Rejected Stones

Take Me Out To the Ballgame

This document beta'd by kylekatarn77

14. Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Love can be found in unexpected places. Sometimes we go out searching for what we think we want and we end up with what we're supposed to have.

-Kate McGahan

"Believe it or not Izuku, I think this is the longest Mei has gone without an extended visit to the hospital anyway," Hari said as Izuku helped Mei out of the car.

"It's true!" Mei agreed, clinging tightly to Izuku as he led her up the steps to the Hatsume shop and home. "I haven't even managed to set the house on fire since we got into UA!"

"Um, Mei, I don't know if that's really a good thing," Izuku said, wincing slightly. "You really should just take it easy and rest for a few days."

The door suddenly banged open, and Komaru and Nikawa rushed out, both aof them grinning madly. For a moment Izuku thought they were going to attack him for hurting their sister, but then they both started cheering.

"You won Midoriya, you won!" they cheered.

Izuku blushed, looking down. "Well, it was because of Mei's help that I got as far as I did."

"No way! You were super awesome!" Komaru said, jumping up and down.

Nikiwa nodded, and began shadowboxing. "You were like bam! And then pow! And then you totally crushed that Bakugo jerk!"

"He was very mean," Mei agreed. "But Izuku and our super cute babies triumphed so it's alright."

"Oh yeah," Nikiwa said, frowning at Mei. "So, are you like, blind now or something?"

"Shoo, both of you! She needs to lay down!" Hari scolded. "Sheesh. Leave her and Midoriya alone for ten seconds you little monsters."

The boys made way, but they started arguing about which of Izuku's fights had been the most impressive.

Once they were inside, Mrs. Hatsume came over, wrapping Mei in her arms. "Oh my goodness! Sweetie, we were so worried about you!"

"But proud," Mr. Hatusme said, coming over and grasping Izuku's hand. "You did good, son. Taught that brute a good lesson. He'll think twice about messing with my baby girl again!"

"It's OK mom, none of our babies were hurt too badly," Mei said. "Except for number 1, but we can rebuild the goggles better than ever!"

"Doc says her eyes will be fine in a day or two, but to leave the bandages on and keep her in bed for the next few days," Hari told her parents. She slapped Izuku on the back. "Don't worry, like I said before, this is far from the worst she's ever managed to hurt herself, Midoriya."

"I still feel bad," Izuku mumbled, looking down. "If it hadn't been for the anger Bakugo felt towards me, I don't know if he'd been so willing to hurt Mei."

Mr. Hatsume shook his head. "That boy seemed like he didn't care who he had to crush to win. Besides, Mei's told us he was cruel to you even before you enrolled at UA, and that you were never the one to pick fights."

Izuku looked up, surprised and looked after Mei, who was being led upstairs by Hari and her mother. "Really? I didn't think Mei would ever mention something like that..."

"Son, Mei talks about two things. You, and what you're building together. That is, in fact, about a 100% increase in her conversational subjects."

"Oh. I guess...I didn't think about it that way," Izuku admitted. He looked after Mei again, almost wishing he could follow after her, and could stay by her side while she healed. But that wasn't an option. "I felt...really bad. I couldn't do anything to save her! I tried to get Mei to forfeit, to not fight Bakugo, or to take the Power Suit herself, but she wouldn't listen! I'm sorry I failed..."