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The sky is dark with spatterings of light. The stars lighting up the sky, the city glows in response. There's something peaceful about being on a rooftop at night, it's quiet but there's still the sound of cars and quiet chatter and the wind.
Izuku takes a breath in and sighs out, shoulders hunched with tension despite desperately trying to relax. He's sat on the edge of the roof, thinking and trying not to. The air is brisk, almost biting but it's nice, calming.
His thoughts are raging but silent, a strange contradiction. They race at speeds others could not conceive, new thoughts sprouting before the previous have been fully thought through but he can't think fully, he's tired. He's so damn tired.
He sighs.
There's a light knock on the roof entrance, “Kid, it's too late for you to be out here.”
“Sorry Aizawa-Sensei” he winces out, “I hope i didn't disturb your sleep.”
Aizawa grunts in response and makes his way to the ledge, he sits near izuku but far enough for it to be comfortable.
“Something going on?” the man asks.
“i-i don't know” Izuku hesitates, “i just- i don't know.. i'm tired, a-and im scared.” Aizawa hums for him to continue, “This year has been a lot. We've been attacked so many times a-and they just keep coming. The threat isn't gone. They're just- They're still out there and we can't do anything, we can't predict them, we can't track them, they're practically ghosts until they decide to show up again and I'm scared. what if- what if one day they attack and we don't make it out? what if we can't survive again?”
“I get it, Midoriya.” he sighs, “this shit is scary. it will stay scary for as long as you live, even when you're a pro. It's not everyday first year students are targeted by a hero group and thank god it's not because you kids should never have had to go through this. I'd say we, heroes, adults, would protect you and make sure none of you get hurt but you all know that that won't always be the case. All I can say is keep working, so when you're caught off guard you can act on instinct from your training and protect yourself. It won't make it better but you'll have some piece of mind if you know you can fight back.”
“y'know, Aizawa-Sensei.. I wish we could do more or I don't know, I don't know- I just wish we were safe I guess.” he laughs a humourless laugh, “It's- it's scary. I'm scared. You'd think they'd realise we're just- just kids! We aren't idols or- or pinnacles of society, we're just kids!”
His face feels wet. He supposes he's crying, Aizawa notices, slides closer and gently wraps an arm around the boy's shoulder.
“Honestly kid, you're so damn strong. Stronger than I was at your age. It's okay to be scared. I'm scared too.” His hand tightens slightly on his shoulder, touch still gentle but firm. Grounding. Izuku leans over and rests his head on Aizawa's shoulder. “We'll be okay kid..”
Izuku hums in response and wipes his tears softly, watching the stars with Aizawa from their perch on the roof.
It's nice. Peaceful.
So for right now, Izuku supposes he'll be okay.