The walk back to the dorms is quiet. The anxiety pooling in his guts subsides slightly the moment he enters the building.

Instead of the crowded, overwhelming mass of teenagers he expected, he finds the common room devoid of any of his classmates. Except for a certain invisible girl.

He wouldn't have noticed her if not for the floating book, held by a pair of gloves. Just hovering above the couch. Yes, definitely Hagakure.

Izuku can't help the relief he feels washing over him. He doesn't know what he would've done if he was faced with all his classmates at once. He gives the girl a nod in greeting. The way the gloves move in the air tells him that she noticed him too.

Glancing at Shinsou in question, the other teen just shrugs. It seems he too, didn't know where was the rest of Class 1-A.

Izuku won't look a gift horse in the mouth though. Making a hasty retreat towards the elevator, he prays that his luck will hold.

The elevator dings, the doors sliding open slowly. Closing his eyes, he waits for a moment, hoping for it to be empty. However, his luck didn't last for long.

A deep voice interrupts his train of thought.

"Midoriya, you're back." Opening his eyes, he's met with the intimidating form of Shoji Mezo. The teen looks at him, barely concealed worry in his eyes. "It's good to see you." The teen boy after a moment, saving Izuku the embarrassment of finding something to say in response.

He steps into the elevator just as the taller teen disappears down the hallway. If he'd been paying more attention, he would've noticed the boy's hair. The pale gray color, now streaked with a few strands of white.

Awkward situation averted, he prays to every god out there for the elevator to take him straight to the second floor.

The doors slide open earlier than expected and he curses his luck once again as the electronic sign above the door reads 1rst floor in bold red letters.

"Midori! When did you get here?" The horned hero in training squeals the moment she sees him.

"Bro! We've been waiting for you forever!" Kirishima exclaims from his place next to the pink-skinned girl.

He doesn't hear a word of what they say though, his mind too focused on the white strands they're both sporting, the white bangs bounce with every move Ashido makes and the white horned strands of hair stand out especially well on the redhead next to her.

"Y-your hair!" The words slip from his throat before he can stop himself. The bewilderment and slight horror evident in his tone.

"Ah! Do you like it? We just loved the color and thought it would go well with pink and red!" She exclaims excitedly, oblivious to the mounting anxiety pooling in his stomach.

The doors to the elevator saves him from actually giving her an answer. His feet immediately move to get away from the situation. His heart thundering in his ears as he tries to make sense of what he just saw.

Why would they do that? Were they making fun of him? They wouldn't, would they...?

Lifting his hoodie to cover the white abomination on his head, he shoves his hands in his pockets and makes his way towards his destination. Head hung low, staring at the tiles as his feet take him to his dorm.

Soon enough, a pair of white and red shoes appear in his line of vision. He barely stops himself from barreling into the person. Head still bent down, he refuses to look up, intent on hiding the tears that were surely forming in his eyes. The shoes immediately give away the person's identity. However, he still jumps when he hears the teen speaks up. Voice infuriatingly calm and composed as he addresses him.

"Are you okay Midoriya?" Todoroki asks quietly, body moving even closer to look at him.

"I- I'm fine, just want to get to my room." Izuku grunts out, still stubbornly looking at the ground as if it holds the world's greatest secrets.

"Look at me." It's more a question than a statement. A request, said gently, concern evident in the usual neutral fire and ice user's voice.

His eyes move to meet heterochromatic ones without his consent. Body going rigid the moment he looks up, tremors once again beginning to rack his form as he gazes onto the pure white adorning the boy's once half and half hair. There's no trace of red there at all.

"W-why are you doing this?" He asks, desperate for some kind of answer. Was his hair that hideous? Was he this much of a freak for them to want to throw it back, right in his face?

"Midoriya-"

"D-Do you think I-it's funny? M-making fun of m-me?" His cheeks feel damp as the tears roll uncontrollably down his face. "G-good job." He says before the shell-shocked teen in front of him has any time to respond. Moving to step around the boy, shuddering breath racking his body as he tries to regain some sort of control over his emotions. He should be used to this by now. Used to this horrible feeling.

"Izuku, stop." The desperation in Todoroki's voice makes him pause, despite the screaming voice in his mind, telling him to run. To hide away in the comfort of his room.

"W-what do you want?" He hates the way his voice breaks, hate how vulnerable he feels.

"Can you come with me please? You'll understand when you see it."

"Fine."

He follows the teen into the elevator once again. Moving without even meaning to, wanting some sort of explanation to all of this.

They walk into the common room, but Izuku notices the difference instantly.

Instead of the previously empty space, he's met with all of his classmates standing a couple of feet away from them. It seems none of them noticed them yet.

They're all crowding around someone, moving as if they're watching something happening.

Stepping closer, he takes in a sharp breath as he sees what they're all looking at.

In the middle of the makeshift circle, sits Shinsou. His back to Uraraka and Yaoyorozu. The two girls are both wearing gloves and in their hands are brushes and a white paste.

They're dying his hair. Izuku's mind provides quietly.

Vaguely, he starts to notice the state of his other classmate's hair. Every one of them has some sort of white in their hair. Whether it's a couple of strands or a whole side or even in Kaminari's case, a white lightning bolt. He barely suppresses the urge to shudder at that one.

Shinsou was joining in on this, and Shinsou wouldn't make fun of him. The boy would never hurt him, he knew this, believed it down to his very core. So, what was happening?

If they weren't doing it to make fun of him... Did that mean they were doing it for him?

Todoroki clears his throat and 18 pair of eyes simultaneously turn towards him. Uraraka freezes immediately, hair brush falling to the ground with a soft thud, caught red-handed. Or in this case, white.

"W-what going on?" He utters out, knowing what he must look like now, eyes red-rimmed and face contorted in shock, trying his hardest to hide the growing sense of hope in his guts.

"Deku-kun! Surprise?" The gravity wielder says feebly. Some of the others mimic jazz hands as if trying to bring back the cheer of the whole situation.

"We wanted to do this for you Midoriya," Todoroki explains quietly, a hand resting on his shoulder. Surprisingly, the touch doesn't make him flinch. "We weren't trying to make fun of you."

The statement makes some of them gasp in horror, some of them hastily going to reject the mere idea.

"Oh no! Of course not Deku-kun!"

"Never bro! Never!"

"We just wanted to show you that you weren't alone. That we're in this together." Tsuyu chimes in with a quiet ribbit.

"Yeah Midori! We wanted to show you that, that Monoma kid was being an idiot. You're awesome, white hair and all!" Mina says with more conviction than he's ever heard her express.

All of them look at him with respect and unconditional support and he can't help the tears that once again spill from his eyes. An overwhelming feeling of safety and love erupting from his heart as he chokes out a quiet 'sorry'. Hastily wiping the tears from his eyes, he barely sees Uraraka advance towards him. Only stopping a couple of steps short in front of him. Hands held out in an unspoken question.

He's barely able to nod before he's being engulfed in a bear hug. Her arms wrapping around him, the contact warm and caring. It's the first time in a long time that his skin doesn't crawl at this amount of contact.

"T-thank you." He whispers softly. Although they hear him nonetheless. "Thank you so much."

And if the next day, the teachers walk into the classroom with matching strands of white hair, no one mentions it.

_______________________________________

The days pass and Izuku slowly gets used to the flow of things again. Soon enough, days turn to weeks and for once, the stress he's feeling is mostly generated from the impending provisional license exam.

He still has his nightmares, but he finds that there's always someone there for him. Someone to shine a light when the darkness in his mind grows too crushing. Someone to calm his racing heart and quell his mounting fears.

He's never been more grateful for his friends. For their support and their patience.

The provisional license comes sooner than he wants it to. Sooner than he thinks he's ready for, despite Aizawa's and All Might's reassurance.

He's discovered a new fighting style though, and this new shooting style helps in the long run, given the worrying state of his arms. Although, it could've been worst, Recovery girl informs him solemnly one day.

Sure enough, it's the day of the provisional license exam.

The bus rolls down to a stop just in front of the designated building in Takoba.

His anxiety is through the roof and the thundering of his heart barely quells the rising excitement he's feeling. Because this is it. This is what he's been waiting for his whole life. What he's been thriving to accomplish, fighting to gain. His hero license. This was the moment he'd prove to everyone who ever doubted him that he could be a hero. And more importantly, this was the moment he'd get to prove it to himself.

The moment they're on the grounds, they're accosted by a flurry of students from different schools. Some greet them with extreme excitement while others do it with a fake sense of respect. All though, they all feel it, the rising anticipation in the air as they walk into the large structure.

The first exercise proves to be a tag game, reminiscing of laser tag but with three targets on each of their bodies and actual balls as ammunition.

It doesn't take long for him to realize the situation they found themselves in. UA having broadcasted their quirks across the country. They were bound to become the target for all the participants.

Their opponents, however, failed to consider two things though. The first, being Class 1-A's overwhelming progress compared to their performance at the sports festival, and the second being their class's solidarity. The bond between them that had grown with every obstacle they've faced together.

Yet, even with all their combined effort, Izuku does find himself separated from the pack at some point in the chaos and disorder of it all. He finds himself trying to get his targets alone. Jumping across the rubble, keeping low to the ground, instincts, and awareness on high alert. There's a horribly familiar feeling of dread that pools in his guts. Making the hair on the back of his neck stand on end, sending shivers down his spine. He knows he's being watched, knows he's being followed, he just doesn't know who it is.

Getting into a fighting stance, he turns to observe his surroundings. Waiting for something to move, someone to charge at him. Surely, the moment he finishes his train of thought he barely manages to stop a ball from hitting him. The offending object bounces away with a swift kick.

Looking to the direction it originated from, he can't help but freeze in place. His whole body growing tense with terror as he spots the person.

At first, the only feature he sees is the green hair. That in itself is enough to put him on high alert. However, the person steps out from behind a boulder, a horrifyingly familiar grin plastered on her features.

Toxic green eyes stare back at him, a maniac smile aimed his way. "Miss me Izuku-kun?" A constant torrent of No, no no echoes in his mind, his thought spiraling out of control as he tries to make sense of what he's seeing.

Because this couldn't be possible. This wasn't real. This wasn't happening. It couldn't be.

He pinches his arm, expecting the specter, wraith, or whatever the hell it is to just go away. Disappear and leave him the hell alone. Yet, it doesn't. He closes and opens his eyes multiple times but he's met with the same feral grin on each try.

She was dead. He saw her, he watched her take her last breath. This couldn't be real.

He remembers it, clear and vivid in his mind, the life leaving her eyes as she hung there. Lifeless and still.

"W-who are you?" He whispers, the terror dripping from his every word.

"Oh, don't you remember your own mother honey?" She coos in fake hurt, "It's me, its mommy" His whole body shudders at her words. So, so very wrong to his ears.

"N-no, no. This isn't real."

"Oh it's real alright." The next thing he knows, she's running straight at him, it's only now that he notices the knife held in her hand.

He barely dodges the first swipe, the shock of it all making it hard for him to think. The second jab gets him right across the cheek. A shallow cut that stings painfully. The sensation grounding him to reality as he finally wills his body to react. To fight back.

Because this wasn't his mother right? This wasn't the cruel telekinesis wielder he's been stuck with all his life. Things weren't like they used to be. He was going to fight back this time.

Dropping to the ground, he swipes her feet from under her. Making her jump to regain her balance, barely giving her any time to respond, he goes in for a 5% powered fist to the gut, the hit sends her careening back, hitting a boulder. She doesn't stay down though, the moment her feet touch the ground, she already charging at him once again. A maniac look in her eyes that promises nothing but pain.

The breath gets knocked out of him as she manages to tackle him to the ground. His chest constricting under the added pressure of her knee to his back as she holds him down. The asphalt beneath him scrapping painfully at the cut on his cheek.

He doesn't see the knife aimed at his back, but he feels it nonetheless, coming down to stab him at an incredible speed.

"Say goodbye Izu."

Powering up into full-cowling he barely manages to push her away, fighting to regain his breathing as he dodges another flurry of jabs aimed at him.

He's hyperventilating and he knows it. The rising panic slowly but surely overwhelming his sense. This wasn't her damnit, it couldn't be.

However, despite the logical part of his brain informing him of this, he can't help the doubt he feels gnawing at his heart. The doubt that screams at him to run. To hide. To scream.

He squashes these thoughts away. No, he won't be afraid anymore.

"You can't hurt me anymore." The words spill from his mouth unsolicited. "You won't hurt me anymore."

The woman only laughs at that, charging at him once again.

"Get away from him!" Pure relief washes over him as he hears the newcomer. He doesn't see her right away though, not until she's flying right at the imposter. The gravity wielder barrels into the Inko lookalike, sending them both crashing to the ground in a heap of limbs.

He's running before his mind even registers it, kicking the knife away from the women's hand. Dropping his knee down onto her back to hold her in place.

A glance at Uraraka tells him she's okay, but the widening look of surprise in her eyes makes him nervous. He follows her gaze back onto the no longer struggling women under him.

The shock is enough to make him let go.

There, rising from the ground she'd previously been held on, is Toga Himiko. Body oozing some kind of white sludge. All traces of her previous appearance slowly dissipating the longer she stands there.

All traces of Midoriya Inko disappearing from existence once more.

"Ah. You guys are no fun." She admonishes with a childish pout. The crazy look in her eyes never subsiding. "I guess its game over for today." With that, she takes off running. Not noticing the effect this all had on him.

A hand on his shoulder startles him so much he jumps, feet skidding a few steps away from the offending hand. His mind screaming at him to run.

"A-are you okay Deku-kun?"

Her voice sounds far away as if there are leagues between them. As if his head has been plunged underwater. Mind foggy with chaotic thoughts. Terrible, horrible thoughts.

His mother, the league, his mother, the league. His mother. The league.

He drops to his hands and knees, chest heaving with every breath he takes, trying his damn hardest to regain some semblance of control over his racing thoughts.

"W-was that who I think it was?" She asks quietly after a moment, when she's sure he won't respond to her first question. Although, given his current position, he's pretty sure the answer was crystal clear.

It takes him a lot of effort but he manages to nod his head, confirming her suspicions.

"But why?" She asks helplessly, her eyes shining with concern. "Haven't they done enough?" He's not sure she's even talking to him anymore, seemingly lost in her own thoughts.

Taking a moment to regulate his breathing, he straightens up once more, pushing his feelings to the back of his mind for now. This wasn't the time for this.

"We need to keep going, we need to pass this exercise." Uraraka only stares at him at that, as if looking for something in his eyes. Although, she seems to be satisfied with whatever she finds, for she only nods firmly after a moment. Walking determinedly next to him.

The rest of the exam pass in a blur.

They fight their hardest and they stick together. Working like a well-oiled machine.

Soon enough, they pass the first test.

______________________________________

"Are you sure it was her?" Aizawa asks in between the exercises, phone already in hand as he texts whoever is in charge of any league activity sightings. Uraraka nods and recounts what she witnessed in detail.

The teacher only nods, occasionally shooting the white-haired teen, sitting a couple of feet away from them a few concerned glances. The boy in question sits in the corner of the room, feet pulled up to his chest, hands fidgeting as they link around the appendages. His eyes have a worrying faraway look in them.

"Is deku-kun going to be okay?" She can't help but ask. Seeing the boy so scared and sad made her chest constrict painfully. She remembers the pure hatred that rose in her heart the moment she saw the green-haired women. The boy's mother standing over him. She knows now, that it wasn't really her. Nonetheless, it doesn't stop the dread that fills her insides, the worry she feels gnawing at her heart.

The fact that the league was still after her friend wasn't helping either.

She also remembers the determination she saw in those gleaming greens. The unending strength she witnessed manifesting right in front of her eyes.

This boy, who's been through so much, who's survived so many horrible things. Despite all that, the boy still had the strength and bravery to fight back. To stand up to what he believed in.

She's proud to call him her friend.

"He's in shock, but he's going to be okay. He's strong."

And that... she couldn't argue with that.

______________________________

The next exercise is far easier than the first. They're in their element in this one. Saving civilians and fighting off villains. It's what he's been thriving for all this time. Saving people.

He goes through the given protocols, reassures worried civilians, and takes care of the injured parties.

His body moves on autopilot the whole time. Reacting to everything he encounters with the perfect response without actually thinking about it.

He knows he's in shock. Knows that the previous events haven't really registered in his mind yet.

Nonetheless, he can't help but be proud of himself. He fought back. He faced that women without cowering in fear, despite his every instinct compelling him to do it.

It's the first time, in what feels like forever, that he thinks he might be moving on from all this. Move on from the heavy pressure that was built in his very heart. A deeply rooted sense of incompetence and cowardice dissipating slowly with every civilian he saves, with every point he knows he's getting. Every step he knows he's taking towards his goal.

With renewed vigor, he continues the exercise. Later, even the fight that erupts between Todoroki and the Shiketsu student isn't enough to deter him from his task.

____________________________

The evening sun casts long shadows on the ground. The slanting rays of the setting sun gives a warm orange tinge to the sky, shining across the card he's holding in his hands, almost reverently.

The card reads Deku in bold letters. His provisional license, his mind whispers excitedly.

This. This was everything.

"Congrats, kid," Aizawa says as he steps to stand next to him. "You deserve it."

Izuku smiles warmly as the man who's grown to be his family. "I couldn't have done it alone."

They stand there for a while longer before the bus finally arrives. Students already filing in to sit, courtesy of the ever so formal class president.

"Let's go home."

"C-can we stop somewhere first?" He asks tentatively, averting his eyes to stop his growing nervousness.

"Sure, Mic brought his car with him, he'd be happy to take us wherever you want after we escort your classmates to the dorms." He responds calmly, a knowing look in his eyes boring into Izuku's form. "As long as we get back before curfew, that is."

"I-It won't take long, I promise."

________________________________

It's half an hour later, when they're on their way to their destination, that Izuku starts to have doubts.

"If you're not ready, we can come back another time." And of course, Aizawa sees right through him, his eyes shining with understanding as he looks at him. Waiting for him to make a decision.

"N-No. No. I need to do this." With renewed resolve, he walks into the cemetery, the two adults wait for him at the entrance.

"We'll be right here if you need us kid." Mic nods in agreement to the black-haired man, giving Izuku the last push he needs to continue on his way.

Only stopping once he spots the grave.

Her grave.

The white marble shines under the setting light. New and barely touched. No flowers and no candles rest around it.

The words Inko Midoriya are carved into the structure, along with her date of birth and death. Yet, no words of endearment are posted under the text.

It's sad really. Inko Midoriya was not a beloved mother. Nor was she a kind soul. And yet, Izuku can't help the tears that slip unbidden down his cheeks. Staining the marble under him with escaped droplets of water.

He doesn't sit, doesn't kneel in prayer.

Instead, he just stands there. Looking at his mother's final resting place.

Willing his mind to make peace with it all.

"I did it you know." He whispers, the words hanging in the silent air around him. "I proved you wrong, Mother." The provisional license is a new, reassuring weight in his back pocket. Proof of what he accomplished today. "I'm not your useless son anymore." He chokes out, breathing increasing with every heaved breath he takes in and out. "I'm a hero. I'm going to help people like me. Help them, and stop people like you." A hand clutches desperately at his chest as he settles his beating heart. "I'm going to be the best hero I can be." He says determinately. "A-and I hope you find the peace that I'm beginning to find."

He crouches down and places one single white flower on the cold stone beneath him. "Goodbye."

When he gets back up, he feels a new presence behind him.

"Ready to go, kid?"

"Yeah." Wiping the last remnant of tears from his face, he gives the man a relieved smile. "Let's go home."

Author's note:

The end! Thank you for all the support you guys gave me through all this! I know I haven't been the most reliable updater but it's been really fun to write this! I hope you guys enjoyed it just as much as I did!
Tell me what you think! I know most of you thought this was going to last longer, but I felt as if this was the perfect way to end the book. Izuku has finally escaped the void he used to call a life!