Midoriya's POV

"Are you going to tell us what that was all about or not?" Kacchan questioned, his arms crossed.

I bit my lip. I'm only beginning to piece together what the Black Lotus' plans are, but there are still some things that are not adding up. Why? Why would they have it? Why is it important to them? Something that so clearly belongs to me and not them.

Is it leverage? Perhaps something to just taunt me with and remind me of my failure.

No, it's more than that. It has to be. Is it me they are after? Someone else? Maybe we have their end goal completely wrong. After all, so little is known about them, who knows what they could really be after. This could be a ploy or a way to keep me distracted.

"Deku," Kacchan called.

"Calm down, Bakugou. He's been through enough already."

"I didn't do anything."

"You opened your mouth."

"Say that again and I'll fry you!"

"Guys," I called in a small voice.

"Sorry, Midoriya." Shinso looked off to the side.

"It's fine. I just don't want any fighting right now, please."

The group of friends looked worried, but did not press on the topic.

"Of course, Mido." I smiled at the familiar nickname Todoroki got in the habit of calling me during school.

"If it's okay, Midoriya, we'd still like to ask you about what happened yesterday?" Kirishima asked.

I sighed. "Not much. He said that his boss had something of mine. Truthfully, I don't even know if he's telling the truth."

"What is it?" Shinso asked.

I looked away from the group of heroes and friends and focused on my bruised hands instead. The injuries I came out with were minimal for the most part. A sprained wrist, some bruising and minor cuts. The only bad injury I had was the gash on my side that ended up needing stitches, but it's a good thing we all are pretty immersed in basic medical care now for instances just like this. Though, the safer option would have been to go to the hospital, but I just couldn't do it. I can't stand the stares and the apologetic looks every time I step foot in there. It's unbearable!

"Something I got rid of. I'm sorry, I don't really want to talk about it. I don't even understand why the villains would want it in the first place, it doesn't hold a ton of value. Okay, maybe a little, but still, I don't understand why they had to go and take it like that and for what purpose? Are they cooking up a scheme or just using it to manipulate me? It's strange and-"

"Deku!"

I looked up at the shouting. "Huh?"

"You're mumbling nerd," Kacchan said.

"Oh, sorry." I gave a small apologetic smile.

"It's okay, Midoriya. I understand it may not be something you want to talk about, but please don't hesitate if you change your mind," Kirishima said with one of those overwhelmingly reassuring smiles.

"Thanks. I appreciate that." I shifted in the bed and pulled the blankets off me to stand.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Kacchan pushed me back on the bed and I winced.

"W-We have work in thirty minutes. I need to get ready." I explained, but everyone looked at me like I was crazy.

"You're not going to work today, Midoriya. You're injured and need to rest," Todoroki said.

"I'm fine. It doesn't hurt all that much, so I'll be fine."

"Well too bad, we've already called the agency, the three of us are taking the day off," Kacchan said.

"On that note, Todoroki and I still have to work. Not everyone gets the day off sadly, so we'll check in later," Shinso said.

"Are you meeting with Kaminari first?" Todoroki asked.

"Yeah, he got the day off because of his injuries, but he's been texting me the last hour telling me he's starving."

Todoroki nodded. "See you on patrol then," and he left.

"Stay in bed, Midoriya, and take advantage of getting some rest. Don't make me call Aizawa," Shinso threatened.

I shivered at the thought. "Please don't do that!"

"Then rest and I will see you later." He left after that. I heard his phone go off as he headed for the door and Kaminari's voice came shouting through it.

I looked around at the bed and felt uncomfortable. This is where Kacchan and Kirishima placed me after I passed out, but I honestly would have chosen a different location.

"Kacchan, Kirishima?" I called.

The two who had been talking quietly to each other for a moment; then turned to me.

"Yeah Midoriya? Are you alright? Do you need something for the pain or are you hungry?"

I shook my head at Kirishima's ranting. "N-No, that's not it."

"Then what, nerd?"

I bit my lip and fiddled with my hands. "If I'm going to be stuck on bed rest for the day, can I go lay down on the couch instead?" I knew I wasn't going to convince them to let me get up at all, but maybe I can at least get out of the bedroom.

Kirishima smiled. "Sure! Katsuki can make some breakfast and then we can watch a movie in the living room." I nodded in agreement and proceeded to try and stand up again.

"Hold on," Kirishima called. Before I could ask him why, he placed one arm under my knees and placed the other on my back and lifted me up.

"Uh-uhm. Kirishima?!"

"You're injured. I'll get you downstairs, alright?"

"O-Okay."

The three of us made it down the stairs and Kirishima placed me on the couch. Kacchan went into the kitchen and started making some breakfast. Kirishima grabbed a blanket from the back of the couch and wrapped it around me.

"Thank you," I said.

"You're welcome!" He sat down beside me and turned the TV on. "What are you in the mood for?"

I shrugged. "I'm fine with anything."

"Alright. A comedy it is."

"Can't you put something other than a comedy on?" Kacchan commented from the kitchen.

Kirishima pouted at his boyfriend who could see him from the open spaced concept of their house.

Kacchan rolled his eyes. "That's all you ever watch."

"And you only watch horror movies, so we're even," he replied.

Kacchan pulled three bowls from the cupboard and glared at his boyfriend. "I don't only watch horror movies, I watch action too."

"Oh, how could I forget?" Kirishima sassed.

"Because you're dumb."

Kirishima's jaw dropped. "I take offense to that."

"Good."

I laughed lightly at the two of them. It's nice seeing how the two sometimes interact when they are not in public. Kacchan is much more calm with his responses and Kirishima is much more snarky. Maybe they spend too much time together.

"The hell you laughin' at, Deku?" Kacchan grunted.

"Nothing," I responded, but I still smiled.

"Well, since this conversation is going nowhere that means you have to decide what we watch, Midoriya!" Kirishima exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes playfully, but I wasn't really bothered. "Alright. Let me think," I said.

"Don't you dare say All Might," Kacchan remarked.

"Man, you're a buzzkill today," I taunted.

"Deku," Kacchan warned. I smiled cheekily at him, but turned back to the TV to think.

"Can we watch Spirited Away? I haven't seen it in forever."

"Sure! That sounds great! I haven't watched that one in years either," Kirishima said and began pulling the movie up. "Is that fine, Kat?" he asked.

"Whatever." He finished making the food and brought the three plates of scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, and pancakes into the living room.

"Thank you!" Kirshima cheered.

"Thank you, Kacchan."

"Just eat."

We all dug in as Spirited Away played on the TV screen. Once finished, Kirishima placed the dishes in the sink and came back into the room.

With a full stomach and some residual aching from the fight, my eyes grew droopy. Before I knew it, I was out like a light.

The nap I took did not feel long at all. Maybe that was for the better, considering the unpleasant dreams of Ochako dying over and over again in my arms kept replaying itself. They were always the same, since she passed. Almost like the universe liked taunting me, no matter how comfortable I felt, there are always those harsh reminders.

It wasn't until there was gentle tapping on my shoulder that everything came to a halt and my eyes slowly adjusted to the dimly lit living room I was in.

"Midoriya?"

"Huh?" My voice was strained and filled with sleep. How long have I been out?

I rubbed my eyes with my hands and glanced around the room. Kacchan was knelt down in front of me and Kirishima was still beside me.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, why?" I asked.

Kirishima looked at Kacchan. "Just checking."

I scrunched my eyebrows confused. "Okay," I said. "What time is it?"

"About six. Seems like you needed that rest."

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to be out that long."

"No, you're fine. I'm glad you got some rest."

"Have you guys been in here the whole time?" I asked.

"It is our house," Kacchan remarked.

"I know, that's not what meant."

"We've just been watching movies, but we figured it might be best if we woke you up, so your entire sleep schedule doesn't get too messed up," Kirishima cleared up.

The room fell silent after that and I looked at my hands to avoid the awkward tension that somehow appeared in the room.

I can't get used to the overwhelming protective feeling I've been getting from these two as of late. I mean, my friends have always been a little overprotective of me, whether it was because of how nervous I was of everything in school or because my reckless behavior is up for debate. However, the way these two have been expressing it is different than normal. Is it just pity? Maybe Kacchan just feels guilty because of all the crap I've been through and the fact I can never seem to catch a break.

Or, maybe it's because I have never felt so vulnerable before.

"Hey, it's not quite late yet. Do you guys want to go do something?" Kirishima asked, breaking the silence.

"What? He needs to be resting, idiot! Not going out and doing something!" Kacchan reprimanded.

"I know that! I'm not saying let's go out and do something crazy!"

I turned to Kirishima. "What did you have in mind?"

Kirishima smiled and jumped off the couch quickly. He ran upstairs as Kacchan and I looked at each other in confusion. "Kat! Pack some snacks!"

"Tch, how annoying," Kacchan muttered, but he listened to his boyfriend regardless.

Kirishima came running back into the room minutes later with three jackets in hand. He handed me mine with a wide smile still shining through his shark teeth.

"Shitty hair, where are we going?"

Kirishima put his own jacket on before going to the kitchen to kiss his boyfriend on the cheek and hand him his jacket. "It's a surprise!"

Kacchan rolled his eyes, but he kept silent.

Kirishima came over to me and lent me a hand. I took it and he helped me stand up. I wavered slightly from dizziness. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, sorry. I just stood up too fast."

"I can carry you again if you want?"

My face turned beet red from his comment. "N-No! That's alright!"

Kirishima laughed. "Alright, but seriously, I don't mind carrying you. Just say the word."

"Are you two ready to go or not?" Kacchan asked.

"Coming!" Kirishima called. "Ready?"

I nodded and the two of us walked over to Kacchan by the door. We all put our shoes on and slipped outside. The minute we left the house I zipped my jacket up and flipped my hood up, hoping not to be recognized.

Kacchan pulled a beenie out of his jacket and put it on, while Kirishma also just flipped the hood of his jacket up.

I watched Kirishima interlock his hand with Kacchan and I smiled lightly to myself. I am so glad they have each other and are able to make their relationship work despite the very demanding hero work we all do.

I frowned.

I wish I did a better job of that when Ochako was around. Maybe things wouldn't have ended the way they did if I was just a better person and actually fought harder to spend more time with her.

"When are we getting there?" Kacchan asked.

"Soon. Be patient," Kirishima responded.

"What's with all the mystery, huh?"

"Well, it's nowhere special, but I thought it would be nice and peaceful. Also, it gets us out of the house for a little," he said.

"Great, so you can tell us," Kacchan argued.

"Kacchan's never been one for surprises," I commented.

Kacchan growled at me and Kirishima laughed.

"Oh trust me. I am fully aware, but he'll have to suck it up. We're almost there anyway."

"I can't wait!" I cheered.

"Good. I'm glad you're excited."

The three of us continued on walking for several minutes in a direction that seemed to pull us away from the city. The night traffic left far behind us and the sound of crickets became more and more clear.

"We're here."

I stopped and looked ahead of us and gasped. We were on a hillside that was perfectly angled for us to see the city lights shining brightly. The stars twinkled in the sky and the moon was full, casting its shadow down on us.

"It's beautiful," I whispered.

"Yeah. I discovered this place when I was younger. It's a great place to relax and enjoy the bright stars above."

"We haven't been here in forever," Kacchan said.

"It has been awhile. We should come more often." Kirishima laid down on the grass and gazed up at the stars. We joined him and I took a deep breath in. Taking in the constellations in the sky.

"Did you guys come here often?"

"It was where Kat and I had our first date. We've come back several times since, but work's been so hectic lately that it's slipped my mind until now." Kirishima smiled at the memory.

"Why did you bring me here then? If this is your special place."

"Isn't that obvious?" Kacchan complained.

"No?"

"I brought you here because you're important, Midoriya. Plus, I've learned that the best way to relax and let your mind drift is to surround yourself with beauty, just like this and I know you need it right now," Kirishima explained.

I couldn't help but smile. "Thank you. Both of you."

The rest of the evening was spent gazing up at the stars, seeing who could find the most constellations.