The One Who Lived // Izuku Midoriya

19. next time

"Deku?" Her voice was shaking, you were sure yours would sound the exact same if you could will yourself to speak. "A friend? No...it doesn't look like it. Could you get off him please?" The fear radiating off her could be sliced with a knife.

Raising his head, the man flashed a nervous smiled, waving his hands apologetically. "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realize he came with friends." His eyes landed on you, dropping his smile entirely, easily remembering your last encounter.

You had still yet to move.

He stood, reforming that easily faked smile as he inaudibly muttered to Izuku.

Was he going to grab you? Walk away and say nothing? Warn you of his next attack? Your brain spiraled into an oblivion.

While walking passed you, Shigaraki's shoulder brushed yours, causing him to pause. "Next time." Was all he said, a warning so simple but chilling enough to send you to your knees.

"Shigaraki, wait!" Izuku coughed, holding desperately to his neck. "What does All For One want?" He wheezed.

"Dunno. You should be more worried about our next encounter. That's when you'll die and I'll take that pretty thing from you once and for all."

As soon as she heard his name, Ocacho began scrambling for her phone and calling the police.

Izuku was by your side as soon as he could properly breathe again, coaxing you to your feet.

Your cold hands immediately grabbing his face, turning it gently and scanning your eyes over the entirety of it. "Are you okay?" The fear released from your body and your tears began to rampantly stream down your cheeks.

He smiled gently, his hand reaching up to cup yours that was still touching his cheek. "I am now." He slowly removed your hands from his face, almost appearing to be relishing in the feeling of his hand against yours.

And for a moment, there it was like your heart stopped.

Thinking back to your conversation with Ochaco and those blurry feelings,

They didn't feel so unclear anymore.

He could have died, where would that have left you if he did?

Sometimes this boy before you felt like the other half of your soul and honestly...that was absolutely terrifying.

**
The air was warm as it slowly whipped around a few stray leaves in front of the police station. You tucked yourself on a bench, switching back and forth from twirling your fingers and picking at the rips in your jeans as you waited for Izuku.

Pulling your knees to your chest, you placed your chin in between your legs to comfort yourself. Ever since the rest of the dramatics of the day had unfolded, you were left with barely any time to be alone with your thoughts.

And boy, we're they running.

"Rough day?" A voice suddenly besides you asked. Your head shot up and you cringed as your eyes met the deep eye-sockets of a scrawny blonde man. Subtly, you scooted towards the side of the bench farther away from him.

"Yeah." You shortly replied.

"You're not in any trouble, are you?" The man asked and you noticed he had a familiar sounding voice.

"Um...no." You mumbled, now peeking at the man out of the corner of your eye. He looked like a deflated All Might, but that couldn't possibly be true...could it?

"Ah, just waiting then." Man this guy was nosy. "I'm waiting for a friend of mine as well."

"I don't really know why I'm here." You admitted. "My friend told me I could go home hours ago."