I'm not on EITHER side

I'm just so happy that they're free.

Izuku's POV

My suit feels way tighter than it did when I initially put it on. I'm taking deeper breaths to try and fill up my lungs and calm myself, but it's not working. A bead of sweat rolls down my forehead, and I can feel my heartbeat in my throat. I rub my hand over the lower half of my face and inhale sharply. My fingers brush over the journal in my jacket pocket, and I contemplate writing an entry before Aizawa speaks up.

"It'll be alright. Deep breaths. Everything worked out last time. It'll work out today. You've shown grace under pressure before, and I know you can do it today. I'm on your side, and while you certainly have people who aren't, there are others who believe in you too." I just nod absentmindedly and stare out the window thinking about how the meeting could go.

I decide to take the journal out and make another entry for today.

My stomach is in knots. Both Aizawa and Ochaco have told me not to worry, but how can't I when there's so much pressure on me? Two people, two of my friends, futures are in my hands, and if I fuck this up, they won't get the chance they deserve. I know I can't think like this, but it's hard not to. I'm afraid. I'm terrified. I feel like I'm going to throw up and pass out. Why couldn't it just be a fight to decide? I'd be fine.

Before I can write anymore, I hear Aizawa put the car into park. I look up from my journal and see the building in front of me. It's cold and lifeless. Grey concrete and tinted glass makeup the outside, while the few glimpses I get inside show barren white walls, desks made of a yellowish wood, and chairs made of black plastic and black cushions. It's so lifeless and drab. I hate it. It reminds me of the hospital.

I put the notebook and pen back into my pockets and close my eyes to meditate for just a second. Aizawa remains silent and doesn't rush me at all. I force myself to relax and breathe. After a minute, I open my eyes and get out of the car. Aizawa follows suit. Before I can grab the door, he grabs my shoulder. I turn and he looks me dead in the eyes.

"You're doing what a pro-hero should, protecting people. I'm glad you're my student. Don't forget that." He offers me a small smile that oddly comforts me. I give a shaky but genuine one back before letting out a small exhale and nodding. I turn back around and open the door and walking into the lobby. It's even more lifeless on the inside than I thought it was. It has those photos that look like they came in the frame they were bought in. I hate it.

The receptionist looks at us and tells us the floor number. We thank her and take the elevator up to the floor. It opens to a hallway with doors lining both sides. Ours is the third one on the right. We walk up and see a room that feels larger than it should be, packed full of heroes and government officials. They all turn and look at me expectantly. Aizawa pats me on the back, and it helps me shake off some of my nerves. At the front of the room is a table with both of the people we'll be discussing today in handcuffs.

I walk up to the front without looking at anyone but Toga and Dabi. Toga smiles gently and Dabi gives me a kind look. I weakly smile back, but they don't show any signs that they don't believe in me. It feels like it takes me years to get to the front, but it must've only taken a few seconds. As soon as I get to the front, I get on their level and talk to them for the first time in months.

"Are you guys okay? Are the handcuffs too tight? Anything I can do?"

"Yeah, you can get us out of jail and into the lives we want." Toga chuckles at Dabi's reply, and it makes me crack a genuine smile. It feels nice to hear them again. I feel some of the nerves fall off my shoulders.

"It's okay, Izuku. We trust you. Do your best." I smile at Toga and see he blush a little. I stand all the way up and stand at the front of the room, facing the heroes, government officials, and Toga and Dabi. I make my face as serious as I can.

"We are here today to discuss the fate of these two people in front of us. I believe that they can be reformed. I was given a chance. I think they deserve one too. Toga is my age, or around it. She deserves the shot I got. Dabi is older, but he also deserves a chance to become a hero, civilian, or anything he'd like. I'm here to explain why." I take a moment to collect my thoughts before continuing.

"I met these two a few weeks before the attack on the training camp that the UA students had gone to. They were inducted into the League of Villains after I took down the Hero Killer. My image had been used as propaganda for the League to attract new recruits. Dabi didn't quite believe it, but he joined to spite someone he has a bad relationship with. Toga thought it was true and joined to find out. After joining, they were given my identity and a location they could find me at, a cafe I ran and lived in.

"They had gone to my place of business to meet with me. Neither of them were committed to the League's cause. In our first meeting, I convinced the two of them to join my cause to better the lives of civilians at the cost of being on the opposite side of the law. They agreed. I had also convinced them to be my spies in the League. They agreed. After a few weeks, they shared that the League was planning an attack on the UA student's training camp. I took this information and asked them if they would help me prevent the kidnapping and converting of multiple students. They agreed.

"On the night of the attack, they both met with me at different points. Toga had met me in a neutral location where I waited in costume. She snuck me into the League's headquarters, then into the training camp. Afterwards, she released me into the woods where the events of that night took place. Between the night of the attack on the training camp and the battle with All for One, Toga sent me all of the information she had on the League. Dabi and I didn't talk much, but he had always done just as I asked and never used his quirk unless absolutely necessary. They had helped me assist the heroes in taking down All for One. Without them, it would have taken way longer to find Bakugo Katsuki, and I am afraid of what state he could have been in.

"I hope that you will find these two worthy of the chances I was given. Thank you for your time." I walk back towards Aizawa and sit next to him. I pull out my notebook and pen but write nothing. My mind is blank. I just start drawing. The first thing I draw is a picture of Toga. I make a profile for her that I used to make for pro-heroes. The next page is of Dabi. Before I know it, Aizawa is shaking me. I must have zoned out while they were deliberating.

They had wanted to figure out what to do by the end of the day. The less time spent on this, the less likely the public would find out about it. I watch as the number one hero, Endeavor, and the prime minister stand in front of everyone. They talk about their personal views, Endeavor thinking that villains don't deserve a second chance, and the prime minister unsure about how well it would go. My stomach is doing flips and I'm shaking.

They then talk about the consensus they reached with the other officials and heroes. Endeavor scowls and says that the heroes have decided to give both Tog and Dabi a chance. The prime minister says that the officials agreed. I almost collapse in my chair. All the nervousness leaves my body and I almost yell in ecstasy. Aizawa pats my shoulder and smiles at me. I smile back and let out a long breath. Toga and Dabi have their handcuffs removed, and they immediately hug each other. I go over and join them. Toga is crying and Dabi has the widest smile on his face.

Endeavor walks by and talks about them still being villains and me being no better, but I ignore it. I'm just so happy that they're free. I can't wait to see what else will happen for them.

Word Count: 1514

Thank you so much for reading this chapter! I know it's been, uh, 4 months. But I've been really busy with life. I felt the motivation to write again, and I have to admit, it felt pretty good to write again. I make no promises that I'll release again soon, but I'd like to release a chapter in way less time than it took me to write this one. If you enjoyed this chapter, let me know. If not, let me know. Any input is appreciated. Thank you all for being so patient. I'm sorry for being away for so long. Have a good day and remember to drink some water.