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Izuku Midoriya was a lot of things, a skilled hero, a kind man, and a great friend. However, unbeknownst to many, he wasn’t the greatest at adjusting to change. It had been a few months since the loss of his best friend, and while anyone would have been upset over that, Midoriya simply wasn’t accepting it. He would act as if nothing had changed, as if they were still right there with him. There was a hole in his heart that he tried to cover with denial. It didn’t take long for Midoriya’s friends to catch on to what was happening, but it was hard to think of what they should do. Anytime anyone would bring the subject up, Midoriya would change the topic or simply walk away. It got so bad one week that Midoriya went as far as to close his agency and avoid hero work for a few days.
By the time his friends convinced him to leave the house for something other than work, Midoriya was festering in his own sadness. As luck would have it though, Bakugo had to pick up some new cooking utensils and so the errand was turned into a group escapade, Urarka and Kirishima insisting on being there so Bakugo didn’t kill Midoriya, and Todoroki tagging along so he could waste some of Endeavors money. Through the laughter, and conversations that graced the group, Midoriya remained rather quiet. Uraraka would glance at him every so often but not wanting to upset him, would keep her thoughts to herself.
“Alright Deku, where the hell do you wanna go?”
Midoriya looked up at Bakugo, who was sporting his signature gremlin face.
“We’ve been here like an hour and a half and you’ve looked bored and sad the whole time. So which store do you want to go to?”
“There just isn’t anything I’m really interested in.”
“Oh!” Uraraka pointed across from them, “What about that shoe store? I bet we could find you another pair of those shoes you always wear.”
“No it’s alright, I think i’m actually going to head home-“ Midoriya was interrupted by Bakugo dragging him towards the store but the shirt collar.
"You’re going into the damn store and you’re going to like it.”
Midoriya found himself perusing the shoes when his eyes landed on someone on the other side of the store. This had to have been the most attractive being Midoriya had ever seen. He made his way over to them and tried to strike up a conversation. This interaction caught the eye of Todoroki, who retrieved his friends so they could all make their way over to the pair.
“I see you found a friend Deku!” Uraraka laughed.
“Oh yea, meet y/n everyone.”
“Y/n?” Bakugo raised an eyebrow at Midoriya but questioned no further.
Midoriya insisted on y/n joining for the rest of the trip, and since it was the first time he had even so much as smiled in weeks, there were no arguments. They went about their business, Midoriya finally joining in on the conversations and jokes his friends were spewing. By the end of the day, it had seemed like Midoriya was beginning to return to his old self. Everyone eventually dispersed, making their way back to their respective homes. However, Midoriya had other plans, he insisted that y/n join him for dinner. Pretty much against their will, y/n found themselves at the house of Japan’s favorite young hero, wrapped in blankets and on the couch.
They caused Midoriya’s mind to race. It had been months since he connected with anything the way he connected with y/n. But was he ready? Could he bring himself to let go? Moving on wasn’t something he thought he could do. Y/n made him want to though, and he decided it was time to admit his problem to himself and get help.
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“Deku, you know I’m not a therapist right? Maybe you should see someone more- um, skilled than I am.”
“It’s not like that! I don’t think I need to see a real therapist. I just want someone to listen to what I have to say….please?”
“If you insist.” Uraraka relaxed back into the chair she was sitting in and adjusted the fake glasses she was wearing, “What’s on your mind?”
“It’s y/n. I want to be able to let them into my life- when I brought them here a few days ago I felt a way I haven’t in a long time.”
“That’s good then, isn’t it?”
Midoriya shook his head, “I didn’t want to be ready to move on so easily because of- well you know. We were together since middle school, I felt empty when they died.”
“It’s been months Izuku, I think they’d want you to be happy.”
“I feel like I’m replacing them though.”
Uraraka moved over to sit next to her friend, taking his hands in her own, “You’re not replacing anyone or anything- your heart is big enough to still love those who are gone while letting others in.”
“Do you really think so?” In typical Midoriya fashion, tears were streaming down his face.
“Yes of course I do. I think you need to walk your butt into your room and get y/n. You two should come out with Bakugo, Kirishima, Mina, and I.”
“Yea okay, you’re right.”
After a fun filled night of drinks and karaoke, it was a few weeks before anyone saw Midoriya or y/n again. They were always together and since Midoriya was busy with hero work, it was like the two had disappeared. However, as luck would have it, Bakugo and Uraraka were set to patrol with Midoriya one night.
“If this loser takes any longer to get here i’m going to-” Uraraka silenced him with a backhand to the head.
“He probably got caught up, give him a break, he works all the time.”
“And we don’t?” Bakugo snarled before diverting his attention to Deku who was finally joining them.
“Hey guys!"
“Deku welcome!” Uraraka smiled and waved at him and Bakugo crossed his arms.
“Is this damn nerd really wearing those dumb shoes?”
“I like them Katsuki! What did you name them again, Deku?”
Midoriya stuck his right foot out towards his friends and shook it around a bit, “I named them y/n.”
“I still can’t believe you were sulking for months because you had to throw your old sneakers away. If anyone had heard about your love story between your old shoes and your new ones, they would stick you in a mental hospital.” Bakugo huffed before turning around, “Can we get to work now?”