usually bright eyes had him swallowing them down like bitter herbs. Instead, Midoriya ducked his head and focused on Hadou's shadow as it swayed across the dirt path in front of him.

"Stop, please!"

Their little party came to a halt right at the foot of the city's gates. Midoriya glanced up, shrinking under the assertive stare of the guard before them. He was taller by a good head and a half, dark hair swept back and lips set in a deep frown. The uniform he wore was tidy; no wrinkles in the vibrant red jacket. The buttons down his front gleamed, as though they were polished, and even his charcoal black boots lacked dust. His gaze was sharp and observant; Midoriya felt like a mouse being surveyed by a hawk. Even the wire-rimmed glasses set on his face were intimidating. Midoriya cringed as he felt himself tremble beside Uraraka. Oh, gods, what if they didn't let him into the city? The thought was entirely illogical, Midoriya knew. They had no reason to keep him out. That he knew of, anyway. It wasn't as though being exiled from his clan had any bearing on other civilized areas, right? He trembled harder. Oh, gods, what if it did? What if they knew, and he was barred from going anywhere, ever? It was stupid and made zero sense, but the terror clawing at his stomach was here and real and clouding his mind. He could only stand dumbly as Uraraka and Hadou initiated the exchange beside him.

"What is your business here?" the guard asked. Hadou rolled her eyes, and to Midoriya's utter shock and horror, leaned heavily on her staff.

"Oh, Iida junior, don't be all serious like that," she said. "You know exactly why we're here; no need to be so formal."

The guard stiffened, a look of indignance stamping across his features. "You know as well as I do, miss Hadou-san, that this is merely protocol! I must ask you what your business is, that is my purpose!"

Uraraka sighed and gave Hadou a sharp nudge. "It's okay, Iida-kun, she's just teasing you. We're just coming back into the city with our new stock."

Iida seemed to flounder for a second, his expression flashing between angry, confused, and exasperated. "I- well- uh, yes, of course." He bowed deeply, before fixing his attention on Midoriya. "And who is this?"

Midoriya stiffened, gulping. He opened his mouth to answer, but no words came out. There was a beat of silence, in which panic rose within his veins, and then Uraraka swooped in to the rescue. She tossed an arm over his shoulder, the contact making his face flush hot, and grinned so bright Midoriya feared he'd go blind from proximity. "Oh, this is our friend, Deku. He's decided to move here to the city with us! Right, Deku-kun?"

He nodded wordlessly. Iida's gaze lingered, something sharp and curious glimmering there in his dark violet irises. Midoriya bit his lip hard enough that it stung, his gaze dropping to the pebbles at his feet. He could feel the heat stinging his cheeks beneath the scrutiny. His fingers toyed with the threads of Uraraka's cloak, and for probably the hundredth time he wished it was long enough to cover his exposed midriff.

"Tenya, what's the hold-up?" Another guard appeared at their side, his face split in an easy-going grin. He had the same dark hair and square features as Iida, though instead of serious, hard eyes, there was a warmth there. Iida straightened, hand flying up in a salute.

"Sir, Captain, Sir! Just asking routine questions, Sir!"

The captain laughed, patting Iida on the shoulder. "At ease, little brother." He turned to them, his grin brightening at the sight of Hadou. "Nejire-san! Back from the mountains, I presume?"

Hadou nodded, her hair bouncing as she laughed. "Tensei! How are you doing? The cadets keeping you busy? And yeah, we just got back now; got lots of new stock for the shop. And new people. Deku's a friend of ours, coming to stay in the city with us. Y'know, wanting to get out, see the world, that sort of schtick." Her word-vomit seemed to have little effect on the captain, who merely laughed and waved her off.

"Well, we're glad to see you two back in one piece. Say hi to Yaoyorozu for me, would you?"

"Of course!" Hadou chirped. The captain chuckled, turning his grin to Midoriya. He extended a friendly wave, much to Midoriya's relief.

"And nice to meet you, Deku. Enjoy the city; you're in good hands, here."

Midoriya wasn't given time for a response; the captain clapped him on the shoulder and waved their little group onwards. He caught Iida's stare for a second, and then Uraraka's arm was looping through his and she was dragging him on beneath the archway. Shadows flickered across his vision, and then they were standing amidst the hustle and bustle of the capital of Endeavor.

One breath in, and Midoriya was assaulted by smells. Thick smoke mingled with the savory smells of meat on the cusp of a breeze. Sweat and perfumes clogged the next, accompanied by the acrid stench of sewer and manure. He wrinkled his nose, suppressing the desire to cover his face with Uraraka's cloak still nestled across his shoulders. His attire was already unusual enough, no need to raise any more eyebrows.

The buildings were clustered tightly together, creating narrow, cobblestone streets. Ropes crisscrossed from upper story windows, with towels and trousers and undergarments strung across them, shifting slightly in the gentle breeze. People were everywhere, too; darting between buildings, walking down streets, skirts swishing and coattails fluttering. There were shrieks of laughter from children as they darted around their parents' legs, playing games with balls and wooden sticks. So much was happening at once, that Midoriya felt almost dizzy trying to take it all in. Uraraka tugged on the sleeve of his cloak. "Come on, this way!" She led him into the cluster of buildings in streets, her hand remaining clasped tightly onto the cloak that he wore. Which, admittedly, was probably for the best, as Midoriya was still not really paying much attention to where they were walking. His gaze was taken with his surroundings, trying to absorb it all at once. Bright colors and rickety, horse drawn wagons, and vendors in the streets, trying to sell their wares; everywhere Midoriya looked, something exciting and different was happening.

The best part was that in the hustle and bustle of the city, no one seemed to notice his unusual attire. For the first time in awhile, he blended right in.

Hadou and Uraraka led him deeper into the city, where the buildings seemed to get tighter together. Streets were so narrow that horses could barely fit down them, and residential housing seemed to pick up in number. The clusters of people seemed to dwindle as well, with only handfuls of residents lingering about. They ducked down another street, coming to a stop outside of a rather curious building.

"Here we are!" Hadou chirped, throwing her arms into the air. "Home sweet home, at last!"

Midoriya adjusted the pack still settled on his shoulders, his head tilting to the side as he stared. The building he stared at was clearly a shop; the wooden door was propped open with an old barrel, the metal rings holding it together rusted and the wood warped and rotted. Over the doorway hung a wooden sign that read: Winds Apothecary Shop. The shop was old, the building worn and tired. It leaned ever so slightly to the side, like an old man leaning against a fence post. Vines crawled up the stone walls, leaves shiny with dew. Even the roof seemed to sag a little, as though it was tired and worn out from staying upright all day. Midoriya could see a plethora of potted plants crowding the window ledges from inside the shop, their leaves vying desperately for the little sunlight that trickled down from the clouds overhead. Up a story was another set of windows, curtains drawn tight behind the glass. He presumed that was the living quarters, if the shop was the lower floor.

"Oh, gods, I can't wait to sleep in my own bed," Hadou groaned, stomping into the shop. She chucked her staff at the stoop, letting it bounce against the wall before miraculously staying upright right beside the doorway. The precision was curious, and Midoriya stared at it for a moment. How did it stay? And why did Hadou leave it? Surely someone would steal it, right?

"It's charmed," Uraraka said softly from beside him. Midoriya jumped, starled. An unseemingly squeak slipped past his lips, and he flushed in embarrassment. Uraraka nodded to the staff, an amused smile warming her expression. "You seemed confused about the staff, right?"

He nodded. "Ye-yeah, a bit. You said it's charmed?"

"Yep!" she said, popping the 'p'. "The charm was a little complicated- it was my first one. It basically tells the staff where to sit in the stoop and keeps people from stealing it." Uraraka shrugged. "But yeah, that's why she just tossed it. Wanna give it a try?" She held her own staff out to him, gaze soft and shy. Midoriya eyed the staff, admiring the glittering pink orb on the thicker end. He reached out, his fingers grazing the wood. It was surprisingly smooth, the bark worn from years of use. It wasn't too hefty; a bit heavier on the side with the orb. Midoriya tossed it towards Hadou's staff, and like magic, it zipped to the stoop and rattled into place. He blinked, awed by the sight.

"Whoa."

Uraraka grinned. "Cool, isn't it?"

It was. A useful little charm, that seemed so small but was fascinating to watch. Midoriya felt that he could play with it all day long, if given the opportunity. But the bite of the pack's strap against his shoulder and the breeze tickling his exposed midriff had his attention shifting to the shadowy doorway. Uraraka seemed to sense the change in him, for she grasped his arm and tugged him forward. "Come on," she said, "let's get inside."

Midoriya's first thought upon entering the apothecary shop was cozy. Low burning lamps hung from the overarching support beams, throwing pools of orange light onto the various shelves of merchandise. Gleaming crystals, large, drooping plants, and an odd assortment of corked glass containers lined the shelves along the walls. Against the back left wall stood a large, oaken desk, the wood polished to shine under the glow of the lamplight. To its left, was the shadow of a doorway, curtain pulled across it. Behind the desk, were more shelves, alongside a rack of brooms and barrels and sacks. Perched behind the desk was a girl about their age, her long black hair twisted up into a messy ponytail. She was bent over a roll of parchment, scribbling furiously with a puffy, white quill pen.

"Momo, we're home!" Uraraka sang. The girl's gaze flicked up for merely half a second; Midoriya would have missed it if he wasn't looking.

"Good," she said, "then you can help me with the backlog of deliveries we've accumulated. Of course it's when you two go galloping across the countryside that we get slammed with orders." She spoke no more, bending closer to her parchment, so much so that Midoriya was surprised her nose wasn't pressed into it. The silence between them was filled with only the scratching of her quill. Uraraka shook her head and sighed, leaning closer to him.

"This is Yaoyorozu Momo," she said, voice soft. "She helps us run the place. She's really good at potion making and keeping organized, which, well." Uraraka rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. "It's something we're grateful to her for, I'll say." She pushed Midoriya along, ushering him past the desk and into the doorway behind Yaoyorozu. They pushed through the curtain, and Midoriya stifled a gasp. Shelves dominated his view. Floor to ceiling, they were crammed tight with crates and crates of magical things. Potions, and charms, and other things Midoriya couldn't even begin to decipher. Each crate was labelled carefully with a piece of parchment, though Midoriya was unable to decipher the inky scrawl. In the middle of the room, was a ladder, leading to a little person sized hole in the ceiling. A soft light drifted down, giving the store room a soft glow.

He looked at Uraraka, jaw hanging open. "Is this...all the stuff you've made?"

She laughed, nodding. "Yep! These are all orders we've filled, just waiting for patrons to pick up. Of course, a lot of them need delivered, but we'll sort that all once we settle in." She stifled a yawn, adjusting her two packs. "I don't know about you, but I'm beat."

Midoriya felt the heaviness in his limbs and the ache of his muscles. He was tired too, and felt as though he could sleep for eons. He let his gaze fall to his dusty boots and shrugged. "Sleep would be nice…"

"Then up we go!"

He watched, brows raised, as Uraraka swept past him and started up the rickety old ladder. The soft light seemed to make her glow, and Midoriya suddenly forgot how to breath. He averted his attention to the many crates, staring listlessly at the silvery cobwebs and dust decorating them and the shelves they rested on. So many questions brewed in his mind. He wanted to know everything; how did one make a potion? Were they easy to make? And could anyone use them? Who ordered all of these? How much gold did they even cost? By the bite of the pack he shouldered, Midoriya could tell that a lot of materials were needed. That took time to collect, time away from delivering, if the full shelves were anything to go by.

"You coming?"

Midoriya jolted, whipping his gaze up to the ladder. Uraraka's head hung down through the hole, her hair falling from her face and spilling into the shadows. He flushed, nodding furiously. "Ye-yes," he stammered, practically tripping over his own two feet as he clamored to the ladder. There was a giggle, and Uraraka vanished from sight, the soft light momentarily blinding him. Midoriya grasped at the wooden ladder blindly, allowing his senses to guide him up one rung at a time.

Through the hole he went, scrabbling to throw the pack onto the floor before he slipped and fell back down into the storeroom. Warm hands grasped his arm and helped pull him up and into the room, and when Midoriya looked up he was met with the cheery gaze of Uraraka as she helped him to his feet. "Welcome home," she said, voice soft and shy. Midoriya felt his heart skip a beat.

Welcome home.

He smiled, at that.

Here's the next bit! Sorry this took so long, life's been hectic! Hopefully it was worth the wait! ;3

-Kat