Third person pov

When they made it back to the apartment, Harper fell asleep faster than she had in years. She was out like a light, slumping down on the couch next to Kurogiri. The ghastly man was silently overjoyed to have her leaning up against him, refusing to move a muscle for fear of waking her up. Dabi also seemed amused. Harper couldn't say, but she got the distinct impression that someone was taking pictures of her in her muddled state of exhaustion, but she didn't give a fuck. She was going to sleep for as long as she could. Even if that meant passing out alongside Kurogiri. Honestly, it was surprising she was able to sleep at all with his excited thoughts screaming at her.

Things with Sero had gone a lot better than she'd thought they would. He didn't throw anything at her, or strangle her. He didn't go nuts on Aimi either. It was almost like confirmation that what Harper believed was true-- he didn't remember jack shit about what happened that night. Or at least, he didn't remember enough. She had faith that he'd get better. And when he did, she'd pull every damn string she could get her grubby little hands on to make sure he returned to UA. He deserved it. As mushy as it sounded, she knew he could be a great hero if he just recovered. 

In a way, things felt like they were coming to a close. Yet at the same time, it was all just starting. It was the beginning and the end of so many things, and Harper was more tired than she had been in years. Somehow, despite her fatigue, she also felt like she was... she didn't really know. Happier, maybe? Though she didn't really talk or think about it, she wasn't blind enough not to see her own issues. She'd wrestled with depression for a long time now. Now that she felt she was getting better, it was apparent just how bad it had been. Harper hadn't even realized. 

It was nice to have people who cared. Tsukauchi was like a third parent to her. He loved and cared for her. In a roundabout way, Sansa did too. He was like that weird, drunk uncle who had a low self-esteem alongside a god complex. Kurogiri was... okay, so he was older than her, but he sort of felt like her child in a roundabout way. Which was weird because she'd honest to god never experienced motherhood in any way, shape, or form. But the feeling was there, so fuck it. There were more concerning things for her to worry about.

Dabi was like a brother to her, and she didn't even want to start on her classmates. She wasn't trying to be sappy when she said she could go on for hours. It was just the truth. Kirishima was undyingly loyal, and her gratitude towards him knew no bounds. Iida was someone she fretted over almost constantly, even if he was getting better now. Todoroki, Bakugo, Midoriya, Tsuyu, Hagakure-- just everyone! She cared about them all. And she was grown up enough to admit that and not be embarrassed about it. 

Even Stain and Sero she cared about. It was... nice. Maybe. She was pretty sure she wasn't supposed to get attached to a mass murderer and her mentally ill ex-classmate, but the damage was done. Her feelings were set. She could scoff and grumble over it all she wanted, but she knew herself well enough to know they wouldn't change. 

Harper slept fairly soundly. They were all very careful not to disturb her. They didn't even risk trying to move her or pull her shoes off to maximize comfort for fear that she'd stir. Instead they let Kurogiri silently vibrate in excitement as she slumbered on his shoulder. The gaseous man quietly requested they take extra pictures so that he could commemorate this experience in his 'Harper Rye is my best friend' scrapbook, which he apparently kept hidden inside one of the couch cushions. When Tsukauchi asked if he could see it, the Warp Gate user had experienced a full-body recoil that made everyone freeze. Harper didn't wake up, but nobody asked about the scrapbook again. 

Harper slept solidly for longer than she had in a very long time, but that didn't mean she wasn't dead tired when she woke up nonetheless. A full six hours of sleep didn't do much for her as she pushed herself up off the couch an hour before her alarm was set to go off and stumbled to the bathroom for a shower. Kurogiri awoke only a few minutes after she did and immediately noticed her absence. His blood-curdling scream of horror was enough to wake everyone in the house, and probably the neighbors to boot. Tsukauchi almost broke down his bedroom door coming out to see what was going on, bleary-eyed and panicked. Dabi was already at the sobbing Kurogiri's side when Harper called from the bathroom for them to 'shut the fuck up'. 

The morning went by slowly. Harper waited until an acceptable time before texting Kirishima. Just because she didn't get that much sleep didn't mean he shouldn't. Harper knew well and good he kept his ringer on full blast at night just in case anyone needed anything, and she wasn't about to abuse that. She sort of owed him, anyway. He dealt with almost as much bullshit as she did on a day-to-day basis. Even though he insisted he loved being included and had the thoughts to back it up, she still felt unsure. 

She sat at the bar and waited while Kurogiri clung to her and calmed down. Dabi was making breakfast today, and Tsukauchi already had a pot of coffee on. The whole thing was strangely domestic. If only her parents could see her now. They'd take a million photos and probably tease her. Ask her how parenthood was. They were crackheads. She questioned everyday how they'd managed to produce someone as cynical as her. Maybe she would've been just as cheerful as they were if things hadn't turned out the way they did.

"You know, that shit you pulled with Shoto was pretty cold." Dabi said as he set a plate of eggs and bacon in front of her. Harper gazed at him tiredly, her quirk grappling onto his thoughts with relative ease. "But I won't deny that it worked. Sometimes the straightforward approach really is best, I guess..."

"Damn right it was." Harper responded, grabbing the cup of coffee Tsukauchi offered to her without any hesitation. "You know I wouldn't have put you in there if I thought there was an easier way. Todoroki is a complicated guy. Sitting down and trying to talk things out with me there as a mediator wouldn't have worked. He may've even left."

"Yeah, it took him almost a whole hour to open up and really say anything." Dabi admitted, setting another plate in front of Kurogiri. The man sniffled, tentatively letting go of Harper. "You should really be a therapist."

"Yeah, no thanks. I deal with enough bullshit as is." She'd sooner jump off a bridge than be any sort of certified therapist or counselor. Harper sipped the coffee. It was absolutely scalding, but it was also packed with caffeine. You win some, you lose some. She'd take it. "I'll probably end up jobless and in a ditch."

"No!" Kurogiri gasped as though she were being serious. Which, to be fair, she sort of was. "Harper Rye, I will never allow you to be in a ditch of any kind for any reason! You have implied future homelessness, but I beg to differ. I am adept at many things. I could find someone to hire me, and then I could provide you a place to live."

"Harper, we talked about pessimism. It's too early." Tsukauchi chided. "She looks insanely tired. Maybe I should call in and tell Nezu she won't be coming in today. She could use a break, and Kirishima would take extra notes for her if we asked. I think she's had too much on her plate recently. I know her quirk is always on, but it has to put extra stress on her at times." 

"I'm going in today." Harper gave him a look, though she caught on his thought about her quirk causing extra stress. Her power wasn't something she could turn off, but there were times when she wondered if it really did wear her out more than usual. She'd seen a quirk therapist when she was... was younger but she... nothing had come from it. And she was never seeing one again. Hound Dog was the only counselor she could stand, and she'd kill herself before having sessions with him. She just... she couldn't. She wouldn't. 

"Can I come?!" Kurogiri questioned excitedly, his smoke flaring. "I want to go to school with her so that I can protect her and her classmates from the danger they will inevitably face based on statistics!" 

"We're supposed to go with her everyday, you dumb fuck." Dabi scoffed, handing Tsukauchi his plate. The detective gave a thankful look. "Sometimes I wonder if the burst of emotion Harper gave Kurogiri wiped out all his brain cells."

It was a good guess. Kurogiri was extremely intellectual, but he was still emotionally inexperienced, and thus appeared to be rather naive at times. He was, in a lot of ways. His emotions had vanished when he was a child she presumed. He'd alluded to being a bit of a late bloomer, so he probably still remembered his feelings to an extent. Still, he had the emotional capacity of a four to six year old at best. Hence why she was tossing him at Hound Dog.  

Harper grunted, shoving some food in her mouth and forcing herself to chew. Her appetite had essentially diminished entirely, leaving her stomach to churn as she forced food down her throat. Despite not feeling like eating, she knew she had to get something in her body. It would help her wake up and make her feel a lot better in the long run. Assuming she hadn't caught some sort of flu, that is. With all the hugging she'd been doing lately, it wouldn't surprise her if she'd caught something. Her lack of sleep always had made her more prone to sickness. 

Harper scrolled through her phone. Kirishima had responded to her good morning text.

Optimist #4: 
Good morning!!! Are you coming to school today? I think you should take the day off. You seemed reaaaaally tired last night.

Harper:
Yeah, I'll be there. Mr. Aizawa will let me nap if it gets bad. It's not like I can't just leave.

Optimist #4:
Yeah, I guess that's true. Have you eaten? Hydrated? 

Harper:
I've done both. I'll update you on what happened later. Things got pretty crazy.

Optimist #4:
Only if you want to! I mean, you don't have to. But I do want to know. But like, don't feel pressured to tell me anything. Even if I really like

Optimist #4:
You know what? Nevermind! And when I say hydrate, I mean water, not just coffee

Harper snorted. He really did care too much. Had Harper done anything to deserve him? Absolutely not, but here he was, and she appreciated it. Tsukauchi gave her half-smile a suspicious look, to which she raised her eyebrows at him. He raised his right on back. "Harper? Smiling at this hour? I didn't think it was possible."

Harper rolled her eyes at him and scoffed, but didn't deny it. Kurogiri continued to toss food aimlessly at his face, somehow managing to make it into his mouth at the same time. Maybe he was using his quirk? Harper didn't want to think too hard on that one. They all finished up and put the dishes in the sink to soak. Sansa was already outside waiting for them in the cruiser when they exited. Kurogiri once again took over carrying Harper's backpack so she didn't have to, and seemed overjoyed to do so. Dabi just massaged his temples as they piled into the back seat. Harper could relate to that.

"Morning, bitches." Sansa looked at them in the rear-view mirror, grinning. "They look like a ragtag army in need of a shower. If any of them dare rain on my parade with their depressing vibes, I'll hose them down. See how they like it."

"Morning to you, asshole." Harper grumbled. Sansa flipped her off. She responded in like, along with Dabi. Kurogiri joined in. 

"I see you've graced us with an appearance of your manager." Tsukauchi mused as he closed his door. "First name 'fuck', last name 'off'. I will never forget that."

"Stop being such a Karen, Tsukauchi." Sansa turned up the radio. The Tokyo Drift theme was playing. Everyone immediately paled. "I hope you have your seatbelts on!"

Harper grimaced and braced for it. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Are you okay?" Kirishima asked with clear concern as Harper stumbled out of the backseat, bug-eyed and disoriented. He must've seen Sansa skid up to the curb and almost take three students out along the way. That, or maybe her expression was enough to worry him. He was really good at reading her. Almost creepily so, but she didn't mind."She looks like she just had a flashbang thrown at her face. Dabi and Kurogiri, too. Was that skidding noise-"

"Sansa, yes." Harper confirmed, blinking a few times and shaking her head. She already had a headache. How many near death experiences was she going to have in her lifetime? "How am I not dead yet?"

"I used to ask myself that same question, but then I realized I'd never be getting an answer." Dabi put a hand on her shoulder, shaking her head. Kirishima gave the brunette girl a lopsided grin. It was the fond kind that made Harper sort of feel like he cared. Which she knew he did, but it was a lot different to see it displayed physically. She let Kurogiri put his hands on her shoulders and steer her towards the front door while babbling on about... something. Dabi followed. "God, I'm so nervous. Shoto knows. And I'm going to see him again, after our conversation yesterday..."

"Today we're getting the results of the practical exams! I already know I failed, but you said it was just another logical ruse, right?" Kirishima asked. "I hope so! Harper's practical exam was what she's been doing with Stain and Sero, since her quirk isn't physical in any way, and she was too caught up with more important things to take it. God, she's so amazing... right! She said Mr. Aizawa was lying to get us to try our best, and that we're all going..."

"Yeah, that's right." Harper nodded. She sort of told Kirishima everything about... well, everything. Probably not the best course of action, but she didn't give a damn. It was nice to trust someone that much. She could indulge. "You'll have to take the remedial courses while we're there, but you're definitely going. And if that changes, I can pull a few favors."

Kirishima beamed at her, cheeks coloring brightly. Harper sniffed at the wave of affection that rolled off of him. Dabi disguised his laugh with poorly-executed cough that sounded faker than Aizawa's cold facade. Kirishima didn't seem to notice. "Y-You don't have to do that! I'm sure Mr. Aizawa wouldn't exclude any of us." He scrambled to respond. "I sound so unmanly right now."

"I would want to do it." Harper grumbled, earning another grin from him and a flustered laugh. "I know what I heard, though. We're all going."

"Me too?" Kurogiri asked hopefully. "I must go with Harper Rye to ensure her safety!"

Harper almost stopped walking, sharing a look with Dabi. Was Kurogiri coming? Was Dabi?

"Morning, Harper! Kirishima!" Ochako beamed at her as she dragged herself through the door with Kurogiri and Dabi both in tow. Kurogiri still had her backpack on and was bouncing on his heels excitedly as though he hadn't just done this yesterday, and Dabi was staring at Shoto, who was actually smiling at him. Honest to go smiling from his seat. Iida and Midoriya, who were talking to the half-and-half boy, both turned to look at Dabi curiously as the scarred man tensed. Ochako looked between Harper and Kirishima both. "Come to think of it, they come in together pretty much everyday! Harper did say she was into redheads, right? Oh man, this looks- oh no! Milk! Milk, milk, milk, milk-"

Harper stepped aside wordlessly as Ochako's eyes widened and she darted by. Kirishima's eyes followed the girl as she bolted out the door before he looked at his tired companion again, blinking. "Milk again?" The redhead tried. Harper just nodded. 

Class was a bit of a blur. Aizawa cooed over her mentally, and dropped the reveal that everyone would be attending the summer camp. He followed it by mentioning the remedial courses. Kaminari-- he still had that fucking Wii remix going-- and Ashido both deflated like popped balloons at that news. Kirishima twisted around to beam at Harper, who gave him a knowing look. Todoroki and Dabi both noticed the look she'd just gotten and turned to stare at her with matching, expectant looks that were definitely implying something. Harper chose to ignore them.

People weren't as nervous around Kurogiri due to his face being visible. He didn't look the same as he had at the USJ, so they were a lot more comfortable with him sitting there. Not to mention they apparently found his attachment to Harper hilarious. Mina and Hagakure kept calling Harper 'Mom' and Ochako had asked her in a scarily-genuine tone of voice how parenthood was treating her. Harper had answered back just as seriously that it was a pain in the ass and that she didn't recommend it.

Lunch started, and they took Kurogiri to Hound Dog. The two greeted each other fondly, shooting each other bashful glances as Harper glowered dryly at the pair. Dabi just stood outside with Shoto, chatting mildly about what things were like being Harper's bodyguard. He was careful not to give anything away, so Harper wasn't too worried about it. Dabi was a smart man. He knew what he was doing.

Harper went to trudge off to the teacher's lounge to take over the couch, but she was stopped by the very last person she expected to be stopped by. She had to blink a few times to see if she was hallucinating or not. Because if this was real, then Bakugo Katsuki had just stopped her and was looking at her with an expression that made him look as though he were being physically pained. Now, Harper had always been concerned for Bakugo. He was brash and obviously had communication issues. It was a problem, but it wasn't at the top of her list of priorities. It was something she'd been planning on tackling when things calmed down. If they ever did at this rate. She never expected him to seek her out on her own.

"You're good with mental shit, right? That's why you're dealing with Warp Fucker and other police shit?" Bakugo questioned. He didn't give her time to answer. He actually looked pleading for once. "I need your fucking help."

Harper took a deep breath, closing her eyes and willing herself not to scream. Never was she going to catch a break. Never.