Silhouette

Ch. 3

"Whoa, are you okay, dude?" A vaguely familiar voice asked.

Izuku groggily nodded, rubbing a hand over his face as he sat up. Squinting up at the tall figure in front of him, he was finally able to tell who he had run into. Standing before him was the redhead he had met the previous night with Katsuki. Izuku hadn't gotten his name, though.

"Here, let me help you," Redhead said with a toothy smile, squatting down to help Izuku to his feet. He was pleasantly surprised at how easily the other man lifted him from the ground.

Unfortunately, now that he was back on two feet, Izuku's body threatened to collapse. He swayed a little before Redhead caught him again.

"Are you okay? Do you need to go to a hospital or something?" Redhead asked worriedly, looking over the pro hero for any signs of visible injuries.

Izuku shook his head. "'M  just tired," he mumbled.

"Seems more than just tired to me," Redhead said back, helping Izuku start to walk in the direction he had been heading before.

He shook off the stranger, forcing a smile onto his features. "I'm fine, really. Definitely gonna go home and nap, though," he said with a nervous laugh.

"At least let me help you get back to your place. You can barely stand." Redhead said with nothing but genuine concern on his face.

Izuku quickly shook his head. "No offense, but I don't even know your name. Showing you where I live doesn't seem like a great idea."

"Eijirou Kirishima, nice to meet you." Redhead, Eijirou, said with a smile while sticking his hand out to Izuku.

The pro hesitantly shook it, looking at the man with caution. "Izuku Midoriya. I still don't want you to know where I live, but it's nice to meet you too, Kirishima."

Eijirou shrugged at his words. "When you collapse on your way back, again, I won't be there to pick you back up."

Izuku thought over his words, nervously chewing on his bottom lip. It was entirely possible that he wouldn't make it back. It was likely that if he fell again, he'd just stay on the ground and sleep.

"Or you can just let me give you a piggyback ride, and then the problem's solved."

Izuku groaned at the persistent man in front of him. "Fine, when you put it like that." He mumbled, crossing his arms over his chest.

With a chuckle, Eijirou turned his back to Izuku and squatted down slightly, so the pro hero could hop onto his back.

"Are you sure?" Izuku asked skeptically, looking at the redhead for confirmation. "I'm heavier than I look."

Eijirou scoffed at the blatant lack of faith Izuku had. "I've already picked you up, dude, I think I know if I can handle giving you a piggyback ride."

Izuku let out a puff of air at the attitude, but then decided to just get on. When he hopped, Eijirou easily supported his weight, looking as if he barely even registered it.

"So, where're we going?"

Izuku quickly explained where his apartment complex was, and Eijirou took off down the alley, taking the necessary turns.

Izuku really, really tried to stay awake for the walk back, but his eyelids were just so heavy, and the slight swaying motion created by Eijirou's steps was just so soothing, and the man just smelt so good. He was fast asleep on the redhead's shoulder within five minutes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"-doriya. Midoriya. Hey, Midoriya."

Izuku heard someone trying to call his name, but he was still exhausted and comfortable, so he just groaned and buried himself deeper into his pillow.