A door opens with a soft hiss, yet, the two occupants of the room remain oblivious to that fact.

The only sound that fills the air is their harsh breathing as they try to reign in their beating hearts. Regain some semblance of composure.

Heatstroke hangs his head down, his gaze is trained firmly on the ground as if secretly wishing for it to swallow him whole. His fists clench at his sides, knuckles white with the pressure. The sight stirs something within Izuku. It makes his body move before he can register any conscious effort to do so. To go through with the motions. He finds himself stepping closer to the man until he's standing over him. Stray green locks fall over his eyes as he looks down.

The sidekick startles as he approaches, gaze swiveling to look up at him, the movement is abrupt and surely painful. However, the man doesn't meet his gaze, instead, they stop part way, looking at the teen's outstretched hand with wide, confused eyes. When the spike-user finally lifts his eyes, red meeting emerald green, Izuku tries to convey his intent to the best of his abilities. As if waving a white flag or uttering a promise of truce.

A minute passes and Izuku starts to think maybe he should withdraw his hand. However, just as he readies himself for the failure, the man moves. A warm palm slides against his own until they're gripping each other by their forearms. The hold brings him back to a time when missions and quests were hard, deadly, and far in-between. Where stepping into a boss room with someone meant trusting them implicitly. It reminds him of camaraderie and understanding.

Despite his best efforts to quell the emotions that rise to the surface of his mind, he smiles. Grin small, but present as he takes a step back and rises with the man before him. Steady and calm, now that the duel was over.

"Are you two done here?" Comes the gruff, almost bored voice of the number two hero. Startling them and breaking the atmosphere almost instantly.

They turn to find both the hero and Todoroki standing there, a couple of feet behind them.

The latter scoffs indignantly at his father and marches towards Izuku. "Midoriya, are you alright?" His voice takes him by surprise as it holds both tension and worry. Two things he wouldn't have expected from the usually stoic boy.

"Yeah." Sharing one last understanding look with the sidekick. "Everything fine, he was just testing me, no harm done."

The teen narrows his eyes at the explanation, having obviously watched the entire fight go down, yet he elects to stay quiet. Nodding seriously in consideration.

Izuku takes the time to look back at Endeavor then, gaze pensive as he wonders just what the man had to gain from setting this entire thing up. Was it just to test him, get back at him for the sports festival? Or did the man somehow want to help his sidekick? Were there good intentions buried beneath all that scorching hate?

Making sure to meet the hero's eyes steadily, he plasters a smile onto his face. Mirth not reaching his eyes as he addressed the fire user. "I hope the entertainment was up to your standards, Endeavor-san."

The sneer he gets in response is answer enough. "Clean up and turn in for the night, Shoto. Your rooms are on the fifth floor. We'll meet again at dawn for training and then patrol in the evening." The man marches out without another glance.

"Well... That went well." Izuku says to no one at all. Looking at the room with something akin to resignation as he readies himself to clean up the mess. They really did a number on the walls. He notes with some self-indulgent satisfaction.

When he moves to start, a hand catches his shoulder. Stopping him in his tracks.

"Was..." Heatstroke's voice is low, and hesitant as he speaks. Gaze once again averted, despite the steadiness of his hold on Izuku. "Was it all bad? In there?" He asks with something akin to diluted desperation.

"No." Comes the honest response, spilling from his throat without preamble. "No, it wasn't." The smile that stretches his features this time is real. Fragile, and small, but real nonetheless.

With that, they get to work.

________________________________________

The room they're given is average in size, two beds reside on each side of the space, tucked into opposite walls, each with a nightstand, and a small lamp. It decorates the surface almost primly. It reminds him of the tavern dorms on the first floors. Cozy little resting spaces that were meant to be just that. A resting place. Nothing more.

Another door leads to what he can only assume is a bathroom.

The two heroes in training move through their respective nightly routines in quiet companionship. Each one of them was preoccupied with their own train of thought as they went through the motions blindly.

Midoriya showers first, per Todoroki's insistence, for being the only one to have fought. The water is too hot against his still-forming bruises and the gash on his side turns the stream at his feet a pink-ish red. Yet, he makes no move to turn the temperature down. Reluctantly relishing in the fleeting comfort of its warmth. It's only when his skin is red and he feels clean enough that he turns the faucet down.

A grey towel sits on a shelf to his right, perfectly placed to be within reach of the shower's occupant. He ties it to his waist, bare feet dragging water droplets onto the matt as he steps out. Fog and humid droplets of water coat the mirror as he looks into it. The clothes he'd prepared beforehand sit innocently on the counter beneath his reflection. The tear on his side stretches painfully as he slips on his underwear and sweatpants. It's only then that he notices his oversight. He forgot to bring bandages.

Having spent a fair share of his fighting years with injuries that repaired themselves and minimal pain receptors, his absent-mindedness is justifiable. At least to a certain degree.

Glaring at his reflection, he briefly considers the pros and cons of sleeping without dressing and binding his wounds.

He can almost hear Yui yelling at him for even contemplating the idea. With a heavy sigh, he resigns himself to a restless night. Shrugging on his shirt and draping his towel around his neck as he steps out of the bathroom.

_____________________________

He's busy rummaging through his duffle bag for spare clothes when the bathroom door opens behind him. He turns just as Midoriya walks past him. Damp hair falling over his shoulders, reaching the middle of his back, over the towel draped over his neck. It's the first time he's seen Midoriya without his tell-tale ponytail and he can't help but think that he looks somewhat older like this.

However, the teen's appearance isn't what makes him pause. In fact, he's almost ready to turn back when he notices it. The tension in the boy's shoulders, gate taut with discomfort as he moves, favoring his left side towards his bed. Any other person wouldn't have noticed, but to Todoroki, who's spent most of his life hiding injuries and braving through training mishaps, it's clear as day.

His mind goes through the events of the evening, racking his brain for every hit the teen had taken during his fight. He sucks in a sharp breath as he remembers the spike that had caught Midoriya's sides and the fire that had grazed his shoulder.

With renewed purpose and determined movements, he forgoes his clothes for the first aid kit that sits in one of the pouches of his duffle bag.

_________________________________

He's doing a good job masking his discomfort, he figures, as he sits onto his mattress, ready to fall asleep at a moment's notice.

"Midoriya." At least that's what he thinks until Todoroki's voice calls out to him. Tone low and serious as Izuku turns to face him. He wants to believe the teen just wants to ask him something, but the way the ice user's gaze zeroes in on his side tells him otherwise.

A few rolls of bandages are clutched in the boy's hands, coupled with tape and gauze. "Have you taken care of your injuries?" And the worry present in the teen's tone almost makes him wince.

Bringing a hand to clamp around one end of his towel, he bunches it up to rub at his hair, distracting himself from the conversation at hand. "Ah, you don't need to worry about it, Todoroki. I'm fine."

The half and half user just stares at him in response. Eyes steady and serious as they bare into his own. "Do you..." He starts almost hesitantly. "Do you have any regenerative powers I don't know about?" The question is asked with so much earnest intent. It almost makes him laugh at the sheer incredulity of the boy before him. Where did the angry, resentful teenager he'd fought before go? He almost smiles at the contrast.

"No, Todoroki, but-"

"Then you need to dress your wounds."

...And ah. He got him there.

He sighs for what feels like the million's time today, figuring it would be easier to just get it over with.

"Fine, okay." He gestures at the boy, hand outstretched to take the offered bandages. However, Todoroki makes no move to give them to him. Was he not supposed to use them? "Uh, so... are you going to hand them over or...?"

The silence stretches between them. A painfully long minute passes before the teen finally drops the bandages into his waiting arms. Movements almost hesitant.

Izuku straightens up and stands in order to get on with it. Yet, the dual quirked user remains in his place. His mind unwittingly dredges up a picture of an eagerly worried Pino, sitting by Komi's side, ready to step in if needed.

Huffing slightly, he makes quick work of removing his shirt, wincing at the sharp pain emanating from his side.

Todoroki doesn't react besides a small narrowing of his eyes. Izuku would think he was angry if he didn't know better. What did he have to be angry about?

Dabbing some gauze into the already clean wound, he wraps the first roll of bandages around his stomach, making sure to tighten it just enough for it to be effective but not tight enough to be uncomfortable.

The burn on his shoulder is another story, however. It takes him a few tries to get the gauze to stick and the bandages don't settle easily as he tries to go through the process one-handed. He's almost ready to give up on the entire thing when a pair of hands takes the roll from his struggling grasp.

Cold fingers send shivers down his spine as duel-colored eyes look down at him with a silent request. Wordlessly asking for permission to proceed.

His hesitation is fleeting as he nods, thankful despite the unsettled dread in his stomach. He hates relying on people, he's always been and always will be a solo player.

Todoroki dresses his burn with efficient, quick movements and it's not long before he's turning away with the remains of his supplies in order to tuck them back into his bag.

"Todoroki." He finds himself calling out just as the teen is stepping for his turn into the shower. When blue and grey orbs turn to meet his own green eyes, he tries to convey his gratitude. "Thank you."

The taller boy only nods once, as serious as ever, before disappearing into the bathroom, the door closing with a soft click.

Later that night, as they both lie in the dark, a voice breaks the silence. Shattering the calm even as the last remnants of consciousness threatens to leave him.

Todoroki's voice is soft, almost as if he's hesitant to wake him up. It's the same tone he used as they talked on their way from the station. "You didn't have to fight him, you know."

'You didn't have to do that.'

"I know." He says, a small smile forming despite his tired eyes. "I wanted to."

'I know. I just really wanted to'

He falls asleep to comfortable silence, too tired to let his mind wander.

_________________________________

Training the next day isn't as eventful, Endeavor barely graces him with his presence. Choosing instead to focus on his son as he dumps Izuku onto one of his sidekicks.

Not to say that the training isn't grueling. His muscles throb with a satisfying ache by the time lunch rolls around. It's only then that the number two hero declares them ready for patrol.

Dressed in full gear, they set off.

They go through the agency's regular roots through the city. Hosu is as crowded as he's imagined it to be during the day. People mill about, and they don't face any criminals besides the occasional purse snatcher.

Yet, Izuku can't help the dread that forms in his gut as the sun begins to set and the crowd starts to dwindle.

When his earpiece pings in warning, he's instantly on high alert.

When he'd designed his costume, he'd added to it a few tech adjustments. It let him stay in touch with Yui while he was fighting. Her skills reached far beyond the virtual world after all. Her information gathering and hacking abilities would be invaluable in the field.

It also meant she could warn him of any incoming news alerts.

So, when his earpiece beeps twice in his ear, he knows it can't mean anything good.

For his daughter already knew not to interfere without good reason.

"What is it Yui?" He asks, ignoring the questioning look he gets from his fellow student. At least, he notes, Endeavor hadn't noticed his sudden distraction.

"Alerts of multiple attacks have popped up near you Kirito! Heroes on the scene are citing the villains as very dangerous and monster-like. The description fits the boss you fought at the USJ." Her voice is urgent, lacking any of its usual lightheartedness.

She's barely finishing her sentence when the first rumble reaches their ears, the concretes vibrates and shudders beneath their feet. Right there, heading straight for them is a Nomu. Bigger in size than the one he'd defeated. Yet, thinner and paler.

He doesn't let himself panic, instead electing to look at Endeavor for direction. He was, despite Kirito's urge to move and fight instantly, the leader of their party. He'd have to wait for orders and act accordingly.

"Protect the civilians and aid the heroes in evacuating the area!" The man barks before launching himself at the creature, barely sparing them a second glance.

He doesn't have to, for they are already moving before his sentence is done.

Midoriya and Todoroki each take a direction. Herding and leading stray civilians in the opposite direction. Spotting an evacuation line already forming on the other side of the road.

It's almost impressive, really, how they go through the motions as if used to it. Then again, they probably were.

A hero rushes towards just as he pushes a civilian out of incoming rubble. He braces himself for the inevitable hit, but it never comes, instead, he feels liquid splash onto his back as he turns. The hero, who he now recognizes as Manual, the normal hero, stands in front of him, hand outstretched, still spraying water and intercepting the rocks heading their way.

"Thank you." He shouts over the distant sound of fighting and screams that permeate the air around them.

"No problem, you did a fine job protecting that woman!" His words are cheerful despite the frown that twists his features.

He turns to Izuku then, eyes widening in something akin to recognition.

"You're a UA student aren't you?" He asks almost urgently. "Have you seen a kid called Iida? He's supposed to be helping me with the evacuation, but-"Another wave of rubble is launched their way, cutting off the man's inquiry as he rushes to cover some of the civilians.

His departure barely registers to the greenette. His mind already going through all the possible reasons for the sudden disappearance of one of the most dependable students in his class.

A sudden thought makes him freeze, body tensing with renewed dread.

"Yui, scan the area, please. I have a bad feeling about this."