"Okay. We can talk to him about it," Midoriya says softly, leaning on you, "everything will be fine."

"I know," you mutter, "I know it will."

The warmth of Midoriya's body on yours makes you want to fall asleep, right then and there. It's comforting; his soft breathing and the rise and fall of his chest.

You hold onto that feeling, with white knuckles. You hold onto it, with whatever it takes. Because you can't shake the feeling you'll lose it very, very soon.

❧

You muster up the courage to ask what you've been wondering, his words from back then sitting in your mind with a weight you can't comprehend.

"Why did you think that I wanted you gone?" You mutter. "You can be really stupid sometimes."

You can't see Midoriya's face, but you feel his breath hitch. 

"Because," he replies, "there's nothing for me here anymore. I thought that'd you want to leave, like it would have to end horribly in some way. It feels like I don't deserve a happy ending."

You almost laugh at his words. "You? You have nothing left? You were the number-one hero. You have so much to live for, Midoriya. You have friends here, that want to help you . . . If anything, I'm the one that has nothing to lose."

He looks at you, then, an emotion you can't place filling his eyes. 

"You have me."

"You're right," you reply, "and you have me. And I can't lose that, whatever it takes to keep things like this."

"You really think that, though?" Midoriya wonders aloud, "That I have somewhere to be."

"Yeah, that's why I'm so scared, I think. Because you have the world to welcome you back, ready to love you when you say it's okay."

You chuckle softly.

"But all I have is you guys, and this cruel heart of mine. No one is going to wait for me. In the end, even you all have something to love. If you leave me, that's it. I'm alone."

"But I won't," Midoriya says, eyes locked onto yours, "because you're my happy ending."

"And you're mine."

If love is anything tangible, if that's what you're feeling, it makes its home in the way he presses his lips to yours, softer than the sheets below you.

His hands wrap around your body, resting below you as you're pressed against the mattress. He hovers above you, his eyes tired, but leans down for another kiss despite it.

You break away for a moment, your voice weak. "Rest. You're tired, I can tell."

"No I'm not."

Midoriya kisses you again, and you hug him as he pulls away. You feel his breathing slow.

He was really tired. I knew it. You think, eyeing his head resting on your chest. You scoot him over so you can face him, laying down peacefully, at rest.

His arms are still wrapped around you. You wipe his hair out of his closed eyes.

You wonder what you're feeling, then; the gripping anger, clawing at your heart.

I will come for every monster that has touched you. I will come for everyone who has taken the stars from your sky. I will come for every monster that put tears in your eyes.

Is this what love is? The urge to fight, to protect? Is this what heroes feel when they look at their city? Even when they are powerless as you are, are they as stupid as you're feeling?

It's as if you're a hero, looking across the ruins of your home. 

So, is this love? Or is it that cursed dream of yours, desperate to fulfill your heart with the feeling that you've saved someone?

Whatever it is, you can't shake the feeling whenever you look at him. The way his eyelashes rest on his cheeks when he sleeps. His quiet breathing. He even seems to smile, then, in his sleep.

You drift off alongside him, your head full of thoughts you don't want to think.

You're shaken awake by Nakano not long later. 

She's wearing fresh clothes, holding some for you and Midoriya. 

"The meeting is soon." She says, "People are arriving. Get ready."

You lean up, groaning. "Where's Shinimi?"

"He's with Red Riot, welcoming the heroes," Nakano explains, setting down the clothes, "pick whatever you like. I am going to find food."

"You're not coming to the meeting?"

"I am. I'm just hungry."

She leaves, and you shake Midoriya awake. 

"We have to get ready."

He groans as he stands. "Alright."

The feeling of putting on fresh clothes is amazing, and you don't even realize that Midoriya is watching you.

"What the hell," you mutter to him, blushing, "just get dressed."

"Whatever you say, dear," he coos, putting on his own clothes.

You don't look at him, spinning around and focusing on your own appearance. It's been so long since you looked decent, and you're a little disappointed you didn't get to shower.

Midoriya looks nice in clean clothes, and you have to keep yourself from fangirling.

"Alright," you say instead, "let's go."

"You look nice."

His compliment catches you off guard, and you stutter. "Th-thanks. You too. Let's go."

He giggles as you leave the room.

❧

"Deku?"

Uravity's eyes are full of tears, and she covers her mouth with a single hand. Midoriya gives her a little wave, blush rising to his cheeks.

You stand behind the two, along with Nakano and Shinimi. It's awkward, watching these people you don't know cry over someone you do.

The squirming feeling increases as more heroes show up, and you feel the urge to run away. You don't belong here. 

You can tell Nakano feels the same way by the way she shifts on her feet, her eyes darting around the room. Shinimi only marvels at each hero that walks in.

Uravity is soon joined by Froppy, Chargebolt, and the underground hero Eraserhead. 

More tears are shed, but Midoriya doesn't cry. For some reason, he seems awkward as well.

Out of place, like you.

You weren't paying attention, so you think it's strange when the whole place goes quiet. You realize why, though, when you look up.

Dynamight stands at the door, unmoving, his eyes locked onto Midoriya.

❧