You are thoroughly exhausted, body and mind— which is really saying something considering the near constant side effects of your quirk. The thin, stiff mattress beneath you does little to alleviate the tension in your sore muscles. Your limbs feel heavy, and all you really want to do is have a long soak in a steaming hot bath.
You're just about to awaken fully when your ears register a couple of hushed voices nearby. It takes some effort in the sorry state you're in, but you manage to focus in on your surroundings. Like gazing through thermal lenses, a pair of blurred silhouettes began to take shape behind your closed eyelids. A third form was lying still, prone and parallel to you just a few feet away.
"…critically injured once again under your watch," the smaller blob was complaining. You recognized the voice to be that of Recovery Girl. "The boy's body can only take so much!"
"I know. You're right," sighed the hunched over presence. It sounded like a weary All Might, but the shape of him was all wrong. You knew the Number One hero to be much taller, much wider than this. "I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize to me," Recovery Girl's outline sharpened as she snapped back in irritation. "Midoriya is the disciple that you granted your quirk to. You shouldn't indulge him in petty rivalries."
"K-keep your voice down when talking about One For All!"
"Oh please. Classes are done for the day, and the girl has been sleeping soundly since she was brought in here."
You stiffened on the infirmary cot, trying to keep your expression impassive despite your mind reeling with this classified information that you were definitely not of a high enough jurisdiction to be aware of. Being the "sleepy girl" often meant people would loosen their lips around you when it seemed like you weren't cognizant, so you were no stranger to eavesdropping on juicy secrets. But hearing about who slept with who over summer break completely paled in comparison to this!!
Cute, blushy, dorky Midoriya was All Might's successor and the wielder of One For All?!
Nahhhh. No way. No effin way—
"The other staff members at UA know about my true form and my injury," All Might said solemnly. That sorta explained his diminished silhouette, but what was this about an injury? With the way the media describes him, you naively hadn't even thought it possible for All Might to get hurt. "But the nature of my quirk is known only by you, Nezu, a few of my closest friends, and of course Young Midoriya."
AND ME , your mind screamed. HOLY —
"Is it really that important to be a natural born hero," Recovery Girl mused, "or the Symbol of Peace for that matter?"
"Without such a symbol," All Might replied gravely, "the society of super humans as we know it would undoubtedly turn to evil."
He sounded so certain, but you didn't want to believe such an ominous theory. Surely it couldn't have been the power of one man and one man alone that was able to preserve the relative peace your country took for granted. Or perhaps it was the sheer power of one quirk, passed down from user to user? And now that weight fell upon Midoriya's slim shoulders, inside a body that wasn't yet capable of housing its immense strength. The very idea was sobering to say the least. A silence fell between the two, and you were suddenly thankful that Jiro wasn't present to hear the rapid thumping of your heart within your chest.
"In any case," Recovery Girl said after a while, "you need to be a better mentor to Midoriya— to all of those young people! Had this girl been electrocuted any longer or at a higher voltage, she might've suffered permanent neurological damage."
You gasped softly, making the two blurry forms turn in your direction, so you quickly covered it up with an over dramatic snore. All Might audibly exhaled in relief, seemingly placated before making a hasty exit. After a few minutes, the other fuzzy shape off to the side began to stir.
Midoriya's voice sounded different, thick and gravelly with sleep in a way that made your thighs press together. Recovery Girl fussed at him and over him for a while before you heard the infirmary door open and close once more. When there was just one other blurry silhouette left in the room, small and still at the foot of your bedside, you finally opened your eyes.
You blinked in surprise, expecting to see Recovery Girl's tiny form at your feet. Instead it was Midoriya, kneeling at the edge of your cot and inspecting your body with careful consideration. His right arm was bandaged in a sling, the only physical indicator of the day's battle. He was also mumbling under his breath, brows knit together as his eyes raked over you in search of injury. It was then that you realized you'd been changed back into your school uniform, and your smooth legs were on full display. At this angle, if you moved your knees apart even a fraction, he'd probably be able to see right up your skirt. The thought was certainly tempting.
Midoriya yelped suddenly, realizing that you were awake, and scrambled backwards while spluttering incoherently. Your tongue lazily moistened your dry lips before a deep, lengthy yawn racked through you.
"Mi-do-ri-ya-kun~" you dragged out his name in a sleepy singsong voice. "The both of us took a really good pounding out there, huh?" You smiled when he flushed at your phrasing. "But we were both victorious!"
"C-congrats." He frowned as you sat up. "But… you got hurt."
"Just a few electric shocks… got me all tingly," you winked and swung your legs over the side of the cot. "Don't tell anyone, but… it felt kinda good."
Midoriya gaped at you, red faced, before scowling. "Jeez, c-can you ever be serious? I swear— hey, whoa!"
He managed to catch you with his uninjured arm before you could tumble to the floor. You'd been putting on a brave face, but the truth of the matter was that Kaminari's attacks along with Recovery Girl's healing had left you utterly drained. It was a chore just keeping your eyes open. Not to mention you were doing everything in your power to keep from blurting the words One For All and successor despite your brain practically hollering I know, I know, I know!!
But this secret was unlike any other. It held countless lives in the balance; if All Might was to be believed, then the very fate of Japan rested upon maintaining utmost discretion. So instead you focused on the way Midoriya's lean body pressed against yours as he held you gently but firmly. You were just another classmate, yet he looked down at you with such concern in his shining green eyes, like you were something oh so precious. His strong embrace made you feel seen , important , and protected , like nothing ever had before. If he could treat you, barely more than an acquaintance, this way then…
He'll definitely be an amazing Symbol of Peace one day.
"C'mon, I'll help you get back to class," his low tone was polite but left no room for argument, so you simply smiled dreamily.
"Ah, my hero~!"
Midoriya scoffed and turned his head, but you caught the way his full lips quirked upwards as he led you out of the infirmary. He'd liked that . "S-so tell me about your trial since I missed it."
"Oh, Midoriya, you should've seen me!" Your eyes lit up as you launched into your tale, hamming it up for your audience of one as the green haired young man listened with rapturous attention.
Being this close, you could count the freckles that dotted the apples of his cheeks. He smelled of pine trees and sandalwood and something sweaty and masculine that was entirely unique to him. The scent could certainly drive you wild if you let it, and you realized then that you were diving in way too deep way too fast. With practiced technique, you dialed your expression back into something more neutral, not noticing the way Midoriya frowned when you did so.
Sure you'd had crushes before, even entertained an infatuation here and there. But with a quirk like yours, you knew from past heartaches that it was pointless to do anything more than admire from afar. Amusing yourself with harmless flirtation was one thing, but setting yourself up for anything more would only end in tragedy.
No guy in his right mind would ever want to date a girl that he couldn't even touch.
Although you feared that this particular boy was going to spell real trouble for you. After all, you'd just been fatigued beyond belief, practically dead to the world. But something about Midoriya energized your cells more than caffeine ever could. He was so good, so sweet . You couldn't help but fantasize about corrupting him into something utterly unrecognizable.
The two of you made it back to the classroom and were instantly bombarded the moment you crossed the threshold. Hagakure threw herself at you at warp speed, Midoriya's warnings for her to be careful with you going unheard over her dramatic sobs. She was cursing Recovery Girl's name for kicking her out of the infirmary for trying to wake you up with something she called True Platonic Love's Kiss. Definitely not a real thing.
"It's not fair!" Hagakure cried into your shoulder. "The old hag gets to smooch all over you, but I'm 'disturbing the peace' and 'going on a watchlist'? Like, WTF?!"
You pried her off of you just as Kaminari approached with his head down, bowing low as he apologized for going overboard. You assured him that you would've done the same thing in his position, and that you expected nothing less but the fiercest competition from a fellow hero course classmate. Your nonchalant attitude earned you a few nods of respect from your peers. You grinned at Hagakure. Reputation points restored!
"Let me earn your forgiveness properly. Picture it: you, me, a sunset stroll on the beach. Clothing optional," Kaminari smirked before Kirishima hardened his fist and bopped him on the head. Iida gave him a good chop, too.
"Have you truly not an iota of shame?" the tall, bespectacled man griped as he dragged the sparky boy away.
"Glad to see you're doin' alright, babe." Kirishima called over his shoulder, leaving you speechless.
Babe?! Oh he was one of those . With those sharp teeth and big ol' man tits, Kirishima just had to know he was walking sin. Your class really had no shortage of eye candy. But there was absolutely no way you would be able to make it through this semester without spontaneously combusting at some point. It was a miracle your nose hadn't sprung a leak for the second time today.
Ironically, Yaoyorozu walked up then and shook your gloved hand amicably, saying she wouldn't forget what you'd done for her. Her hand tightened around yours suddenly in an iron grip as she informed you in a hushed tone that she wouldn't forget what you'd done to her either. Your eyes darted down to her décolletage on instinct. She clapped you on the back harshly before brushing past you. Your heart pounded from the interaction. It seems that you've acquired your first frenemy. University really is a wondrous place!
You turned to see Midoriya also being swarmed by classmates, praising him for his ostentatious victory. It had been quite a spectacle, and you couldn't help but be in awe of what you now knew to be One For All in its rawest, most uncontrollable form. Yet Midoriya's mind seemed elsewhere, emerald gaze scanning the room distractedly.
"W-where's Kacchan?" he asked.
Some of the others told him not to go after Bakugou, but Midoriya didn't hesitate to sprint out of the classroom in a green blur. A few of the girls crowded around the window to spy on the pair from above, but frankly you'd had more than enough excitement for one day. Exhaustion returned to you full force. With sluggish movements, you gathered your things and slipped out of the door wordlessly.
By the time you made it outside, Bakugou's voice was cracking with emotion as he declared he'd never be beaten again. You tried not to listen, but he was so damn loud that you were forced to hear the way he sniffled and choked. Your body curled in on itself instinctually, trying to shrink smaller and smaller in efforts to go unseen. That icky feeling of intruding and encroaching was clawing its way inside you like it did when you were around your father.
The campus courtyard was vast and nearly vacant, practically picturesque with the backdrop of the setting sun bathing the cobblestones in warm orange light. So why were you struggling to breathe amidst all of this fresh air? You reminded yourself that you didn't do anything wrong. You were just walking by, just existing— and that wasn't a crime here, not like at home. Yet you still felt like a cat burglar attempting to sneak by undetected. Right when you think you've made your grand escape, Midoriya calls out to you.
"H-hey… you waited." His head is down as he approaches, left hand clenched into a tight fist at his side. "Didn't have to do that."
You don't have the heart to tell him otherwise nor the vitality to refuse his escort as he falls into step beside you. Rather, you're struck by the heavy cloud of tension that seems to hang over him, despite his feeble attempts at idle chitchat.
Unsure of whether this thin veil of normalcy was meant to convince you or himself, you fell silent to conserve energy as he rambled softly. It wasn't so much what he said, but how he said it that stuck out to you anyway. There was a palpable emptiness in his low voice, dark green bangs concealing his eyes from your wandering gaze. You didn't get it. Bakugou yelled at seemingly everyone over practically everything, so why was this affecting Midoriya so much?
When you reached the dorm building, he stopped short, mumbling a farewell.
Maybe it was the slight waver in his voice or the sleep clouding your brain, because you turn to look back at him over your shoulder. With his head low and arm in a sling, he looked like a literal wounded puppy.
"Come up," your lilting voice was soft, but the wind carried your words to him gently.
He hesitated, and you continued inside to ensure that the decision to follow would be his own to make. You had just toed off your shoes when the door announced his arrival. Midoriya trailed behind you in long strides as you lead the way up to your room silently. It wasn't until you'd closed your door behind you as his larger frame crowded your vision when you finally spoke.
"You're not okay, are you, Midoriya?"
And like the breaking of a dam, the young man before you started to weep. His shoulders shook as fat teardrops spilled onto the carpet. You recalled just yesterday when you'd unexpectedly shed a tear in front of him and wondered briefly if your dorm room was cursed. Or perhaps it was more likely that up here, among the clouds and soft lighting, the heart was a little less tethered, a little less guarded.
You remembered the way he tried to comfort you then, ready to wipe your tears before they even hit the ground. But you hadn't let him. You had to pull away, for his own good, for his own safety. But with your hands covered, it was fine for you to wipe his tears wasn't it? This was different, right?
What hope did you have of becoming a hero if you couldn't even be a shoulder to cry on?
The beads of salt water kept their spherical shape on the leather surface of your glove, preventing you from forgetting about the extra layer of fabric required to remain between the two of you. Miraculously, that didn't stop you from feeling his warmth. You drew him closer, easing his head onto your shoulder as he continued to openly sob.
At least within these walls he didn't have to be the wielder of One For All, the successor to the Symbol of Peace. Here he could just be Midoriya. With you, he could just be.
You're unsure how long you stood there in the middle of your room, holding him until his breaths slowed to something reminiscent of calm. When Midoriya finally pulled away, his eyes were bloodshot and dark with a swirl of emotion. He looked embarrassed and struggled to form words, but you just smiled sweetly. He must not have known how pretty he looked when he cried.
You ushered him into the big bean bag chair before padding your way around the room; turning on the kettle for tea, lighting an incense, putting a vinyl on the record player that wouldn't trigger any childhood trauma. You still had plenty of the good quality leaves that came provided with your dorm, and the aroma from the brewing tea mixed nicely with the fragrant smoke in the air. If you hadn't been so sleepy, you might've noticed the way his eyes followed your every move. You handed Midoriya the steaming beverage before sitting in the desk chair across from him. Low-lidded eyes drank in his shifting expression as he sipped and exhaled deeply. Slowly but surely his posture began to relax. Still flushed from crying, he gave you a tiny, shy smile that made your belly flip.
Trouble. You were definitely in trouble.
"So… Kacchan , huh?"
His smile briefly turned sheepish, but the sadness in his green irises lingered. "Y-yeah. Kinda embarrassing, but it's what I've called him since we were little kids."
Midoriya hadn't meant to talk at length, but you didn't dare interrupt as he opened up. He told you everything, his innermost guts spilling out in a tangled mess just like the swirling tendrils of incense smoke around your heads. You learned all about his long and complicated history with Bakugou, having to bite your tongue to refrain from commenting about how the green haired boy was mistreated.
"B-but Kacchan really isn't all bad," Midoriya said as he took note of your grimace. "He's just… a little rough around the edges."
You grunted in response, scoffing cynically. Still, you could tell that he wholeheartedly believed his own words. It was a bit baffling. That bottomless well of optimism and unending forgiveness. Unnatural. Inhuman even. Once again you found yourself thinking about how overwhelmingly good he was.
Midoriya was sitting there defending his childhood bully after explicitly stating just how the boy had tortured him. Meanwhile you resented your parents for the life you had, even though it was the result of a mistake that you had made as a child.
A wrong that could never be righted.
It made you wonder how someone like you could have been placed in the same class as someone like him. Your gloved hand gripped the ceramic handle tightly as you gazed within the dark abyss in your mug. Suddenly the tea left a bitter aftertaste on your tongue.
Even without One For All, the two of you were in completely different leagues.
"I-I'm sorry, I must be boring you," Midoriya said, pulling you out of your thoughts.
"N-no, not at all," you said, much too quickly based on the goofy smile spreading across his face. You rolled your eyes, allowing your dark thoughts to fade like the smoke in the air. "What do you think Aizawa-sensei has in store for us tomorrow?"
"Hopefully nothing that requires me to be ambidextrous," he gestured to his bandaged arm in a sling, and you laughed. The sound seemed to make him smile even brighter.
The two of you lapsed into easy, casual conversation over more tea and though neither of you spoke openly about it, it was clear that the dynamic of your relationship had changed. Despite the hammering of your heart, you told yourself that this was just a natural progression after such vulnerability. That his shy smiles and lingering glances were just his way of showing his comfortability with you. After all, he'd told you on the first day of class that he wanted to be friends.
And Midoriya had been nothing if not friendly towards you.
The hours seemed to fly by, and it wasn't until long after the sun set that Midoriya realized he should be on his way home. He lingered on his way out, looking so out of place in the doorframe before bowing and thanking you for your hospitality. His sudden formality amused you, as though he hadn't bared his soul to you just hours ago. The faint smell of him lingered in the room even after he departed.
After a long bath, you resigned yourself to sleep tucked into the huge bean bag. You told yourself that you were just trying it out for the night, not attempting to smell Midoriya through the fabric or anything because that would be weird! Unfortunately you couldn't bring yourself to believe it.
Either way, you slept well that night.