The girl you saw in the mirror was different from the one you always thought you knew. Her eyes were dead, sickly almost, and the default smile was gone.

You were changed. The world was now cast in a different light.

Who am I?

I don't even know anymore...

"Meooooooow." Kuro purred and rubbed up against your leg.

"Oh, sorry Kuro..." You mumbled. "I forgot what I was doing..."

You continued brushing your teeth, lazily running the bristle across only the front. Your mind was still running.

The internship period is almost over. There's no point contacting Aizawa now...

With your free hand, you pulled your phone up before your face.

And Shouto hasn't texted me back in two days. He must be busy with his-

RINGRINGRINGRING

"AHH-" The sudden ringing made you nearly swallow your toothbrush. When you managed to cough it back up, you registered the contact name.

Shouto.

"H-Hello?" You answered and wheezed out quickly. "Shouto?"

"(Y/n), are you alright? You sound distressed..." He answered.

It had felt like so long since you had heard his voice.

"I'm alright... Sorry, my toothbrush was trying to murder me."

"Oh, that's strange. I didn't know toothbrushes had the capacity to do such things." He joked.

"They don't." You giggled softly. "What's up? Is your internship keeping you busy?"

"Uh, about that... I'm actually at Hosu general hospital-"

"YOU WHAT?!"

- - -

You sprinted down the hospital hallway, eyes desperately searching for his room.

Come on, where is it?! They said this ward-

"Excuse me, ma'am, please don't run." A nurse called over. You stopped immediately and slowed your pace.

"Sorry about that!" You answered in a hurry.

Dammit (y/n), just calm down...

This past week had taken quite a toll on you. The last thing you needed was this kind of a call. But you took the train out to the Hosu hospital as soon as you received the news.

There!

When your eyes landed on the appropriate door number, you rushed in while trying your darnedest to maintain some semblance of calm. Your eyes met his almost immediately.

"Shouto..." You muttered, eyes scanning the damage that had been done to his body. "Your arm..."

"You didn't have to come all the way out here (y/n)." He simply replied.

"Eh, oh I know... I guess I just wanted to confirm that you were okay for myself." You chuckled.

I feel a world apart right now. I don't know what to do with myself.

You had barely noticed your other two classmates in the room also.

"Izuku and Iida too? Just what kind of trouble have you been getting yourselves into!" You glanced at the two. Iida was beaten up the worst, his arm wrapped in a full cast.

"Ah, you know! Just the usual!" Izuku joked, scratching the back of his head.

"It's good to see you (y/n)." Iida said. "I hope your internship went a bit better than ours."

Ah geez, what internship.

"Y-Yeah..." You glanced away. It was hard to look at any of them in the eyes. But worst of all was Shouto. His eyes were always honest and burning. After the first exchange of eye contact with him, you had become near exhausted. "So what happened? Did you all get into a rough fight?"

Iida, Izuku, and Shouto all exchanged glances briefly.

"Did you not hear about the Hosu incident yesterday (y/n)?" Izuku questioned.

"Hosu incident?" You curiously said. "Was it big?"

Iida scrunched his brows.

"It was all over the news. Three nomus attacked the city." He said. His eyes grew darker. "Stain was also out and actively attacking heroes."

"Eh?" You felt ignorant, to say the least. But then again, being cooped up in your room with no access to the outside world wasn't the ideal place to get caught up on recent events. "Sorry... I didn't have a chance to watch the news."

"You don't need to apologize for that," Shouto said.

"Okay..." You muttered. "So what happened? Rough Nomu fight?"

"No, we were attacked by Stain." He replied, eyes turning down towards the sheets. "But... We were saved by Endeavor..."

Shouto... Your eyes...

You found yourself making your way across the room to his bedside. He glanced up as you sat beside him. You were reluctant to move much closer though.

"I'm glad that you're doing alright..." You smiled softly. "All of you."

Something was still off. It felt like you were in a box, separated from the rest of them.

"Shall we go take a walk?" Shouto suggested. He was sharp as usual. It didn't take him long to notice that same feeling. The air had been stiff the moment you stepped foot in that room.

"It's alright. You should rest Todoro-" You halted your words.

Shouto raised an eyebrow. It had only been a little over a week. How could you have forgotten? You bit the inside of your lip, heart straining.

(Y/n), you idiot...

"I've rested plenty and my legs are getting stiff." Shouto insisted. He stood quickly and slid his hand into yours before you could say anything about it. "Come on."

Warmth.

That was the first thing you felt. It was a feeling you had started to forget. It may have been only a few days after you had found out the truth, but they were dark and cold and lonely. You couldn't get yourself going in the mornings and you refused to see Ai or Ranka.

That warmth was terrifying. You feared that if you weren't careful, Shouto Todoroki would grow cold once again.

And it would be your fault.

"O-Okay..." You finally agreed. In a gentle motion, you pulled your hand from his and just walked beside him out the door.

- - -

The hospital courtyard wasn't anything luxurious, but it was quiet and serene. Definitely a good place to talk about serious things. Through the halls and the elevators of the hospital, you hadn't said a word to each other. To make matters worse, you could feel Shouto glancing at you every so often, but it was a gesture you were unable to return. Dabi's sinister words echoed in the back of your mind.

"(Y/n)." Shouto called over.

'Do you really think Shouto Todoroki will accept you like this?'

"Are you listening?" He attempted once more.

'There's no place for you here.'

"Hey..." Two hands were on either side of your face. Shouto had finally gained your attention by physically turning your head to face him.

"Oh... We're sitting..." You muttered, completely oblivious to the fact that you were now seated on a bench outside.

"Yeah." He sighed. Shouto released your face and allowed his arms to settle against his knees, gaze still focused on you. "What have you been thinking about? Your mind seems to be wandering."

"On my mind... Well-"

'Do you really think Shouto Todoroki will accept you like this?'

Your voice got caught in your throat. You could barely breathe.

Damnit! Get out of my head!

"(Y/n)?" Shouto softly asked. His eyes searched for answers. Your heart raced and you felt yourself falling into a cold sweat. "You look pale."

'You acted the way you did with justice in mind.'

It's like Dabi was right behind you, mouth by your ear, voice still ringing in your head.

"Go away..." You muttered lowly.

"What did you say?" Shouto tilted his head in confusion, leaning towards you slightly.

'I know what you need.'

"I said go away!" Your voice raised slightly, hands flying over your ears and your eyes squeezed shut.

"(Y/n)..." He softly called, hand reaching up towards your face. "What are you-"

'I understand who you are better than anyone.'

"NO-!" Your hand moved without consent from your mind. You slapped his advance away.

It was the feeling of unfamiliar eyes on you that dispelled the breathing in your ear. When you opened your eyes, you quickly turned, searching the area behind you for Dabi.

But he wasn't there.

You turned back forward, once again realizing where you were. You took a sharp breath in.

Shouto-!

He looked confused and defeated. Before you had the chance to explain yourself or comfort him, the unwelcomed presence loomed behind you once more. 

'There's no place for you here. You should already know that.'