The next week went by in a blissful blur for Izuku. Classes were really starting to kick in, and the homework load was almost too much to handle. It was easier to get through the days now that he wasn't avoiding Shinsou and his friends. They actually sat together in their Media class, which was a blessing and a curse. A blessing because it made the boring class go by faster, but a curse because he never once paid attention. 

It was Friday, and Izuku was done with classes for the day. He was hanging out in an abandoned hall with Shinsou, Monoma, and Kendo, chatting and catching up before they went their separate ways for the day. 

"You coming with tonight, shortstack?" Monoma asked, one arm wrapped around Kendo's waist. 

Izuku looked between the blond and Shinsou, who was glaring daggers at his friend. "Uh, what's tonight?" he asked. 

"Neito," Kendo hissed, throwing an elbow in her boyfriend's ribs. 

He hissed out a breath from the impact, looking between her and Shinsou, confused and betrayed. "What? I thought we were cool with the little guy now. Why shouldn't he come?" 

"Because his brothers would kill us?" Kendo supplied like it was obvious. She turned her head away from Monoma quickly, smacking her orange ponytail in his face as she did. 

"Since when are we worried about Bakugou and Todoroki?" he asked, sticking his tongue out in distaste as he said the names. 

"How about, it's just a terrible fucking idea and he's not coming with?" Shinsou snapped, his arms crossed over his chest as he fumed in place. 

"How about someone tells me what the fuck it even is and then I decide for myself like an adult?" Izuku said, his voice oozing with condescension at the trio. 

"You're not coming," Shinsou said, not meeting his eyes. 

"Let the boy decide for himself, Jesus," Monoma huffed, turning to face Izuku. "There's this big, annual party one of the frats throw. We don't hang around because it's a fucking shit show every year, but Shinny boy here supplies most of the party drugs and we use the cash from it to get wasted at Itsu and I's place." 

Izuku furrowed his brows as he looked between Monoma and Shinsou. "So, it's a drug run? You're doing a drug run tonight, and you don't want me to come. Why?" 

He couldn't for the life of him figure out why it was such a big deal. He'd done plenty of drug runs in the past, with dealers and on his own. It wasn't like this was a new concept to him, and Shinsou knew that. 

Kendo winced at the question. "Saying the party is a shit show is putting it lightly. The cops get called every year, there's always a slew of people injured and assaulted, and I'm pretty sure a few years back, someone actually died. It's just not a place we'd want to be responsible for taking you," she said in her most gentle tone. 

Izuku bristled, not enjoying the fact that it felt like she was talking down to him. "You all realize I can take care of myself, right? I'd bet good money I've been to worse parties." 

Monoma clapped his hands together with a shit-eating grin. "Great, then you're coming with." 

"And if I don't want him too?" Shinsou asked, one brow raised at the blond. 

"That sucks," Izuku said with a shrug, "because Monoma does." 

"So good to have you back, little dude," the blond said, holding his hand out for a high five. 

Izuku eagerly complied before starting to walk off. "See you guys later tonight!" 

He faintly heard a smack as he started down the hall to meet up with Todoroki now that his last class was also over. "You rat bastard," Shinsou hissed. Izuku figured he'd smack Monoma and couldn't help but laugh quietly. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hey baby," Sero greeted with a warm smile as Izuku kicked open his bedroom door. 

Honestly, Izuku was starting to spend more time at Bakugou's house than his own apartment. Kaminari was already making jokes about him moving in, and he wouldn't admit it, but he thought about it every once in a while. He knew there was a guest room on the first floor his brother would happily give him. Maybe not happily, Bakugou didn't do much happily. 

Izuku let his bag drop to the floor as his shoulders sagged, and he made his way to the bed. He collapsed on it with his head in Sero's lap. The older man was already smoking, taking a hit off the bowl as he looked down at Izuku with an amused smile. 

"Long day?" 

Izuku groaned as his eye clenched shut. "Just a stupid fucking project I have to do for my media class. It's boring, and gonna take forever, and I have to present it in two weeks, and I just don't want to." 

"Poor thing," Sero cooed. "You wanna smoke?" 

"Yes!" 

He let out a chuckle at the enthusiastic response and patted Izuku's shoulder. "Alright, up." 

Izuku listened without a second thought, sitting up and wiggling in place from his excitement. 

Sero eyed him as he handed over the bowl. "I'm starting to think maybe I shouldn't indulge you as much as I do." 

A deep breath in and out had Izuku feeling a million times better. Seeing as Sero had been smoking before he'd arrived, he thought it safe to take a double hit before handing it back. "That's rich coming from you, stoner boy." 

"Yeah, yeah, glass houses and shit," Sero mumbled, taking another hit. "It's empty. Need me to pack another? Or are you good for now?" 

Izuku hummed as he laid back down in his previous position, his head in Sero's lap. "Good for now. Besides, I probably shouldn't get too high. I'm doing some drug run with Shin and them," he explained, waving his hand in the air as he spoke. 

Sero set the bowl to the side, looking down at Izuku with a raised brow. "A drug run? Where to?" 

He half-heartedly shrugged, already starting to feel himself drift off into La-La-Land. "I don't know, some frat party." 

"Iz," Sero said with a breath. 

"What?" he whined back, already dreading the lecture he was sure to receive. Apparently, this frat party was a big deal. 

"You can't actually go to that," Sero said, a sudden serious tone overtaking his previous jovial mood. 

Izuku's nose scrunched at the word 'can't.'. "Um, actually, I'm pretty sure I can do whatever I want, but Kendo already gave me the run down. I know what I'm getting into, and I'm pretty sure everyone is overreacting," he said with a huff, crossing his arms over his chest and glaring up at the other man. 

"No, Iz, I'm serious." 

"So am I," Izuku said back without missing a beat. "It's just a party, and it's not like we're even staying. Shin's just gonna get paid, and we're going back to Monoma and Kendo's. Calm down." 

Sero shook his head, his brows pinched together in concern as he looked down at him. "No, you don't get it. I used to hangout with a bunch of those guys and they're fucked. Shinsou doesn't even fucking like them. Do you know how bad of a person you have to be for Shinsou to not like you?" 

"He likes them enough to sell to them," Izuku muttered back, directing his eyes to the end of the bed so he didn't have to look at Sero anymore. 

"Because they pay, like, an extra two hundred. They're a bunch of loaded assholes who don't understand basic human decency. Stay away from that party and whatever shady deal Shinsou's doing," he said, looking ready to die for his cause. 

Izuku pushed himself up, turning so he was facing the other man. He'd never liked being told what to do, but disliked it even more when it was coming from someone he thought didn't have the right. Bakugou and Todoroki were annoying as fuck, but at least they were his brothers. At least they'd been there with him through it all and had earned the right to have a say. 

At that moment, Izuku didn't think Sero had earned the right. Yes, they were friends, really good friends, but Sero had known him what? A month? Two? Who was he to tell Izuku what he could or couldn't do? He had no idea what Izuku could handle, what he'd already been through. 

Besides, it's not like they were dating or anything.

"I risk sounding like a twelve-year-old, but I think it needs to be said: you can't tell me what to do, Hanta," Izuku said, dead serious as he met the other man's eyes. 

"I know that," Sero said back, shaking his head slightly, "but I need you to listen to me, Iz. I wouldn't say it if it wasn't bad, okay? Just... don't go with tonight, okay?" 

"You're being a baby." Izuku rolled his eyes, shifting in his spot from his pure irritation. Just once, he'd appreciate everyone treating him like a capable adult. 

"No, I'm not!" Sero exclaimed, throwing his hands in front of him. "You don't know the shit that goes down at this party, Izuku. It's fucked up, and I know the guys there. They'll try to rope you in, and-" 

"And what?" Izuku snapped, his nostrils flaring. "You think I'm incapable of saying no? Of walking away from a dangerous situation? Look, I don't know what you think you know from my brother, but I am perfectly capable of taking care-" 

Sero threw his head back with an annoyed groan, cutting Izuku off. "It's not that I think you'll give in to peer pressure, Iz. I'm saying these guys are manipulative, scheming assholes that will get you alone, corner you, and give you no way out. I'm just trying to protect you." His voice had turned pleading, desperately trying to get Izuku to see reason. 

Izuku met his eyes with a glare, holding it there for a split moment before he turned and shuffled for the side of the bed. "I don't need you or anyone else to protect me, okay? I've been on my own since fifteen and have done just fine like that. Honestly, fuck you." 

"Wait, Iz!" Sero called as Izuku marched across the room to grab his bag. "I'm not saying you need to be protected, okay? I'm just- fuck, I'm just trying to help." 

"I don't need your help," Izuku hissed, his bag slung over one shoulder and a hand on the door handle. He was ready to bolt at a moment's notice. 

"I know you don't," Sero said, holding his hands in front of him as he took slow steps toward Izuku. "I just... I worry... about you, and-" 

"Don't worry about me," Izuku snapped quickly, his grip on the handle tightening. "I don't need you to protect me, or help me, or even worry about me. It's not like we're dating, and you seriously need to stop acting like it. We joke and we flirt, and it's fun, but that does not give you the right to try and dictate my life, okay?" 

As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them. He hadn't even meant to say them. Shit had just gotten too real and vulnerable, and Sero said too much. Izuku was running from his own feelings, and Sero was so dangerously close to shining a light on them. He'd needed to shut it down and fast. He'd just started talking.

Someone showed genuine concern for his safety and well-being, and he lashed out like that same scared fifteen-year-old who had just lost his mom. He felt pathetic. 

Sero was staring at him with wide eyes, like Izuku had just pulled out a gun and shot him straight in the chest. Izuku was pretty sure his own expression looked pretty similar. It had been a slap in the face to both of them. 

Before the other man could recover, Izuku tore out of the room. He made a beeline for the stairs, jumping down two at a time and nearly tripping in his rush. With no idea where he was heading, he left the house and took off down the street at a brisk walk. He just needed to get out, he didn't have a plan after that. 

The sun was already setting, leaving the air chilled as he pulled up the hood of his sweatshirt to try and conserve heat. He didn't know how long he'd be out, but something told him it wouldn't be a short walk. Either he called Todoroki to pick him up, or he called Shinsou. Neither option sounded great, so he put his head down and kept walking until one of them became more appealing. 

I hate to say it (no I don't), but it's only gonna get worse.