Next To Me

Chapter 16: Can I Hold Onto You?

~Revised 30/01/24~

As [Y/n] exited the battle trial building, she noticed Izuku waiting outside for her.

Izuku's face instantly flushed upon seeing her half torn hero costume, exposing more of her skin than he had ever seen before. He covered his red face with one of his hands, peaking glances over at the girl every once in a while. [Y/n] sighed and hugged her body, feeling even more self conscious about herself.

"W-whoa, [Y/n]! A-are you okay?! Y-your costume..." Izuku asked with blushing concern.

She looked down at the ground. "Yeah, I'm alright,"

Instantly, Izuku noticed the sadness in her voice and let his hand fall from his face, staring at her with even more concern. It was rare that [Y/n] was ever anything but cheery and happy. Throughout their many years of knowing each other, Izuku could only recall a handful of times when he had seen her like this.

"[Y/n]?" His voice was softer, his big green eyes swimming with worry. What happened between her and Kacchan?

[Y/n] shifted her arms, hugging them closer around her body. "I'm okay. I just need to get changed." Her voice was almost unrecognizable, it was so beat.

Izuku placed a soft hand on her shoulder and noticed her slightly flinch. She had never reacted that way before, always leaning into his touch, never flinching under it. [Y/n] couldn't help it this time, as if it were suddenly an instinctual response. She knew her quirk wasn't activated, but the guilt that was tugging away at her common sense made her feel as if she were still dangerous to touch.

She felt Izuku slightly lift his hand from her shoulder. She felt worse. She knew she was being cold for no reason. Izuku didn't do anything wrong, after all.

"I'm sorry," her voice came out barely above a whisper this time. Izuku tilted his head towards hers. "I-I messed up," she finally spoke.

Izuku stared at her with the same, concerned expression, hoping she would elaborate.

[Y/n] tore her gaze from the ground, looking ahead. "We should probably make our way to the viewing area." Her voice was cold and concerningly monotone.

Izuku just nodded in response, walking patiently beside her. [Y/n] looked back down at the ground, watching the pavement move under her feet.

"Katsuki...he started saying some terrible things... and... and it was wrong of me, but they made me really...angry...so I used the other side of my quirk on him..." She said, her voice trailing off at the end.

"That doesn't surprise me, Kacchan says a lot of cruel things. As bad as it is to say, he probably deserved it." Izuku said, trying his best to cheer her up.

[Y/n] gave him a small side glance before looking back at the road.

"Yeah, I guess, but, I don't know, I guess I just feel bad. I don't like to use that side on my peers...even if they are playing the part of a villain." She sighed.

Izuku couldn't help but crack a small smile. He knew full well that Katsuki 100 percent deserved an ass kicking. He hadn't heard what he said to [Y/n], but his imagination wasn't too far off from the truth. Izuku couldn't help but find it amusing to think about the delicate, bubbly [Y/n], in her bright white and blue costume, kicking Katsuki's tall, intimidatingly muscular, ass.

"I can understand that..." Izuku thoughtfully said. "But, it's part of who you are. Your quirk is amazing and I think you're one of the coolest, bravest, and most selfless heroes I know! I mean, I saw Kacchan walk out of the building and he looked perfectly fine. Other than, he was more angry than usual..."