Satou's POV

"Both of you, head inside! Now!" I yelled at Kamakiri and Fukidashi, who were still strewn on the ground in a hug. Kamakiri looked at me with slight surprise in his eyes, but listened. He pulled up Fukidashi and basically carried him to the front door.

I jumped off the porch and ran as fast as I could to the main building. I don't think we'll be attacked today, normally you'd plant a note first, then wait it out to scare your victim, then attack. You wait before they can really devise a plan... so while it's not now, it will be soon.

Even sooner if you count that the staff are all experienced pros, and students that have been through more shit than you can imagine.

I raced into the school building, darting around every corner and hallway to get onto our floor. Mr. Aizawa should be grading our papers.

I basically slammed into the classroom, Aizawa staring at me from his desk in shock. Present Mic was sitting on one of the desks across from him. Not only did I just barge into the room, my face was sweaty and pink, there were probably a couple of tears falling from my eyes too, so it's no wonder why they gave me such worried looks.

"What's up, little listener? Whatcha in such a rush for??" Mic says gently and jumps off the desk, walking quickly over to me. I basically push the envelope into his chest. It's only now that I notice how blurry my vision is and how much my eyes burn from the salt in my tears. Worry and anxiety overcame my body, my knees buckling beneath me. I leaned against the doorframe to keep from completely falling, but I hardly had any strength left. I could basically feel it being leeched from my body as I crumbled into a ball of despair and fear. We've been through too much... we narrowly made it out last time we were attacked by villains... it was by pure luck that Ojirou came back, what if that happens again?? What if someone else dies because I couldn't find out fast enough that we were being targeted?? HOW CAN I EVER BE A HERO IF I FAIL TO SAVE MY FRIENDS?!

I saw the dark figure of Aizawa shoot out of his seat and dash over to me, Mic stood off to the side and read the letter. I saw his eyes dash across the paper, then flip it over. More and more fear began to fill his eyes until it was all that remained within him.

"Hey... Satou, look at me." I reluctantly met the eyes of my teacher. Mr. Aizawa's gaze wasn't pitiful, it was understanding. He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tightly, it was surprisingly safe.. and warm.

"Ai,,Aizawa... Id d- don't want anyone else to die... n not agai,,n Aizawa..." I held him tightly. Never letting go.

"No one will die, Satou... not on our watch." He pat my back and rubbed the top of my head soothingly. I saw Mic discreetly pass the note to Mr. Aizawa. He was stiff, but the fear in his eyes eased. It took Aizawa a mere second to read the note.

"I.. recognize the handwriting, but I don't remember where from. I'll find out who wrote it, and we'll track them down. Everyone will track them down. I won't rest until we find whoever's behind this." I heard him crush the paper behind me.

"Wh-When will we tell everyone else?"

"Right now. Everyone needs to know as soon as possible so we can take as many precautions and safety procedures as possible before they decide to attack. We'll ensure your friends are safe, Satou." Aizawa's voice was stern and serious. I trust him. I trust him with my life.

"You should head to Hound Dog. You're incredibly shaken up, and he can offer whatever you need right now."

"O..Ok"

"You know where his office is, yes?"

"Yes, sir."

"Would you like me or Mic to walk you down?"

"..no, sir. I'll be alright."

"Alright, I trust you," He slowly begins to let go of me "While you're gone, I'll call every hero here and warn them of the situation. You're all going to be safe and ok."

I look at him and nod, wiping the tears from my eyes. I push myself off of the doorframe and stand to leave. My legs are a little wobbly as I walk out, but it's enough to get me to Hound Dog's office.

The last thing I see before I leave is Aizawa running towards the phone, Mic directly behind him.

-----------------------------------------------------

???'s POV

"You planted the note, yeah?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Did you see anyone pick it up?"

"Satou Rikidou of class A."

"Perfect. Now they know we're coming."

"I thought Yakuza hid in the shadows?"

"We do, but sometimes exceptions are to be made. Especially against these brats."

"Fair enough... but why exactly are we doing this again, boss?"

"For the girl."

"The girl?"

"Yes. She escaped me once.

It won't happen again."

---

Shigaraki's POV

"(H...Have any of you seen Rikidou?)" The shy boy of class A (Kouda, I think) asked us.

"Haven't seen him, sorry"

"I think I saw him run into UA's main building. Maybe he went to see Aizawa?" Touya spoke up next to me, and Kouda left with a quiet "thank you.."

"He's so cute" Toga smiled dreamily and cupper her face in her hands.

"We must protect him at all costs."
"I'll literally murder a bitch"

"Calm down, Jin." Iguchi pulls up Bubaigawara's mask just slightly to peck him on the cheek, quickly going back to his game of Animal Crossing. Bubaigawara quickly melts into him, hanging his arms around him and laying his head on top of his.

"Y'all so cute."

"Sako, I will literally kill you if you say y'all again."

"Do it, Shiggy. I dare you."

"...too tired."

"That's what I thought." He smiles smugly and leans against Kurogiri's shoulder. Next to me I hear Touya chuckle, and it sends ripples of shock through my body. The quiet sound was enough to completely shut me down into nothing but... calm and happy.

"You give up easy, huh Shigaraki?" He pats my head gently.. and I accidentally lean into his touch.

I could feel the silence permeate the room as everyone just sits and stares at me. Blood rushes to my face and I snap.

"The fuck are you staring at?!" I get so caught up with how annoyed I am, I forget to regain myself. I shrink back in disappointment. I've been trying to better express myself.. or to not get so angry over the smallest things, but it hasn't been working. I always get angry when I show even the slightest bit of weakness towards anyone, and I snap at whoever points it out...

But they don't get mad at me.

They just laugh and smile instead.

"It's alright, Shigs. We know how much you looove Touya, but we never knew you were touch starved!"

"I-I'M-"

"You can't say you're not when you just leaned into Touya's hand like a cat."

"...fuck off." I cover my reddening face with my gloved hands.

"Gladly. Kurogiriiiii, darlinggg, come with me and we can make some tea~"

"Sounds fine by me, Sako. Lead the way." Sako takes Kurogiri by the hand and walks towards the kitchen, but not before looking back to give a wink to Toga.

"OH! Oh- unmmmm,, Jin, Shuichi!! I found a cupcake recipe I want to try, come with me!!"

"But I'm pla-UWAGHH-"

"You can play Animal Crossing in the kitchen with me!! C'mon Jin!!!"

"Stealing my boyfriend is illegal, Toga!!"
"I'll have your toes for this."

And thus, the only ones left...

Were me and Touya.

"...sooo-"

"Shut up."

"Oookay."

As much as I would love to get as close to him as possible... feel his warm hands run through my hair or slightly graze my neck... I won't let him. There are too many people staring. Too many people in here to judge us. And I won't fucking let me. There's no way to be judged if you don't give them a reason to, keep to yourself and no one will pay any mind... no one will care... no one cares.. About me...

"Wanna leave?" I hear Touya's voice and turn my head to look up at him. Bright blue, almost glowing eyes meet my own. The gaze he gives me is chilling. He isn't smiling, but he isn't frowning, just completely neutral... yet I feel an air of softness with him.

"..yeah."

"Alright. Go up and get changed. You can't come out in dirty pajamas."

"Bitch-"

"Wanna leave or not?"

...

I get up and head to the stairs, walking up onto my floor. Aizawa was nice enough to let the league sleep in empty rooms they had on all the floors. I'm on the second floor with Sako, Shuichi and Jin. Touya's on the fifth floor with Todoroki, Sero and Satou, Toga's on the 4th floor with Mina and Uraraka, Hido's on the 4th floor with Shouji, Kirishima and Bakugou, and I don't know where Kurogiri will be staying.

I step into my room, and I always forget how minimalistic it is. Just a regular bed, a couple bean bags, a dresser, desk, mini-fridge, and my gaming console set up under a TV. The walls were a pale blue.

I walk to my dresser; I don't want to draw attention to myself, so I'll just wear something simple. Black jeans tucked into boots, powder blue hoodie under a black leather jacket, jacket sleeves rolled to my elbows. Simple, warm and comfy.

I slowy made my way outside, nervous to meet up with Touya. What if this is a trick? What if he's trying to embarass me even more? He's done it before... why should I trust him now? Just because I like him?? Pathetic.

Yet, I'm gonna meet up with him anyways.

...I'm pathetic.

Begrudgingly, I make my way down the stairs, regretting every step, yet never stopping or turning back. If this is how I'm humiliated, this is how I'm humiliated.

The steps down the stairs hurt, and even as I step onto the common room floor, it does nothing but unease me more. So why am I not turning back? Surely I don't trust him... is my body my own anymore? Do I even know what I'm feeling? I see him just up ahead... dressed in a clean white shirt, a green fur-follar military jacket that reaches about his mid thigh, lack ripped jeans and combat boots. He also looked super comfy... I wonder what the huge jacket would feel like around me.. maybe it's even smell like him.

Did I seriously just think that? Why am I so hopeless?

"You ready?" He smiles at me. Stop fucking smiling you adorable dumbass.

"Yeah." I say simply and rush last him. I don't know when or how, but it was nighttime, and it was so cold you could see your own breath. The sky was scattered with stars, and the moon seemed a bit larger than normal, casting light onto the earth.

"Wow, how long did it take everyone to come back?" He skips down the steps beside me, plopping onto the stone pavement beneath, skipping slowly down the path. It looked like he was listening to music. How he'd make small jumps in the air, kick his feet out the slightest bit once they hit the ground like a dancer, doing small spins and hops as he went on with the happiest smile and a joyful glint that reflected in his eyes because of the moon. Even at nighttime, when nothing was able to be seen, he radiated a brightness I didn't even know existed in him before leaving the league.

"Oi, you coming or what?" He turned to face back to me, sliding across the walkway as if he was skating on ice. His eyes squinted and cheeks lifted because of the smile on his face. He was entrancing.

"Yeah, yeah. Just hold up a second there, Happy Feet." I scolded him and he stood there, waiting for me. The moon hit his body differeny the more steps I took, the perspective constantly changing. His staples twinkled like the stars above, his burnt skin looked like black holes under the dark, his eyes like neon lights, begging me to come closer. I couldn't help it, I basically ran to catch up with him.

"I always loved nights like these, where you could clearly see the moon and stars. It makes everything look so..." His eyes slowly trail upwards to meet my own.

"Beautiful."

Thankfully, it's dark, so he can't see my tomato-face.

"..makes sense."

We walk in silence for a minute or two. I was following his lead since I had no idea where we were. Honestly... it kinda scared me.

"No need to be so tense, Shig. I'm not gonna like... take you into an alley and murder you or anything."

"Wish you would, honestly."

"I felt that." His laughter is like music to my ears. I've got it bad.

"But.. I was just thinking we could go out to eat. Maybe not a full meal, but wherever you want to go, I'll follow." He smiled at me with the same gentle gase before, the same one that's driving me insane. How can I trust him? He betrayed me once before... hiding his past.

..then again, he was captured.

He forgot his own past.

..because of something my league did.

And he regained his memory

..but had no way of telling me.

I got angry with him... gave up and joined him... realized it was much better here..

...I've been shown nothing but kindness and trust... ever after all I've done... and for what? Nothing. They did it from their own hearts. They expect nothing in return, I gained friends... and.. they like me.

Touya likes me. He wouldn't have stood up for the league if he didn't. He trusts me,

Both as a leader,

And a friend.

..

...

I'm such a fucking asshole.

"I don't care where we eat, you can pick whatever's cheapest." I should at least try to be a little nicer.

"...milkshakes?"

"Milkshakes."

"...burgers too?"

"Fries."

He nods quickly and grabs my hand, running towards God knows where while dragging me close behind. City lights and cars passed by us like comets, it was an odd experience, but much more peaceful than it sounded.

Around the corner of a random street, a bright light was shining through the dark. Open windows of a diner showcased a near-empty house inside, a place where we couldn't be recognized by too many strangers.

We made our way to the front door before I could compute what was going on, and Touya bowed his head while opening it for me.

"My liege~"

"Get up, dumbass."

"Of course, my lord~" He teased as we walked inside. It smelled like bacon and maple syrup.

"Good evening, sirs, how may I-" The server takes a quick glance at us before shrinking back in horror. Of course he just had to recognize us.

"Y-YOU'RE WITH TH- THE-"

"Relax." Touya raised his hand in defense and reached slowly into one of the pockets of his jackets. The server looked at him with fear and caution, his hook-ended tail straightening out and the small horns (well, horn and a half. The tip was cut off of one) on his forehead sharpening.

Out of his pocket, Touya slipped out a piece of paper.

He handed it to the server, who took it with shakey claws.

Scanning over it, fear left him, but not completely. More surprise.

"All Might??"

"Yep." Touya held his hand back out to take the paper, it was slid into his hand with carefulness.

"Uh-Uh... in that case... what can I get you sirs?"

"I'll take a large Cherry/Dark Chocolate shake to go," he leans forward and whispers to me. "(What do you want?)"

"(..a medium Salted Caramel and Pretzel shake, extra large chili and cheese fries to share.)" He nods and looks back to the server.

"A large salted caramel and pretzel shake and extra large chili cheese fries. To go as well." He says with upmost confidence. I glare at him, ordering a large will only cost us more money. He smirks back at me.

"Uh- Ok- that'll be ¥1,404 ($12.79)." He says shakily, but it was clear he was trying to show he had some confidence. Dabi pulls out ¥1,647 ($15) and hands it to him.

"Keep the change, take your time." He gives a simple thumbs up and the guy basically ran back into the kitchen.

"...so do you think that guy's quirk is demon or tiefling?"

"Tiefling. Demons have wings."

"Not all of them do~"

"...I'm still going with tiefling."

"Nerd."

"Shut the fuck up."

"I'm back!!" He calls out to us, a small tray of our drinks and fries now on the counter.

"Ooo, that was quick." Touya grabs our drinks and hands mine to me, also grabbing for the fries once I take the shake.

"Thank you for coming! Have a nice night!"

"You too!"

We walk out of the diner, and I can practically feel the kid's ease.

"What was on the note?"

"An official document from the Musutafu Police Deparment saying that our criminal records were cleared by All Might."

"...fun. Why was this to go?"

"I wanna find a nice spot to eat outside-" he stops abruptly, looking at an abandonded park with woods behind it.

"And I think I just found it."

He speed walks off into the directon of the park, and I struggle to keep up.

"tOUYA yOu DiCK-"

"I am what I eat!" He runs off through the beaten down swing set and under the hanging monkey bars into the woods. Reluctantly, I follow him into the thicket, struggling to see as the canopy above blocks the light from the moon and stars.

"TOUYA!! WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?!"

"Right next to you."

"Oh. Hey." I look up and to my right to see his radiant eyes. He laughed at me for a bit and nudged my shoulder, urging me to follow him.

"Why are we eating?? In the goddamn woods??"

"Every forest has an open clearing, you just have to find it." He looks around. The further we got into the forest, the more light was shining through. The canopy was getting thinner and thinner... until... we found it.

The clearing.

The grass was higher than the rest of the forest, the plants having more room to grow without tree roots getting in the way. Big purple and blue flowers scattered the area, and the openings between the trees let the moon's light shine through, casting a blueish-white tint on the area around us. There were two trees who grew abnormally, bending and leaning into each other to form an arch over the land, where the most light was shining. It seemed like a gateway to some sort of heaven, almost.

"Guess we found the spot." I say and head towards the arch, leaning against one if the bent trees.

"We found our spot." Touya says and sits across from me against the other tree. He shoots a small blue flame onto a patch of grass and quickly stomps it out before it grew any more. He sat down the fries there, in between the two of us.

I took a small sip from my milkshake and looked to the side, not able to stare at him for any longer. It would be too much for me to handle. I lean forward to grab a fry, but, like in a clichè romance novel, our hands graze and I quickly pull mine back, already feeling the blush form on my body.

"Sorry about that." He says nonchalantly. I eat my fry to avoid speaking. Why was he doing this to me? For me? Why would he willingly waste his money on some rude piece of shit like me???

I turned my gaze towards him just slightly, I saw he was also turned and admiring the sliver moonlight through the green brush.

"...why."

He stopped abruptly with a jump and slowly turned to face me.

"Why what?"

I still refuse to face him, hot tears feel like they're forming in my eyes. I let out a sigh to clear my voice of any shakiness.

"Why waste your time on me? Your money? Surely there are people more valuable." My lip began to tremble as I finished speaking. I could feel his surprise.

"Well... I have sort of a... confession to make. I brought you out here for a reason... other than me seeing you nervous and just wanting to help."

I felt his eyes burn holes into the side of my face.

"..th,,that would be?"

"...

I like you, Tomura."

"Why..."

"Bec-"

...

I couldn't stop myself.

I slammed my milkshake onto the ground (none spilled, thanfully), stood up, and walked away. I was twitching, I was scratching my neck with one hand, and trying to stop the endless flow of tears leaving my eyes with the other.

"-WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT?? IS THIS SOME SORT OF GAME TO YOU?? AM I SOME SORT OF TOY YOU CAN JUST MESS AROUND WITH AND MAKE FUN OF??!"

I hear him stand and run towards me.

"DON'T COME CLOSER. I KNOW WHAT GAME YOU'RE PLAYING AT!! YOU WON'T TRICK ME!!"

My voice was completely broken. I'm not even sure if he could understand me.

"Tomura, I-!"

"I LIKE YOU TOO, BUT YOU KNOW THAT ALREADY, HUH? YOU'RE JUST SAYING IT TO MAKE ME BELIEVE, AND THEN CRUSH MY EVERY HOPE AND PIECE KF TRUST I HAVE LEFT!! IF I BELIEVE YOU, I'LL END UP MORE HURT THAN BEFORE!! JUST LIKE WITH AL- WITH ALL F-"

I had to stop myself.

"I won't let you trick me... I won't let you... I woN'T LE-"

He hugs me.

He doesn't tackle me, doesn'r roughly pull me in or slam my body against his,

He grabbed me with the softest touch of his hand,

He ran it up my arm and around my back,

His other hand gently made it's way around my waist,

He held onto me, squeezing just barely and so gently that I barely felt it.

His hand was in my hair, softly rubbing at my roots at the back of my head. His face dug into my shoulder as I felt wetness seep through it. My lower back was gently caressed while he tenderly hugged me... holding me.. in his arms.

Everything felt warm and soft.

"I',m so sorry,," He whimpered.

"I had no idea... that you felt like this..." His voice broke down into almost unintelligible whispers with a broken voice. Even his words were soft.. but still sounded like they cut through his throat like a knife.

"Had I known.. I never would've-"

He sucks in a sharp breath.

"I'm sorry,

I'm so sorry...

I love you, Tomura."

I stopped.

I grabbed him.

And I hugged him.

The tears burnt the split, dry and chapped areas of my skin... but I don't care. All I cared about right now was Touya.

We weren't moving, we weren't doing anything except listening to the other's breathing steady and gently cry into eachother. We kept going until we had nothing left to cry, and heard that the other stopped.

But... that wasn't until a while after.

For now, we hugged, we cried, and... we cared.

For each other.

We both finally got the answer to the one thing we had repeatedly asked ourselves... what had kept us up at night and what we were never allowed to pursue due to fear of death, abandonment, commitment, judgement...

We both finally found our answers,

And admitted them.

"I love you too, Touya."