Scars

"What's with those bandages, wrapped around your arms like that anyways?" The green haired boy inquired, a finger pointing to the tape that covered the brunette's limbs from the bicep down to her fingers.

The huntress flinched away as his hands got a little too close for her liking. "A-ah..." her hand moved to rest on her forearm, squeezing tightly. Nervous; how should she answer? Her mouth seemed a bit dry. "Its, uh... nothing special. I j-just... don't like the way they look." She stammered.

He noticed the girls actions and immediately jolted backwards, waving his hands around frantically. "O-O-oh....!! Really!" He squeaked, rubbing the back of his head, green orbs darting around. That was awfully rude of him, to ask such personal things. "My apologies, for asking." Midoriya smiled weakly.

"Don't worry, I mean... you didn't know any better... Ah-" A small laugh escaped her throat, her eyes fall to the boy who was currently a flustered mess. Kristen couldn't help but smile, a hand resting on his head, ruffling his green locks. "Don't mind!" Green eyes met her own and he took a deep breath, guessing it was to relax himself, and her hand fell back down on her lap. She shifted in her seat, lowering her head to look at her bandaged hands. Long brown strands falling in front of her face, hiding her troubled eyes.

"They... The scars on my arms... on my body, they're an eyesore." Her hands balled into fists, eyebrows scrunched together in frustration. "Its a permanent reminder of how weak I am... of my past, I just-!" The brunette's head whipped up to meet wide eyes, and her voice faltered. "I hate it.... I hate it."

She knew of Midoriya's scars, how he got them. They're a reminder of how hard he's worked, how much he sacrifices to save others. He wears them with so much pride. But Kristen's, they were different. The scars that littered her body were unsightly, ugly, and nothing to be proud of. It was a constant reminder of how useless she was. That she was nothing but a monster; there was no such thing as being free, not when she's being shackled down by the weight and fear of losing everything she has left. Those people, they'll find her someday. And the thought of all that, it tore her apart.

"But... I think they suit you, Kristen." At the sound of him speaking up is when she finally realized that there were tears clouding her vision, trickling down a scarred cheek. "I mean... it shows everyone who sees them, just how much you have survived... out there."

Kristen attempted to control her breathing while rubbing away the tears, forming a small frown to keep her lips from quivering. Midoriya stared at her with such emotion, it was almost too much. "You're so strong, Kristen. Every one of those scars tells a story... Of getting hurt, and losing so much, and you fought back and survived it all." The big goofy smile on his face was practically ear to ear. "And besides, I like them!"

A bubbly laugh left the brunette, which received a confused reaction from her classmate. Its just that everything about this situation seemed so cheesy, but so heartfelt.

"Well... I'm glad you like them, Izuku." Her voice was soft, he almost didn't hear it entirely, "... Even though I might not be ready to like them myself, maybe I can give it a try... Thank you."

Midoriya's cheeks flushed, his smile never wavered. "Y-yeah. Anything for you."