April Catch-All

[inheritance]

WHO: Izuku & a lot of people
WHERE: Everywhere
WHEN: Throughout April
WHAT: Shadow shenanigans, aftermath, and other things
WARNINGS: None

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[inheritance]

It's okay. [This time, there's a tremble in his voice. Though it can sometimes be a struggle to hold onto that upbeat attitude and smile, Izuku's always done his best to call on it in the right situations. This time, the memories of being swallowed by darkness leave him too shaken to get it right.

Still, Izuku holds onto Uraraka, grateful for her familiar, grounding presence.] I don't mind answering questions, Uraraka-san. You don't have to apologize for that.

[He tests his weight, pulling away from her just enough to stand on his own.] I can make it to your house. D-don't worry.

[thriftea]

[Oh, Deku. Everything about this breaks her heart, honestly, but she bites back a gentle admonishment as she watches him steady himself. She can—and will—remind him of the importance of being honest with his friends once he's had an opportunity to recover.]

If you're sure. We'll go slow, but stay close, all right? [Laying a hand on the side of his arm, she gently directs him to face the proper direction—and she is not about to pull it away.] You don't have to talk, either. I'm just—

[Nooo! She fixes her gaze into the distance, willing the tears away, but there is still an audible sniffle. Very cliché.]

I'm just happy that you're back, Deku-kun. We missed you so much.

["We," yes, but only because it's much too difficult to start that off with I. And it's the truth, anyway. Everyone missed him.]

[inheritance]

["We missed you." The waver in Uraraka's voice already pulls at his heartstrings--his friend deserves happiness and everything bright in the world, not this worry and sadness that he has a sinking feeling he's caused. But it's those three words that cause the dam to break.

It's not like the sudden burst of emotion that his classmates have probably gotten used to by now. These tears well up and spill over silently, leaving wet tracks down his cheeks before they fall to the ground. Izuku lets Uraraka guide him in the right direction without protest.]

I'm sorry. [A whispered apology feels empty when he wasn't able to be there for his friends. When his own carelessness had apparently gotten him killed. And yet, that's all he can offer right now.]

[thriftea]

[Ochako doesn't immediately notice his reaction; she's still trying her best to keep her own tears at bay, and that means that she's focusing very intently on a building near the end of the street. That whisper, however, causes her to chance a glance over at him, and... oh. Oh, no. He's crying because of what she said, isn't he? A wave of guilt crashes right over her, and she's quite unsure of what to do.]

Deku-kun, I-I didn't—

[Everything is suddenly so much blurrier than it should be, and while she knows that she should stay strong and think of something comforting to say... it feels absolutely impossible. The easiest thing to do—the slightly selfish thing to do—is to reach out and try to give him another tearful hug. Words can always come later.]

[inheritance]

[They're in the middle of the street, and yet Izuku doesn't care as he takes the comfort that Uraraka's willing to give him right now. It's wrong, he knows it is, when he should be able to just brush this hurt off and give her a smile that puts her worries at ease. How can he be a good hero if he can't even reassure his friends?

Even knowing that...Izuku can't help but rest his head on Uraraka's shoulder, shoulders shaking as he tries to hold the tears back this time.]