hero's shadow // mha

30) comfortable in chaos

(LOOK AT HOW AMAZING THIS IS!!!! THE COLORS AND THE SKY!! this is by booyahbaby on the discord server!!)

For once in his life, Izuku isn't late, though it's a close thing.

His encounter with Present Mic last night left him shaky and unable to calm down, so sleep is now nothing more than a distant memory. He hasn't slept in how many days now? The fact that he isn't even sure speaks volumes.

He should probably make more of an effort to sleep considering you need to be well-rested if you want a stab wound to heal. Even so, he can't find it in himself to care too much about that. The bucket of chicken he's clutching to his chest is a really good motivator; he doesn't feel tired at all.

Now, this might be because he has ascended past the point of mere exhaustion, but the point still stands.

KFC is a life-savor.

"Oi, let me have some."

Izuku glares at his friend and bares his teeth. "You touch this fucking bucket and I'll snap your fingers."

Kacchan backs off with an eye roll, leaving Izuku to cradle his food protectively and hiss at the lingering students. No onetouches his food without his direct permission and lives to see another day.

"Is everyone good and ready?" Iida shouts, standing in front of the door leading out of 1-A's prep room. "The event's about to begin!"

Oh, I'm good alright.

The students are all milling about, anxiety fresh in the air. Izuku isn't nervous, though. He can't be. He's going to be leaving tomorrow, and there's nothing anyone can do to stop him. He just hopes Kacchan will understand why he has to do this once he wakes up with Missy and all of her belongings in his room.

This is the only way Izuku can protect everyone. If he leaves, All for One will focus on finding him—not on hurting his friends and the ones he cares for.

"Midoriya."

Izuku whips around, about to throw hands with whoever has decided it's a good idea to ask him for some chicken, only to stop short when his primal gaze meets mismatched eyes. He blinks, not liking the way he has to look up to stare his classmate in the face. "Todoroki! What's wrong?"

Todoroki has never sought him out like this. In fact, Izuku hasn't even heard him speak outside of answering questions in class or battle training. This is new.

"Objectively speaking," the teen begins flatly, his eyes never leaving Izuku's. "I'm stronger than you. More capable."

Well shit. He's right about the more capable part, but that doesn't mean he should say it.

Izuku slowly reaches into his bucket and brings a chicken wing up to his mouth, patiently waiting for his classmate to continue as he bites into it. It tastes even better now that he's doing it to annoy someone.

"All Might's got his eye on you, doesn't he? Now, I'm not about to pry into why that is," his expression darkens, "but I will beat you."

Izuku blinks. Once. Twice. He takes another slow bite and chews thoughtfully. "Oh."

"Ooh! A declaration of war from the strongest in the class?" Kaminari teases, his words reminding Izuku that yes, Todoroki is saying this in front of the whole class. Lovely.

Kirishima seems to notice the tense air, as he steps forward to put a hand on Todoroki's shoulder. "Hey, man, why pick a fight now? We're about to go on—"

"I really don't care," Todoroki says coldly, shrugging off the touch. "I'm not pretending to be anyone's friend here."

The sentence makes Izuku pause, lips tugging downwards. The signs have been there all this time, and yet Izuku hasn't paid them much mind in favor of getting through his own issues. I'm sorry. I should've invited you over to our table that day when I had the chance. You probably wouldn't have accepted, but I know it would've stuck with you.