The Hope Barely Found

A Shot... of Vodka

Izuku pushed away from the officers, and sobbed into himself. He curled up into a pathetic ball. Great. Izuku couldn't even die right. He really was just a major screw-up.

Every time an officer would try to get near him, Izuku would just shrink back even more, or growl at them, so eventually they stopped trying, and sufficed with just watching him.

Toshinori finally turned his attention back to the other boy, Shinsou, who was being yelled at by Tsukauchi, Thirteen and Gunhead.

"Would you say something?! You just tried to kill him!" Thirteen finally snapped in anger.

Shinsou hadn't said anything, just hummed to himself the entire time. Finally, he responded. "You don't understand," he stated.

"Understand what? Did you two get into an argument or something?" Gunhead asked.

"No. He's already dead".

"No he's not, Izuku's fine. He's right there. Are you making a threat?" Tsukauchi asked, confused.

"No". Shinsou rolled his eyes, exasperated. "Mentally, idiots. Whatever they showed him- it broke him. He's dead. Your only causing him more pain by forcing him to live".

"It couldn't have been that bad..." Gunhead sounded like he wasn't entirely convinced himself.

Shinsou smirked. "Fine. Then let actions prove it to you. Go over to Izuku. Well, try to. Try to sit with him, see if he'll let you. After all, you did just ruin his life".

Toshinori looked at Izuku. "I'll go first".

He walked over to the boy, and sat down next to him. Instantly, Izuku backed away, glaring harshly at him.

Toshinori backed up, surprised at the hate in his eyes. And Izuku relaxed. One by one, nearly every officer tried. Izuku wouldn't let anyone get anywhere near him. Finally, Shinsou spoke up.

"Let me try".

After a moment of hesitation, Toshinori agreed.

They all watched in silence as Shinsou slid next to Izuku with no problem, and Izuku looked at him. They held their breathe, ready for him to slide away again, but instead, Izuku leaned against Shinsou.

The officers watched in complete shock.

Shinsou raised an eyebrow at them, and gave them a smirk.

"You know what? I'm starting to understand why his mouth was duck taped earlier," Thirteen muttered.

Tsukauchi gave her a light shove. "Fine, you proved your point. Go back to the car. Take Izuku with you, but absolutely under no. Circumstances. Can you try that again".

"Understand?" Toshinori asked.

Shinsou glared at them as he stood up, and helped Izuku up. "Fine. I won't".

Izuku whimpered, but didn't protest, and Shinsou helped him limp back to the car. An officer opened the door, and Thirteen got in the front to watch the boys this time.

"You two okay?" Todoroki asked when they were both buckled in.

Tsukauchi got into the drivers seat, and pulled out, glancing at the boys every now and then.

Shinsou gave a slight nod. Izuku didn't move, leaning heavily on Shinsou, he felt his eyes start to close. Izuku had no will to stay awake, so soon, with the rocking of the car, Shinsou found that Izuku was sleeping on his shoulder.

Todoroki gave him a smirk, and Shinsou inwardly groaned. He was never going to live this down. 

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