Quirkless Isn't Hopeless (Complete)

Withered Lilypads

Tsuyu was in the workshop, staring at Izuku, thinking about his question. Was he still Deku? She knew he needed a supportive response but, "...Midoriya, you're still a hero to me, ribbit." She had walked up to him as she spoke. She gave him a small supportive smile.

He tried to give it back, but his smile was cracked, even still, "Thanks Asui, you're a really good friend, you know that?"

"You think?" She tilted her head, staring up at him with her tongue sticking out.

He nodded. "Yeah, and I really need one, right now." Dropping his head.

She made a throaty response before simply hugging him, letting him rest his head on her shoulder.

"Thank you." He whispered, feeling ashamed of how vulnerable he was being in front of her.

"You're welcome."

She ignored the damp feeling her shoulder was getting. She ignored the stilted sniffles. She ignored a few salty drops on her neck and back. She simply let him be.

After, he pulled back and rubbed his eyes, cleaning his face. "I'm sorry about your uniform."

"No, don't worry about it." She glanced at his right hand as he rubbed his face. "Midoriya have you changed your bandages?" Subconsciously grabbing his hand, looking at them.

"Oh, um, no, not really?" Kind of asking if that was bad.

"C'mon let's go to the nurse's office, I don't think Recovery Girl will mind."

Recovery girl let them use the room as she went to the teacher's office.

Midoriya was uncomfortable at the closeness, even though they had just shared a long hug. This was different. Asui was going to see his arm, yet he didn't know how to say no. He winced with anxiety as she began to peel.

He waited for her reaction. A gasp or to be taken aback. He dared, struggling to open his eyes. They grew, seeing her face.

Natural. Simply natural.

Tsuyu felt his stare and raised her head up to him. "Ribbit?"

"O-Oh, um." Turning his face to the side, scratching his cheek. "It's just that I didn't think... you'd react like that."

"React to what?" Being genuine in her confusion.

"Er, it's nothing Asui. Thanks." As she finished unwrapping his arm.

The air around him became comfortable again. They talked like usual while cleaning his healing scars and rebandaging him.

"Really thanks again Asui, you've always been there for me."

"And I always will be, ribbit."

Midoriya was rambling with embarrassed cheeks, kicking the sand under the swing he was on. "I can't believe I actually did that. Was it the right thing? But I couldn't help it. Are we gonna talk about it tonight? Or at school? Is she upset? Why did I run away?"

He heard sinking steps in the sand, then the clang and clings of chainlinks. He turned to the person who chose to sit by him.

"Asu-, Tsu?!" Shocked she knew where he was and even deciding to sit next to him.

"Ribbit." Acknowledging him. She let the soles of her shoes skim over the sand.

He tried to break the silence. "It feels like forever s-since we hung out, huh?"