The halls of Class A's dorm were quiet at night, but Izuku couldn't sleep.
Nothing serious was happening right now. There were no villains to fight, and U.A finally had a time to breathe after everything that happened, but Izuku couldn't sleep.
His bed offered familiar comfort, supplied by the warmth its covers, but Izuku couldn't sleep. Goddamit, why couldn't he sleep?
Everything's fine. I'll drift off any minute now. Deep breathes, nice and slowly. One...Two...Am I really counting my breaths? Shouldn't I be counting sheep? How does that help you get to sleep anyway? What if I kept counting all night? What number would I even get to? Well, if it took me one sheep every two seconds I suppose...Argh what am I doing?! Why am I thinking about this? I gotta focus on sleeping. I gotta relax! I've been closing my eyes for what feels like hours...What time is it?
Izuku frustratingly sat up and grabbed the phone which sat at his side.
1:33am
Seriously?! It's already that late?! At least it isn't a school night this time...but come on! This is becoming a problem...What should I do?
Thinking back, Izuku hadn't felt like this since his quirkless childhood. Back then, his mind buzzed with hero trivia (particularly of All Might), along with uncertain hopes and dreams. Back then, his thoughts were a scrambled mess of insecurity and doubt, never failing to keep him awake at night.
Things were different now, of course, but something had keep him up for the past few nights. Izuku could feel the lack of sleep, and it became evident enough for his classmates to comment on it. Iida would give him a stern lecture on sleep deprivation, while Uraraka offered relaxation advice with a concerned smile. Tsuyu had suggested sleeping pills, Jiiro gave him a playlist of relaxing tunes, Yaoyorozu made him ear plugs, and Kaachan called him a moron.
His classmates were attentive like that, and Izuku never took that for granted. But nothing worked for him, not even the thought that he had friends to care for him.
Well, if I can't fall asleep, I might as well stay awake a little longer...
What to do, what to do, what to do...
I seriously have a problem, why am I like this?
I mean, it's not like anyone else I know stays up this late!
...
I wonder...
Izuku grabbed his phone and went into the messaging app his class liked to use. He browsed his friend list analytically.
Only one of his classmates was active.
Tokoyami-kun? Does he stay up this late every night? He does seem like the type...
As far as Izuku could remember, they hadn't talked much since the Sports Festival-no wait, there was the summer training camp as well-but the Festival had been the first time. Izuku could still remember just how awesome Tokoyami was in the Cavalry Battle.
So much had happened since then, Izuku never even had the chance to thank the boy for his help-let alone hang out a little. Tokoyami had always looked well composed, and Izuku found that admirable.
Maybe he'll have some tips for falling asleep? He's pretty into being in darkness-wait, that doesn't make any sense...Just because he likes darkness doesn't mean he can-
Ah screw it, it's better than driving myself crazy alone!
Not realising he was taking a deep breath, Izuku tapped on Tokoyami's name. This would be the first time Izuku had messaged the avian classmate online.
Would it be weird if I sent a message? What should I even say?
After much thought, Izuku bravely composed a message.
Midoriya (1:45am)
Hey, Tokoyami-kun! Can I ask you a quick question?
Tokoyami (1:47am)
Ah, Midoriya. It is unusual to see you awake at this hour.
Ask away.
Midoriya (1:48am)
Well, I was wondering why you're up this late...
Not that there's anything wrong with that!
I was just worried I was the only person still awake!
So I guess I'm just curious?
Tokoyami (1:49am)
I see.
Well, to answer your question, I like the quiet.
I find it gives an ideal atmosphere for reading.
Midoriya (1:50am)
Oh, that makes sense!
Do you do that every night?
How do you get enough sleep?!
Again, nothing wrong with that!
Tokoyami (1:50am)
Well...
It is not an ideal habit, I must confess.
But it helps me calm down sometimes.
Midoriya (1:51am)
Calm down? What do you mean?
...
Is something bothering you, Tokoyami-kun?
I'm sorry! I didn't mean to pry!
Tokoyami (1:55am )
Ah, forgive me I did not mean to worry you. I am fine.
Just a small bit distracted.
More importantly, is something troubling you, Midoriya?
Sleep has been evading you recently, hasn't it?
Izuku stared at his classmate's reply. He sighed.
Midoriya (1:56am)
Is it that obvious?
Tokoyami (1:56am)
Midoriya, I think it is safe to say everyone in the class has noticed.
Especially considering your usual behaviour is more...fervent.
Midoriya (1:58am)
Well, now I'm embarrassed.
I just can't help it!
Everything I've tried hasn't worked.
It's like my head's spinning, but not in a dizzy way
Like
When a machine overheats by spinning way too fast, you know?
No, that doesn't make any sense.
I'm just babbling. Sorry.
I'll stop talking now.
Midoriya put down his phone and threw himself into his pillow, screaming internally. This wasn't helping him at all! Tokoyami didn't need to deal with his sleep-depriving rant. Who would want to deal with his muttering at two in the morning?
Then his phone went off.
Tokoyami (2:01am)
It is alright, Midoriya. There is no need to apologise. I understand your conundrum.
Sleep is a cruel temptress. One with a warm, yet elusive embrace that starves the mind maddeningly.
Midoriya (2:02am)
Well, that's one way of putting it haha.
It's driving me crazy, that's for sure.
Do you have trouble sleeping too, Tokoyami-kun?
I thought you just liked to stay up late?
Tokoyami (2:03am)
That is partially true...
But it is not the only reason I stay awake.
Not to name any names, but there's a certain demon inside of me that, at times, prefers not to slumber.
Even now, he's pestering me to send you a message for him.
Midoriya (2:05am)
Ah, you mean Dark Shadow?
Is he reading my messages now?
If he is, hi Dark Shadow!
I don't think we've ever talked before, nor that I've ever talked to a Quirk before, but it's nice to meet you, sorta!
Tokoyami (2:06am)
Please don't encourage him...
He is a leech for attention.
Although granted, he has calmed himself down significantly now...
Strange.
Midoriya (2:07am)
I guess Dark Shadow just wanted to talk?
Maybe lack of sleep is driving him insane as well haha.
But you know, I really like your quirk, Tokoyami-kun!
Not only is Dark Shadow versatile in combat, in terms of offence/defence.
But he can talk too!
I mean, maybe that can be annoying sometimes.
I don't want to assume, because I can't possibly imagine what it's like having a quirk like that.
But at least you're never truely alone, right?
I don't know.
Ah, there I go rambling again!
I'm sorry. Please stop me talking!
Tokoyami (2:09am)
He has gotten incredibly quiet now.
If I knew having someone compliment Dark Shadow would calm him down, I would've employed you years ago.
And again, no apologies are necessary.
You know how to see the best in people, and I appreciate that.
That is what makes you a valuable ally, after all.
Izukucould feel his face burning up, but he blamed it on the humidity.
Midoriya (2:11am)
I mean it, you know!
I know we haven't talked much, but I always thought you were pretty cool!
Like, you're one of the calmest people in our class.
But you're pretty compassionate too!
...
Oh crap, look at the time!
It's getting late, and I think i'm starting to feel tired, finally!
Talk to you later, okay?
Night!
Izuku put his phone down and shoved himself under his bed covers before he could say anything more embarrassing.
Stupid, stupid, stupid! Compassionate? Why did I choose to use that word? I mean, it's probably not wrong, but it's still weird to say that, right? I'll apologise for it tomorrow. Wait for it to blow over...God, I really am a mess...
For the first time that night, his mind only focussed on one thing: how mortified he felt. Sleep hadn't been more welcomed.
Fumikage stared at the last string of messages Midoriya sent.
"WOW FUMIKAGE, HE REALLY LIKES YOU DOESN'T HE?"
Dark Shadow had been peering over his shoulder the entire time, much to Fumikage's chagrin. "We're classmates, and at very least good acquaintances. I am sure Midoriya likes everyone..."
"BUT NOT LIKE THIS, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYIN'?"
Fumikage glared at his quirk. "I most certainly do not, nor do I care."
"I DON'T BLAME HIM THOUGH, WE ARE TOTALLY A CATCH! BUT HEY, HE'S NOT TOO BAD EITHER, EH?"
"Stop talking."
"OKAY SURE, WHATEVER YOU SAY! I AM AN EMBODIMENT OF YOUR DEEP PERSONAL EMOTIONS, BUT WHAT DO I KNOW?"
"Can't you let me fall asleep?" Fumikage groaned. "You and I both need the rest..."
"FINE. BUT AREN'T YOU AT LEAST GOING TO SEND IZU-KUN A REPLY? HE DESERVES IT, HE'S ACTUALLY NICE TO ME!"
He's already given Midoriya a nickname, for heaven's sake!
"I CAN READ YOUR THOUGHTS, YOU KNOW! HOW DO YOU KEEP FORGETTING THAT?" He could see Dark Shadow grinning. "I CAN TELL YOU'RE ANNOYED, BUT I'M TOTALLY RIGHT! SAY SOMETHING, DUMMY-KAGE!"
"Shut up..."
Fumikage took his phone, looked at the messages, and took his time to compose a reply.
Tokoyami (2:15am)
Those are kind words, Midoriya.
I too am starting to feel slumberous.
But I enjoyed this talk, so thank you. Perhaps we could continue our discussion at a later time?
Regardless, I hope sleep finds you well tonight.
Fumikage stopped himself from typing anymore. Dark Shadow was snickering.
"NICE WORK, FUMI! PLAYING IT SMOOTH, I SEE!"
Fumikage ignored his quirk and laid down on his bed.
Midoriya...You are perplexing, yet so honestly simple...A paradox of shining light in the dark...What am I even saying? I need to rest...
He could feel an eerie lightness in his chest, but soon that feeling drifted away with sleep.