Diamonds in the Rough *INDEFINITE HIATUS*

Recovery

A.N~ hey look! I made an animatic for this au!

The invisible wave of fear that rolled over the heroes was powerful, keeping even Midoriya frozen to the floor as he watched Stain take another step forward

"If I don't fix this world" Stain snarled "If someone doesn't take the fall, doesn't stain their hands with blood for society's sake- If I can't regain that hero status..." the aura around him thickened and if they didn't know better, the nearly visible bloodlust surrounding the villain could have been mistaken for his quirk "COME!!" Stain taunted the terrified humans, taking yet another staggering step forward "Just try it you fakes!! The only one allowed to kill me is a true hero!! All Might alone is worthy!!"

Izuku felt the fear rise up in his chest, something so pure and natural that he hadn't truly felt in so long and it was choking in the terror-stricken air. The unadulterated panic in his lungs rose higher and higher, trapping the air trying to push past his throat as he sat there petrified, mind completely blank as he simply stared at the villain.

"Come!!" Stain invited again with the crazed smile of a dead man walking "Try it!! Try to kill me-"

Midoriya did the only thing his small trembling body could manage

He screamed.

Like a spell had been broken, and perhaps it had, Izuku's piercing shriek startled the terrified heroes back into reality, Bakugo instinctively letting out an explosion towards the villain before desperately scooping up Midoriya and throwing the both of them into an alley out of the way. The two teens peeked around the corner to see Stain sprawled out on the floor, unmoving save for the shallow rising and falling of his chest

"Is he dead?" Katsuki whispered as Hitoshi immediately tossed Eraserhead his own scarf and the heroes quickly tied up and restrained the passed-out Stain. Izuku didn't respond, simply sitting there shaking like a leaf as he leaned back out of view, silent tears running down his cheeks "Are you okay? Did you get hurt-" Bakugo started before cutting off at the anguished look Midoriya gave him

"W-we near-ly di-i-ed" Izuku stammered, clutching Katsuki's costume with trembling hands "We almost fucking died-" he let out a choked sob and hugged the blonde as he started wailing. Bakugo hugged him back tightly, trying to keep his own shaking under control

"It's okay" he reassured, voice cracking as he clutched his friend desperately, like he was his only lifeline to the world "It's okay, we're okay, we're okay" he kept repeating, as if he was trying to convince himself of the fact they were still alive

"Holy fuck!" Hitoshi panted as he skidded around the corner, face a mix of fear and worry "Are you guys-"

"We're fine Hitoshi." Bakugo mumbled, patting the sobbing Midoriya's head "We're okay. We're okay..." Hitoshi hesitated before helping the two to their feet and led them back to the sidewalk. He paused for a moment and whipped around, embracing the two tightly with a quiet sniffle

"I thought you two assholes were dead!" Shinsou wept, clinging onto their clothes frantically "Don't you ever! Fucking do something like that again you idiots!!" Midoriya started crying harder, hugging Hitoshi and babbling apologies while being scolded by his friend

"Izuku!! Katsuki!!" Mina shrieked, racing over and dissolving into tears as she hugged the small group, tears staining Bakugo's chest "You assholes!!! You scared me half to death!!"

"I know Mina" the blonde sighed, letting her cry and supporting the rest of his bawling friends "We're...sorry"

"Don't apologize!!" she yelled, pounding pink fists on his chest as she cried "That makes it even worse!!"