Just moving this from my home page since it's a oneshot and I know more people will see it here. So some of you have probably already read this.
Warnings: 1. MANGA SPOILERS through chapter 76 I believe? Nothing too major. 2. ANGST and PROFOUND SADNESS. lol
Description: You're stranded and wounded in the forest and fading fast. Guess who happens to find you. Will he be too late to save you?
"What do you mean missing?!" You squawked.
"Yes. His mother said he disappeared this morning. She's asking if we have heard from him." Your mind flitted to the last time you saw the green eyed boy.
"I haven't seen him. He told me he had plans with Kacchan this weekend." Your father nodded, kneeling down.
"She already said Kacchan doesn't know where he is." He said. Your brows furrowed with worry. "...Are you sure he didn't say anything to you about where he might have gone?" You shook your head. He continued to relay the conversation to mama Midoriya. "Yes. I'll let you know if we find anything out." He hung up the phone.
"What's going on?" You asked.
"Well... Inko called us because the police won't search for someone unless they've been missing for more than 48 hours."
"That's too long! We gotta go look for him!" You demanded impetuously. He bent down to your level, patting your head.
"I know this is hard for you, honey. But we can't just go out on a wild goose chase all over the city. ...If you think of someplace he might be, we can go look in the morning."
"But it's gonna be cold tonight! We have to go now!" You grabbed his arm and began frantically pulling him towards the door.
"No!" He raised his voice to you. Then paused, softening his tone. "We wouldn't find him in the dark. He will be fine until morning. He's probably at a friend's house or something."
"But what if he's lost?" You begged, emotion overwhelming you.
"Tomorrow." He insisted, resolute.
"I thought you were supposed to be a hero!" You cried, running to your room to slam the door. You sobbed into your pillow, feeling utterly capsized. 'Why doesn't he understand?!'
Shortly after your tantrum, you heard a knock on the door. '"F/N... I made you some soup for dinner. Come out and have some."
"Not hungry." You lied, pouting.
"Ok, honey. I'll box some up and put it in the fridge for you. If you get hungry later you can heat it up." He closed the door behind you. With wet eyes, you watched the orange sun sulk below the horizon.
All this crying was sleepy work for a 9 year old. Before you knew it, you slipped off into a dream. You were walking with Kacchan and his 2 friends, Izuku trailing behind you. You anxiously approached a fenced in area marked "No Trespassing."
"Maybe we shouldn't go in there." Izuku objected quietly. Kacchan turned with his usual confident grin.
"What? You scared?" He mocked.
"N-No!" Izuku protested, looking at you. "But the sign says-"
"No sign can keep me out." Kacchan asserted. He proceeded to lead you all moderately deep into the woods. Through clusters of trees and across stumbling logs high above deep ravines you clambered until you were almost certain he was lost. Through the shrubbery you were able to make out a small, dilapidated old shack garnished by a billowing pirate flag that matched the design on Kacchan's t-shirt. He had definitely been here before. "Welcome to my fortress." He stated proudly.
You carefully stepped through the haphazardly hung bed sheet covering the entrance. "Wow! This is so cool!" You exclaimed. "This should be our new clubhouse!" Izuku nodded with exuberance.
"It's my castle and I'm the king. You can only be a part of this club if you follow me." He grinned. You shrugged, too eager to object. You bent over in a low bow.
"How may I serve you, King Kacchan?" Hours of play passed before you returned home together.
"Midoriya. Where is your assignment?" The teacher asked the next morning.
"Eh?! Oh no!" He panicked digging through his All Might backpack. "I had it yesterday...." He looked up at you in realization. "I must have left my notebook at the clubhouse yesterday!" The teacher narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
"He's telling the truth." You defended. "Zu-chan did the assignment, he just forgot it."
"Alright." The teacher stated patiently. "If you turn it in by Monday, you wont lose any credit."
"We have to go get it this weekend." Midoriya stated.
You jolted awake at the memory. "That has to be where he is." Your tiny heart filled with excitement at the new epiphany of information. The clock next to the bed said that it was nearing midnight. You jumped from your bed, running towards your father's room. 'Tomorrow!' Your dad's harsh tone resounded in your head. It was then that you changed your mind about waking him. "Sorry, dad. I can't wait that long." You whispered to yourself. You set the new plan in motion, throwing your fuzziest blanket over your shoulders. An idea struck on the way to the door. '...He's probably hungry.'
The beeping microwave startled you, piercing the silence and blowing your cover. "...F/N?" A voice echoed through the hall. 'Oh jeez. I'm done for!'
He walked in, flipping on the kitchen light. "What are you doing?" He asked.
"Just... heating up my soup." It wasn't technically a lie. Thank goodness you hadn't changed out of your pajamas yet.
"Ok, dear. Get some rest. I promise I'll wake you first thing in the morning to go look for Izuku."
"Thanks, daddy." You mumbled, shuffling back into the bedroom. You heard the distant sound of his door closing. You realized that your shoes were in the hallway, but decided you couldn't risk emerging again tonight. Deftly, inch by inch, you squirmed the window open and clambered out. Blanket and soup in hand, you ran towards the forest by the school. It was miles from the house, and you momentarily considered taking the bus, but soon changed your mind, thinking that would probably be more dangerous than running the whole way. You hadn't had much practice with your speed quirk, but you could still outrun all of your classmates by a landslide.
"No Trespassing" the sign read. Despite the frigid night air, you were sweating and panting from the strenuous overuse of your quirk. Fearlessly you stepped through the hole in the fence. Over the rough mossy terrain you ran, eventually finding the double-crossing log that once tricked even the sure-footed Kacchan.
The once familiar landmarks seemed alien and treacherous in the blackness.
"Zu-chan!" You called your best friend's nickname, walking along the riverbank. No reply. "Zu-chan!" You yelled, louder this time. Still silence. A scourge of self-doubt smacked you. 'He's not here. I was wrong.' You hiked deeper into the woods, not sure what was driving you anymore. You sighed, forgetting to pay attention to your footing. You slipped on the moist moss, stepping backwards onto a stick. It snapped with an audible CRACK!
"Hello?" A small peep tickled your eardrums. You froze, wondering if you imagined it. You held your breath, listening intently. "Is someone there?" It asked again.
"Zu-chan!" You screamed as clearly as possible.
"F/N, is that you?!" His distant voice hollered.
"Yes! It's me! Where are you?"
"Here! I'm over here!"
You used the last bit of juice left in your quirk to follow the voice. You arrived looking down over a dark gully. At the bottom sat a miserable shaking Izuku.
"Zu-chan!" You slid down the steep slippery bank recklessly, muddying yourself and your blanket in the process.
"You found me!" He sobbed, reaching both arms out to you.
"I found you!" You claimed in disbelief, tears falling down your cheeks. You ran over and hugged him, feeling his cold cheek pressed against your warm one. "Are you okay? What happened to you?" You asked.
"I was out here with Kacchan earlier and got lost." He confessed "I was trying to find my way back when I fell and hurt my foot." He pointed down. You reached out and touched his ankle gingerly. The swelling was evident even with the lightest brush of your fingertips.
"So you can't walk?" You asked. He shook his head with a sniff, wiping his face on his arm. It was then that the severity of his situation hit you. He was wearing shorts and a short-sleeved shirt, stranded and wet from the thick mud as the temperature dropped by the hour. If you hadn't come to find him... You shook the thought away, throwing your blanket around him. You glanced up at the perpendicular bank in disheartenment.
"Zu-chan, I... don't think I can carry you out of here in the dark..." You admitted.
"I understand. It is slippery." He admitted. "I wouldn't want you to get hurt too. Then we'd really be in trouble."
"Yeah."
"It's okay. We will just wait until the others get here." You looked at him penitently.
"There... are no others, Zu-chan."
"What?" Midoriya tilted his head at you.
"My dad told me to wait until tomorrow to come look for you. So... I came alone." You shut your eyes tightly, waiting for him to reprimand you and call you an idiot. His sudden embrace startled you.
"Thank youuu." He wept again. "Y-you cared enough about me to come all by yourself."
"Of course I care about you. I-"
"I'm so glaaaaad." It was no longer clear if his tears were of the happy or sad variety at this point. You smiled as he clung to you.
"Oh, hey! I almost forgot. Are you hungry?" You asked. He nodded. "I brought you soup." You grabbed the container, brushing off the dirt. He gazed at you as if you were the holiest of angels, taking the dish in hand. "I'm afraid it's probably not warm anymore." He gulped every drop ravenously, regardless of the temperature.
"Mmm. That was really good." He hummed with a big smile.
"Are you feeling better now?" You asked with concern. "Will you be okay until morning?"
"I'm happy now that you're here." He grinned, taking your hands.
"Izuku, your hands are freezing!" You exclaimed. "Come here." You shimmied into a comfortable position against the large tree trunk next to him, opening your arms and legs wide. He shifted onto his knees towards you, stopping short of your feet.
"Are- are you sure?" He questioned shyly.
"Zu-chan, of all the times to be bashful!" You guffawed. You smacked the ground between your legs. "Get over here." He half-obeyed, plopping his butt down between your knees, looking everywhere except at you. 'Oh, for goodness sake...' You rolled your eyes and lurched forward, yanking him backwards with your arms around his waist.
"UUAAH!" He yelped as his back collided with your chest.
"I'm not gonna let you get hypo-tha-mer-mia." You maintained. He nodded as you draped the blanket over him, wrapping him in an inescapable cocoon of warmth. He blushed as you rested your chin on the top of his collarbone. You both sighed, getting comfortable. A long silence passed.
"F/N?" Izuku whispered quietly.
"Hm?"
"Thank you for saving me." He cooed sweetly. "You're a true hero."
"Anytime." You smiled, closing your eyes. Izuku eventually relaxed enough to lay his head back on your shoulder. Another long silence.
"F/N?" He peeped again.
"Yeah?" You replied sleepily.
"I think it's pronounced 'hypothermia.'"
You blinked. "...I think you're right." You made a face, feeling like a blockhead. He glanced over at you, suddenly becoming amused by your puzzled expression. A tiny giggle escaped his throat. You smirked back. "Oh, I'm funny now, am I?" He pressed his lips together in restraint. "I'll give you something to laugh about." You used his compromising position to your advantage, trapping him in your arms and tickling him. The sound of his side-splitting cackles bounced off the trees. He squirmed and wiggled until you decided to show him mercy. "It's getting late. You should get some sleep."
He turned to face you, gently lifting his legs over to one side. "F/N." He repeated for the umpteenth time this evening.
"Yes, Zu-cha-" He threw his arms around your neck, pulling you close.
"I'm glad you're the one that found me." He nuzzled the crook of your neck with his nose affectionately. You snaked your arms around his torso, resting your cheek atop his unkempt mop of hair.
"Me too." You murmured. "Goodnight, Zu-chan."
"Goodnight, F/N."
You were abruptly jolted awake by a loud sound next to your ear. You looked around for the source, regaining awareness of your bright surroundings. Midoriya coughed again, waking himself up this time. His face was flushed and the temperature under the blanket was sweltering. You placed a hand on his face.
"Zu-chan, you're burning up!" You exclaimed. It made sense seeing as he spent several hours alone in the frigid night air, but it still somehow took you by surprise.
"Mm? Why am I wet?" He questioned groggily.
"What?" You shifted uncomfortably, throwing off the cover. Every inch of you that was touching Izuku was soaked in a layer of sweat. "Oh no! You're sick! I need to get you home." You repositioned him to get him on your back as you stood, clambering up the hillside. With his extra weight every step sunk your feet deep into the mud. You were now grateful that you had forgotten your shoes at home, as your toes helped grip the unctuous turf. Izuku was a little delirious from the fever, but seemed to wake up the closer you got to home.
"Wow!" He blurted, tightening his grip around your neck. "You're so fast! I've never been on your back while you used your quirk before!"
"I've never had someone on my back while I used my quirk before..." You huffed, out of breath. 'Just a little farther.'
Finally, filthy and disheveled, you reached the front door of your house. Your legs quivered beneath the weight. Izuku reached out and rang the doorbell for you. Your dad's voice chimed out in the hall, muttering.
"Don't have time. I'm looking for my-" He stopped, seeing the declining boy. "You found him..." He whispered slowly.
"I found him."
'Ugh. Why of all times am I remembering this NOW?' You wondered.
-----------------------------------------------
Moments earlier:
'This is bad.' You felt warm vital liquids gushing from your abdomen. You weren't sure where the villain had come from or where exactly they had cut you, but you were now stranded in the middle of the woods, helplessly bleeding. "The cabin will have a first aid kit." You said to yourself, survival instincts kicking in.
'But I've walked a long way to get here. The cabin has got to be miles away. What am I gonna do? CRAWL? Assuming I could make it before I bleed out...' you peered down at your crimson-soaked outfit, 'which isn't likely, if I ran into another villain I'd be done for.' Your odds of survival seemed to dwindle with each passing moment. 'There is no way I can make it out of this without help. I need a hero to save me. I need MY hero.'
Isolated and troubled, you crawled towards a clearing. Well... crawled was a generous word; dragged would be a more accurate description. You prayed for anyone to find you, but one boy you pleaded for the most.
"Zu-chan." You spoke his name reverently; blithely optimistic that somehow he would rescue you.
"F/N?"
A single rustle from a nearby bush and that very familiar beloved boy came into view.
"Zu-chan! You're here!" You yawped in utter disbelief as he ran to your side. "I came to find you-" You regarded his figure, tattered and beaten. "Agh! Your arms look like hell! What happened to you?!"
"Kouta-" He began.
"Oh! The little boy! Is he safe?!"
"Yes, he's safe."
"Good." You sighed in relief. Midoriya knelt down to help you to your feet.
"W-what is this?" His green eyes widened, adjusting to the dim flickers of starlight beneath the canopy. "You're bleeding!" His features were painted with distress. "Oh god, it's everywhere!"
"Is it that bad?" You asked. He froze in place, remembering himself.
"N-No..." He squeaked, clenching his teeth. "You're gonna be okay... You'll be fine." He repeated solemnly, though you weren't sure which one of you he was trying to convince.
"Izuku." You looked at his aggrieved expression. "I can feel the blood. And I see it in your eyes."
"I'll save you, I promise." He asserted, a thick shroud of doubt tainting his tone. You watched as he desperately fumbled for a way to stop the bleeding, but to no avail. The large red puddle beneath you continued to grow alarmingly fast. He sucked in air, his body trembling uncontrollably with fear for your life. Your fingertips lightly grazed his shattered hand, snapping him out of his panic-stricken state.
"I believe you." You spoke, emphasizing your faith in him. He shut his eyes for a moment, placing a hand on his chest in an attempt to calm his frantic heart. Just then his eyes shot open with a revelation. You beheld how fascinating it was to watch him work under pressure. He balled up his shirt, putting pressure against your laceration. Then he slithered his belt underneath you, cinching the shirt in place and apologizing considerately when he saw you wince.
"There. I hope that holds."
"A makeshift pressure bandage." You chuckled weakly, beginning to feel the effects of the blood loss. "You really do excel in crisis situations." He finally gifted you a half-rueful smile.
"I'll take you back to the cabin. Mr. Aizawa will be there to help us." He reached out to you. You strongly wanted to object, seeing how badly he had injured his arms. But you knew there was no way he could leave you in a state like this. Especially not with villains everywhere.
"Thank you." You reached up to wrap your arms around his shoulders. He lifted you without nearly as much difficulty as you anticipated. Your neck and legs nestled comfortably in the crooks of his arms. He stuck his head out into the clearing to make sure it was safe.
"What's that?" He examined warily. You turned your head.
"Looks like mist... but it's really low to the ground."
"I have a feeling we shouldn't go through that." He took a step back. "It might be one of the villains' quirks. We should go around it." You grunted a sleepy response. "F/N?" He questioned apprehensively.
"Huh?"
"Are you okay?" You nodded with a smile.
"Just tired all of the sudden." You admitted.
"Hang in there, F/N. You need to stay awake." He urged, bouncing you gently as he ran away from the impending mist. "Talk to me." He pressed.
"Zu-chan, I'm sorry." You stated. His brows furrowed as he peered down at you.
"What for?"
"I heard the message a little while ago... You would be going to help Kacchan right now if it weren't for me."
"Kacchan can take care of himself." Izuku said to alleviate some of your guilt. "I don't want you to feel bad. Everybody needs help sometimes."
A shudder coursed violently through your body, causing you to paw at Izuku's chest.
"What is it? What's wrong?"
"It's so cold." You told him. Unless it was Todoroki making it snow somewhere near by, you knew this was a bad sign. Your mind knew it wasn't cold out, but your body felt compelled to convince you to shiver regardless. He shifted your position in his arms, cradling you nearer to him as you rested your head just beneath his collarbone. You could hear his heartbeat rapidly pounding in your ear. Whether it was from fear, devotion, or physical exertion was unclear. You sighed and smiled, taking in how bittersweet of a treat it was.
This moment that you desired was depicted so differently in your daydreams.
In your spare time you had imagined what it would be like to see the glistening light layer of sweat on his bare chest muscles. How it would feel to cherish his embrace, close enough to feel his heart jumping with the delight of infatuation rather than despair. For so long you had craved this level of intimacy with him, and somehow the universe conspired to grant all of those wishes. But... it wasn't enough. The pleasurable sweetness was tainted with a veil of gloom. 'Not like this...' You pleaded to no one in particular.
"We... We're almost there. We're going to make it. Keep talking." His encouraging words did not reach your ears. All you heard was the mournful devastation resonating from his throat. You yearned to comply to his wishes, but your mouth was bone dry. You were cold and quaking and exhausted. You felt a palpitation in your chest and took a sharp inhale. Midoriya stopped in his tracks, looking down at you with dread. The realization began to set in. 'Even if they do have a first aid kit, what good will it do?'
"Let's hope they a casual surgeon and multiple units of blood at their disposal." You chuckled darkly.
His aura changed as the implications of those words sank in. You stared up at him. All of the sudden the only thing you could think about was trying to memorize every detail of his face, as if it was the first time you were seeing it. He was beaten and flushed from running, his eyes reflecting determination and grief, but somehow it still implanted a calming feeling within. His perseverance, his sweet and sympathetic nature, every facet of this boy touched and inspired you deeply. You needed to tell him how much he meant to you... before it was too late.
"Zu-chan..." You said, your fragile voice wavering. "If I don't make it... I want you to know-"
"Don't!" You heard his voice break. He clenched his eyes shut, fighting back tears. "Don't start saying your goodbyes."
"But-"
"Please." He pleaded with a sniff. "I can't take it." You shut your mouth, heeding his request. It was not your intention to make him sad. You never wanted him to be anything but completely happy.
"Don't cry, Zu-chan." A tightness built in your throat at his pained appearance. You outstretched your arm, cupping his cheek and brushing off a tear with your thumb. He couldn't help but press his face into your palm in a desperate craving for comfort. An anguished sob escaped his throat and he pulled you closer.
You used what little strength you had left to wrap your arms around his neck. He assisted you as you pulled yourself up, lovingly nuzzling his neck with your nose.
"I'm glad you're the one that found me." You whispered honestly. Without warning, memories of that night flew into your mind.
'Ugh. Why am I thinking about that now?!' You wondered. You had heard rumors that your life flashes before your eyes before you die, and now you guessed they were all true.
"Ah! There!" He exclaimed. The lights of the cabin came into view. He used a back door and forcefully kicked it open. There stood a few of your classmates crouched in a defensive fighting position. They dropped their guard upon sight of your mangled bodies.
"Midoriya!" Kirishima exclaimed, dropping his guard.
"Please help her!" He wailed. They all ran out of the room in search of the first aid kit. Izuku finally collapsed to his knees from fatigue. He slid up against the wall and you felt your bottom meet the ground.
"Zu-chan?" You asked weakly, your breath becoming shaky and uneven.
"Huh?"
"Do you... remember that time when we were kids... and you got lost in the woods?"
"Of course I do. You came to find me. And you saved me." He replied. You locked eyes with him.
"I suppose... this makes us even now." You said, flashing him a sleepy smile. His chin quivered, his eyes welling up again.
"Only if... you pull through this."
"It's funny. I don't actually feel any pain now." You said to console him but the fact only seemed to cause him more strife. You understood. You couldn't even imagine how you would feel if the roles were reversed. You would be inconsolable; completely and positively beside yourself. But then again, he was much too precious to you. Losing someone you were in love with would be considerably more unbearable than losing a friend. You heard the group of footsteps returning down the hallway. Kirishima stepped into the room first.
"We... couldn't find a first aid kit." He admitted grimly. 'Oh no...' A jolt of fright hit you like a train. 'So this is it...' You felt your body shaking. 'Wait. That's not me.' You observed Izuku staring blankly at nothing, trembling like a leaf.
"There's gotta be something else we can do!" Midoriya shouted, his panic rising. They all looked at a loss.
"DAMNIT! DO SOMETHING! ANYTHING!" He snapped at Kirishima, who looked taken aback. The volume of his voice dropped, feeling utterly helpless. "There's not much time left..." Midoriya had hit his breaking point. He had been so strong up until now, pretending to be calm for your sake. But after doing so much to guarantee your safety, finding out that you were beyond his help shattered his spirit. You put your fingertips to his lips to ensure he wouldn't say anything he would regret.
"It's okay." You placated softly, feeling surprisingly accepting of your own fate.
"How can it be okay?!" He wept. "How can I call myself a hero if I can't even save the people I love?!" He hung his head, sobbing over you. A consoling hand rested on his head as you sent sympathetic glances around the room.
"You'll always be my hero, Zu-chan." You said intensely, throwing your arms around him again. It was significantly more arduous this time. You felt weak, feeble and tired.
"I've got it!" Iida proclaimed. "Come with me everyone!" He ordered the group. "Except you, Midoriya. You stay right here with F/N. We'll be back as soon as we can."
"Where are we going?" Kirishima inquired.
"We need to find Todoroki so he can cauterize the wound. No time to lose!"
"But there are villains outside!" Kaminari objected.
"Are we heroes or aren't we?" Optimism radiated through his voice. "Hang on until we get back."
You met his sweet and newly hopeful gaze. Then suddenly everything went black.
You gasped for air, your vision returning. Midoriya was gawking at you in alarm.
"What's wrong?" You asked.
"Oh thank goodness." He huffed in relief. "You just passed out and started convulsing. I was so worried."
"Oh."
"I thought I'd lost you."
"Not yet." But the time of urgency was upon you. A looming uncertainty still hung thick like a cloud in the room. "Zu-chan. If they don't find Todoroki in time..." You paused, but this time he didn't stop you. "I'm still glad you're the one that found me."
"Todoroki would have been more useful than me." He hung his head, his spirit downcast.
"What I mean is... there's no one else I would rather spend my last minutes with than you." He looked touched, but by some means agonized. Your vision began to blur again, the darkness beckoning.
"Wh- What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that I love you, Zu-chan. I've always loved you. Longer than I can even remember."
"You... love me?" He whispered quietly and solemnly, as if trying not to jinx it.
"With all my heart." You breathed. He laid his hand upon yours, first pulling it up to affectionately press it to his cheek, then letting it slide down to rest on his chest.
"I- I lo-" He began, smiling coyly and briefly averting eye contact. 'Of all the times to be bashful!' You grinned from deep down inside, wanting so badly to say that to him. But your breath was becoming more shallow than before. You felt like you were sinking. As if there was pressure on your body. The blackness was welcoming, easy. Like a gentle tide pulling you out to sea before submerging completely. You blinked your eyes wide, your last fight against it. But there was nothing. Just a blurred haze in front of you.
"Zu-chan, I... I can't see your face anymore." His breath hitched, horror gripping him. You reached out to touch what you couldn't see, but your arm refused to move. Your hand slid from beneath his grip, falling to your side. Your eyes fluttered closed, powerless against the pull of the darkness.
"F/N?" He questioned, giving you a gentle shake. "F/N!" He called to you. You could still hear him but were unable to answer. "F/N, No! You can't!" His hysterical sobs echoed through the tiny room. "You can't leave me now! Not after what you just said!" He hugged you tighter, your forehead meeting his cheek. His warm tears flowed down onto your face and neck. "I love you too! Do you hear me?!"
You could tell that he was shouting but his voice sounded so far away. "Please wake up!" You were on a ship far out to sea as he called your name from the bank. "Come back!" His outcry was barely audible from across the distance.
'But I don't know how...' You thought, finally falling into the shade of silence.