Ochaco gripped the strap of her duffel bag a little tighter and looked over the bus. She could probably sit with Momo or Tsu, neither of them would complain, but even though sitting next to Deku for the entire ride to the training camp was absolutely terrifying, she gathered up her courage and started making her way back to where he was sitting. The last few days had been a whirlwind of packing, police interviews, and somewhat avoiding the media, but even with how busy they had all been, Deku had been more quiet than she expected and Ochaco was starting to get worried. So even if it might be awkward sitting next to her maybe, but probably not, so stop being so silly crush, it would be worth it if she could make sure he knew that he had someone in his corner. That's why they were friends, right?

Momo: Yeah... he really needs someone to talk to about what happened...

She used her quirk on her bag so that she could hold it above her head and not have to worry about knocking it into the other seats she passed. Deku was on a bench about three quarters of the way to the back of the bus, so she had to pass most of the class to even reach him and even when she did, she had to call his name twice to get him to stop staring absently out the window and actually realize she was there.

"Oh! Uh, Uraraka!" Deku smiled apologetically. "Um, hi?"

Ochaco gave what she hoped was a comforting smile, instead of a nervous one, "Is it okay if I sit with you?"

Midoriya: No, I don't mind.

Deku nodded frantically, "O-of course! If you want to, that is, you don't have to or anything..."

"Of course I want to!" Ochaco assured him, sliding her duffle under the seat and releasing her quirk. "I wouldn't have asked if I didn't."

Deku flinched almost imperceptibly, "Sorry, guess I'm still getting used to people hanging out with me by choice."

(a lot of people winced)

Ochaco shrugged, careful not to let her face show how much that hurt her heart, "Well then, I guess it's about time you get used to it!"

Deku smiled, "Yeah, I, uh, I guess it is!"

Kirishima: Yeah, definitely.

Ochaco was freaking out about what else she was supposed to say when Kaminari came slumping onto the bus, groaning loudly, "Why is it so early?"

Mitsuki: Because otherwise you would be getting to the camp in the middle of the night.

"Because otherwise we'd be getting to the camp in the middle of the night, dumbass!" Bakugo yelled from the back of the bus. "And what're you gonna do when you're a hero, huh? You're just gonna not save people because the mission happens before sunrise?!"

Kaminari: Still hate getting up in the morning though...

Tokoyami: Agreed.

Kuroiro: I detest the sun sometimes.

Dark Shadow: Mm-hm.

Bakugo was tucked into the back corner, a sleepy-eyed Kirishima the only thing between him and the window. Kirishima's arms wrapped lazily around Bakugo's shoulders, which gave him more than enough room to snuggle into his boyfriend's chest. No wonder Mina wouldn't stop squealing about how cute they were. Ochaco still wasn't quite sure how those two had managed to get together, but they made a surprisingly good pair. Bakugo had tamed down considerably since the start of the school year, and Kirishima was good at bringing out that softer side while still letting him be... well, Bakugo. And Bakugo was undeniably still Bakugo, as evidenced by the time that Monoma had complained loudly about their pda and Bakugo had just glared at him until he slowly backed away. Even Deku had laughed when that had happened.

(Mina started squealing and both Bakugo and Kirishima went red and immediately looked away from the screen while everyone else started laughing)

Kaminari didn't give any more attention to Bakugo's insults than he usually did. Instead, he grinned and pushed his way to the back seat as Mina dragged an almost asleep Sero closer to the window to make room for him. Ochaco smiled. There was just something about class trips that gave off an inexplicable sense of comradery, even if most of her classmates were half-asleep. It was sweet.

Mt. Lady: Aw they're all so adorable.

"Is that everyone?" Aizawa asked, sleeping bag already out and ready on the seat beside him. "Great. Don't be too loud, let other people sleep, and get ready for hell."

(everyone snorted)

Ochaco smiled and shook her head as some of their classmates groaned and she caught Deku doing the same beside her, "He really does like those logical ruses, doesn't he?"

Midnight: Mm-hm.

Deku rolled his eyes, "Nah, he just enjoys being dramatic. He's not lying this time, though. He knows how dangerous being a hero really is, so I don't think he's going to go easy on any of us this week."

Ochaco clenched her fist, "Then we'll just have to rise to the challenge!"

Uraraka: Plus ultra!

Deku smiled and gave her a fist bump, "Yeah!"

They'd been driving for two hours now and most of their classmates were asleep. Izuku wished he could join them, but his brain really hadn't relaxed enough to get anything more than nightmares since the mall incident. Everything had just gone so fast and his classmates had handled everything so well, so the real stress of the situation hadn't really hit him until after everything was over and he was alone in his room.

He'd almost died. If Shigaraki's quirk hadn't been damaged at the USJ, his throat would be nothing more than blood and dust and who knows how many others would have died as well before Shigaraki made his escape. The only thing that had kept his mom from having to plan his funeral was a split second and pure dumb luck. He was sitting here, about to go on a school field trip like any normal student, when really he should be dead.

Inko: Oh Izuku...

He was determined to act normal though, if only to keep everyone else from worrying. When Tsukauchi and Aizawa had asked what happened, he'd glazed over the part where Shigaraki had put his final finger down. He knew how protective Eraser was, but the last thing he wanted was for him to storm the league's hideout, wherever it was, and impulsively try to destroy Shigaraki. Even if he knew that Eraser was logical enough that he'd realize how idiotic that was, the only other option would be him sitting with the knowledge that his student had almost died and he hadn't been able to do anything about it.

Mic(wincing): Yeah no that would really hurt...

Aizawa: Still should've told me though...

So Izuku just hadn't said anything. He'd described getting taken hostage, and eventually wriggling out, but if he never said anything about the moment his heart almost stopped, then he wouldn't have to worry anybody. It wasn't like he wasn't used to keeping stuff like this secret! He'd kept the bullying a secret for years, so he knew he was strong enough to handle it. And what didn't kill him would make him stronger, right? So, since he wasn't dead, he would just use this to make him into an even better hero!

Dabi(facepalming): This kid is so stubborn but seriously even I want him to go to therapy at this point and I've tried to kill him!

Toga: I think we all collectively agree that he needs therapy.

Both Aizawa and Nezu had suggested therapy, but Izuku had said he needed a little time before deciding. There was really only one counselor at UA and he didn't want to take away valuable time that his classmates or the other hero students could be using when they needed it so much more than he did. He was used to being hurt and having obstacles, so he knew how to deal with it, but a lot of his classmates were having to confront that for the first time and, judging by what had happened with Iida, probably needed more help than Izuku did. He was considering just thanking Nezu for the offer and letting him know that he was fine on his own so that Hound Dog could focus on helping the people who really needed it.

Hound Dog: Okay Midoriya stop thinking that this instant everyone needs therapy and you're not escaping it.

Midoriya: Yes Hound Dog-sensei.

Izuku shifted slightly to stare out the window again, careful not to jostle Uraraka too much. He was pretty sure she hadn't tried to fall asleep on his shoulder, but she'd been dozing off and almost fallen over a few times, so when the bus had taken a turn and pushed her into him, he hadn't pushed her away. It was a small bus and pretty much everyone was laying on top of one another at this point because that was really the only comfortable way to sleep, so there was no reason to make it weird. He just hoped that he wasn't blushing when she woke up. That would be awkward.

Uraraka(turning red): Oh my goodness...

He'd used his insomnia to write a couple articles to use against Stain's reputation. He'd even published one of them! Nezu had warned him, though, that it was probably going to take quite a few articles to make any difference. Hero society had always had cracks, Stain had just widened them and let water start gushing out. Things like that couldn't be fixed in days or weeks, no matter how much they wished they could. Life just didn't work like that.

But they'd fix it. Izuku wouldn't stop until they did. He'd been given so much: an opportunity to prove himself and be useful to the heroes, a place to make friends, and now even a second chance at life. With everything he had been given, he had a responsibility to pay it back and make sure things were better for everyone and that the people he cared about didn't have to worry.

Midoriya: Yeah...

Izuku didn't realize how tense he'd gotten until Uraraka grabbed his arm. He flinched violently, then saw her concerned face and forced himself to relax, "Oh, Uraraka, I'm sorry, did I wake you up?"

Uraraka shook her head, "I've been kinda in-and-out, you know? What about you? Are you okay?"

Izuku flashed her a practiced smile, "I'm great, it's just hard to sleep on a bus, so..."

Iida: Midoriya, please tell her, okay? She won't judge.

Tsu: And you need someone to talk to, ribbit.

Uraraka looked like she didn't believe him and Izuku forced his mucsles to relax and tried to be convincing, but she just narrowed her eyes, "You don't have to lie, you know. We're friends Deku, I'm not going to judge you or anything if you're not okay."

"I"m not lying, uraraka, I'm really fine." Izuku insisted. "I'm sorry for worrying you."

Uraraka searched his face for another long moment before her expression softened into something halfway between understanding and sympathy. It was a little too close to pity for Izuku's comfort, but somehow she still managed to make it look good. At least he knew she didn't mean anything by it, at least he hoped she didn't. Izuku didn't think he could handle it if Uraraka started thinking he was weak or less capable like everyone else did.

Inko(realizing that's what she'd been doing his whole life): Izuku... I'm sorry...

Midoriya(knowing what she was talking about): It's okay, mom. It's just in your nature to be protective. I'd prefer overprotectiveness than none at all.

"You didn't tell anyone, did you?" Uraraka asked finally, voice low enough that even if their classmates had been awake, they wouldn't have been able to catch what she was saying. "About Shigaraki?"

Izuku forced a chuckle, "Of course I told people, you were there! The whole class helped me out! And I talked to the police after. I'm fine, Uraraka, I promise."

"That's not what I mean." Uraraka seemed to hesitate, not knowing what to do with her hands, before she just settled for grabbing his hand gently. "You didn't tell the police that Shigaraki actually touched you with all five fingers, did you?"

Midoriya: Oh... you noticed...

Izuku froze. How had she known that? He remembered that she had been the first one to come to his side once he'd gotten away, but had she been watching before that? Or was she just trying to come up with some explanation for his behavior and that was the most dramatic one?

Uraraka: I don't think my imagination's that morbid though...

Izuku tried to smile, "Come on, Uraraka, you know that if that had happened, I'd be dead right now."

Uraraka shook her head, "Not with what happened at the USJ. I was coming back to get you, but then I saw you with this weird guy and didn't even realize it was Shigaraki until he put that last finger down and started yelling about a glitch."

Shigaraki: Okay she definitely knows.

"Oh." Izuku said quietly. He felt like all the air had been knocked out of him. So much for not worrying anyone.

"I get not wanting anyone to worry about you." Uraraka started rubbing his hand absentmindedly as she stared out the window. "I don't tell my parents half the stuff that happens here, but that's what we've got friends for, right? We've got people there for us who can understand, even when our parents or other people can't."

Sero: Yeah, we've got to look out for each other after all.

Mineta: We've all been through villain attacks together. We all know what it's like so... I won't judge if anyone needs help.

"I..." Izuku swallowed. "I didn't..."

Uraraka looked up at him insistently, "We helped you fight him, didn't we? Let us... let me help you now."

Spinner: Come on, accept it.

Twice: Accept it please? Nah, you're good.

Izuku felt the tears that he'd been holding back for days start pricking at the corners of his eyes, "I was so scared."

Uraraka nodded, "I can't even imagine it. But you fought back. You survived."

"I was lucky." Izuku whispered. "I should be dead."

Bakugo(who couldn't help but think that it sounded a bit suicidal): Well you'd better stay alive, nerd.

Uraraka looked at him for another long moment before she got an oddly determined expression on her face and held out her arms in a silent offer for a hug. Izuku didn't look at her face so that he could ignore the fact that they were both bright pink as he fell into her arms. Something about knowing that she was there broke down the last walls that had been straining to hold back all the fear and panic that he'd been refusing to feel since the mall and he suddenly found himself silently sobbing against her shoulder as tears ran down his face.

"Your shirt." Izuku choked out. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't... I can stop."

Uraraka: No, don't worry about that right now.

Monoma: Seriously that's what he's focusing on right now?

Tetsutetsu: Midoriya is too good for this world.

Kendo: And someone is still bothering him for being involved in villain attacks, right Monoma? (Monoma hoped his guilty expression wasn't showing)

Uraraka shrugged as best she could without breaking the hug, "It's a camp shirt, Deku, it's supposed to get dirty. D-don't worry about it, just... let me be here for you."

Izuku hesitated for another moment before nodding. He trusted her. He had to trust her. And, well, even though he felt guilty for breaking down on her like this, it was surprisingly nice. After trying to keep everything inside, it was a relief to let it all out, even if he was probably not going to be too embarrassed to even look at her after this.

Midoriya: Yeah uh...

Uraraka: No don't be embarrassed please okay?

At some point, she'd started running her fingers through his hair, if only to have something to do, and Izuku couldn't help melting into the sensation, "I was so scared."

"I know." Uraraka whispered. "I know."

Izuku didn't know how long he sat there with Uraraka's fingers carding through his hair, but he was pretty sure he was still crying when he finally drifted off into the first dreamless sleep he'd had since he'd survived.

(sometime in the middle of the chapter Inko had started crying and Mitsuki and Midoriya were busy comforting her and Jana waited until the waterworks were finished before she went to the next story)