inheritance | IC Inbox

I...hope so, too. [Izuku's voice goes quiet and subdued.]

Todoroki-kun and I tried to cut through the forest and find the other groups after we ran into that cult, but we just ended up out here again.

Yeah... with the way the forest separated us, I'm not sure there's much more we can do but wait.

[Trying to go back in would just be a waste, right? As much as Minato wants to too... he understands.]

[Izuku turns back to look at the forest, his lips turned down into a slight frown.]

Waiting's a lot harder when you can't really do anything.

It is... but we have to have faith in them. They might need our help when they get out, too, so...we can't go getting lost in the forest again.

[They have to be here for them.]

Y-yeah. [Izuku turns toward Minato with a wobbly smile.]

I...like my quirk, but sometimes I wish I could do something like healing, too, especially when things are like this. Maybe I should learn some first aid in case someone needs help and we can't reach a healer right away...

[Oh Izuku... Minato just shakes his head.]

There's never any harm in learning something new like that... but you can't beat yourself up because you can't heal. Everyone here has different skills, and those skills all have different use.

[So:]

If you could heal instead of what you can do, we'd be in trouble when we need you to do what only you can do.

I...I know. [Izuku rubs at his eyes, then gives a tired, little laugh.]

I just have a habit of thinking too much. My classmates would probably agree. [He plops himself right down on the ground with a sigh.] When it's quiet like this, I end up thinking of the possible scenarios, and what I might be able to do to help if it happened.

[Sheepishly--] I can't turn it off sometimes.

That's okay too, I think.

[Obviously, it winds Izuku up and stresses him out, but they all have tendencies they can't just pretend don't exist. It's better to acknowledge them and accept them, right?

And, quietly:]

So... you should keep talking about it. I think that helps, when you're stuck thinking too hard about things. At least then, you're not all alone with those thoughts.

[He's quiet for a moment before ducking his head.]

I don't want to bother anyone. [He knows he should be putting Guren's advice into practice and opening up more, but at the same time...he's only like this because he miscalculated. It should be his own burden to bear.]

I can't speak for everyone, but...

[Minato just shakes his head, expression patiently calm.]

You're not bothering me. I want to hear the way you're feeling, or what you're thinking about. Because we're friends, aren't we?

[That draws a smile from him, bright and unrestrained for a moment.] We are friends.

I forget it's different now, that I actually have people I can talk to.

[The grass under him rustles as he turns toward Minato, an imploring expression on his face.] Since...we're friends, you know that it's the same for you, right? I want to know what you're feeling and thinking, too.

[...Endearing. Minato's lips quirk upwards, and he tips his head forward in a small nod.]

Yeah, got it. I'll let you know when I need to talk.

We're all in this together, you know? The woods... but also this town, and everything we experience here... we only have each other to rely on. So please don't take it all just on your own shoulders.

[Izuku squirms, feeling a little exposed when Minato's words strike close to home.] I...guess I'm used to just keeping everything to myself.

I want to be someone that people can rely on...[He bows his head, mouth pressed into a thin line.] But instead, I've just been worrying people even more.

[Sorry, Izuku... sometimes, these are things they have to discuss. But Minato just nods quietly in response, expression gentle.]

... You can be someone people will rely on without taking everything onto your own shoulders.

Count on us...so we can count on you, too. Okay?

Because we're friends. [Izuku says quietly again, as if reminding himself.

He turns to Minato with a teary smile.] I'll try my best, Arisato-kun.

[It's a hard habit to break.]

That's all I can ask, really.

[Minato just nods quietly, flashing Izuku a very small smile.]

So thank you, Midoriya-kun.

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