Idol and The Hero

6: Closing Off

Third POV

Over the next month and a half, Izuku became noticeably closed off and quiet. He kept off to the sides during interviews and award ceremonies. If he was in the training room or the studio, practicing till someone forced him to stop, he was in his room with his lights off and his computer playing an assortment of things; hero videos, news, past performances, etc.

The only times any of the other members saw Izuku was when he came down for dinner; but, only for a quick second, as he merely plated his food, said a quiet thanks, and went to eat in his room; and in the practice room or studio. Although compared to Katsuki, you could say the members have seen Izuku for a week straight while Katsuki had only seen him for a day.

Izuku rarely spoke, rarely ate, rarely left his room, rarely did anything. As days progressed, they merely jumbled together for him. He would wake up at some point, he would stare into nothing, if he had the energy he would watch stuff on his computer, he would eat when called down, he would go to sleep. Izuku went through each day as if he was a robot. He lost track of time, he lost track of his senses, he lost track of himself.

As they saw Izuku slowly closing himself from everything, they had hoped that Katsuki could be the rope that kept Izuku tied from going too deep into depression. Unfortunately, Katsuki had barely made any progress. He had been burning himself out. He continued his hero duties, spoke to the press, and criticized society; then, at the end of the day, he would make his way over to the dorms. He would sit in front of Izuku's door and speak to him; trying to convince him that everything is fine and that he can come out. But after an hour, with no word coming from the 19-year-old hidden in the dark room, Katsuki would simply say goodnight and that he would take care of everything.

Katsuki tried not to let the things happening get to him; but, it was so hard.

Every time he faced the press, he wanted to blow up and scream in anger. How could they do this to his Izuku? His Izuku, who did nothing but try to spread the message of love and acceptance.

Every time he was on duty and was praised for a job well done, he wanted to glare in disgust and tell them to fuck off. How could they still support him and not Izuku? While the innocent soul was getting reprimanded, berated, and cursed out; the angry soul was getting praised.

Every time he went and sat in front of Izuku's door, he talked to the love of his life who he could not see. Izuku, Deku, bunny, the love of his life; no matter what nickname he used to call out to him, he didn't appear.

Every time Katsuki went home, alone, he cried. Katsuki would sit on his bed and cry because Izuku wasn't with him. Instead, Izuku was locked in his room, isolated and alone. He had lost Izuku at the end of middle school; and now, it felt like he was losing him all over again.

Katsuki blamed himself. Izuku was hesitant to go public, but he wasn't. He had many conversations with Izuku about going public. Mostly because he couldn't fully understand his fear. When Izuku came to him, saying that he wanted to go public, he was overjoyed. But he should have been more careful and prepared. He should have heeded Izuku's worry.

Katsuki made a promise to everyone in Izuku's life that he would protect the younger. But he couldn't live up to the promise. He couldn't protect Izuku from the press or the fans. He couldn't protect him from the slurs and the hate. And Katsuki thought if he couldn't keep a simple promise of safety, towards the one he loves, how could he keep the promises of thousands for their safety.

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The members, company, and Katsuki weren't the only ones who took notice and worried about Izuku. ARMY was scared and worried. Millions of people around the world were worried about the young idol. Many didn't care about the announcement. Many had already suspected the relationship. Many thought Izuku had been very brave and inspiring in his decision to come out publicly with Katsuki. ARMY didn't hate Izuku. ARMY wasn't disgusted. ARMY wasn't dissatisfied. ARMY was proud and protective.

ARMY banded together, people from all around the world, to protect their youngest savior. ARMY had been taught by BTS to love themselves and give love to everyone around them. BTS helped them love who they were as individuals. Izuku helps them love themselves. So now was the time to help him love himself again and end the drama that was ignited by the flames of haters and reporters.

It was time to save Izuku from society, just as he strives to do for everyone.

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