Try Me Bitch (Vigilante Deku)

He got my back,...

I was halfway across the city, running on pure adrenaline, when my phone buzzed in my pocket. Skidding to a stop in a deserted alleyway, I pulled it out, my heart doing an anxious flip when I saw Shoto's name on the screen.

Shoto? 

Why's he calling me now?

I hesitated for a second before answering, half-expecting more bad news.

Me: Hey, Shoto.

Shoto's voice was steady, but I could hear a hint of tension underneath. This was definitely not his usual self. I could tell that much. Like that underneath tension isn't him.

Shoto: Izuku, where are you?

Me: Uh... around. What's up?

Please don't ask where exactly, ....

I silently pleaded, not wanting to explain why I was out in the middle of the night nor what I was doing at all.

Shoto: I'm with my grandma and Touya at a scene with dad. We're with the police, and... we found the kids.

What? 

My mind froze for a second, then kicked back into overdrive.

Me: You found them? Are they okay? What about Eri?

Shoto: They're all alive, including Eri. But...

He trailed off, and my stomach dropped. 

There was always a "but."

Me: But what?

Shoto: We didn't find the villains. At least, not all of them.

I sucked in a sharp breath, my grip on the phone tightening.

They got away?

Me: What do you mean, 'not all of them'?

Shoto: The ones we caught didn't know much. They said the main villains....They were all wearing these weird bird beaks, like some kind of plague doctors. It's creepy, Izuku. And they kept saying they didn't know who they were working for rather than just that they looked close to the plague doctor.

Bird beaks? 

That didn't make any sense. I racked my brain, trying to connect the dots, but nothing was adding up.

Me: So, they're still out there?

Shoto: Yeah, and the pros are asking for backup to keep searching. We're not leaving any stone unturned, but it's like these guys just vanished. Even Touya's frustrated.

I could picture it—Touya and Endeavor combing through the wreckage, trying to find any clue that could lead them to whoever was behind this..... and joined in by their grandmother. And Shoto, probably right there with them, doing what he could to help.

Meanwhile, here I am, running around like a headless chicken.

And got told away....

FUCK!

Me: I should've been there. 

The words slipped out before I could stop them. Guilt clawed at my insides. 

I should've done something sooner.

Shoto: Izuku, don't blame yourself. You've been doing everything you can. We'll find them, okay?

How can you be so calm? 

I wanted to shout, but I didn't. I knew Shoto was just trying to keep me from spiraling, but the frustration gnawed at me.

Me: What now?

Shoto: Now? Now you go home, no need to search for them anymore. Get some rest. We've got this under control.

I bit my lip, torn between the need to do something and the knowledge that maybe—just maybe—Shoto was right.

Me: You sure?

Shoto: Yeah. We'll keep you updated. Just... take care of yourself, Izuku. Please.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. 

This wasn't how things were supposed to go. 

I should've found them. 

I should've done more. 

But I knew Shoto was just trying to look out for me.

Me: Alright. Let me know if anything changes.

Shoto: I will. And Izuku... try not to worry too much. We'll find them. I promise.

He hung up, and I stared at the phone for a few more seconds, the cold night air biting at my skin.

Go home, he said. Rest, he said.

Easier said than done.

Stuffing the phone back into my pocket, I looked around the empty alleyway, my thoughts racing. Shoto was right—I couldn't be there. I wasn't in the hero course... nor did I had any excuse to be there; I wasn't even supposed to be out here. But that didn't make the frustration any less.

Bird beaks... 

Plague doctors... 

Who the hell are these people?

With a deep breath, I pushed off the wall and started walking again. I was certainly not about to go home and do nothing. Even if I couldn't be there, I could at least be out here doing what the police can't right now... help the small people.... be there to stop some thungs and just be out here for a look out for anyone with a bird beak mask.