[It's an odd conversation. Both holding sheep; night and day in all their difference, somehow friends. And Shoto's staring right back. His sight follows after, and then he's folding beside him, clutching the sheep.
Always together, once. His first real friendship since freeing himself of all the painful things bound to him. He can hear it well enough: Midoriya's telling him, don't be distant. It's stunning to think he's even noticed, when Shoto assumes he's close with others, their friends, supports of which had always seemed stronger to him. That one's gone AWOL shouldn't matter, and yet he's hinting the opposite. Though Shoto's clearly confused in it, living too-short a while meaning something to someone. They're just as much rivals now, when he strives to be better, hiding complicated feelings still. He wants to be back-up, though at the same time surpassing him—stronger first—intolerant of anything short of "Number One Hero". Keeping eyes on him. But, Midoriya's special. He's selfless, and noble, and he wants to protect that. When he's owed him a lifetime.
His heart is too crowded, hands distractedly working through loosening cotton-fluff.
Peering over at him.]
I know that. [Knighthood suits him.] It's like I said... there's something I need to do now, and I think you'd understand it. [To make things right again.] I'm no different than you are, but I can't lose sight of things either. [I want to protect you's unspoken, and still, his mind's in two spaces, two worlds—a very fiery encounter waiting at the ends of this—and his words are hard to grasp; caught between listening silence and what he truly means to say.] I've already done that, once.
[But he's patient with the rest; not rushing, not turning away from him. His tone is still cautious, and when he next speaks, his words slow thoughtfully.]
You're you, aren't you? [His wildest dreams aren't this vivid, and part of him doubts this, wants to shove him because he isn't sure he's not magic-made. A breathing illusion.]
I'm still here.
[His eyes retreat lower, now, and he hates what he's feeling; that he's hurt someone... again. Eyes on his own inner battles.]
Everyone's with you. [Bakugou and Uraraka; Tokoyami and Kirishima. Who wasn't his ally?] I didn't think you'd feel alone at all... But I was wrong.
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Always together, once. His first real friendship since freeing himself of all the painful things bound to him. He can hear it well enough: Midoriya's telling him, don't be distant. It's stunning to think he's even noticed, when Shoto assumes he's close with others, their friends, supports of which had always seemed stronger to him. That one's gone AWOL shouldn't matter, and yet he's hinting the opposite. Though Shoto's clearly confused in it, living too-short a while meaning something to someone. They're just as much rivals now, when he strives to be better, hiding complicated feelings still. He wants to be back-up, though at the same time surpassing him—stronger first—intolerant of anything short of "Number One Hero". Keeping eyes on him. But, Midoriya's special. He's selfless, and noble, and he wants to protect that. When he's owed him a lifetime.
His heart is too crowded, hands distractedly working through loosening cotton-fluff.
Peering over at him.]
I know that. [Knighthood suits him.] It's like I said... there's something I need to do now, and I think you'd understand it. [To make things right again.] I'm no different than you are, but I can't lose sight of things either. [I want to protect you's unspoken, and still, his mind's in two spaces, two worlds—a very fiery encounter waiting at the ends of this—and his words are hard to grasp; caught between listening silence and what he truly means to say.] I've already done that, once.
[But he's patient with the rest; not rushing, not turning away from him. His tone is still cautious, and when he next speaks, his words slow thoughtfully.]
You're you, aren't you? [His wildest dreams aren't this vivid, and part of him doubts this, wants to shove him because he isn't sure he's not magic-made. A breathing illusion.]
I'm still here.
[His eyes retreat lower, now, and he hates what he's feeling; that he's hurt someone... again. Eyes on his own inner battles.]
Everyone's with you. [Bakugou and Uraraka; Tokoyami and Kirishima. Who wasn't his ally?] I didn't think you'd feel alone at all... But I was wrong.
[And he can't wrap his mind around it.]