Once Again From Better Days

It takes another few days until the preparations are done and the stage is set. Katsuki spends each night watching over Izuku's nightmares. The bed is still smaller than he wished it was, and he never quite works up the courage to grab onto Izuku's hand like he used to. Instead they remain back-to-back, close but not quite there. Katsuki dwells on things he usually tries not to think about–how close Izuku is, how much he wants to grab on and never let go.

Nighteye calls them just after dinner time on Wednesday to tell them to be ready the next morning. It's difficult to sleep after that. The anticipation and anxiety keep them awake.

After awhile of restless no quite sleeping, Izuku breaks the silence. "Kacchan, are you still awake?" he asks.

Katsuki shifts slightly, murmuring a quiet "yeah."

"Are you nervous about tomorrow?"

"Am I?" Katsuki scoffs, "Hell no."

Izuku is quiet for a minute, and Katsuki wonders if he picked up on the lie. He is nervous. Of course he is. He remembers the aftermath of what happened last time–how much was lost, how many wounds that needed to heal. They are up against difficult opponents and the lives of who-knows-how-many children are at stake.

"Overhaul may be strong, but there are a lot of amazing people on our side." Like you, Katsuki thinks.

"Yeah," he says aloud. "Heroes always win. Now go the f.u.c.k to sleep, Deku."

Izuku laughs quietly and shifts into a more comfortable sleeping position. It doesn't take much longer for his breathing to relax into a slow, steady rhythm.

Morning comes quickly, and they were told to arrive at 8 am sharp. They grab their gear and a quick bit of breakfast before they have to go. By the time they reach the appointed location at a police station, the other pro heroes and a number of police officers are already there.

After Togata greets them, they head toward the other first years. Nighteye reminds them that they're allowed to fight in the event that they're attacked–self-defense only. 

"Do not engage unless instructed to do so by a pro hero or forced to for your own safety," he says, his voice firm and commanding. "You are here to learn by observing and aid in the evacuation of the children.

He also reminds them of their priorities. This operation is to save Eri and the other children, but it is also to stop Overhaul and, more importantly, stop the spread of the quirk-erasing drug.

Katsuki spares a glance at Izuku once Nighteye is done talking. His own nerves are tense, making his palms sweat (although that may prove advantageous later). Izuku looks up for a moment and catches him staring.  The mask covering the lower half of his face makes his expression unreadable, but he gives Katsuki a quick nod of reassurance.

When the clock switches from 8:29 to 8:30, the action begins.

One villain runs out to intercept them. Nejire's group, which is made up of Uraraka, Tsuyu, Nejire, and the rank 9 hero, Ryukyu–the dragon hero–takes him on to let the rest of them forward. Izuku follows close on Togata's heels, and Katsuki just a step behind. 

Nighteye slows as they enter the building. His quirk, which allows him to see the future of one person, showed him the route one of Overhaul's underlings would take to get into the hideout. All they have to do now is copy it and hope the children haven't been moved to a different facility or worse. 

They follow Nighteye through first level of the building and down a flight of stairs to what would normally be the bas.e.m.e.nt. Instead, they face an underground passageway. Just as the first few heroes make it down the stairs, the ground around them rumbles and a wall forms between them and the way forward. Even before the dust settles from the change, Togata darts forward. He uses his quirk to pass through the wall and chase after the Overhaul and his compatriots before they get any farther away. Amajiki calls after him, but Togata is already through the wall and out of earshot.

Katsuki makes short work of the wall, allowing the rest of them to move forward. As the smoke and dust from his explosions clear, a newly-twisted path is revealed. What was once a straight hallway is now contorted. The direction they need to take is no longer clear. And Togata is nowhere in sight.