Wherever You Go

What Would Life Be Without a Smile?

Izuku looked up when All Might shifted beside him, rising to his feet.
The tall blond man patted the boy's head with a gentle hand.
"I'll be back, just going to the bathroom." He walked off past the curtained areas.
What were those even for?
As if to answer his silent question, Endeavor stood, stiffly stretching before walking over to the first one on the left and pulling the curtain back.
"We've still got a good twelve hours left on the flight," he said. "So, Izuku, I suggest you get some sleep at some point."
The green haired boy eagerly nodded as the number one hero closed the curtain behind him.
He then turned his gaze over to the men across from him.
Hawks was half asleep, leaning forward with tired eyes. His wings hung limply behind him, smooshed against the seat in a rather uncomfortable looking manor.
Izuku then looked to the dark haired man, jumping slightly when he found blue eyes locked on his every move.
It was odd to think that it had already been almost a full year since Dabi had attacked at camp, taking Kacchan away.
The villain smirked at him, his staples pulling at the skin of his cheeks.
He was such a scary man. Those scars were so prominent, standing out like the sun on a cloudless sky. The sickening staples that held him together, shimmered in the light like blades, making Izuku's skin itch to look at.
He couldn't help but wonder what the cause of his condition was. He'd definitely have to look into it later when he got his notebook out again.
He quickly glanced away, feeling his heart pound.
Just as the villain opened his mouth to speak, All Might came back in, taking his seat once more.
The green haired boy let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding.
If they really did have twelve hours left, this was going to be a very long flight...

...

Dabi shifted in his seat as Hawks got up. The hero placed a sleepy kiss on his forehead before heading off to a curtained section.
He felt rather exposed now, with no one on either side of him.
No matter.
He was a big boy and he could handle himself.
Still...
The way All Might was staring at him with those shadowed eyes was making him uncomfortable.
He tried to ignore it, but he could just feel eyes boring into him from across the cabin.
The feeling didn't go away so he started picking at a staple in his wrist, wincing slightly every time he pulled it up.
Sure, it stung, but it was a good distraction.
Eventually, he let out a low hiss, having pulled a little too hard.
He glanced down to find the skin around the staple had torn slightly, a trail of scarlet seeping up around the edges.
Footsteps approached, and before he could say anything, a slender hand took his.
He half expected to see his dad, ready to lecture him and tell him what a disappointment he was- to beat him for being stupid and picking at things he shouldn't be- but it wasn't his dad kneeling in front of him.
No, it was All Might- the man he'd tried to kill.
He had a thoughtful expression on his narrow face as he carefully analyzed the small wound.
"Midoriya," he called over his shoulder.
The broccoli kid looked up. "Yes?"
"Fetch the med kit from the back. It's to the left of the restroom."
The kid took off running like a dog chasing a ball.
Dabi stared at the blond man, dumbfounded.
Why would the retired hero care if he was hurt?
No one other than Hawks had ever cared when he was hurt.
Hell, his dad used to hurt him everyday and scream at him for being weak.
Dabi yanked his hand back abruptly, being overwhelmed by memories he thought he had forgotten.
The man before him looked up at him with concerned eyes, only making him feel more trapped.
The walls were closing in and the air was growing thick.
The student came back with a small white box in hand, the red cross on it standing out in stark contrast to his frizzy green hair.
"Got it, All Might."
The older man smiled softly, taking it gently from the boy before turning his attention back to the villain.
Dabi pressed back against his seat, fighting back panic.
The retired hero had looked at that student with such a gentle love that he couldn't comprehend.
Was that how a father was supposed to look at his son?
He pushed past the two, rushing to the private area he had seen his birdie go to.
He stepped inside, yanking the curtain shut behind him.
There was a simple twin sized bed there, barely a few inches away.
Hawks looked up at him with wide golden eyes, his feathers ruffling at the sudden entrance.
"What's wrong?"
Dabi didn't say anything, just dropped down onto the mattress, burying his face in the hero's chest as he took deep, shaking breaths.
He was not going to cry.
Crying was weak.
Besides, crying would only get blood everywhere and would sting really bad.
He relaxed slightly as a gentle hand stroked through his hair.
Keigo mumbled soft reassurances in his ear, holding him tight.
He clung to his bird like he would die if he let go, and that's how they stayed until Dabi eventually passed out.

...

Toshinori had taken his seat back, wondering what he had done that had upset the villain so badly that he had run off.
The poor man had seemed so on edge the entire trip, constantly alert of everything like the whole team was going to jump him any second.
Not that the retired hero could blame him. Had he been in the other man's shoes he would've been scared shitless.
He glanced over at Young Midoriya, who had slowly drifted off and was now snoring lightly against his shoulder.
It was nice to have a son figure in his life.
Toshinori glanced over at the curtained sections, wondering what had happened between Enji and his son that would make the dark haired young man turn out so horrible.
The fact that Dabi was a Todoroki to begin with a shock. That information was still known to very few, only a few staff members at UA and the Hero Public Safety Commission knew- though, no one seemed to know Dabi's first name.
I'll have to ask him later when he's calm.
Toshinori was determined to make sure the young man smiled at least once on their trip.
After all, what would life be without a smile?