? Benevolence ?

"THE INTERNS! I'M FINALLY GOING TO RETAKE CONTROL OF MY OWN DEATH!" The villain bellows as we leap into the fray.

I'm at Natsuo's side in less than a second, grabbing whatever part of him I can before popping us away from the fight. Midoriya, Shoto, and Bakugou are after the villain, Ending, at the same moment. I can hear yelling but I try not to focus too much on it.

I turn my immediate attention to Natsuo, scanning over him quickly. He seems to be mostly unharmed, more shaken than anything. His grip on my hand tightens and I try to offer a reassuring smile.

"It's alright. Are you hurt? I-"

I cut myself off at the sound of a barely noticeable crunch and I glance over to see the villain staring at us. There a split second where I notice his quirk tightening around the car and I pull Natsuo closer to me.

The older boy instinctively throws an arm in front of me when the villain tries to use his quirk to throw the car at us but I pop us away as Bakugou intercepts, blasting the car into the air.

I decided to pop us around strategically so there's no chance to be caught or in the way, though it seems like Ending is preoccupied with the others for now.

The other three are using their new techniques almost effortlessly and I feel a swell of pride. They've been working extra hard every day so seeing it all come together is amazing. Todoroki and Bakugou are insanely fast and Midoriya manages to stabilize several passing cars with his secondary ability, Black Whip.

Once I deem it safe enough, I pop us over to the others but stiflingly heat surrounds us and I'm surprised to find that we're immediately pulled into Endeavor's arms. Natsuo stiffens up and his grip on my hand tightens again.

"Are either of you hurt?"

Natsuo murmurs almost subconsciously. "...hot."

"I d-don't think so..."

My reply is practically a whisper. I'm too nervous to move so I remain frozen in place, unsure of what to do or how to react. It's not until Bakugou starts yelling that I notice Endeavor's flames have dampened.

"Hey! Number one! Remind me what you said again?! 'During this break show me that you can eliminate villains even faster than I can?!'"

"Ah... yes. You all were incredible. The four of you covered for my mistake without wasting a single second."

Bakugou grumbles something but I miss it as Natsuo pushes himself out of Endeavor's arms, pulling me along with him. "Get away...!"

"Natsuo!"

I stumble back, landing on the ground next to him. His grip on my hand never wavers and at this point, I think he forgot about it. My attention is torn as Endeavor continues.

"I'm sorry! For a split second, I thought to myself that if I had saved you there... there was a chance that going forward you might feel like you couldn't stand up to me."

I feel like I'm intruding, like I shouldn't hear any of this but I'm terrified that if I move, it'll ruin the moment.

"...what?"

"Natsuo. Believe it or not, I was never trying to neglect any of you but... all I could do was blame others and dodge responsibility. With Touya, too... I might as well have killed him myself."

My breath catches in my chest and- there's that name again. His name. It has to be a coincidence because their Touya is dead but... Before I can think any further, Natsuo speaks up.