All Might x Student!Reader (Boku no Hero Academia)

Chapter 9 - The Mask of a Hero

"Training's over for today."

All Might's voice was softer than usual, the energy drained from his words. You could tell that whatever had just happened between you two had left the atmosphere heavier, more charged with tension. A strange mix of emotions hung in the air, making it hard to focus. Your heart was still racing from everything, and it wasn't just because of the physical effort.

Something had shifted, something you couldn't quite name.

You glanced down at your arm, and that's when you noticed it—a thin line of blood trailing from a small cut on your left shoulder. It must've happened when you fell earlier, probably from one of those sharp branches. The sting became more noticeable as you focused on it, but it was hardly enough to complain about.

All Might noticed too. "Your arm..." His tone was immediately filled with concern as he stepped closer, breaking the silence that had grown between you. His eyes flickered between your wound and your face, his usual cheerfulness masked by something more serious.

You shook your head quickly, forcing a smile. "It's nothing. Just a scratch, really," you mumbled, instinctively covering the cut with your good hand. But your mind wasn't on the injury at all. It was still spinning from what had just happened moments before.

Why had he brushed it off like that? Pretended like nothing had happened? You had been convinced the conversation would go differently, that he'd acknowledge the shift, but instead, he was back to being the hero, the mentor. 

Like it hadn't even registered.

Before you could dwell on it too much, you suddenly felt a firm but gentle grip around your waist. You gasped as All Might lifted you effortlessly, setting you back on your feet as though you weighed nothing. The touch startled you, but you didn't pull away. Instead, you stood there, trying to gather your thoughts.

"We should get that looked at," he said, as if there was no room for argument. "As I said, end of training. Recovery Girl should be at the school by now." He turned, already preparing to head back, but you panicked and instinctively blurted out.

"Wait—no! It's fine, really. I don't need—" Your voice came out more desperate than you intended. It wasn't just the wound you were worried about; Midoriya had been nearby. You didn't want him to see the two of you together, especially like this. You needed time—just a little more time.

But before you could finish your protest, the world around you blurred. Suddenly, you felt the wind rushing past you, your body weightless as All Might launched into the air, carrying you with him. You barely had time to react, let alone complain, as the city below came into view.

Flying.

You were flying.

Well, sort of. It was more like soaring through the sky.

For a moment, all thoughts of Midoriya, your cut, and even the tension between you and All Might faded. The world beneath you shrank, buildings and streets becoming tiny dots, and the sky above was endless and free. You had never experienced anything like it before—this kind of freedom.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" All Might's voice was softer now, almost nostalgic, as if remembering something distant. You looked at him, finding a smile on his face that seemed to match your own wonder. "It's different seeing the world from up here."

You nodded, unable to tear your eyes away from the breathtaking view. It was... incredible. The clouds seemed close enough to touch, and for just a second, you forgot everything else—the worries, the awkwardness, the confusion.