"TIMES UP! In first place...TEAM MINETA!" If anyone asked Aizawa did not smile beneath his bandages, he was not glowing with paternal pride, and he was not wanting to lift you up and shout to the world how proud he was of his 'daughter'. Mic totally didn't see it either and he definitely wasn't planning on telling you Midnight about it later. "In second place...TEAM TODOROKI!" Endeavor was both disappointed and ecstatic, his son was finally going to realize he couldn't win without his full power. "In third place...TEAM MIDORIYA!" The green haired boy flinched at the snarl coming from Bakugou. "In fourth place...TEAM BAKUGOU!" The boy was livid, his team though excited to make it through, all moved away from the feral teen. He lost to fucking Deku...again.

You dropped your hold on Mineta and slunk to your knees, wheezing as you puffed out cold air. Mineta kissed the ground, Kaminari just spun in a dizzy circle, and Hatsume threw her goggles into the air with a scream of joy. A smile came on your face, you guys did it, you took first.

"No way." Mineta whispered quietly, black eyes glistening with tears of relief. "WE DID IT!" He let the tears fall dramatically as he and Kaminari shared a less than stellar high five, the electric boy woozy and borderline fried from his quirk.

"Hells yeah dude! I...told you to join...us." Kaminari slurred slightly, you laughed at the cheesy, idiotic grin on his face. He wobbled over to you and flopped down, laying his head on your shoulder. "You protected me...my cute angel is a...hero!" You pat his head and the dopey boy swooned. He needed a charge up before the next event or he was screwed.

"Harem here I come! I can see all the boobilicious babes already." Mineta unabashedly ogled Hatsume, her sports uniform was tied around her waist showing her more than ample chest to the world. The pink haired inventor was grinning, her eyes were watery from overuse but she was ecstatic at the win and the purple haired boy didn't creep her out as much as he probably should have. She thought he was kind of amusing, like a more annoying version of sparky.

Your eyes traveled the arena in interest, watching the reactions of each team that would press further or were cut off. Bakugou was seething, you expected nothing less from him. But if the festival went as it normally did, these would be 1 v 1's where Bakugou would be able to show off, if any trial would showcase how he was top tier, you knew it would be this one. With your training together, he would be even more adept at fighting against someone like Todoroki, a boy trained in both his quirk and combat since a young age.

You locked your gaze onto an unsuspecting Todoroki, the look on his face made something unpleasant coil in your stomach. He was staring up at the audience yet you could tell his eyes unseeing. His hands trembled at his sides and a frown pursed on his slightly frosted lips. He didn't look afraid or angry per-say but he looked...off. Todoroki wasn't one to make friends, since day one when he all but told everyone to fuck off in the most cold voice possible you knew he didn't want any...but you wondered if maybe he needed some. There was something about the talented boy that drew your attention slightly, something similar that itched your mind every time he seemed to zone out.

Shouto Todoroki felt your gaze burning into his side as you assessed him. His dual colored eyes turned to lock with your lilac ones unflinching. His gaze narrowed, eyes sharp and face deceptively blank as he focused his anger onto something better than his bastard of a father...you. The person who somehow made him lose both events thus far when he knew if anyone else was there he would have won. He would have won with his mothers powers and yet you were always there ruining it, making his fathers words true.

He resented his father, he resented himself, he resented Midoriya for whatever connection he has with All Might, and he was beginning to resent how you were adept at showing how he was weak, useless, incapable of being Endeavor's successor without using that power, there was no way he could defeat all might with Ice and ice alone if he couldn't freeze a damn nuisance of a flightless bird.

Todoroki was sure about two things, he was going to crush everyone with his ice and do it all while his shitty father watched.

You didn't flinch away from his challenging gaze, the emptiness in his icy blue and slate gray eyes was much like you remembered your own. You didn't care much about Todoroki as a person but something about that blank stare made you want yourself or someone else to beat the shit out of him until familiar look never showed again. You looked away as Midnight announced a lunch break, forcing your thoughts from the bi-colored boy to the thoughts of lunch and hopefully finding Aizawa to get a jelly pouch.

Maybe Zashi will annoy him into giving me two.

You smiled at the thought, that would be nice but he was a stickler with those damned jelly pouches. Everyone was still chatting in the arena but you were already leaving through one of the hallways. You were cold, you had little energy left from lack of calories, and all you wanted was to scarf your face with an ungodly amount of food. Lunch Rush has loved you since Aizawa brought you to meet him a few years back and put away all his experimental food with ease. If he was the one working today you were positive he'd make you extra.

You moved through the hallway like a zombie, you were positive you looked like one too with your blue tinted lips from the cold, as you headed to the announcers box.

You were so caught up in thinking about getting some food and a blanket that you slammed straight into a firm, hot wall. You let out a sight at the heat and leaned more into it. It was so warm and it smelled sweet, like candy. Wait... purple eyes met with blazing red. Before you could speak a word to Bakugou, he had you slammed against a wall, grossly sweaty palm covering your mouth as he mouthed an annoyed 'Shut the fuck up.' He could feel your chill through his clothing.

He was craning his ear toward the one of entrance hallways you were about to walk past, there was someone talking. You shrugged before quieting down and listened with him. It took you a second to identify the voice but finally you recognized it as Todoroki. You were confused, not a odd thing but still. You weren't sure why Bakugou cared to listen in on whatever the boy was talking about but it was none of your business....well...at least until he oh so kindly dragged you into it.

"Whats this about Todoroki?" A meek voice responded, shaking in that familiar way. You raised a brow, more interested now. You didn't know what beef Todoroki had with Izuku but as long as you were stuck in Bakugou's grasp, not that you were trying hard to get out because he was so warm, you were going to find out another new thing to add to your understanding of people.

"Quirk marriages. You've heard of them, yeah?" No. You had never heard of them. Your brows furrowed in confusion and although Bakugou was listening to their conversation, he didn't miss how confused you were. It broke the tense air growing..at least for you two. He almost snorted at the stupid expression. Todoroki went to explain all about a quirk marriage, it just made you more confused. You thought people only married for love, that's what Kyomi told you all those years ago and you never asked about it again.

"My father made my mothers family agree to the marriage. All so he could get his hands on her quirk." Bakugou looked pale, this was not what he was expecting, it was way more fucked up and he kinda-sorta-barely felt sorry for the Icy Hot bastard. "Raising me as a hero who could exceed All Might, just to fulfill his own ambition. The hero Endeavor, a fucking joke." Something in his tone shifted and although you couldn't see Todoroki, you could hear his anger. "I hate it! Being no more than a tool for that human piece of shit."

You froze in Bakugou's grasp, listening intently as he talked. Your brain was whirring finally piecing together why Todoroki's eyes made you feel so...bad. He was, he was sort of like you. A tool for a family who didn't give a shit about anything more than what he could do. His mom punched him for looking like his father, his father punished him whenever he wasn't strong enough. He was you but under the guidance of a 'hero'. The lack of social skills made so much more sense, at least he had an excuse to be the way he was.

You weren't really all to sure about what you could do about it, it's not like you could tell Todoroki to kill his father like you did...but something inside stirred. You weren't too positive about a lot of things and you felt like you had no strong ambition but you were positive you wanted to do something about it. You were almost positive Midoriya would want to help, he was a bleeding heart, a kind boy with the desire to make everyone happy. That was obvious to everyone who met him.

Todoroki prepared to leave and Bakugou cursed to himself. He didn't give a fuck if he was caught but he still didn't need or want half-and-half to know he listened to his entire life story.

The explosive boy threw you over his shoulder with ease, your lightweight being of use once again. He carried the both of you away for whatever reason he deemed necessary. You didn't even react as he grumbled curses and annoyances about 'Shitty nerd Deku not being that fuckin' great and Icy Hot's gonna finally see him and die'. You stayed limp, he was warm and he was heading towards where you needed to go.

***

Moving towards your desired location you decided to talk to Nezu and Aizawa about Todoroki after the festival. You didn't want to take the chance of ruining Todoroki's chance at the festival, he was fighting for a reason and the chance of a pro stepping in before its over might be worse than letting him fight off some anger by showing up his father or whatever would happen. You know you'd probably feel a lot different now, more resentful towards Aizawa, if you didn't fight your parents before having your life changed.

You slid open the doors to the announcer's room and sat right in front of the mummified Aizawa, your doe eyes looking into his, blinking in want. He hated how domestic he felt. The man knew exactly what you wanted and with an exasperated sigh, one that lacked the normal heat, his bandaged arms lazily draped a blanked over your head and handed you not one but two jelly pouches from his stash you were never able to find. You gave him a sleepy smile, your blueish lips regaining some color as you stuck the opening of the strawberry flavor into your mouth.

Present Mic scooped you up, bundled in your blanket and all. You were too hungry and tired to even protest his coddling...that and you were pretty damn happy as well. "You did great little cyborg! All those listeners out there were awed. Who would have thought the stoic and loner child would actually agree to team up to win! I feel like such a proud papa!" Aizawa narrowed his eyes slightly, bloodshot eyes seeming to become more red. Mic shivered but when he blinked it was over; he dubbed it his overactive imagination again.

"You're not my dad." He huffed a whine but was too happy at the way Aizawa perked up at the statement to let your words pierce his poor fragile heart. He was best friends with Aizawa, he could take whatever you threw at him. Plus, he was so happy. It was nice to see your growing into yourself and Aizawa growing to feel some kind of paternal feelings for you. Even if he wasn't your dad...he'd damn sure be the best uncle ever.

"Put her down you clingy annoyance." Eraser grumbled at his friend. You were almost 15 and he treated you like a teddy bear, he briefly missed the days when you'd flip Mic onto his ass for even touching you. (So most of class 1-A are 15-16 their first year of UA but since I was one of the youngest in my first year and I didn't turn 15 until I was a second year You/reader has to be suck with being just a bit younger as well since I'm petty) "Isn't there something she's supposed to see?" As an afterthought Aizawa added, "You need to eat." You agreed with that wholeheartedly, you wanted food...but your curiosity being as high as it always was you wanted to know what you were supposed to see first.

"What'm I supposed to be seeing?" Hizashi seemed to buzz with even more excitable energy and now you excited as well, it had to be something cool right? With a flourish the dramatic man loved to use, he whistled and then swung open the door. Your lips twitched up in happy surprise. Sachiko smiled brightly at you as Akito stumbled over, pulling your blanked open and wrapping his clothed arms around you, nuzzling his face into your tummy. "You're here!" You were smiling wider now, your chest felt warm in the best way.

"Akito wanted to come cheer you on in person for his special wish. We asked Aizawa and Hizashi and they helped set it up so we could come." He did not want you to know he helped set this up but Sachiko didn't care. Akito looked over at Aizawa and Hizashi feeling shyness and fear prick at him but he shoved it away and pressed his face back into your stomach. "You did really good sweetie, I know you can win this." She was too nice, you still couldn't figure out why she was so dang nice. Her words made you feel good too, another person believed in you for you.

The silver haired boy looked up at you cutely and even behind the mask you could see the beaming grin he was wearing. His caramel skin was flushed enough to peak above the mask on his face and although his eyes were more hollowed than a few days ago, he looked super happy to see you outside the hospital. Even tired and pathetically lacking in physical strength, you were able to lift him into your arms. He was sickly and too light so his weight wasn't too much strain, he weighed less than Mineta so it was fine.

Akito was ecstatic to be here, he was isolated to nor hurt anyone in the crowd or get too sick but he was out of the stupid place and got to see you be a hero. You didn't talk to him like a kid...you didn't try to give him fake smiles and be super nice like the other nurses. He didn't think you even knew how to but that was ok because you could learn together! You still picked him up which made him happy...as long as he didn't cry...and watched big kid movies together. That was enough for him.

"[N/N] y-you were s-so cool! The s-scary g-guy went BOOM and a-another made ICE but you w-were like g-glow and wahh!" He gestured with his gloved hands, his shy and soft voice excitedly showing how cool he thought you were. "You won!" You flicked his nose, his brows scrunching together. The more he opened up the more he reminded you of a shyer Midoriya. Akito turned away and coughed a bit, sounding even worse than last time. You didn't like it and neither did Sachiko if her brief frown was anything to go by.

You knew his time was limited, it frustrated you to no end but if you could make his days happy you would. It's what you wanted to have done for Kyomi, it's what she did for you and so you were gonna do your damn best...even if you weren't sure what the hell that was. He was locked up most of the time, you knew that feeling and so you thought he'd like to try some things and meet some more people before he was put back into the 'tube'. Movies could only do so much for him. You only had an hour before the final event but that was enough to show him something new.

"Mm, Akito do you want to go get lunch and meet some new people?" He was shy but you were positive nobody...well mostly nobody would scare him. You leaned to whisper so only he could hear, carefully not letting your lips touch any exposed skin. "You can try whatever food you want and I'm sure I can find a way to sneak you some dessert." He giggled, eyes wide with childish glee. Food trumps fear for everyone sane.

"E-Even greasy food?" You nodded "...and a-a dessert t-that's not Jell-O?" You smirked giving him another yes. His diet was strict and rarely solid food...especially food that didn't taste like the crap you were fed as a kid but if he was going to be sick either way, you were sure as hell going to let him have whatever he wanted to try. You both turned to face the adults in the room, your face reverting to a cold and blank look just daring them to try and say no while Akito's odd colored eyes were practically begging to go. Aizawa turned away uncaring, Hizashi would practically say yes to anything but murder or boys and Sachiko let out a soft, hesitant yes.

You tightened the blanket around the both of you and made eye contact, shared a single understanding nod, and strode out of the room to go get some food and introduce him to the anomalies that are people not (technically) socially demented or live in a hospital. You poked his exposed forehead with a finger and he decided the smooth cool metal felt much better than the latex gloves people normally wore when they touched him. That was as close to skin to skin contact he would get, that or touching your wings as long as he didn't hit any skin beneath the feathers.

"Do I h-have to meet p-people?" He fidgeted nervously with his fingers and you rubbed his back to make sure he didn't start coughing again.

"You're not going to hurt anyone and nobody will hurt you, all the tubes are gone right? I'm here remember, you've never hurt me." He seemed slightly appeased in knowing he wasn't going to hurt someone again and get even more sick.

"A-Are they g-gonna be scary of m-me?" You saw firsthand how some people treated him at the hospital, doctors never touching him, children being afraid of him...it was hard for him to think other people would really not be afraid of him.

"Nope, if they aren't scared of me after I killed someone in front of them they won't be scared of you. You're too cute to be scary." Kaminari told you that all the time when you were in middle school, Hizashi did as well and you hoped it was the right thing to say to Akito. It was a bit harsh but after watching some movies with Akito -that only after you told Aizawa did you learn what ratings were for- nothing 'gory' was really that bad to say. It was the right thing because he let out a sweet giggle and pressed a kiss to your cheek. "What do you want to eat?"

"M-meat...and ramen...and p-pizza...and f-fried chicken...and pancakes!" You snickered, that was like you when Hizashi would let you pick dinner...plus pancakes had a special place in your heart, being the normal first food you had even if it was drugged...so it was no surprise he wanted them. He wouldn't be able to eat more than a bite or two of each but you'd have the rest so it was an absolute win.

"Dessert?"

"Blue I-Ice cream." You didn't know if there was blue ice cream but you were sure Lunch Rush would be able to do it if you asked.

"Why blue?" You questioned curiously, head cocking slightly. His face flushed and he coughed a bit seeming embarrassed.

"Well...mm..y-your hair is b-blue." You sort of wondered if you were going to be sick with how warm your chest felt. You weren't one to coo over cute things, it seemed pointless but you started seeing how cute things made people squeal annoyingly. There were a few kinds of love and you were beginning to think you loved Akito in the same way you thought you loved your guardians. It was good but you wanted that feeling gone as well, you knew it would hurt when he had to leave. Like a good kid, you shoved that pain? away and focused on just letting him have someone there for him.

You entered the concessions area set up, areas were blocked off for competitors to sit and eat and there were plenty of pop up stands to get food from. You immediately gravitated to Lunch Rush's stand, greeting the man with a smile.

"Ah my little lab rat. And whose this little one?" It would have been definitely a surprise to the pro to see you with a child in your arms, especially since the one time he talked about his kids you said children were useless cryers...even as a child yourself but he had been alerted by Aizawa on the boy's situation before hand. He was to make whatever you wanted. Akito averted his eyes but the smile on his face showed he was still super excited.

"A-Ak-Akito N-Nakamura." The man wasn't even scared of him! Akito was so happy, he was going to try the food in movies and the man didn't flinch at him.

"Nice to meet you, what can I get for you?" You prattled off the food and accepted that cotton candy ice cream would be fine since it was blue. You were told to find a seat and he'd bring the copious amounts of food to you guys instead. It made it easier since you were tired and having Akito walk too much is bad for his health so you kept carrying him. You looked around trying to find someone to sit with, him meeting somebody was good and you were trying to find the best fit. You wanted to find either Mei, Kaminari, Mina, Kirishima, or Midoriya. They seemed like the best option for Akito to meet and have a bit of excitement, plus you knew them better than some others in your class.

Izuku's mop of messy green hair was what you found first and as you moved over to their area, you were pretty shocked to not see Uraraka with him, usually they were all together. Iida noticed you first and he stood up stiffly. Izuku squeaked at Iida's rapid movement and the other boys at the table went wide eyed as they saw you. You were quite a sight. Your vibrant hair was messily falling out of a braid; you were wrapped in a large heated thermal blanket, your wings giving a weird shape to it; and you were carrying a masked child in your arms.

"[Name] why is it that you have a child? This is a place for contenders only, it is not respectable to be breaking the rules. It could possibly be dangerous or-" Tokoyami silently slid closer to Shoji, Izuku following suit giving you room to sit on the end of the long table. Iida's speech and jerky arm movements were cut off when you sat down. You had your thighs pressed against the green haired boy's with the lack of room and he was practically hyperventilating at being so close to a female, he swore that now that girls didn't hate him, he was going to die with how uncaring they were about touching him. Uraraka was a bit more shy about it but it was going to make him explode. Especially when its... someone so cute and caring and strong and to top it all off you were one of the few who believed in him.

"I have permission." He stopped and nodded, pushing up his glasses before sitting back down. Akito let out the softest giggle at him. You turned him around in your lap as he trembled in nervous excitement.

"Umm [Name]...why do you have a...ah child?" Midoriya questioned hesitantly, his face scrunched in confusion as his green eyes assessed everything quickly taking in all he could. 'That is the question isn't it' Tokoyami muttered slightly dark to Shoji who just nodded. "I mean notthatyoucanthaveachildbutwearealljustwondering!" The green eyed boy squeaked out face flushing slightly hoping he wasn't being rude or too straight forward. He talked really fast and you missed his mutterings at the end but you still found it funny. Lunch rush laid down your interesting assortment of food as you talked.

"This is Akito Nakamura." They scared boy squeaked out a hi as everyone greeted him kindly though he was distracted by the overwhelming sounds and foods for him to try. He had the cutest messy smile as he munched down on a greasy bite of pizza. Shoji immediately loving him because of his super adorable mask. When Iida reached his hand out to shake Akito almost cried in worry and started having a coughing fit. That led to you explaining going to the hospital to 'play' and learn from the kids where you met Akito and how you see him every other day at least since then.

"Oh well..maybe next time..Icancomewithyou?" The small one in your lap almost choked because after meeting him and learning what he could do and what will happen another person wants to see him again! And His quirk hurts him as well! Sometimes you wondered how Izuku was so strong willed when he talked about being a hero because every other time he was so...skittish. You kind of wanted to know what made him so timid and scared all the time. At least now after your talks he seemed more confident in himself as a hero though.

"Sure." You accepted through a mouthful of fluffy pancakes.

"That is so very noble of you, you are on the right path of a hero [Name]. Akito, your bravery and perseverance is admirable and you are stronger than most in the face of adversity! I shall work harder to be as impressive as you both." You didn't see it as noble in the slightest like Iida, but to each their own. Many of your classmates came over to meet Akito and he was beaming, none of them were scared. Plus he loved food and maybe just maybe the girls cooing over his cuteness made him feel like some cool Anime hero! Kirishima even went as far as calling him...Akito manly. The boy almost cried in happiness.

Kaminari came over and sparked in excitement! Mei laughed at that. He'd been waiting for weeks to meet Akito and was so excited to meet him. Akito was also excited because you told him about the boy being one of your first friends and how Akito would not hurt him nor would Kaminari be afraid. Thinking the burger was yours, Kaminari went to take a bite and the entire table went through levels of shock and amusement when, with no fear like normal, Akito held up a spoon threateningly as a scrawny sick kid could: "D-Drop it o-or get dropped h-homeboy." Kaminari complied instantly and Sero doubled over laughing. You thought it was pretty funny as well, it would be useful in situations if that was all it took to get people to drop things.

"Where did you learn that?!" Kaminari panicked, the only movie he could think of with that was The Other Guys and there was no way such a little kid had seen it...right?

"I-It worked in a m-movie [N/n] and I w-watched." That explained everything, Izuku and the newly returend Uraraka laughed jovially at everything. Your class was never boring.

Mei decided Akito was her favorite now and he was just happy nobody ate his and your food.

The conversation shifted to talks of the final one-on-one tournament and when Mina boldly declared she was going to get first, Akito let his face narrow into a glare (pout) as he squeezed your arm to his chest.

"N-NO! [N/N] i-is going to get f-first. She's strong a-and she's m-my hero so... S-She has t-to win!" Every female in your vicinity...and Kirishima and Aoyoma practically melted at the statement. For you, it was more than some sweet frilly words. Those never mattered before. It was that he was confident in you, that you were his hero. A word you still didn't truly have a definition for but something lit slightly in you, a small match of determination. You...you weren't sure why you wanted to win but now you were beginning to have that drive that you could see in your peers. A reason to win, to show you were going to be a hero. It wasn't blazing like a bonfire but it was there, sparking to life by the smile and words of a dying boy you just happened to meet.

So, don't count Shinsou out yet, he's still going to be fighting in the finals wait to find out how next chapter! I couldn't do that to the lover boi