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[swordfucker]

Guren Ichinose | Red | #A5211F

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[swordfucker]

[That doesn't make any sense. When he woke up? Color just vanished? After it had appeared for all of them at once? Guren's long pause between messages is him trying to figure out what would cause a loss in color, and none of it is good.]

Did something happen before then? How did you deal with your shadow?

[inheritance]

[Hahaha what didn't happen before then? Izuku blanches and scrambles to find some way to dodge the question.]

It attacked me, just like it's been doing for the last few days. It did give me a bad gash, but I'm okay! I already promised my friends I'd have it looked at.

[swordfucker]

What do you mean, a bad gash? Where is it located? How deep? You should be reporting to me about things like this.

[inheritance]

There were some gardening tools nearby when it attacked. It's on my left side, but it's not a big deal! I didn't want to say anything when everyone was already busy fighting off their own shadows.

[swordfucker]

How much of your color was left? Even I got pretty close to losing it all.

[inheritance]

Not a lot. I remember I barely had anything left at that point.

[swordfucker]

So you went to sleep after you were hurt like that, and you woke up like the rest of us, full of color? Other than your text?

[inheritance]

[There's a veeeeeery long and suspicious pause before Izuku replies, as if he had to figure out exactly what to say.]

Something like that.

[Very convincing.]

[swordfucker]

[He knew Izuku was dodging something.]

Izuku. [Amazing how a single typed word over text can carry across Guren's stern voice so well.]

[inheritance]

[Wow, just looking at that one word makes Izuku want to hide behind something. It's a struggle, but ultimately Guren's potential disappointment outweighs his need to keep his silence. Besides, a few people already know what happened--if he doesn't tell Guren now, Guren's likely to find out through another source.]

I'm missing a couple days.

[swordfucker]

Start explaining. A couple days? What's the last thing you remember? Were you close to the forest?

[inheritance]

No, I was in Flavo, not too far from the house I'm staying in.

I remember what happened, but it's a little hard to believe.

[swordfucker]

Do I have to come over there to get it out of you faster than this? I said explain.

[inheritance]

[There's another long pause. And then finally--]

I'm pretty sure my shadow ate me.

[swordfucker]

[What the fuck, what the fuck]

Are you sure nothing else was lost aside from your text color? No emotion, no memory?

[inheritance]

Not 100% sure, maybe about 95%?

I cried all over Uraraka-san when she found me, so my emotions are most likely normal. I don't think I've forgotten anything either. Just those two days I was gone.

I woke up at the well earlier today, but I have no idea how I got there.

[swordfucker]

[That could mean so many things. That something is still wrong with Izuku, that it might surface later. That he's in danger even now... or just that he suffered. Guren doesn't reply right away, his mind racing with these possibilities.]

I wasn't there. I'm sorry.

Promise me that you'll mention the moment anything feels strange or off. If you remember something, or feel like you're hurt, or ill in some way... Tell me it.

[inheritance]

Don't be, sensei. It wasn't your fault. I got too careless.

I feel way better now that my color's back to normal. I'll be careful, though.

[Speaking of fault, though...]

Actually. There is something I wanted to talk to you about.

[swordfucker]

No. Your carelessness aside, I took responsibility for you when I said that I would help you train. I should have checked on you more.

Go ahead, though. What is it?

[inheritance]

Can I come over?

[If asked, Izuku would just say that this is too important to talk about over the laptop, but the truth is... maybe he's seeking some reassurance from someone who's been willing to give it to him thus far. He shouldn't have to, when Guren has enough on his plate, and yet. Here he is.

The last few days have left him drained enough that his usual misgivings aren't enough to make him hold back.]

[swordfucker]

[Ah, that's worrying. He doesn't need to ask. If Izuku wants company, or if he feels bad now, or whatever it is...]

Yeah, of course. I'm here right now, so come over as soon as you want.

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[inheritance]

I'll be there soon.

[There's a knock on the door a little while later. It's tentative, as if whoever's behind the door is having second thoughts about being here.]

[swordfucker]

[Guren answers is fairly quickly, swinging the door right open without even checking first.]

Hey. Come on in. [And when the front door is shut, he's glancing to the stairway, and then back to Izuku.] Did you want to head up to my room, or is the kitchen fine?

[inheritance]

E-either's fine. [Well the door's open now, it's too late to change his mind! He has a feeling Guren wouldn't let it go so easily now that he's already here.]

Is there anyone else home right now?

[swordfucker]

I haven't checked. [He glances up, at the floor above.] But they won't interrupt. If you're worried about them, my room is better. We can close the door.