HE knew he was lucky. Every day he woke up and still couldn’t believe that you—bright, kind, and everything good in this world—chose him. You weren’t just his partner; you were his anchor, the one who kept him steady when his self-doubt threatened to drown him.

And yet… sometimes, those same doubts crept back in, whispering cruel thoughts in the quiet corners of his mind.

It happened that afternoon at the dorms. Class 1-A was gathered in the lounge, laughter and chatter filling the air. Izuku was scribbling notes absentmindedly in his notebook when his ears caught it—your laugh.

He looked up, and there you were, standing just a few feet away, smiling and laughing with Todoroki. Your face was lit up, your eyes crinkling in that way that always melted his heart. And Todoroki—calm, collected, undeniably cool—was the one making you laugh.

Something twisted in Izuku’s chest. His heart pounded, and that old familiar ache—the one that used to eat at him back when he was Quirkless—began to claw its way up again.

Todoroki’s better than me. Stronger. Cooler. Smarter. What if they realise they deserve someone like him instead of me? What if… what if I’m not enough?

Before he could stop himself, his vision blurred. Tears welled up, slipping past his lashes before he could hide them. He tried to turn away, wiping at his eyes quickly, but you noticed instantly.

“Deku?” your voice cut through the noise, gentle and concerned. You reached for him, your hand warm against his arm. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

He shook his head, embarrassed. “N-No, it’s nothing, I-I just—” His voice cracked, and his shoulders trembled. “I just… I don’t get it. Why do you stay with me? You could have anyone, someone… someone better. Someone like Todoroki—”