After being scolded thoroughly by all of the class mothers - Tenya, Yaomomo, and Kiri - we got to work on patching the battered pair as best we could. There were basic first aid things in the kitchen, and Yaomomo made as much as she could.

Todoroki hissed as Midoriya poured solutions on his grazes and Tenya prodded at his swollen ankle. Katsuki kept as quiet as he could, but couldn't help the high pitched noise of pain that escaped him when I started dabbing coolant on a particularly nasty burn on his bicep.

"I'd like to apologise, Bakugo. I was enraged when I discovered that you bullied Izuku. From your current attitude, it didn't seem as though you cared. So all I could do was turn to violence. It wasn't very heroic of me. And I was clearly very wrong about you, too."

"I don't need your damn apologies Icy- ah!" I looked up sheepishly but continued to tightly wrap up his arm. "Yeah. Whatever. I guess I'm sorry too. I... We did take it a bit far. I've gotten used to punching my problems. Forgot there was a... friend... behind the problem." He continued stiffly, clearly quite uncertain about calling Todo a friend. But his words made the half-and-half boy smile, so he smiled in return.

"I'm glad you've made up. And I'm glad to finally know your true feelings, Kacchan. I just wish they weren't brought out like this. And that they weren't so resentful." Kat simply looked away from Mido's gaze. Ochaco handed him a hot chocolate, which he took with a nod.

"Your ankle is sprained, it seems." Tenya eventually diagnosed, putting the ice pack back over the swelling on Todoroki's ankle. We all breathed a sigh of relief. "It'll put a dent in our plans, but we need you to rest it before we can break into anywhere."

"I'm ashamed. My brashness has ruined things for you Hinami." He hung his head dejectedly.

"Don't worry, Todo. I mean, your dad's there too. Just focus on making a full recovery and be happy that it wasn't something serious. You," I turned back to Kat, hitting him gently on the head. "Haven't done any real damage other than that burn on your arm either. Luckily. You need rest too. You're both banned from training tomorrow." They started protesting. "No use in arguing. A day off. Or else! One more thing before you're done, Kat." I pressed a firm kiss onto each of his sore and aching forearms, just like he had done for me when I had been injured.

"I think that marks you done too, Shoto."

"Thank you, Izuku. You're wonderful."

"Thank you, Hinami, the best in the entire world!" Kat declared, never one to be outdone. I giggled, using my thumb to wipe away some hot chocolate on his lip and revelling in his light blush afterwards.

It was gone two by the time we had all gotten back to bed. The Dekusquad had gone back to their own room to sleep. Sero and Kami were curled up like kittens again. Kiri and Mina were still top-to-tail, but had actually done it on purpose this time, which was an achievement in Mina's books. Once they were asleep, I got up and went to the bathroom. A few seconds later, Kat came pattering in.

"Are you upset again?" He frowned as I patted the floor beside me.

"No. This is for you."

"Huh?"

"Sit." He obediently sat next to me, allowing me to pull him into my chest and wrap my arm around him. "Stop pretending you're fine."

"Don't use my own words against me."

"Then don't be a fucking hypocite. I can't believe what I heard tonight! Do you... Do you really feel that way?" Looking away quickly, he grunted in a non-reply. "Katsuki..."

"So what if it is?" He crossed his arms glumly.

"I'm your girlfriend, Kat. I care about you. A lot. And I'll do everything in my power to make this better. We're in this together, okay?" The word 'girlfriend' put him a bit more at ease, as it usually did. I realised how much he needed the validation and reassurance that came with me saying these things out loud.

"You don't need this shit. Your parents... My problems are stupid compared to yours. I want you to focus on your family."

"They aren't stupid. Not if they're causing you so much hurt. So talk to me. I'll be honest, I probably won't be able to give you much advice. But getting it all off your chest will be better than begging Todoroki to beat you up..." After a moments deliberation, Kat finally leant into my touch.

He started from the beginning.

He told me how he used to be best friends with Midoriya. How Mido grew up quirkless while he flew ahead with his amazing power. How he was constantly praised and put above the rest.

And he told me about one fatal day.

He had fallen off of a tree they were using as a bridge across a small creek. Midoriya had been the only one to go down and help him up. Something about someone who was quirkless, small, weak, putting his hand out to pull him up had made him feel vulnerable. From that day forward, he took his self-hatred out on the only person who had cared enough to see if he was okay.

It was a vicious cycle for Midoriya, and for him. Every time he felt stupid, useless, less-than, or otherwise shitty, he'd push Mido around to make himself feel better. And every time things would get better, his fragile ego was inevitably shattered, and the bullying began anew. Even though he wanted to stop, to apologise, to become friends again, it was as though he couldn't control himself anymore. As soon as the other boy was in front of him, the blows would come of their own accord.

It escalated.

And it escalated.

And it escalated.

Until one day, he said those words.

As soon as they spilled out of his mouth, he wanted to take it back. Even now, it made him want to be sick. He was disgusted with himself. More than I've ever seen anyone be before.

He was crying again as he told me.

"What if he had done it?" He sobbed into my shoulder. I ran my fingers through his blonde spikes comfortingly, cooing sweet nothings into his ear. "How could I live with myself if he had- I- I couldn't. I would do it too. I... I considered it anyway." Trying not to let myself be outwardly affected by his words, I simply took a deep breath and continued my soothing actions. "I wish he hated me. No matter what I did, he would follow behind me, always trying to catch up to me, always trying to be my friend. It was like he was mocking me. Sugoi, Kacchan! It would be so much easier... I deserve to be hated!"

"Shhh... You were a bad person. But you were a child. One who didn't know how to deal with his emotions because he hadn't learnt how to yet. And you're still learning now. You'll always be learning."

"So I'll never be a good person?"

"You already are." I whispered, pressing my lips against the top of his head. "Midoriya sees that. He may still be affected by it, and he still may hold your words close. I can't tell you otherwise. But he's forgiven you. He's really forgiven you. So now you need to focus on forgiving yourself. And we'll all be there to help you love yourself as much as we all love you." He raised his head, his teary eyes meeting mine. His voice was thick and cracked.

"You mean it?"

"I promise to all of the stars above and beyond. You're not getting rid of me. Or any of us." I smiled as I cupped his wet cheeks gently. He returned it, though slightly watery and unsure of himself.

"I don't know where to start."

"We'll help. Nobody expects change overnight. Especially in such circumstances." A frown tugged at his lips again.

"I'm sorry. You don't need my stress-"

"I won't be hearing it!" I slapped my hand over his mouth. "No apologies!"

We resumed our previous position; my arms tight around him, strategically placed to avoid his injury, and him draped over me, head buried in the crook of my neck. No more words were spoken. We just sat in comfortable quiet until, eventually, darkness overcame us and pulled us off to sleep.

It was only a few hours later when someone calling my name tugged me away from my sweet dreams. My butt was numb, my legs and back ached, and I was entirely cold, save for a heavy heat on my chest and part of my lap.

"Oh! There you two are! Don't move. Let me get a phone!" Footsteps pattered away as I groggily opened my eyes.

I was sitting on the bathroom floor, my back pressed against the wall and my legs out straight in front of me. Katsuki was beside me. Well, half beside, half on. His head was on my shoulder, he was twisted awkwardly so our chests were pushed against each other, his arms were lazily resting around my waist, and his legs were tucked underneath him. He would definitely be even more numb and sore than I was. Especially after the fight.

Using my sleeve, I tried to gently wipe at any remaining tear stains he had on his face, not wanting the others to see them.

"Morning, beautiful." He said without opening his eyes, his voice was deep and gravelly from sleep.

"M-morning." My face warmed up.

"Aww! I missed it!" Mina whined, Kat's phone in hand. It didn't stop her from taking a photo anyway.

"Give me back my phone you fucking moron! I'll kill you!" Kat shot up, but instantly regretted it. His unsteady legs buckled and he fell on me.

"Ah! You oaf! That hurt!" I hit him, laughing. "And stopping your death threats is a good way to start." He picked himself up slowly, grumbling under his breath. Mina took the opportunity to run away.

"Come back here, Raccoon Eyes!" Before sprinting after her, Kat leant down and kissed me sweetly. "Thank you... Now get back here!" My hand raised to my cheek as he stomped after our pink friend, fingers brushing against where I could still feel his touch, a huge grin on my face.

God.

I love him so much.