Archive of Our Own

Dear Y/N,

I'm so sorry, I'd never thought I'd be writing this so here it goes. After everything that's happened and I've been put through I've decided that the best course of action is for me to drop out of UA and leave Japan. You may find this shocking, but I made a promise to Shigaraki to save him and I can't keep it if I stay here, pursuing a dream that's turning into more and more of what it is, a dream.

You should know that this was All Might's idea, I would never leave you and the others behind since you're all my family of my own volition. Until the more I thought about it, the more I realized he was right.

As long as All for One breathes, as long as I breathe, as long as the power and the scars of One for All flows through my veins, turning me into a person I no longer recognize, you, me, Kacchan, and everyone else we know and love we'll never be safe again.

That monster will never stop coming after me until I'm dead at his feet with my quirk in his possession.

Speaking of, you should also know that I gave our classmates letters as well and it's time they knew about the truth about my power and the high price it comes with.

The price? Well, I guess you can say I'm the one finally paying for it.

I want to tell you that this is not yours or anyone's fault. Shigaraki's situation made me finally wake up and see a lot of things wrong with our world. Those flaws have been here for years and we were all just in denial.

I still plan on becoming a hero...someday...

Who would've thought running away from everything you've ever known that made you feel so blessed would be a part of those steps.

Y/N, I beg of you. Don't come after me. It's not worth it to put your life on pause for my sake. I promise I'll be fine.

Tell Kacchan and Todoroki that they shouldn't either since I know how stubborn they can be.

Hopefully when I return, things will be different. And I'm the one who made that difference.

Then, everything will go back to the way it was...I'm sorry, who am I kidding? We both know that things will never be the same. Hopefully, we can make the best of what we have.

I've always admired that about you, so I'm writing this to say thanks for every little thing you've done for me in the lifetime we've spent together.

Thank you for having my back and staying by my side when I wanted to give up. You always told me to keep going even before I got my quirk. Believing that I could be the greatest hero. Thank you for never looking down on me which is something I thought I could never escape.

Next to my mother, you were my #1 fan and supporter.

You're not just that, you are my best friend...I'll never understand why you chose me to be your best friend when you had a whole city and much better people as other options...realistically you are...

My sister.

I love you so much and I'm sorry if this hurts you in any way shape or form.

But this is something I have to do on my own.

For myself.

Remember to stay kind and be strong in the face of danger.

I know you can do it. I'll believe in you just like you believed in me.

Love your brother,

-Izuku

You wondered why the fresh ink on the paper was running down like wet mascara. You heard your choked sobs and realized you were crying.

You pondered ripping the paper to shreds out of anger, but then you'd regret it since you would lose the last thing Izuku would write to you in who knows how long.

Instead, you wiped tear streaks from your face, crumpled the note, stuffed it in your pocket and stared at the empty, messy hospital bed hoping it would miraculously give the answers you need.

When that wasn't enough, you started pacing room the and chewing at your thumb, trying your best not to have mini breakdown as you tried your hardest to piece together the puzzle left by his letter over the sound of your slightly unsteady breathing.

Be it rhyme or reason, not matter what you asked yourself you came to the same conclusion. You didn't like it, but you knew Izuku made the right choice.

Then again, you also realized why. You could understand easily since you and Izuku went through the same bullshit. Albeit, except that you didn't have a super powerful quirk that a malicious villain was willing to bring down the entirety of hero society in order to get his disgusting paws on.

You let out a shaking sigh as you finally calmed yourself, placing a hand over the eyepatch that now acted as your right eye. Another consequence of your part in the battle.

You could say it was the price you payed for victory, but at what cost? Just to brag about a cool scar?

The why weren't you packing your things and leaving too? Perhaps you knew you had to stay to uphold the obligation to help reshape the country.

In the end, you knew it had to be this way. But there was no way in hell you were going to let it close on another chapter of your hero journey like THIS.

That didn't exactly represent who you are or your relationship with Izuku for that matter.

So what did you do?

Easy.

You ran.

You lept out of the room and hauled ass to the lobby where you skidded to a halt at the reception desk. "Excuse me! When was Midoriya discharged!?"

The nurse in charge jumped at your sudden appearance, "Midoriya? Oh yes, about thirty minutes ago."

You felt your anger rise once again as your nails scratched the plastique material, "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!? YOU LET A KID WHO JUST WOKE FROM A COMA WALK OUT OF HERE NO QUESTIONS ASKED?!"

The nurse was appalled at the tone you used to say the least, but it's not like you cared about the rules all of a sudden. You thought of Bakugou, who had to be taken back to his room by half of your classmates kicking and screaming once his wounds reopened.

If he wasn't fine then a recent coma patient was indeed a lot worse, right? What kinds of doctors and nurses where these? Not even an overnight checkup?

The nurse was about to say something else but was interrupted by you asking her or literally anyone else if they had seen which direction he went.

None of them had apparently, except for a janitor witnessing Izuku glow brightly and launch himself into the night when the uniformed man went to take out the trash at the back of the building.

Curious, when the janitor witnessed the pattern your friend was rooftop hopping, he surmised that he was heading into the forest a little ways out of the city. That was because his quirk allowed him to figure out the exact destination of a person based solely on their movements.

You were glad you lucked out, but the forest?

Why would he-

Holy crap.

You knew exactly where he was going.

You thanked the janitor and then the staff (begrudgingly) and were about to dash through the exit.

"Y/N?"

Shit.

You were seriously hoping that you could explain to your classmates right after you get this whole thing sorted out.

Turning, you met the crestfallen face of one Ochako Uraraka, seriously looking like she was about to cry.

"Ochako! Something wrong?" You pushed down your determined demeanor in exchange for a more happier one, perhaps playing dumb will get you out of the place faster.

"I'm fine, I was just wondering where you were going."

You thumbed to the exit, "Fresh air. I figured a walk-"

"I found this."

To your slight astonishment, the gravity defier held up a letter that was without a doubt left to her by Izuku. It had her name on the top but that was all you caught a glimpse of before she pulled it back.

That was fine, you didn't press further since you respected that kind of privacy above all else. "Where did you even-"

"It was in a pile with others addressed to our friends that was in his room. Yes, I read it."

"And?"

A beat passed.

"He's...not coming back is he?"

You could feel your heart cracking as you clutched your chest.

"H-He told me he would come b-back. I know he s-said it. H-He wouldn't l-lie to me would h-he?" Uraraka continued, the tears rolling down her face as you felt her shining bubbly optimism you've grown to enjoy so much slowly fade at each passing word for the boy she loved so deeply.

She then started to full out sob as she wiped at her face.

Quickly, you brought her into a tender hug. "Hey, c'mon 'chako, dont think like that. He'll be back...just not right now."

You then felt her push out of your hold, to your shock.

"THEN WHEN?! TELL ME Y/N! HE'S NOT GONNA RUN AWAY FROM HIS PROBLEMS WHEN HE HAS US RIGHT?!"

You flinched at her raised voice. Of course, you never underestimated the ferocity your chubby cheeked friend possessed.

This...felt different. And if this is how she was going to be from now on you didn't want to even begin to think about the toll this godforsaken war had taken on the rest of the friends you considered family.

"'chako, I-"

"I'm so happy he told me the secret! He thinks that he is a danger to all of us but that couldn't be further from truth! I'm not scared of that All for One or Shigaraki! Because as long as we stick together we can protect him and his power!"

You were stunned. You knew she meant well but she has no idea what she was talking about. "No, Ochako! Look, you don't understand! This is incredibly hard and dangerous but not in the way you think. This won't go away over night! Or with the power of teamwork!"

"And you do?! How do you know?!" She huffed and crossed her arms.

Sure, you may have known about Izuku's plight from the start but even you couldn't have predicted this.

Ochako saw your grimace and it appeared that she connected the dots, "Wait, Y/N, how long have you known about this One for All?"

You let out another big sigh, "I was there...when Izuku first met All Might...he accidentally had to reveal his true form to us."

You expected her to be mad that you had kept this from her and the others for so long and braced yourself for some kind of retaliation. Instead, you were surprised when your short haired friend gave you a small grin.

"Oh, that's good."

That's good? You could feel your face rival that of Kaminari's "yay" mode.

"I know it seems weird. But despite All Might being there for him I think it's much better that you were since he probably felt alone for a little while."

Alone? Oh. You got it, "Ochako, thank you but I really need to get going."

The gravity manipulator picked at her nails as she met your gaze, "You're not taking a walk, because you're going after him right? After all you know him best."

Right on the money. You decided not to reply back as you turned to the doors only for her to grab your wrist, "What's up? And no I'm not bringing him back if that's what you were going to ask me to do."

"I know that Y/N. If you do find him, tell him I understand why and if I had done anything to upset him then I apologize."

You felt a tiny gasp escape your lips. Her do anything to upset Izuku frigging Midoriya? One of her best friends and mutual crush? That'd be the day Endeavor would finally be charged with the crimes he committed against his own family.

You smiled, "Don't worry, I will, just promise me you won't tell anyone about this until I come back."

To your relief, she smiled back at you with dimples wide, "I swear I won't make a peep, especially to-"

"Bakugou/Katsuki!" You finished together as the two of you also let out a small chuckle. You were glad you could still have moments like this.

Wordlessly, you slipped out of her grasp and you waved at each other until the automatic doors obscured her from your vision.

Now that your cover was settled, you jogged into the night along the river until you reached the bridge connecting Musutafu and the forest.

Jumping in the water, you used your quirk to make a wave that carried you to the other side.

When you finally touched down, you got rid of the water that soaked your body and ran into the foliage with only one thought gripping your mind.

Wait for me, Izuku! I'll be there soon.

Hopefully you weren't too late.

It wasn't long until you reached it, the log bridge with the quiet stream.

An abundance of childhood memories resurfaced. Mostly ones about a certain "agency" and the one where Izuku tried to help Bakugou out of the water.

Now that you thought about it, you should've taken that as your first warning sign about their friendship.

Even now you still couldn't understand why you had no idea how to mend their relationship. Though, now it seems like that hope has vanished along with so many other things.

You could've used your quirk again but you decided you much rather relive your childhood for a little while. So you hopped on the log with your arms spread wide, taking a step more big than the last. The tune to "Agency Bakugou" tingling on your lips.

If your humming wasn't the only sound of the forest, you probably wouldn't have noticed the trill of hidden sobs.

Wait, someone was crying near where you were?

So you stood still when you got to the small cliff side and trained your ear in order to listen to figure out where it was coming from.

The more you listened, the more you realized the crying in particular sounded awfully familiar.

...Oh my god.

Wasting no time, you bee lined further in the forest until you came upon a rather large bush. Pushing it aside using water from a nearby puddle to help, your eyes immediately landed on what you were hoping for.

His back was turned to you, but you'd never mistake the curly green mess of hair glowing in the moonlight. His shoulders shook as they continuously moved the tattered yellow fabric he was wearing. Strange, how you could've sworn you've seen it before.

Relieved, you were about to start crying yourself at the fact you actually found him, but that would have to be put on hold for later.

Slowly, you left your place at the bush, tiptoeing with your arm stretched out to place on his back.

Slowly...

SNAP!

Shit.

You glared at the stupid twig.

In a millisecond, Izuku was up and about as he turned around, trying to move away from whomever was trying to sneak up on him. "OH MY GOD!! STAY BACK!! DON'T TOUCH ME!!"

He then fell on his behind when he tripped over a stick.

Two things crossed your mind. One, it was the fact that he didn't threaten you with his quirk. Two, the fact that he was scared of a supposed attacker.

Why would he be scared?

Oh...you were an idiot.

Yeah, of course now he'd be absolutely terrified at a stranger coming towards him, be it they targeted him or not.

Quickly, you whipped out your phone and shined the flashlight at him, "No, no, 'zuku! It's okay, it's me! Y/N!"

"W-What? N/N?" He whimpered at the sound of your voice.

Once you trained the light on yourself, Izuku sat up and opened his eyes promoting you to move the light back on him, the sight making you do a double take.

First of all, his hair now was a medley of yellows and whites but the green still remained. His right eye had turned into a light gray color as a straight scar ran down from it like a tear and stopped at his jawline. Much like yourself, you wondered if the eye was permanently damaged, as it seemed to have trouble focusing on your form unlike his green one.

But what got to you was none of those things, it was the fact that he had dark circles under both of his sullen eyes. He may have been frightened by you but that didn't cover up how he looked so tired and depressed as if all the life had been sucked out of him.

Your hand unconsciously covered your mouth.

Dear god, what did those bastards Shigaraki and All for One do to your sweet boy?

While you stood there dumbfounded by his new appearance, he spoke up in understandable anger, "What the heck are you doing here? How did you find me? My letter, didn't you get it? I thought I said not to co-!"

He didn't finish that sentence since you tackled him in a hug, your tears splashing on his makeshift cloak.

"N/N? Why are you crying?"

Wow, now that's a dumb question.

"Why am I crying? Because of you ya damn idiot!"

"Because of me?"

You pulled back and hardened your gaze which made him shrink back a little. Possibly out of fear. "You think you have the weight of the world on your shoulders, but you don't. You believe you're nothing but a burden and a danger but you aren't. The world made it this way, not by you just trying to stay alive."

Izuku stayed silent as he continued to listen to you rant.

You took a deep breath to calm your nerves because you knew your friend needed you to be strong for him for the first time in a while. "You think you have to do this alone which is bullshit. Not when you have mine and everyone else's support. This is crazy 'zuku! I know you've been traumatized but even I never would've thought you'd be this frigging suicidal!"

The greenette was taken aback as he squeezed your hand gently, "What makes you think I am?"

You let out a strained laugh as you thought of every single time a villain threatened your lives, "Because you constantly feel like you have to push past your limits, and I don't mean that in a good way. Especially when you take One for All into account. Now that you really are a target...I can tell you are constantly thinking about death and maybe if you'd disappear that'd be your way of protecting us. Your letter wasn't a promise that you would return one day. That was your suicide note. I know this because I'm the one who had to find you here just to say goodbye."

The current OfA user was rendered speechless. He thought he could hide everything from you but the fact that the two of you were always attached at the hip should've made him rethink his decision on this. "If you came here to convince me not to go, then I suggest you get out of here right now."

You didn't even care if his request was laced with the tiniest of venom, because you knew he was doing it to protect you from the pain of watching him turn his back on you, "BUT I'M NOT!"

"You're lying." He spat.

"No, I'm not!" You retorted.

"It can't be that easy for me!"

"I swear I'm not lying 'zuku! I would never do something so selfish!"

"Then why are you here, N/N?!"

"BECAUSE I'M GIVING YOU MY FREAKING BLESSING!" You yelled loudly enough to scare the birds from the trees.

Silence fell as Izuku had to take his time processing what he just heard. You really are letting him go? You out of all people?

"You want me to leave?" He asked, disbelief plastered on his face.

You lifted your head up,

"I'm just kidding."

...

Staring at your cheeky grin, Izuku gritted his teeth, completely pissed off. He decided not to say anything as he just got up, turned around, grunted, and started to walk away.

He didn't get far as he felt you suddenly wrap your arms around him, burying your face in his back.

"Please get off."

"I will. But not before I say good luck."

What the hell? Didn't you just say that you came here you to take him back?

"Good luck to what? Me trying to resist you dragging me home?" He muttered, fighting the urge to pry your arms off.

He didn't have to as the two of you were suddenly eye to eye again.

"What are you talking about?! Of course I personally don't want you to leave! I can't imagine what it'll be like for you out there! There are so many unknowns and dangers but I know you can take care of yourself! You just have to go! Izuku...YOU ARE MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE HERE!" You shouted at the top of your lungs as you screwed your eyes shut, hoping he'd get the message.

Cracking one open a minute later, you stood there in amazement as your friend's eyes were blown open in shock, tears falling freely.

Before you could say anything else, the poor boy fell to his knees and let out the most soul crushing wail you have ever had the misfortune to hear.

"Oh god! You're right N/N! I don't want to go either! I want to stay with you all! I do feel like I'm a menace to everyone! I keep putting your lives in danger! All I want to do is give up and die! It feels like everything I thought I knew was just one big fat lie! Why do I have to be the special one?! I'm just a stupid kid! I shouldn't be responsible fighting their war! ALL I EVER WANTED WAS TO LIVE MY DREAM AND BE A HERO WHO SAVES PEOPLE WITH A SMILE! IT SHOULDN'T BE THAT HARD BUT IT SUDDENLY IS WHEN I WAS GIVEN THIS CHANCE! WHY DON'T I FEEL LIKE SMILING ANYMORE?! WHY DID ALL MIGHT BETRAY ME?! WHY DID THIS WORLD BETRAY ME?!"

The cracks left by your female friend's words now shattered your heart completely.

You kneeled down and gathered him into your embrace once again. He accepted as he clung to you like a child would their mother.

He needed the utmost comfort right now, the only type a surrogate sister like you could give. You rocked him back and forth, stroking the top of his head as you made sweet shushing noises.

His body continued to be wracked with sobs. You knew these would haunt you for a while but you pressed on figuring out what to do to soothe him.

You suddenly remembered a song your own mother would sing to you when you were little when you felt nothing but sadness.

You opened your mouth as you began to sing in the softest voice you could muster:

Sun goes down and we are here together

Fireflies glow like a thousand charms

Stay with me and you can dream forever

Ever so close

Ever so sweet

Right here in my arms my little believer

It's magic, when you are here beside me

Close your eyes and let me hold you tight

As the stars guide our shining lights

Everything that I could ever need is

Right here in my arms tonight

Finishing the last of the lyrics, you turned to humming. The both of you stayed in the position until Izuku's cries turned into silent sniffles.

"You should know, that what I just sang came from a story my parents used to tell me." You told him with a soft smile.

Slowly, the sweetheart left your arms. He wiped at his tear stained face, his two toned eyes continued to glisten with unshed ones as he asked, "R-Really? W-What's the story about?"

You were so glad he was curious, that was what made him himself and you missed that side so much.

"Long ago, there lived a lost princess who spent the first few years of her life on a beautiful island with no memory of who she was or how she got there."

"Was the princess alone? Did she had to fend for herself?" Your bestie asked, totally invested.

You smirked and grabbed your chin, "Course not! Because she found a family with the animals who lived on the island when they adopted her."

Izuku made noises of surprise and you couldn't help but giggle as you continued the story, "The princess may have been happy with her island home, but she couldn't help but wonder about her real identity. Until one day, she was given the chance to find it."

"So what did she do? Did she take it?" Izuku wondered aloud. You cupped his freckled face. He didn't seem to mind as he held your wrists to keep them there.

You internally squealed. You were definitely gonna miss this little habit of yours once he's on the road. "She sure did and in return she discovered it and so much more. She found out that she was in fact an actual princess and reunited with her mother the queen!"

"Wow, I'm so happy for her! But...I can't help but think if she felt nervous or scared. Or might've regretted leaving her island behind. And what she had to do to find those answers." Izuku trailed off as you let your hands fall back to lap.

Perfect. You were hoping he'd ask something along those lines. "You're right 'zuku. The princess was scared about the journey and it was hard. There might've been a regret once or twice but I believe that ultimately you could say the reward payed off in the end despite the dangers she encountered. It's also important to remember that the animals always stayed by her side and had her back no matter what lied ahead."

Izuku's face seem to morph with an epiphany, his once dark, lifeless eyes seemed to have regained some of it's light. One filled with a new kind of hope...

Until it turned into a type of confused realization, "Wait...I'm the princess in this story, aren't I?"

You couldn't hold it back anymore you let out an uproarious laugh. You were beginning to think you just hadn't had it in you anymore until now, "Yes! You are! I don't know why but I thought it was the greatest metaphor for this and I guess I was right!" You kept it going when you suddenly heard it intertwined with another one.

You looked up into a sight you'd never thought you'd see again, Izuku Midoriya was laughing. It was probably the biggest one he ever gave in his life.

As you listened to the beautiful sound, you felt your eyes pool with tears once again. This time they were happy ones.

As the both of you took your time recovering from your little fits you piped up, "Izuku, I know this is all terrifying, but if this is what you believe you have to do I won't stop you. You're not yourself or in the best place right now which is why you should take this chance while you have it. Screw believing you're doing this just to get away from your enemies. This is a frigging journey to find out who you are and what really makes you tick. Not your hand me down quirk, not All Might, and especially not what society thinks about you. When all is said and done, you'll always have a home to come back to. Because we are that home and you know it. We'll wait for you as long as it takes."

Izuku seem to understand, as his smile and eyes turned into a rather contented feeling, "You know, I can't help but think of the last thing Kacchan said to me before we separated."

You slapped your palm to your forehead in annoyance. Was the he seriously not paying attention when you poured your heart out? No, of course he was listening you were just trying to figure out what that damn Pomeranian raged at him this time.

Not noticing your slightly ticked off state the dropout repeated what was said to him, "He told me that I really should stop going off to play hero by myself."

...

"Huh?" You squeaked out.

Oh.

You could see the point your exploding boy was trying to make and you believed you had the answer. Clearing your throat, "I see. Personally, I think he meant in terms of you giving up everything just to protect us and trust me, we don't need you to do that for us 'zuku. In case you haven't noticed, you have a big pain in the ass saviour complex. Right now, you need to be a hero for yourself before you can be one for me or anyone who might truly need you years from now."

Thankfully, he seemed to take this answer to his heart as he smiled wildly, "I feel like there's nothing you can't do to make me feel better. Are you sure you won't change your mind about taking me back with you, N/N?"

"Why? Getting cold feet?" You teased.

"N-no-" He was stopped yet again when you wrapped your arms around his neck and gave him a noogie.

"Too late Deky!" You chortled.

The sun was rising through the trees and its warm glow shined on you and your brother. He was laughing along with you once again.

In that moment you both internally renewed your vows that'd you be there for the other no matter what came your way.

It truly felt like a new day.

Once the clear path out of the city was found, you immediately got your priorities straight, "So...does this mean I get dibs on one of your All Might plushies?"

Izuku sighed as he tugged on his backpack straps, knowing you were going to bring it up at some point, "You know what? Absolutely. And feel free to help yourself to one of my documentaries on him but stay away from the posters and figurines."

You held your knees as you tried not to fall down crying laughing.

"C'mon N/N, it's not that funny." He stated.

You wiped a stray tear, "It is when I remembered how you 'helped yourself' to Nighteye's merch when it was only a week after he passed!"

"I really wish you'd let that go." He mumbled, especially since you were sworn to secrecy on that particular topic.

You stopped and began move your hands to the back of your neck, "Speaking of gifts, there's something I want you to have."

Izuku watched as you looked like you unclapsed something and brought your hands to his eye level, a gorgeous B/N pendant swung from a black chain, reflecting light creating little rainbows on his face which you thought looked adorable.

He recognized it immediately, "Your necklace? N/N, you can't! It means too much to you for me to just take. It's practically your good luck charm."

"Oh hush! You're not taking it because I'm giving it to you ya dummy." You went behind him, moving down the hood where you hung the chain around his neck. You inwardly cringed when you saw his actual hero costume. What used to be a symbol of peace and justice has now become a symbol of broken hopes and dreams as you took in the torn and ripped pieces splattered with dried blood. It was too late to change now.

"There, now it's your good luck charm. You definitely need it more than I do at this point," You smacked his arm playfully.

Once you were back in front of him, he held the stone as he looked to be swelling with pride that you'd do such a wonderful thing for him.

It irked you a little. "Yeah, yeah, don't get to attached because you have to take good care of it and bring it back in one piece."

"Got it. Hey N/N."

"Hm?"

"Do you...blame me for your eye?"

Okay, you were not expecting that. Where did it come from? That was when you figured that he's been meaning to ask you about it this whole time but you were so busy just convincing him not to do something reckless. "No 'zuku. I'd never blame you for something a lowlife villain did to me." You explained as your hand wandered to your eyepatch.

"Okay, does this mean you'd take the attack just to protect me and Kacchan if you were given the chance a second time?"

You gave him a small smirk and tapped his forehead, "I don't think you two will ever comprehend are how important you are to me."

The greenette gave a watery smile back as he as he crossed his pinky with yours, "Will you do me a favor?"

"Anything." You replied in a heartbeat.

"The letter for my mom, I want you to be the one to deliver it. I wrote down my apology but I'd feel much better if it came from you."

You could feel your insides clench. You didn't even want to imagine the breakdown your Auntie Inko will have once she finds out.

Don't worry, you'll manage. You always do. That's when you figured you know how to even this score, "Alright, but if I have to watch your mom cry then you have to promise me something in return."

"Name it."

You could practically bask in the halo of optimism radiating off of him.

"Man up and ask Ochako out on a date."

Izuku could feel his heart stop and his fragile bones break like glass. Were you serious? Oh no, you were by the way your eyes held an evil glint.

"W-WHAT!? E-EVEN IF I-I D-DID WOULD S-SHE EVEN S-SAY Y-YES?!" He spluttered. He truly didn't know if she liked him back. A montage of the sweetest moments he shared with her played in his head. Sure, he felt nervous a lot of those times and he was certain she was the same as well.

Maybe there was double meaning hidden to those memories. He thought about his letter to her, he didn't say a whole lot but he tried to make his feelings clear.

That's when he realized something.

He admired everything about the gravity user. Her hair, eyes, laugh and her unbreakable spirit.

And in all those fleeting feelings, she made him so happy every time he got to be entranced in her presence. Or like floating on air which is something she can actually make happen.

Maybe, even it was just a little...maybe he...truly...

Loves her...

Oh.

He loves her.

...

IZUKU MIDORIYA LOVES OCHAKO URARAKA!

"HOLY CRAP! URARAKA!" Izuku shouted then erupted into a blush and suddenly raced away from the path, nearly crashing into the water wall that quickly formed and blocked him from going any farther.

You noticed that he looked like he was actually about to use his damn quirk to escape so you quickly created an arm from the wall which grabbed and held him down.

"Slow your roll casanova, you look like you're about to propose to her." You said as you stood next to him.

"SHE MAKES ME FEEL LUCKY TO BE ALIVE! THAT'S ENOUGH FOR ME! I FEEL LIKE A BASTARD I DIDN'T REALIZE IT SOONER!" He confessed to the frigging heavens.

You're the one who now swelled up with pride and resisted the urge to break out into a full on dance party since you knew he would take it as a chance to make a break for it.

All those times you nudged them in the right direction were finally paying off and you couldn't be more proud.

Composing yourself,  you lowered the water arm down and tightly gripped his hood, dragging him back to the path, "I'm glad that you're no longer an oblivious dolt, but you haven't gone on your life changing field trip yet. Trust me, you'll have plenty of chances to think about what to say and plan for the date while you're out there."

"Oh yeah, I guess I g-got a l-little carried a-away." He stuttered, embarrassed and still red faced.

"She understands."

"Pardon?"

You turned to face him since you were dragging from behind, "Before I left she told me to tell you that she understands why you're doing this."

"Really? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad it's how she feels, I just thought she'd be mad at me for running away." Izuku acknowledged, a bit usure.

"Don't get me wrong, she didn't say it outright but I could tell." You blurted out.

"Seriously? How?" The broccoli haired boy whimpered.

You put a finger to your lips, "Women's intuition."

"Guess I can't argue with that." Izuku said.

"True dat but this just means you'll have to make it up to her in the best possible- WAIT!"

"WHAT?!" He yelled back, startled as he tried to calm the nervous pounding in his chest.

You leaned in closer to him, "I just realized that between you, me, and Shoto we can form the 'Totally Messed Up Eyes' Trio!"

What...?

Oh yeah! Izuku couldn't help but let out a guffaw at that. You make up the weirdest things sometimes but he wouldn't mind doing that.

The warmth instantly faded away though when you got really close,

Looking like you were about to kill him.

"N/N?"

"By the way Midoriya, what exactly did you mean when you said in your letter that you promised something to that crusty asshole?"

Said boy gulped in fear and replied with the only answer he could think of, "It's, um, a One for All thing..."

By the time you got back to the path, he explained more in detail. You were of course, absolutely opposed to the idea of working with the villain who caused you all so much pain since your first days at UA.

But if Izuku was actually vouching for him, then you really didn't have a choice. Who knows? That man, by the time he returns along with your buddy could finally, for a better choice of words, learn to use some damn moisturizer.

That obviously wasn't going to stop you from stabbing him in the back, literally.

Only if he decided to do it first.

It seemed like an eternity passed as you two just stared at each other, holding on to this moment to the smallest detail since you didn't know what type of people you will be by the time you reunited.

Deep down you knew you couldn't magically erase Izuku's negative feelings with a single speech no matter how much you wished there was a quirk that could do the job. Which is why you will never stop being there for him even in spirit. It's part of the reason you gave him your precious necklace.

You sincerely hoped that whenever his mind drifts to 'those' types of thoughts, instead of doing anything that might cause him harm he'll look down at his neck and remember you, his mom, Ochako, Bakugou, Shoto, Iida, All Might, and all the other wonderful people back in Musutafu. Giving him the courage and the strength that he needs to keep moving forward.

"Well, I guess this is it."

His voice woke you from your thoughts. "Huh? Oh yeah. You know I'm gonna wish you were still here with us everyday, right? UA just won't be the same without you."

"Yeah, I know." Izuku sighed. Don't get him wrong, he will always love the school and everything he learned and about it, especially all the teachers and the amazing friends he made.

"You sure you can't write?" You asked, solemnly.

"I want to but you know I can't."

Because even the slightest bit of contact will draw All for One to him, yeah, you know...

"So N/N..."

"So 'zuku..."

"I guess this is good-" You put a finger to his lips.

"No! Say 'see you later.'"

Confusion crossed the greenette's features but he did as you asked, "Okay, see you later, Y/N."

You smiled brightly, "I'll see you later, Izuku."

In no time at all, your brother's waving form disappeared from view.

You were sad but glad he didn't question it. To you, when someone says goodbye and you know for sure that they're not in the greatest mindset, leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

You knew it wouldn't be forever since you were painfully aware of how it's going to feel like it.

Hopefully, he'll be okay out there on his own.

That's all you can pray for.

With that, you headed back to the hospital, using the water from the stream next to you to make the trip quicker.

Perhaps when you get there you won't be reprimanded by anyone. Perhaps when you get back no one will be mad that you let him go and try to put themselves in Izuku's big red shoes to figure out why.

And you were wishing that a certain someone won't kill you for it...

That's asking a bit too much.

You didn't know what the future looked like. You were honestly a bit scared by that thought.

That's when your brother's words from his letter came to mind.

I'll believe in you just like you believed in me.

He was right.

Belief is the mightiest power of all.