Downward Spiral (Izuocha)

Chapter 49 Please

Izuku P.O.V.

I arrived back at the dorms not feeling my best considering that this had probably been the heaviest therapy session and I prayed that it would be the last one that took this amount of effort. However, Ms Joke was kind enough to let me go on a high note, reminding me of how far I've come and the progress with blackwhip this past few days. As soon as I entered I was expecting the same curious and calculating eyes of my classmates but found a much less amount than before, seemingly forcing themselves to act like they used to. 'I need to thank Todoroki for this' However, that didn't stop Uraraka from approaching me first and once again looking for any inconsistencies in my demeanor. Todoroki had also started to approach me, probably to escort me back to my room, but I stopped him with the  raise of my palm as I had a different idea on what to do. "Could Uraraka come with me today Todoroki? I-if that's okay with everyone...." I still couldn't shake the nervousness off of my system but the double quirk user just nodded while Uraraka just beamed at me with her beautiful smile and we walked to my room.

As soon as we entered she seemed uneasy, constantly looking at the floor, the bathroom and the bathroom door. I sighed and motioned her to sit next to me on the bed as I knew that backing down now would lead me to probably regret it for as long as I'll remember. It had been an emotional day and I wanted it to end, but I had to give this last small push so that I can rest somewhat easy. "Uraraka, I-I'm sorry. Sorry for making you see me in that state and experiencing it first hand. Sorry for hurting you so much with my actions. It was n-never my i-intention to do s-so. I j-just feel so....... s-so......" I couldn't continue as my voice had broken midway and the tears started to roll down my cheeks as soon as I opened my mouth. A guilt so heavy that made me feel like I was being pushed to the ground and being forced to fight against it, having to somehow fight through it and keep on moving forward. Apparently, this was the right way to do so, even if my apology had been short lived.

She loosely hugged me, acting more like a comfort blanket rather than how she had approached me back at the hospital, but either way, these hugs were becoming treasures that I could get used to. "Don't worry Deku, you are here and I forgive you. Just let me help, okay? I worry a lot about you really. You just need to believe it too." I looked at her through a distorted view while she gave a teary smile back at me, as if it were the evidence that would make her las statement true. "Please....." I mumbled in a low voice. I was exhausted and overall drained, but there was something that I needed to hear. Something I wanted to hear, and it could truly become a turning point. "Please what?" "Please.... Stay by my side. Please help me...... I really need it. Please, promise me you will." It wasn't a simple request, especially considering that it was a selfish one, having asked for her time and effort to be put into me of all people. A teenager that was troubled. "I promise Deku. I won't leave you and I'll help you as long as you let me, for sure." And like that, I let my eyelids collapse and let my exhaustion take over.

Ochako P.O.V.

Deku had once again fallen asleep in my arms like he had done so long ago, with tears once again running down his face but a content smile that had not appeared all those days back. It was heartwarming to see first-hand his somewhat emotional progress.  I was still stunned by how he had started to control his tendrils that he once feared so much, and his small smile and excitement when he started to make progress. 'I just wish we didn't have to hug in this context.' I stayed there for a while, enjoying the warmth from his body and the position that we were in, hoping that this sort of hug, this sort of affection, could repeat himself in the near future. I couldn't confess now, he didn't need to make such big decisions at this moment, but soon enough I know it'll come and whatever happens, I am not ready for either response. I finally lay him down on his bed and cover him with some spare sheets and walk out the room, trusting that his steady breathing wasn't an act.

I got back to the common room where only Todoroki, Iida and Yaoyorozu were left, probably discussing some school subjects. As soon as they saw me, I knew that had been going on between them would be dropped off the window and Deku would become the new topic, accompanied by fear and worry. "Where is Midoriya?! Why did you leave him?!" He asked with much more hand movements than usual, showing a rare frantic side of him that would probably never appear in another context. "Deku fell asleep so I put him to bed and came back down. I'll wake him up for dinner." I tried to dismiss the worry, trusting that my checking of the room today and Todoroi's yesterday for any dangerous objects had been thorough enough to make sure Deku wouldn't try anything like that again any time soon. "He just fell asleep? How was he so tired?" "I'm guessing that his therapy sessions take a toll on him emotionally so he is just exhausted. Plus, did you see how he is using those black thingys? It's amazing!" I tried to divert the topics to a bit on the brighter side of the spectrum, understanding that the best we could do is find the silver lining and move forward.

'Things will get better, I know it.'

Heyo. Four outta five. They'll come out when it's the 31st for almost everyone. Sorry western americans, I won't stay up until 4 am for you, I have to drive tomorrow morning. One more to go.