Finding Me (Todoroki x Reader)

Chapter 73

I told Shoto everything.

Everything that occurred between the camp and when he found me; everything that the League had said, and everything involving All for One. It wasn't easy to say it, but I had to get it out. I had to tell someone.

"So, you're saying your power isn't yours, but instead was given to you by that maniac? The one who almost killed All Might?"

I nodded, unable to meet his eyes. "Yeah. Turns out the 'great power' I have isn't so great. I wasn't blessed by this, or lucky. My parents were just so desperate to break our quirkless streak, that they decided to deal with a madman - who is probably the most dangerous villain that ever walked this earth - in order to do so."

"Hey." I jumped as I felt Shoto's cool fingers intertwine with mine,  relaxing as they rubbed over skin in soothing motions. "Your parents may have lost sight of who they are because of that man. Don't let him do the same to you."

"How can you say that?" I asked, turning to face him. "Have you not been listening this whole time, Shoto? I am a fraud! This power isn't my own - it never was. And I can feel darkness, Shoto. I can feel it festering inside of me, ready to devour me whole if I'm not careful. All for One's right: I don't have the right to want to be a hero. I never did..."

Tears welled in my E/C eyes, making me bite my lip to hold them back. I was sick of crying, but they just wouldn't stop. Why? Why did my parents do what they did? I was telling the truth when I said I would've been happy being normal, average, quirkless. All because they would've been with me every step of the way.

Sure, I wouldn't have met Shoto, and all of my other amazing friends - even Bakugou - but at least I wouldn't have been living a lie.

A sudden, terrible thought hit me, making my blood run cold. 'Oh no, what if the teachers find out and kick me out?! Or worse, I get put into prison, or get experimented on, or-'

I gasped, feeling calloused palms cup my cheeks, directing my eyes to look into familiar blue and grey ones.

"Stop worrying for five seconds," Shoto muttered, "and just be grateful you're alive. I know I am. Come on, let's worry about this another day, and head back to your room. I bet your parents are worried about you."

My eyes were wide in bewilderment for a moment, but realising what he said, I relaxed into a smile.

"You're right," I said, nimble fingers gracing over his knuckles. "You really know just what to say don't you, Shoto?"

He simply shrugged, saying. "I do try, you know."

That made me laugh. Realising he was right, I just nodded, bringing his hands down from my face to grip them as I stood up.

"Help me to my room, prince?"

Shoto's eyebrows furrowed, his head tilting as he stared up at me from where he still sat on the bench. "Prince?"

I chuckled softly, shaking my head as I said, "Nevermind. Just come on."

As we walked backed to my room - which mainly involved me clinging onto Shoto's arm as I hobbled back - I couldn't help but feel a little better.

The Symbol of Peace may be gone, and I might have just stumbled down a rabbit hole of dark, family secrets; but the light hadn't been completely wiped out.

I still had my friends, and I still had Shoto. That was all I could ask for in that moment.

~~~

"Given everything that's happened, I was glad we could bring Class A back together."

My classmates and I all stood before Mr. Aizawa, who in turn was standing before a giant building labelled 1-A. A giant staircase climbed up behind him, leading into a set of wooden double doors, acting as the entrance to the massive multi-storied building that was to be our new home.