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The hospital room was quiet. Too quiet.
There was a fan lazily turning round and round above the three beds. It was dark. There was a soft ticking coming from a clock above the bed.
Midoriya slowly turned, minding his arm, from his side onto his back. Letting out a quiet sigh, he opened his eyes, staring up at the ceiling.
Tick. Tick.
He couldn’t sleep. He was sore, sure, but his injuries were not the reason he was still awake. The boy had to be used to the pain by now, after breaking his bones so often.
No, this was a different, strange kind of pain. Not physical, but...some weird, tightening feeling in his chest.
Tick, tick.
After the police department had restrained Stain and took him away, Midoriya and his friends were left frozen for a few moments.
It was Gran Torino, placing a hand on Midoriya’s shoulder, that helped him come back to reality.
“I should nag the ears off of ya for doing exactly what I told you not to,” he had said as he helped the boy back to his feet. He seemed not to miss the way Midoriya had winced when pressure was put on his leg, “but I suppose that can wait until you’ve got some rest.”
Midoriya blinked, glancing at Iida, who was being supported by Manual. He had looked really beat up. The spark that was usually in his eyes wasn’t there.
On Midoriya’s other side was Todoroki, who seemed fine besides a couple of scratches, reluctantly talking to Endeavor.
Some of the pro heroes who had come to the scene with Endeavor took the three boys to the hospital. Midoriya couldn’t remember much of it; only that they worked tirelessly to bandage all of their wounds and finally, the three were left to rest in the same room.
Tick, tick.
Midoriya clenched his jaw and grabbed a fistful of thin sheets. He wondered how long it had been. He still saw the Hero Killer’s face so clearly. It would most likely haunt him for awhile.
His heart clenched. He couldn’t lie here anymore.
Quietly, he sat up, rubbing his eyes vigorously. He slowly glanced to the right, where Todoroki’s bed was.
The two large, glass windows were beside Todoroki and Iida’s beds. The darkness seemed to be letting up a bit, but Midoriya’s watch told him the sun wouldn’t be rising for awhile.
He watched Todoroki’s figure for a few moments. His classmate was lying on his side, facing him. He looked stiff as a board, and if Midoriya squinted he could see that Todoroki looked...pained, even in sleep.
He wished he could help, especially after everything he’d told him about Endeavor. And now Stain.
Midoriya let his chin drop to his chest, squeezing his eyes shut as Stain’s words filled his mind.
“Just try me... you fakes! The only one allowed to kill me is All Might, a true hero!”
What could Stain even mean by that? He was a psychopath, that was true. His ideals...but why would he think All Might was the only true hero?
Midoriya opened his eyes, trying to calm his racing heart. No. Stain was just delusional. That was all.
The boy glanced up, blinking. Iida was sitting on the end of his bed, looking out the window. How had Midoriya not noticed him before? He watched his friend for a moment, then slowly, quietly, got out of bed, grabbing his crutch for support.
“Iida?” he whispered, hobbling his way over. Iida didn’t respond; didn’t even react. He continued staring at nothing. His glasses weren’t even on; they lay, newly fixed, on the table beside the bed. “Are...you okay?”
Midoriya knew it was a stupid question. Obviously, Iida wasn’t okay. But what else could he even say? It was quiet for a few very long seconds.
Tick, tick.
Midoriya turned to give him some space. He’d talk when he was ready, right?
“Sit down, Midoriya. Please. You shouldn’t be putting pressure on that leg.”
The boy blinked in surprise but didn’t object. Slowly, he leaned the crutch against the wall and sat beside his friend, watching him in the darkness. He had that same, blank stare on his face that he’d seen earlier when Manual was supporting his weight.
Midoriya was beginning to wonder if he could cut this tension in the air with One For All. He had to say something. He couldn’t just sit here; he had to make Iida feel better.
But how? After everything Iida had been through, how could Midoriya ever hope to even begin -
“Iida.” He shut his eyes, thinking. Iida was expecting him to tell him what he didn’t want to hear. But...he could do something better. He could tell him what he needed to hear. The boy turned to look at him, and something in his gaze shifted. As if he were expecting something.
“Midoriya, I don’t want - “
“What you did was so stupid .” He could see the visible change in the other’s face. Subtle; but it was there. Surprise. Iida must have been expecting him to lecture him. “You’re our class rep. You have to know the rules.”
Midoriya’s heart clenched as Iida looked away, but it was needed. This was what he needed to hear. It would be the only way to get him to listen to reason. “I mean, Iida; you scared the life out of me.”
“I know. And for that, I am truly sorry.” Iida was staring down at his lap. The slowly sinking moon illuminated his face lightly. Midoriya noticed his breathing became faster, too. He paused, waiting to see if Iida would continue.
He didn’t.
Midoriya swallowed, looking away. “Even though it was stupid…you were really brave.” He could feel Iida’s gaze on him again, but he didn’t meet it. He only looked up once he noticed Iida turn away.
His shoulders were shaking. Had he said something wrong?
“It wasn’t brave. I was reckless,” Iida whispered, staring down at his lap as if his life depended on it. “I went against Manual’s warning. I went against the law.” It was obviously eating away at him.
Midoriya looked down for a moment. He had a point; he did go against the law. “But we caught Stain! It’s not like they can do anything to us.” Right?
Tick, tick .
A few seconds of silence passed by.
“Iida -“
“Shut up! ”
He did. Eyes wide, lips pressed together tightly. He was almost a little afraid. He’d never seen Iida upset; he’d never heard him snap at anyone before. They were lucky Todoroki didn’t wake up.
Iida stared down at his lap again, taking a shaky breath. Midoriya couldn’t even see his eyes; his usually kept hair fell down toward them. “Why didn’t you leave?” It was almost silent.
“What?”
“Why didn’t you leave?” When he looked up, tears were building in his eyes. He was clenching his jaw, raw emotion on his face. It was like they were back in the alley. “You and Todoroki…You should have left ! It wasn’t your fight! It’s my fault you were hurt.”
Midoriya stared at him. He was still upset about that? “Iida, if we had left, Stain would have killed you and Native. And...and he would have escaped to kill more.”
A few tears fell. Midoriya gasped but quickly closed his mouth. Seeing Iida cry just wasn’t...right. He took a moment to compose himself, looking away. Then, “I’m going to drop out of UA.”
“What?” His heart stopped. Iida couldn’t be serious.
“Stain was right. I’m not a hero. I cannot keep pretending like I am, I...I shouldn’t be going to the most prestigious school for heroes when I know, deep down, I am not one.”
Midoriya began to panic a little. One little voice in the back of his head whispered, If only I’d been a better friend.
He had to be one now.
“He was trying to manipulate you,” he murmured, scooting a bit closer. “You shouldn’t have gone after him, but you couldn’t change that after you had made that decision.” He frowned, looking down at his lap. “But…” he looked up, a determined look crossing his face that he was sure Iida was used to by now. “Heroes make mistakes all the time. Even pro heroes.”
Iida turned away, but Midoriya continued, maybe even a bit desperately. “Iida, you made a mistake, but you made up for it! You helped Todoroki take down the Hero Killer!”
“It shouldn’t have been us,” he mumbled. “I hate that you both got involved. It isn’t fair to you.”
Midoriya looked down, shaking his head. “Iida,” he whispered, feeling a lump in his throat, “I never had many friends growing up. But you...you and Uraraka, our classmates...are the best people I’ve ever met. You can’t leave UA! You need to become Ingenium, and I need you !” Tears stung his eyes, but none fell.
Iida stared, dumbfounded, shining eyes wide.
Midoriya stared back, maybe a bit surprised at the words that had come out of his mouth, but meaning them nonetheless.
Tick, tick.
Silence was broken by a sob. Iida stared at his lap, shoulders shaking as tears now streamed down his face. Hesitantly, Midoriya held his arms out. Iida glanced up, swallowing. He looked so young now; so innocent and broken.
He leaned forward, resting his chin on the other boy’s shoulder while Midoriya tried his best to contain the shaking by embracing him.
They stayed there for awhile. Soon, the shakes began to lessen and the sobs quieted. Iida pulled away, not meeting Midoriya’s gaze. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled.
“Iida, I need you to make me a promise,” he whispered back, waiting until he met his gaze to continue. “When you’re feeling emotions you can’t explain...know that I’m here for you. Okay? Can you promise me you’ll try to let me help you before you do anything crazy?”
His friend nodded, lifting a huge weight on Midoriya’s chest. Although it hurt to see Iida in so much pain, he could at least take comfort that he could redeem himself as a better friend. “I promise.”
Tick, tick.
“You know, I thought I had gotten pretty used to hospitals; visiting Tensei the past week. I suppose being a hero means you’re never truly able to escape hospitals.” It was an attempt at a feeble joke.
Midoriya smiled a little anyway; the statement was true, after all. “I’d love to meet your brother one day.”
Iida grinned; a welcome sight. “You would love him. And he would love you, too. You are very much alike, you know.”
They sat together in the darkness for awhile, every now and then making small talk. Almost acting like their conversation before hadn’t happened.
By the time the dark blue sky began to turn white and pink, they were both fighting to stay awake.
“Lie down, Iida. It’s okay. I...can stay here for a little longer.”
Iida blinked at him, then at the sky. A soft, small smile found its way onto his face as he stared out the window. “You know what makes you a great hero?” he asked, slowly lying down on his back. “Above all, you are a great friend.” He was still smiling a little as he shut his eyes. “Thank you, Midoriya.”
Heat rushed to Midoriya’s cheeks as he watched him, clearing his throat. “I’ll always be here for you,” he promised quietly.
There was no answer. Iida had already fallen asleep.
Midoriya swallowed, watching him for a moment. He looked exhausted, tear stains were clearly present on his face, but at least he was relaxed.
Carefully, he got up and took his crutch, slowly making his way back to his own bed. A million thoughts swarmed his mind, but he settled just on one; He was so lucky.
It didn’t take him long to fall asleep, either.
The two friends never talked about their little chat in the middle of the night. They didn’t tell anyone; it was a secret shared between them. And Iida kept his promise; whenever he was feeling angry, he came to Midoriya, someone who could listen and speak reason.
Turned out, that was just what he needed.