Finding Me (Todoroki x Reader)

Chapter 61

"Hey, let me help, Bakugou."

With the intention to touch his shoulder, I reached out to the ash-blond, but he swatted me away.

"I don't need your help, Lightbulb," he grunted, not even sparing me a glance as he followed behind Shoto and the others.

I huffed. "You need your energy restored, Bakugou. I'm just trying to help-"

"I don't need your help, damnit! I don't anyone's help!"

"Bakugou, listen," I said, catching up to him. "You've made it quite clear that you don't want anyone's help. But wanting and needing are two completely different things. And right now, I don't care if you want my help or not - you need it. So... just let me. Let us..."

Bakugou kept walking and still didn't look my way, however, he didn't look so pissed off unlike mere seconds ago. He looked... like he was thinking, and I wasn't sure whether to be happy or concerned. The answer came in the form of a disgruntled, "Whatever..."

I let out a relieved sigh, reaching out to finish what I'd started. However, I didn't even touch the boy before he was speaking gain.

"Just so you know..." he started, quiet and calm. "I feel fine. Before you're generous with me, you should really think about what you need. Like that stupid nerd and that icy-hot bastard said - you're a key part of this stupid protection squad, or whatever, so don't go incapacitating yourself before the real fight begins."

My fingers hovered over Bakugou's pale skin, barely scraping the hairs on his arms as they froze there. Had he just... given me advice? I felt my eyes widen, locking onto my explosive classmate's figure as I forced my legs to keep moving. Had I just imagined all that? The Bakugou I knew wasn't one to help anyone apart from himself. Himself... and possibly Kirishima.

Looking at him now, his frustration was evident - as usual - but he wasn't mad. Although he didn't look at all happy about his situation... 'I believe he's actually accepting us being here for him,' I thought. 'Protecting him.' He was giving me honest and helpful tips now, so that had to mean something, right?

A small smile tugged at my lips, shaking my head as I let my fingers clench around his forearm.

"You know what, Bakugou?" I said, white aura flowing from me. "I think you've matured a lot, recently. Honestly! But I can't listen to you, sorry."

"Matured?! Don't mock me. And why's that, Lightbulb?"

"You know I have a name right? And so do the others-"

"I know, damnit! Just finish what you were saying!"

I huffed, letting my hand drop back to my side. My legs suddenly felt strained, like I was wading through water. But I ignored the pain. It didn't matter, right now.

"I can't listen to your advice, Bakugou, because that's just not who I am," I said, flashing him a cheeky smile. "No matter how weak I feel, or how little energy I have left inside me - I'll always give it away to anyone who needs it. I know it might sound stupid - giving away what little power I have to someone else - but it's the right thing to do. It feels good to give, and if giving means that I save someone's life, then so be it."

A grunt came from my left. "What the heck?! That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard-"

"I think it's a pretty amazing thing."

A small, surprised sound escaped my lips as my E/C eyes met with Shoto's heterochromatic ones. Although he was carrying someone on his back, he managed to look over his shoulder and lock eyes with me, stealing my breath away with just one stare. That, and the fact that he had been listening in on that sentimental and cringey ass conversation with Bakugou.