Prompt - You know how eraser has slapped izuku. Can you somehow make that after that izuku is being more cautious of eraser because a slap does more harm than a punch to the gut. Like a psychological harm, ya know - emo-lonrr (on AO3)

I like angst, so let's do it! The original scene that I found (there could be more, but this is the one that I believe would cause the most psychological harm) is from chapter 60. If you haven't read that yet, please do so because there is spoilers.

If you have and need a reminder, the only thing you need to know at the moment is that the chapter is about the week before Izuku going into court for his hero license exam. I will include the specific scene so you don't need to go back.

After that will be the tea. For a general idea for when that takes place, let's say sometime after Izuku gets his license back. It doesn't need a specific place since it's not an official scene in the story, but it's for better imaging.

That was a lot to explain. Now let's go!

Warnings: Hurt/No Comfort, Anxiety

- - -

I'm reorganizing everything because just looking at all the information is giving me anxiety when I hear a knock on the door.

"Izuku, come here. You need to see this." Shouta says with a tone I can't read. With a sigh, I unlock and go through the door to see the teachers gathered around the television. Shouta points at the TV. The flip? I thought adult-figures were supposed to discourage this, but alright. I walk around to the back of the couch, seating multiple teachers when I see All Might on the TV. However, it's an older video of him as he's in his bronze age costume. However, the news title at the bottom makes me go pale.

Quirkless Acceptance Rating At All Time Low

What? No, no, no, no, no! Please be a dream!

The television's words confirm my idea as All Might speaks,

"No. I do not believe quirkless can be heroes. It's simply too dangerous-"

My mind blanks. I remember this interview clearly from word to word. My mom- Inko showed it to me a couple of months after I was confirmed quirkless.

I kind of repressed that memory until now. I mean, what four-year-old child wouldn't?

Those old words hurt me then, but they hurt even worst now.

You're telling me that they are more valid than all the work that I put in at our current time?

You want to hear something worst?

All Might was quirkless until he got his quirk, yet he thinks he has the right to say this shit?! NOT EVERYONE IS AS WEAK AS YOU, ALL MIGHT!

"Young Midoriya?" Those words slice through the silence. I snap out and look at Yagi.

"Shut up. You shouldn't get the right to determine what we can and can not do. You were quirkless for a while, yet you have the nerve to say this." My words are so simple, but they lack my usual energy.

"You know my reasoning-" I cut him off with laughter.

"I don't want to hear it, All Might." It takes everything not to snarl at him even though I should. All I feel is fucking anger to the point I am trembling.

I want to scream.

I want to fight.

I want to show who I am.

Yet, I want to give up.

I mean, what's the point, right? If they will just follow All Might's words simply because he was the number one, what chance do I have?! IT'S USELESS!

SMACK!

I look up with the stinging sensation on my cheek to see Shouta in front of me with a hand raised shaking, but his face reveals nothing. The fuck?

"That's not the way to go about this, Sho." I hear Hizashi reluctantly say in the background. Shouta ignores him in favor of me.

"Your dorm. Now." His stern voice carries through. Quietly, I do as asked. I can barely hear his footsteps behind me. When we enter, he closes the door behind me. I flinch at the mess of papers on my desk, and I start to head to get back to organize it when I feel him abruptly grab the back of my shirt, almost causing me to fall.

"What the hell do you want, Shouta?" I growl.

Shouta sighs, sounding more tired than usual, "I should not have hit you, but I don't regret it. Izuku, I don't want to hear what came out of your mouth ever again."

"What did I say?" Did I really pick up that muttering habit now of all times?

"I heard you saying you want to give up. Kid, you have us, but you need to let us in. Talk to me." I feel him let go, and I step back to face him.

"How am I supposed to win against All Might's words?! You see the effect it has on the ratings, and all someone had to do was dig it up! IT'S ALL MY WORK GONE, SHOUTA! NOT JUST FOR THIS WEEK BUT FOR THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE BEEN AT UA! HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO FACE THE WORLD WHEN THE WHOLE WORLD IS AGAINST ME?!"

Shouta starts explaining,

"The Izuku I know is the first quirkless to get into not only a hero course but also into UA. He became a teacher assistant for how talented he is. He has defeated the Hero Killer: Stain. He managed to save two classes at a camp with his ingenuity. The Izuku I know faced the number one villain without a drop of fear to save me. He's done so much, but he doesn't seem to realize it."

I look at him with scrutiny, "Sho, I don't want to hear this. Every person has limits, including me."

"Izuku, you became a hero to become a symbol for the quirkless. Are you just going to throw that away?"

"That's not what's-!"

"That's exactly what's going on. Get out of your head for a moment and look around. Look at yourself. You need help, but you need to accept it first." That's when I notice I am crying. Damn, when was the last time I cried? I see Shouta open his arms for a hug. Sighing, I walk into him and wrap my one arm around him tightly. I remain quiet for a moment before speaking again.

"S-sorry, Shouta."

"You did nothing wrong, Izu. That's expected. Now, you need rest. Come on."

"I can put myself to sleep, hobo."

"I believe you appreciate the comfort, brat." Like I'm going to fucking admit that.

I accomplish nothing for the rest of the day!

---

It's odd.

I didn't think about it much at the time since I was having an emotional breakdown, but as soon as I got a clear head, it's like something in my head clicked.

I can tell you that I barely remember the conversation Shouta and I had. It's a blur in my head. I only remember crying and hugging Shouta.

However, the one thing that I remember clearly is Shouta slapping me, and I don't know why.

It's not like Shouta hasn't hit me before. We get into physical fights alot, and him punching me is part of the daily routine. That's expected when I am are training to become a hero, and when we are practically brothers. Brothers fight alot.

This isn't something I would usually worry about. Yet, it's a fucking issue for me.

Whenever Shouta is around now, something snaps in my head. I instantly become more focused and aware of what I am doing. I make sure I'm not doing something too troublesome. I feel like I am walking on brittle glass and one wrong move will cause it to shatter under me. It takes everything to act normal around him.

I know Shouta wouldn't hurt me. I ain't dumb, yet everything says that he will.

He was just trying to help me, you stupid brain. He's safe.

Accepting- no, that isn't the word. Dealing with physical contact is so much harder. Keeping a neutral expression is harder.

And don't even ask me about sleep. I don't sleep anyway, and when Shouta and I do what we usually do, I feel like the air is being taken from my lungs. Yet, I have to act fine.

To top it off, eating is no longer appealing. The snap in my head makes me not want to eat. I eat anyway so that nobody gets suspicious. It's a fucking chore whenever he is around.

I'm a mess.

Of course, Shouta would fucking notice all this, and that makes my life so much more difficult because now he is helicoptering me to make sure I am okay. He's asked me multiple times what's wrong, and I manage to come up with these half-ass excuses since I can't exactly tell him that my body wants to fucking suffocate itself whenever he is around.

I've learned to become an amazing actor when it comes to being 'me' and falling asleep despite the agony it puts me in.

That's fucked up.

This is all fucked up.

I just want to be okay.

Shouta is my bestfriend and brother, and I trust him with my life. I want to be around him without suffering.

Why can't I just be okay?

- - -

Author's After Notes

I mean, they never specified to give him comfort. Just to make him suffer.

This is based off personal experience. While I have never been slapped, I've had times where someone went off on me, and I would do everything in my power to stay on their good side. These are the reactions I had.

Despite this being based on a canon scene, the reaction written is not canon to my story. I just want to make that clear. 

Remember that if you have any prompts you want me to do with this Izuku or whoever else is important in this universe to @ MagieMagical so your prompt can get my attention. I'm likely to do it.