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Guren Ichinose | Red | #A5211F

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[In this moment, he's not even bothered by the surprise. His hand slips away from Izuku's shoulder, but it's just to give him the space to wipe those tears away, if he'd like.]

Everyone has fears. I might be confident, but I'm still human. Fears, worries, sadness, anger. Everyone has those things.

[Hmm, but he'll go ahead and reach forward and flick away one of those tears himself, playfully forceful rather than too gentle.] But I save my tears for when people can't see them. I don't want to worry my friends, either. As long as I keep thinking that I can do what I need to, my friends are there supporting me. Remembering that, there's no reason to get all worked up about it.

You're human. Embrace those feelings, but don't let them hold you back.

Can’t help it. [Izuku gives him a wobbly smile.] I tend to cry a lot—just ask anyone in my class.

[He seems to have finally calmed down, though, the shuddering little sobs dwindling down, and his tears drying up. There’s a new look in his eyes, though, as he cocks his head and watches Guren. It’s one that’s tentatively hopeful and surprised at the same time, like he’s still isn’t sure why Guren took the time to talk him through his break down like this. Not a lot of people would’ve been willing.]

Th-thank you… [Izuku says, suddenly bashful as he fiddles with the mop and looks off to the side.] You didn’t have to tell me all of that.

Idiot.

[He knocks his knuckles lightly into Izuku's chest, a fond excuse of a punch that's more of a tap.] We're family now.

[He stands up, now, shoving his hands in his pockets as he looks down at Izuku.] That means I'll do whatever it takes to help you. We stand up for each other. Got it?

[Oh. Izuku places a hand over his chest where Guren had tapped him, still looking up at him with that overwhelmed expression on his face. We're family now. For the longest time, it's only been him and his mom, his father simply absent in a way that doesn't even hurt him anymore. You can't really miss someone you barely remember.

For Guren to just say something like that, to claim Izuku as family when no one used to want him around--it's a lot to take in all at once.]

Okay. [Izuku's voice cracks with emotion, the tears welling up again, because how can he not cry at a time like this? At least they're happy tears this time. Hurriedly, he wipes them away and beams at Guren.] That... that means it's the same for you. I know I'm still... just in training, but if there's anything you need, I want to know.

[That's better, and Guren laughs, reaching for a cloth nearby that Izuku was probably using earlier to drop on his head, playful.]

I don't need anything from a crybaby. [He's teasing, of course. It means agreement... even if he's never been good at that.] Come on, keep cleaning. I'll help you out.

I'm serious. [He half-heartedly protests, even as his face scrunches up when he grabs the cloth and brushes the dust out of his hair.]

You're just getting all the dirt and dust I cleaned everywhere again. [Izuku teases him right back, still red-eyed from the crying, but looking much happier now.]

[That's right, cheer up and ignore it all. To help with this, Guren falls into teasing banter with ease. He shoves down at Izuku's head, and this time his hair ruffle is more like a noogie.]

I'm going to clean you up, brat. If you can't keep it all sparkling clean, you're not working hard enough.

[Izuku makes a strangled indignant sound as Guren noogies him, torn between staying put and suffering through the treatment, or trying to escape. It's a weird mix of the affection he might get from All Might at times and the kind of gruff encouragement he might get from Aizawa-sensei, and Izuku can't say that he dislikes it, not when he can tell Guren's just teasing him. The good kind of teasing.]

If I need any cleaning up, it's because I've been working. [Finally Izuku staggers out of Guren's grasp, hair looking even messier than usual.]

Oh yeah! [He pauses, hand over just over the mop he was about to pick up again.] Did you come here for something? Um, before... [A helpless wave of the hand to encompass everything that just happened.]

Edited 2018-04-14 06:06 (UTC)

[Hmm. Guren lets the bickering fall naturally and moves to pick up his own cloth to clean with. He'll dust, or scrub at counters, or whatever he can do here— but he glances back at Izuku as he starts.]

I came here because I wanted to see if you were crying over the furniture.

[That's the rudest way he can put it— it was specifically because he was worried, specifically to check on him.]

[A nervous little laugh as he continues cleaning, trying to cover as much area as he can to pacify the angry furniture.] Well... you caught me.

[Wait a second. Izuku pauses in his movements and then swings his head back to look at Guren.] Were you worried about me?

[Guren reacts without missing a beat.]

Tch, who'd worry about a snot-nosed brat like you?

[He was clearly worried... he's making a face at him, but there's always something past his cold words that makes it clear, as if his actions weren't enough.]

[Soooo that's a yes. Huh.]

Definitely not you. [Izuku answers agreeably, though with the warmth bubbling up inside of him, he just ends up grinning at Guren anyway.]

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