Musutafus Protector

36

Hey guys! So, it's been a few months since I last posted, I've been working on a RadioApple series 😅 Also, I want to try and finish writing one book at a time, that way my ideas don't get all mixed up, that's why I've been mostly updating this book compared to the others

Izuku pov

The window clicks softly as I slide it open, sliding in like a ghost I land silently on the balls of my feet, knees bending on instinct, quickly closing the window once again, 4:18 a.m. glows faintly on Kacchan's digital clock, red numbers bleeding into the dark of the dorm room. Every breath is careful and measured, don't wake anyone, that's the rule, that's always the rule, my body throbs in a slow, deep rhythm that I've learned how to ignore. My suit is still on, black fabric stiff in places, the neon blue on my gloves dulled and smeared, I don't look down for too long 'don't think about it, don't think about him, don't think about what you did tonight.'

The world is hushed in that heavy, half-dead hour where even nightmares seem to be sleeping, my body feels heavy, not just tired, the kind of heavy that sinks into your bones and makes every movement feel delayed, like I'm slowly sinking deeper and deeper underwater. My shoulder burns in a deep, pulsing way that makes my vision tilt if I focus on it too long, every breath is careful and measured, not too deep but still enough to not black out, I slowly look around, Kacchan's breathing is steady on the futon from the other side of the room, heavy, deep, and exhausted in the way only someone who pretends to be invincible ever is.

My eyes drift to the bed where I see Akio curled up on his side, clutching that stupid shark plush he refuses to sleep without, his hair sticks up in weird directions, mouth slightly open while Ren is sprawled more dramatically, half-sprawled across him, one arm thrown over his leg like she claimed him in her sleep, her face is scrunched up, like she's fighting something even in her dreams. I soundlessly walk up to them, crouching down in front of them and checking their breathing, smiling softly at the little incoherent mumble Ren lets out, I carefully grab the edge of the blanket, not wanting to get it dirty as I pull it further up Akio's shoulder.

I let out a small huff of air through my nose when I suddenly hear the futon across the room shifting, a small groan being followed right after, I immediately force myself to look relaxed, even as I feel my rib shifting slightly "mmh, Deku?" I turn my head, seeing Kacchan slowly push himself up onto his elbow as he rubs his eye a little "you're finally back" he says, his voice being deep with sleep "sorry, I didn't mean to wake you" I say "what time is it?" I slowly stand up straight, staying mostly hidden in the shadows still "it's 4 in the morning, go back to sleep, I'm gonna go get changed then I'll come back for the kids, ok?"

He lifts his head, blinking his eyes open a little more, I can feel his gaze roaming over my hair, my half-pulled mask, the torn fabric at my shoulder, the dark stains that don't belong "the fuck?" I can see him waking up even more with each new detail he finds "what?" I say, raising an eyebrow, trying to act nonchalant "what happened to you?" I watch as he throws the blanket off of himself, standing up and starts walking towards me, I feel myself stiffen up slightly as I take a step further into the shadows "oh, you know, nothing new" 'why do I feel so .... ashamed? I do this every other day' I think, taking yet another step back when he gets a little too close.

"Izuku" he says slowly once he gets close enough, his eyes widening slightly "you're bleeding" I glance down at myself like it's new information "am I?" I hear him let out an annoyed huff of air "don't play dumb with me" he says as he grabs my wrist, pulling me towards the bathroom, I suppress a wince and just let him, I don't have the energy to fight right now "for fucks sake, just once, can't you come back perfectly fine? Why you always gotta be covered in blood Deku?" "It's an occupational hazard" he turns, glaring at me as I let out a small chuckle before immediately groaning as he flicks the lights on "fuuuuck that's bright" I whine.