To be able to trust is a gift.
I’m not talking about trusting someone blindly, but just trusting someone; being able to turn your back on them and have no fear that a blade will dive into your back, being able to trust their judgment, despite not being entirely sure whether it’s a good idea or not, listening while they speak to you in spite of being two steps away from the edge of a rooftop and ready to jump, being able to take the hand reaching out to you and holding onto that one person you know you can trust.
It isn’t easy… for the love of God, it’s harder than everything I’ve ever faced.
I’m trying, I really am; but no matter what I do…
I can’t seem to find that one person who I can claim I’m able to trust.
“Todoroki!” Sometimes there needn’t be villains for evil to make its move.
Sometimes all it takes is a wrong step, an accidental move, a reckless fit of curses… and you find yourself holding onto something you’re not even sure is able to hold your weight, such as a branch that seems ready to let go, a branch that for some reason seems more than just willing to go down that hellhole with you.
Sometimes things just don’t go according to plan.
“Todoroki!” His eyelids fluttered open as the voice called out his name again. He’d thought it was only his imagination the first time he heard the call.
“D-Down here!” He cursed under his breath.
“It doesn’t look good. I’ll call Mr. Aizawa. Do you think you can hold on for a little longer?” The moment the green-haired boy’s mouth closed, Shouto’s little finger slipped, and he almost let go.
He growled. “I-I don’t think–”
“Give me your hand!” Izuku was met with wide eyes and a shaking head. “Todoroki, there’s no time, just take my hand!” He pressured, but Shouto wasn’t reacting. “Please, Todoroki, just trust me for once!”
“It’s too risky!”
“I know, but what other choice do we have?!”
“I-I’m not sure if–” Shouto closed his eyes as his hand shook.
Tears had welled up in his eyes; though, he wasn’t sure if it was regret that he’d been so stupid as to go there alone, if it was sadness because he’d probably really die there and never be anything more than his pathetic present self, or if it was because of how angry he was at himself for needing help getting himself out of this mess, a mess that he himself had made.
“Todoroki, this isn’t funny, please! Just take my hand! Just trust me now, and when we go back, we can pretend this never happened, I promise. That’s all I ask of you, just trust me and give me your hand!” Izuku’s face was red, his freckles hidden due to the warm, dark color that was covering his cheeks. Tears had long ago started rolling down his cheeks, and if it hadn’t been for the situation he was in, Shouto would have thrown his head back and laughed, because really…
Which one of them was about to fall down a cliff again?
Izuku’s concern when it came to, pretty much, everyone—even him, silly, lonely him—never ceased to surprise him.
Maybe he could...
“I can’t do it, I-I’m–”
“Scared? I know, I know, I get it. But you have to trust me now and just gi–” His scream was so loud that Izuku's breath hitched. The green-haired boy closed his mouth instinctively, not managing to finish his sentence.
