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Midoriya panted a little as he finally made it to where he knew Uraraka had wandered off to. When he caught his breath as One For All dissipated he saw she was hunched over and all he could say was her name. Things were strange between them, they were before the war, even more so now. Everyone was still recovering and adjusting to different lives. Uraraka looked like she was somewhere else most of the time. She would smile, work as needed, and held conversations with their peers, but she just seemed like wasn't fully there with them. He wasn't sure why until now. When she turned to look at him tears filled her eyes and at first he thought she was in pain.
She was but not from her healing injury. This was a pain he knew all too well. The type he's had for many years. The type that makes you feel disgusting and gross for having those feelings. Sometimes you even forget it's not normal to some people and those feelings end up spilling out before you can catch them. You try to shove them back in, lock them up behind a door, and throw away the key yet somehow bits and pieces leak out. It's impossible to keep them contained sometimes. Someone says something and they shoot out, something tragic happens and they go crazy. It was written all over her soft face. It's a feeling they both know now but not one they share for each other.
Midoriya's mouth moved before he could think of a better way to say it.
“You love her, don't you?” He said shocking both of them
Uraraka’s back straightened and a scared look passed over her features.
“N- no. I- I…” She couldn't even deny it as she whipped her head away from him
Midoriya approached carefully.
“It's okay Uraraka. I'm not… I'm not going to judge you.” He told her hoping it would bring some relief
Her shoulders were still tense and her posture was still offensive. Her fists clenched at her sides. Well all but her thumbs touched as her fingers curled into themselves.
“It's complicated.” Uraraka said finally and Midoriya smiled a little
“I know the feeling. Um in a way.” He rubbed the back of his head feeling both his curls and the shaved part
Uraraka looked towards him suddenly.
“You..?” She started but couldn't finish as she wiped her eyes roughly to keep them from falling down her face
“Love can be complicated and confusing. Sometimes it can make you feel like you're dying then sometimes it can make you feel like you're on top of the world.” Midoriya said as he side stepped to be closer to her
The brunette didn't move away but their hands graced each other.
“I had a crush on you.” Uraraka confessed
Midoriya flushed as his eyes went wide.
“You did?” He asked baffled
Uraraka laughed weakly.
“Yeah. I figured it would never go anywhere the day you went to save Bakugou when he was kidnapped. I can never compete with him.” She said rubbing her nose
Midoriya grimaced as he looked down.
“I'm… I'm so sorry Uraraka I never meant to-”
“I know. You're not that kind of person Deku.” Uraraka told him
Midoriya didn't say anything so she looked at him and tried to smile enough for it to meet her eyes.
“You love him, don't you?” The brunette repeated his words
Midoriya bit his lip but nodded. They were alone. It was okay.
“Ever since I can remember, I think.” He answered
Uraraka looked away once again, seeing the few lights of the city that was rebuilding itself with their help.
“Remember before the war when he talked out here and I said I was weird?” She asked
“Um, yes.” Midoriya said not sure where this was going
“It was because of her. M- my feelings were changing but I didn't have time to really think about them. Now I have and I…” Uraraka's lip wobbled
“I don't wanna be in a world where she doesn't exist.” She said as tears broke over her waterline and dripped down her face
Midoriya's eyes went wide again as he immediately hugged her.
“I know. I feel that way about Kacchan. It's so intense you don't know what to do with it.” He said as she grabbed onto him for deal life
“I wanna help her and love her. I wanna be that person for her. I don't want her to hurt ever again.” Uraraka ranted into Midoriya shoulder
He nodded understandingly.
“You can be Uraraka. You can.” The taller encouraged
“It won't be easy I'm sure but if that's what you want then fight for it.” He added as she pulled away to look up at him
“I will. She deserves happiness.” Uraraka sniffled
Midoriya smiled.
“She does.” He agreed
They parted fully and silence shrouded them as the sun went to sleep. Uraraka tried to calm down and Midoriya let her. Sometimes just being there is enough to help someone. He hoped she could get what she wanted. He hoped Toga did too. They both deserved to be happy. Happy with each other if that's what it took. He's not sure how Toga feels considering she asked him out, he doesn't know if Uraraka knows about that. Surely things would work out between them though even if the result is them just being friends. All he can do is hope for the best. Toga is supposed to be rehabilitated so if she does great then she can be released and live a better life. Hopefully one that she wants.
“Are you going to tell him?” Uraraka asked
Midoriya looked at her confused.
“Tell who?” He tilted his head
Uraraka furrowed her brows a little.
“Bakugou.” She stated
Midoriya flushed again.
“Oh um I- I'm not sure.” Hse shook his head
“Why?” Uraraka questioned
Midoriya bit his lip with a worried look.
“Kacchan and I have been together for a long time. There's been ups and a lot of downs. We're getting back to being friends and I don't want to, you know, ruin that by inserting feelings he's not comfortable with into the equation.” He grimaced
Uraraka placed her hand on his arm gently. It was time for her to help him in return.
“I think you should tell him. I mean he died for you Deku. I don't know what else that could mean.”
Midoriya flinched seeing a flash of Bakugou's lifeless body appear in his head.
“H- he died fighting a war. Not for me.” He shook his head again to make the image go away
Uraraka looked sympathetic.
“Deku, that whole war was for and about you. Yeah we saved a lot of civilians and we would still fight if you weren't involved but I'm telling you… that day, Bakugou was fighting for you. No one else.” She told him
Midoriya teared up thinking about the possibility.
“You really think he died for me?” He asked
Uraraka let go of his arm and nodded.
“He's always been dedicated.”
Midoriya sniffled a little. It was a lot to take in and he's still not sure if that was even true.
“Maybe I will… b- but not today.” He told her
Uraraka smiled softly.
“Tell him when you feel ready, don't second guess yourself or over think it.” She said
Midoriya nodded and smiled back
“I'll try.” He said as they heard heavy footsteps approaching
“Izuku!” The familiar gravelly voice called after him as they turned to see Bakugou
“Speak of the lover boy.” Uraraka muttered
“Uraraka.” Midoriya flushed once more
“What the hell are you two doing? It's almost curfew.” Bakugou frowned
“Tell him someday and I'll tell Himichan too.” Uraraka whispered quickly then looked at the blonde who was within a few feet
“We were just looking at the city, Bakugou.” She answered him
The taller looked between them then glanced away and jutted his head back.
“Better get inside. It's supposed to get a little cold tonight.” He warned
“Thanks.” Uraraka said then bowed to Midoriya as thanks for his help and headed off
Bakugou looked at Midoriya curiously and the smaller just shook his head with a wave of his hand.
“She just needed a friend.” He said
Honestly they both did. He didn't realize how much he was carrying until he unloaded it with her help. They still have baggage but at least it's a little lighter. Maybe it'll be light enough for him to express his feelings the way he wants to someday. Just like Uraraka encouraged and he encouraged her.
Bakugou rolled his eyes.
“C’mon Izuku. Don't want prez after our asses.” He said as he turned to head back towards the building
“Okay Kacchan. Let's go.” Midoriya smiled and rushed to follow the other