A Ray of Hope for Tenya Iida

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(AN: I finally got another chapter out! Thank you for being so patient with me, I'll try to start writing more often again.)

(Disclaimer: I completely disagree with underaged people engaging in anything romantic with an adult and everything written here is to show what is wrong with types of work that puts teens in those kinds of situations or sexualizes them. If I wrote anything that made it seem like this was ok, please let me know and I'll do my best to rewrite it to avoid giving that message.)

(TW: swearing, negative thinking and guilt, mentions of verbal abuse, forced labor, uncomfortable romantic gestures and kissing between overaged and underaged people.)

Midoriya's pov: Iida-kun went from hiding in his room, away from schoolwork, to cooking for everyone and acting normal, to suddenly screaming at Denki, all the way to screaming at everyone and no one in particular. How did we not notice? After he had that nightmare, why wasn't I more concerned? Why wasn't I there for him more? I could've easily asked him if he's ok or been there for him more, invited him to something fun that he could enjoy too, taken over some responsibilities for him so he could catch a break, anything, but I didn't. Why didn't he tell anyone that he was struggling with something so stressful? We told him that we'd be there for him if he needed us... We failed him... I failed him...

"Deku shut the fuck up, you didn't fail him. You did your best, he just should've communicated with you. If he didn't, that's on him. You said you'd be there if he needed you, you did your best." Kacchan scowled at me. I was saying all of that out loud? I didn't even realize. "Also, stop muttering, stupid nerd, you're driving me insane."

"A-ah, ok Kacchan! Sorry!" I was a bit embarrassed to have done that yet again. I needed to figure out a way to help Iida-kun out, especially since he's angry with everyone now. We could start helping out with everything he does for us, instead of him doing everything? We could start a chore chart, making everyone have a small job to do. If everyone pitches in, the work won't be nearly as overwhelming. And then the chore chart could alternate so no one gets stuck with a job they don't like for too long! Of course, Mineta can't do some chores, being the size he is, so we'll probably have to come up with some chores he can and can't do so that chore rotations are easier... I looked over and saw Denki leaving the room. He must've been really hurt by what Iida-kun said, maybe I needed to check on him too. Right as I thought about that, he slammed his door. He was definitely hurt by that, he doesn't usually slam his door, unlike Kacchan, who does it every chance he gets. I knocked on his door after weaving my way through the crowded area. A lot of UA's students had heard the commotion and came in, wondering what was going on. 

"Denki? Are you ok?" I tried my best to speak in a softer tone.

"I'm fine! Don't worry about me, go help Iida..." Denki sounded extremely upset. I had to help him.

Iida's pov: I could practically feel everyone's pity washing over me. I didn't need pity, I needed support, and none of them were willing to give it to me. Why didn't anyone care until I yelled at them? Why were they mad at me for getting angry when Denki and Bakugou were constantly allowed to act like that? ...Why did I even say those things to Denki? It was horrible to say things like that to him... I swore, I yelled, I even told him he was a mistake. I was a horrible friend, a horrible person. The guilt washed over me like a cold, burning ocean was swallowing me whole. I couldn't just say and do whatever I wanted, and no matter how others act, it wasn't an excuse for me to be a bad person. I had to go and apologize to Denki, though I didn't deserve his forgiveness. I didn't deserve him to even listen to my apology, but he deserved a sincere apology from me. I needed to make it up for him somehow. I needed to make up for everything I've done since I got here, too. I told him he didn't deserve to be in the Hero Course, and that Shinsou deserved his spot. Maybe I was the one that didn't deserve to be here. Shinsou would be so happy to get into the Hero Course, and he would've gotten in if one less person was in the Hero Course. If someone left, they'd have to replace them, anyways. If I left, he'd be able to join...