With All My Might (!MHA!Bakugo Katsuki x !Fem!Reader)

𝟙𝟙 | 𝙰 𝙼𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝

***

   Aizawa had dismissed me to go check on Midoriya and see if he needed help getting back to the classroom. The class had likely ended by now, but I didn't mind. I was still replaying the battle in my head, trying to piece together what I could have done differently.
   As I walked down the corridor of the hall, I spotted Midoriya already making his way back. He was moving slowly, each step seeming to take a lot out of him. "Midoriya," I called out as I approached him. 

   He looked up, his expression tired and worn out. His right arm was in a cast, hanging in a sling from his shoulders. As I got closer, my eyes automatically scanned him — Weak posture → Fatigued body + Bandaged arm + Downcast gaze + Shaking knees + Droopy eyes → Exhaustion — Conclusion: Weak but recovering.
   Seeing him like this made something in my chest tighten. In a way, I blamed myself. I should've acted sooner, should've done more than just absorb Bakugo's attack. If I had tackled Bakugo before he could set off that giant blast, maybe Midoriya wouldn't be in this state. 

   Instead, I let it happen, and though I absorbed the brunt of the explosion, converting it into kinetic energy, it wasn't enough to prevent Midoriya from getting hurt. His injuries were my fault, or at least it felt that way.
   "Oh, Blade!" He greeted me as I drew closer. Despite everything, there was still a hint of warmth in his voice, which made the guilt twist even tighter in my gut. "Call me Y/n," I replied gently, trying to ease the tension in the air. "Being called by my surname sounds strange to me."

   His eyes widened in surprise. "Not by your surname?" I shrugged, a small, self-deprecating smile tugging at my lips.
"Every time I'm called 'Blade,' I just think my mother is behind me. It might also be because I'm not from Japan. . . so it feels a little strange to me."
   He chuckled softly, though it was clear he was struggling with each step. "So you are a foreigner. Iida was right." Seeing him limping, I moved to his side and wrapped my arm around his waist, careful to avoid his injuries. 

   I gently lifted his bandaged left arm over my shoulder, supporting him as his right arm hung in the cast. "Lean on me," I said softly. He hesitated for a moment, looking at me with those wide green eyes, before finally allowing some of his weight to rest on me.
   Together, we began walking down the hallway, his steps more steady with my support. "Your Quirk. . . can you read minds?" He asked, curiosity sparking in his tired voice. I huffed softly, amused by his inquisitiveness. 

   "Not quite, but you're close. My Quirk allows me to read body language. It gives me an edge, and lets my mind know what your next move is."
"Really?" He asked, clearly amazed.
"That's how you caught Kacchan. . . how you jumped just in time to shield me from his blast!" I nodded, a small smile forming on my lips.
"Exactly. I could see it in his body, the way he tensed up just before he launched the attack. It's all about the little details."

   He looked thoughtful, his eyes shimmering with that intense curiosity he always seemed to have. "I also noticed. . . when we're given papers to do, you're either dismissed or given something else. Can I ask why?"
   I hesitated, my steps slowing as his question hung in the air. ". . . I can't read," I admitted quietly. Midoriya turned his head to look at me, his expression shifting from curiosity to concern.
"Blade. . . I mean, Y/n—"
"Don't," I cut him off gently, meeting his gaze with a firm look. 

   "I don't want you to feel bad or give me any pity. Even if you offered to teach me, my Quirk doesn't allow it. It mutated parts of my brain permanently, and I'm telling you this secret because I know you'll figure it out sooner or later. I want to be the one to ask you to keep it to yourself. The last thing I want is someone like Bakugo finding out and rubbing it in my face."
   He stared at me for a moment, processing everything I had said. Then, with a solemn nod, he agreed. "I understand. Your secret's safe with me."
I let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding, grateful for his understanding.
"Thank you, Midoriya."