I've got no Strings

Part 23~To-chan

Izuku huffed, shivering as he fell to his knees, giving up once more. "Too cold." Falling forward, Izuku laid down in the dirt. "I no longer exist. I am one with the dirt."

"You okay, man?" Sero held out a hand, waiting for Izuku to take it.

"I'm dead."

"Don't say that! Shinso will have our heads!" Sero paled dramatically, making Izuku chuckle. He pushed himself up, taking Sero's hand and letting Sero pull him to his feet, and begin to drag him down the mountain. "You know, I think it's really sweet of you but really cruel too."

Izuku blinked, glancing at Sero. "What is?"

"You pretending to like Shinso. It's a bit cruel for you to be leading him on but it's nice for making him seem normal."

Izuku frowned, pulling away from Sero. "I don't understand. I'm not leading him on, I actually really like him and he's completely normal, aside from the insomnia."

"But you don't like him. Not like he likes you. You just enjoy the idea of him and his way. You'll eventually grow bored of him and leave."

Pushing Sero back, Izuku glared at him. "Why the hell would you say that?! What's wrong with you?!"

"I just know you don't look at him the way he looks at you. You don't love him."

Izuku growled, punching Sero. "Fuck off. You don't know anything about my feelings towards Toshi and don't assume anything or you'll regret it."

Sero chuckled, lifting his head. "That's not very heroic."

Freezing, Izuku stared at Sero. He sharply turned around and stormed away. His heart hammered as he tried to calm it. That statement was too close to comfort and it was hurting. He needed to be more careful. He had become more relaxed since Shinso had come to 1A. Even with Toga leaving, he let Shinso distract him. He let down his guard.

He was losing his purpose.

That thought chilled him to the bone. He couldn't lose his purpose. He couldn't lose Shinso either. Groaning, Izuku shook his head. He was too tired and too cold to think about all of this.

"Zuku? Is everything okay?" Shinso raised his eyebrow, seeing Izuku walking down from the mountain. "Are you okay?"

Izuku sighed, running a hand through his hair as he walked forward and hit his head against Shinso's shoulder. "Cold," he whined, making Shinso chuckle.

"Yeah, you feel like an ice cube."

"That's just because you're so hot, in all ways." Izuku hummed, nuzzling into Shinso's neck as he blushed, his face heating up much to Izuku's delight.

"A-Are you ready for the bravery test?" Shinso tried very hard to ignore the blush as Izuku thought over his response.

"Only if you're here to protect me, my knight in shining armour." Izuku wrapped his arms around Shinso's neck, making the boy blush harder.

"Wouldn't it be more the other way round, you did swear to protect me."

Izuku gasped, leaning away from Shinso. "Mina was right, you're getting bolder." He smiled, linking his and Shinso’s fingers as he whispered into Shinso’s ear. “I like it.”

Shinso groaned, blushing more as he threatened to collapse.

“Come on, we’re going to be late.” Izuku began dragging Shinso behind him, heading towards the group. Mendeley separated the groups into those scaring, those being scared and those being tortured by Aizawa who took his job very seriously, dragging the complaining kids behind him.

Izuku smiled, humming as he leaned against Shinso, enjoying his night for about half an hour before he was forced to go into the forest.

Squeaking, Izuku hid himself in Shinso’s shoulder, holding onto his arm tightly as the class 1b member snickered from his hiding place.

Shinso smiled, pulling Izuku away from the latest ghost, lowering his voice to make sure no one else heard. “For someone who is a mass-murdering villain, you’re surprisingly easy to scare,” Shinso joked, receiving a pout.

“Well, I’m sorry. Give me an axe-wielding maniac and I’ll feel right at home but ghosts and spirits are just wrong.” Izuku huffed, crossing his arms for just a second when a twig snapped behind him and he latched back onto Shinso.

Shinso chuckled, rubbing circles onto Izuku’s back. “It’s just a rabbit. You like rabbits.”

“I like rabbit stew,” Izuku corrected, smirking slightly as Shinso paled.

“One time, Zuku. One time you won’t say something like that when I’m talking about a beloved animal.”

“I could say the same to you, Toshi. You’re always insulting my favourite animals.”

“Yeah, but that’s because your favourite animals are spiders and snakes.” Shinso shivered at the thought. “They’re so much worse.”

“They’re not! They’re amazing!” Izuku giggled, watching Shinso shake his head. Izuku grinned, letting go of Shinso as he walked towards a nearby tree, scooping up a spider that had been crawling on it. He approached Shinso with a mischievous grin. “How can’t you see this as super adorable.” He held up the spider, making Shinso pale and step back.

“Keep that thing away from me.”

“But it’s so cute.” Izuku held it closer as Shinso ran away. Izuku chased after him, laughing.

Creak.

Izuku froze, seeing the body crawl its way out of the ground. Screaming, Izuku jumped away, dropping his spider as he hid behind Shinso, who turned to the body in worry. Sighing, he smiled, pulling Izuku’s into his chest as he dragged him away.

“Such a scardy-cat.”

“I am not a cat.” Izuku was about to say something else when he stopped.

Buzz. Buzz.

Tilting his head in confusion, Izuku pulled out his phone. “To-chan?” Opening the message, Izuku paled.

‘Seiji and Mineta in hospital. LOV attacking you tonight. Shinso and your targets. Second traitor. Run!’

Shinso raised his eyebrow, unable to read the message. “Is something wrong Zuku?”

Izuku didn’t answer him, grabbing his arm and pulling him down the path.

“Zuku! What’s wrong!”

“We need to get out of here!”

“Wait?! Why?!”

“I’m sorry Toshi! I knew this was coming but I hoped it wouldn’t be now! But I swear, I’ll protect you, no matter what.”

Shinso tightened his grip on Izuku’s hand, fear gripping him. “Zuku…?”

“Is that so?” Laughing, the figure stepped out of the darkness, a smirk on his face. “Ready to put that to the test?” Without waiting, the traitor swung forward and charged at Izuku.