It's Friday, the weekend, hooray!

I think this goes through Chapter 125 or so. Read that manga if you haven't! It's worth it!

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~Enjoy~

Midoriya's mind was racing as the cool night air bit at his skin. Bakugo had made him walk all the way to Ground Beta, the site of their first hero exercise. The very place that Midoriya had teamed up with Uraraka and beat Bakugo and Iida. Bakugo was cold and straightforward when he asked Midoriya his question, but words still shocked him.

"You got that power from All Might, didn't you?" Bakugo growled. There it was… that damn question. The words barely registered inside Midoriya's head. He knew he couldn't lie, and even if he was comfortable with lying, he would never be able to hide it from Bakugo. He'd known him since they were kids. Bakugo could read him like a book.

This is my punishment, then, Midoriya thought to himself, this is my punishment for revealing the secret back then. Idiot.

Bakugo continued to talk, explaining his logic, but Midoriya couldn't understand a thing that he was saying. The words were foreign to him, like another language. Midoriya wasn't sure what he could possibly do to appease Bakugo, and he especially didn't know what to do now that the explosive boy was staring at him blankly.

"How would the truth help you?" Midoriya challenged, deciding that it was no use to try and hide it.

"I need to understand what's so special about you," Bakugo spilled, and for a moment Midoriya thought that he might have looked a little sad. "What's so special about you, you fucking asshole, that All Might would go that far for you?"

It was a fair question, Midoriya conceded in his mind. At times, he didn't even understand what All Might was thinking. If he was being completely honest, when he wasn't absolutely star-struck by being chosen by literally the greatest hero of all time, he often wondered what must be actually, deeply wrong with All Might to have chosen him. And, thus, the intense pressure to be the greatest hero and live up to the unreasonable ideal of becoming the next Symbol of Peace was born, and it rested on his shoulders every single day.

"You're going to fight me!" Bakugo shouted, holding up his fists. "Right here, and right now!"

"W-what," Midoriya choked, "Why?"

"If All Might thought you, a loser, were so great," Bakugo hissed as he stretched his arms, "did that mean that I was wrong all along? Not even worth being looked at?"

"K-Kacchan," Midoriya whimpered, trying to console him.

"If you don't put your arms up," Bakugo warned, "you'll get hurt."

Midoriya opened his mouth to protest, but Bakugo was already upon him, launching towards him with his right fist. No, Midoriya corrected, the right is a feint… I've got to dodge! He felt the crackle of Bakugo's explosions tickle at his skin as Full Cowl enveloped his body. He managed to dodge the full force of the attack, but still took some damage from Bakugo's hit.

"Kacchan," Midoriya called out angrily, "are we really going to do this?"

Bakugo rushed towards him again, launching a flurry of explosions that Midoriya barely managed to dodge. "It doesn't mean you weren't being looked at," Midoriya screamed. "No one is saying that!"

His words fell on deaf ears. Bakugo immediately turned around and initiated another string of explosions. They grazed Midoriya's skin and he flinched as he dodged and rushed out of Bakugo's grip.

"I said wait!" Midoriya cried, narrowly avoiding Bakugo's attacks.

But, suddenly, they were kids again. "Wait," Midoriya called after Bakugo as he walked away with his new friends. "Wait," he said after Bakugo pushed him down. "Wait," he cried after Bakugo made fun of him viciously in front of those cool, new friends. They were always together. Midoriya was always tagging along after Bakugo hurt him. Always trying to pick him up after he fell, despite the same courtesy never being returned.

Midoriya felt the sizzle of One for All creep up his legs, the hot, pumping rush of anger coursing through his veins. Bakugo fired an explosion into him, and he took it, letting the damage fuel his flames. Bakugo reached for his arm, ready to launch another explosion, when Midoriya fell backwards, catching himself on his hands and launching a kick into Bakugo's midsection.

Bakugo coughed and flew back from Midoriya, and for a moment the anger subsided. He was the same Bakugo who fell into the river on that day when they were just kids. The same Bakugo who needed his help. "Hey," he called softly, walking over to the boy with an outstretched hand, "are you all -"

"Don't fucking worry about me," Bakugo screamed, standing up slowly. "Why wont you fucking fight me? What the hell is your problem?"

"How did I end up chasing the back of the shit-head who was always scrapping up for my leftovers?" Bakugo growled. "You, a shitty fucking weakling, being recognized by All Might, even though I've been getting stronger, too."

"Why," the words tore themselves from Bakugo's throat, "why did I become the reason for the end of All Might?" Tears spilled from Bakugo's eyes as he wrestled with himself.

"If I had been stronger," he choked, "if I hadn't been captured… then All Might would still be here. And, I've been trying not to think about it, but I can't hold it in." Bakugo clenched his teeth and charged Midoriya again, his hands primed for another round of explosions.

But, it didn't matter to Midoriya. In fact, for a moment, everything was blank. Charging toward him, with tears in his eyes, was Kacchan, and it was the same Kacchan from when they were kids. It was the Kacchan who was falling all alone in the river. It was the Kacchan who needed his help. It's been bothering him, Midoriya thought, and I'm the only one he can talk to. I'm the only one who can hear his pain.

Bakugo reached him, but Midoriya launched a One-For-All enhanced kick into him, knocking him back away again. "If we're to fight," Midoriya explained, "let's go all out. I have no intention of being your punching bag this time," Midoriya knew it was selfish, but he had something to prove, too.

This whole time, Midoriya thought to himself, not once have we talked about our feelings. Not once have we talked everything out. Midoriya attempted to dodge as Bakugo continually attacked him, launching larger and larger explosions. Normally, he'd predict the movement of his attacker, but Bakugo was too quick. Bakugo had gotten stronger.

"You're always looking down on me with those damned eyes," Bakugo snarled, "even though you were a quirkless idiot! You always thought so much less of me!"

"You really thought that about me?" Midoriya called back, standing up and gathering his strength.

"I guess," Midoriya conceded, "if someone were to constantly abused and berated, I would think they were crazy for sticking around that person, too," Midoriya felt One For All surge through his body again, the heat of it enveloping his joints, "but, you were so talented, so amazing, that it was blinding to me." Midoriya felt One For All's power increase, and for a moment it took him off guard. He'd been able to manage and control up to five percent, but with his emotions rising, he'd unknowingly upped his level to eight percent. Over time his body had grown stronger, and although it was painful, eight percent was bearable.

"You, were someone who was dear to me!" He shouted, launching himself towards Bakugo, "Even more so than All Might!"

He felt an incredible speed as he flew towards Bakugo, and he saw Bakugo brace himself for the attack, rather than attempt to dodge. His own speed astonished him. "I've finally caught up to you!" He screamed, launching a full eight percent kick into Bakugo.

Bakugo absorbed the shock and immediately fired an explosion back, which Midoriya barely dodged. Midoriya quickly turned to launch another kick, but Bakugo caught him in his hands, firing another explosion into his exposed leg. Midoriya grit his teeth and turned, ready with his fists, "even though I've been using my legs," he called, "I never said I can't use my fists!"

Midoriya felt his punch impact Bakugo's face, but Bakugo pushed through the pain, and sent another explosion flying back at Midoriya, which he was unable to dodge. Bakugo quickly pushed him into the ground and pressed his hand to Midoriya's face, threating another explosion.

"I win," he sneered. I knew you would, Midoriya thought to himself. It's stupid, but, in my head… you've always been the picture of victory.

"Why did you lose?" Bakugo wasn't finished. He pushed his hand harder into Midoriya's face. "C'mon," he growled, "why did you lose?"

"That's enough," a voice called behind them and they both reeled to see All Might standing before them.

"I'm sorry, but, I eavesdropped on you two." All Might confessed and Bakugo rose from his position over Midoriya.

"And, I'm sorry that I've failed you."

"Why him?" Bakugo challenged.

"Because," All Might explained, "on that day, with the sludge villain, Midoriya was a greater hero than me. Even though he was quirkless, he acted. I decided that it was my duty to give him to the ability to join the fight that you had already been fighting in."

"But, I'm weak," Bakugo choked, "and because I'm weak… now you're like this!"

All Might softened and approached Bakugo. "This," he motioned to himself, "is not your fault." He pulled Bakugo gently towards him, hugging him softly, careful not to push too far. "This is a path that I'd long since been heading towards."

Bakugo pulled himself away harshly, crumbling to the ground. "Listen," All Might offered, "I've been a hero a long time."

"Both you, Young Midoriya, and you, Young Bakugo, are two sides of the same coin. All this time, Midoriya, you have admired Young Bakugo's fight to win."

"And you, Bakugo, have feared Young Midoriya's spirit." Bakugo clenched his fists at All Might's words.

"If you two, honestly, raise each other up," All Might explained, "there will be no stopping you. You can become the heroes who both have an undeniable strength and spirit, and, will, undoubtedly, become the best heroes."

"Midoriya can't possibly lose," Bakugo mumbled, "he's got the best person helping him out."

"Who all knows? About your relationship?" Bakugo asked.

"Among the students, only you," All Might noted.

"And you want it kept a secret," Bakugo acknowledged. "Don't worry, I won't go telling anyone like shit-head Deku."

Midoriya nodded and Bakugo turned to him. "Even though you're the chosen one," Bakugo jeered, "I'll surpass you!"

"Then, I'll surpass you!" Midoriya replied.

"That's what I just said, you dumbass!" Bakugo stormed. Midoriya prepared to respond when they were both suddenly wrapped tightly in Aizawa's bindings. Their teacher was fuming as he held them there, attempting to conceive a proper punishment in his mind.

All Might plead their case as he tried to take responsibility for the fight, but both Midoriya and Bakugo were too proud. Aizawa asked who threw the first punch and Bakugo immediately took credit, and Midoriya responded by saying that he hit back.

Aizawa seethed. He told them that while they would be allowed to stay at U.A., they would be condemned to house arrest for the following days where they would clean the dormitory common spaces all day. Bakugo received four days punishment and Midoriya received three. Additionally, unless their injuries were serious, they were prohibited from seeing Recovery Girl.

After receiving their punishment, Bakugo and Midoriya trudged back to the dormitories in absolute silence. When they reached their respective dorms they paused for a moment, both refusing to look at each other. "I will beat you, Deku," Bakugo growled at him, as he disappeared into his room.

And I'll do my best to beat you, Bakugo. Midoriya thought to himself as he slowly opened the door. He had hoped not to wake Todoroki, but the boy was sitting on the edge of his bed, staring at Midoriya.

Midoriya attempted a smile, but it felt insincere, so he dropped it quickly. "Hey, Todoroki," he said softly, "sorry to wake you."

"Do you need help?" Todoroki ignored his apology and motioned to the first aid kit that had become a staple in their room.

"Honestly," Midoriya struggled, "I can't feel most of my body." Midoriya took off his shirt and examined his arms. They were covered in cuts and scrapes, with burns also littering the surface of his skin. Todoroki simply nodded and moved over to him.

There was silence as they both worked to tend the injuries when Todoroki got to his right hand. Todoroki stopped and moved his fingers over Midoriya's crooked palm, covered in scars. Midoriya's face grew hot as he watched the boy tenderly trace the jagged lines.

"I-It's okay," Midoriya reassured, "I did that. I knew what I was doing."

Todoroki's mismatched eyes met his own green. "I still pushed you into it."

Midoriya felt the heat in his face intensify and he shifted his gaze away. "R-really," he whispered, "I was happy to… I wanted to be there for you." He looked back up to see that Todoroki had turned his own face away and silence fell upon them again.

"Midoriya," Todoroki broke the awkward silence that had set in. He had been extraordinarily silent during the rest of the time that he helped Midoriya patch his injuries, and now he was back in his own bed, laying still.

"Yeah?" Midoriya sat up from his bed to face Todoroki, worried about what he might say.

"Do you think… do you think that Shiketsu kid from the exam was right? Yoarashi? He said… he compared me to Endeavor. Am I just like him… my dad?" Todoroki looked away from Midoriya quickly, turning his face to gaze at his left palm.

"Um," Midoriya hesitated, trying to make the words sound right in his head. This was it. Todoroki was being vulnerable again. "In a way, I think he had a point," Midoriya hesitantly glanced towards Todoroki. Based on his body language, he had clearly given the wrong answer.

Midoriya quickly raised his hands up, trying to revoke his statement, but Todoroki wasn't looking at him. "I mean, I don't think you would ever intentionally try to hurt someone. Instead, I think that maybe you just aren't comfortable interacting with people, and with that being the case I think it's incredibly easy for you to give the wrong impression. For example, many are familiar with Endeavor, so when they meet you –"

Todoroki raised a hand to quiet Midoriya. "Slow down, please... you're rambling." His tone was weak, but sincere. To Midoriya, he didn't seem mad at him. He just seemed sad, and Midoriya was really starting to hate how often Todoroki was sad.

Midoriya closed his mouth and thought, trying not to start rambling again. He wasn't sure exactly how to communicate all the thoughts spinning in his head in a way that could possibly reassure Todoroki. "I know that sometimes the people we need in our life turn out to hurt us," he began softly, turning away from Todoroki and closing his eyes. "But, I don't think that makes them bad people."

"Since I've started training to become a hero," Midoriya paused, scrambling for the right words to say, "I-I… I don't think that I believe in evil anymore… or at least not in the same way." Midoriya didn't have the courage to look toward Todoroki, but he heard him shift from his spot on the bed.

"Of course, there are villains. And there are people who should be locked away from society," Midoriya ceded, "but I don't think people are born with the desire to hurt others. I don't think people are irredeemable." His thoughts shifted to Bakugo, and how Bakugo had sobbed before him only hours earlier.

"And I think that, when one of these toxic people… people who have their own issues that they're trying to understand," Midoriya paused, trying to compose himself and stop the tears forming in his eyes, "I think that when those people are close to us is when they can hurt us the most." Thoughts of Bakugo immediately flooded his mind again. Deep down, he didn't actually think that Bakugo hated him anymore. Maybe Todoroki was like Bakugo, as in, maybe, Todoroki didn't know how to deal with his own feelings, either.

"I think that it's really easy to see toxic people in our lives as villains. I think that it's hard to accept that they might be people too, and they might be people who make mistakes… who hurt people they care about. For whatever it's worth, I don't think your dad wanted his life to turn out this way, and I think that now that All Might's number one status is gone he might start to see things more clearly." Midoriya felt himself starting to talk into circles. He took a deep breath and gathered his thoughts.

"I think Endeavor became so tied up in himself that he forgot to look outwards. I think he forgot about the consequences his actions have on others and I think that he lost his perspective." Midoriya clenched his fists, now holding back the tears that formed and threatened to spill onto his face.

"Sometimes, I think that's what it is with you, too. I think that you're so hard on yourself and that you've wrapped yourself up in your hatred for your father. You've worn it like armor… and I think that you don't look outward. You don't let anyone in, Todoroki." Midoriya took a moment to wipe his teary eyes with the back of his fist.

"So, no, I don't really think you're like Endeavor. I don't think you're a bully. I don't think you hurt people, and I don't think that you use people for your own personal gain," Midoriya paused, gathering up the courage to look at Todoroki. "But I do think that you shut people out, and I think that it comes off as standoffish. I want to be your friend, Todoroki. I want to be on the same side." Midoriya paused, took a deep breath and composed himself.

"It's not selfish to shut out toxic people in your life. It's not selfish to want to live your life for yourself," Midoriya made a point to really look in Todoroki's eyes, expecting to see him angry, but there wasn't any anger behind his expression. "You are your own person, Todoroki."

Instead, Todoroki just looked shocked. His heterochromatic eyes stared back at Midoriya's own emerald, and his mouth parted ever so slightly, but he didn't say anything. Silence began to drip into the room like a thick, heavy syrup and Midoriya started to gather the sheets between his fists, fidgeting uncomfortably. He started to feel foolish. Even though Todoroki didn't know it, Midoriya had read his journal. He knew the horrors Endeavor had put his son through and it had been nothing like his peaceful upbringing. How could he speak so confidently on Todoroki's issues? He felt naïve and stupid.

"I want to be your friend," Todoroki finally spoke, and Midoriya felt his chest tighten, "…too." Todoroki went silent again, staring at his two hands in his lap.

"You're right." Todoroki added and Midoriya couldn't help his eyes from widening. "I've held on to this hatred for my dad since I was five years old. It's become so much a part of me that I was worried that underneath it there wasn't anything else." Midoriya watched as Todoroki shifted uncomfortably in his bed, wrestling with his thoughts. "Sometimes, I'm afraid I don't even know who I am."

"I didn't have a normal childhood. My siblings are still strangers to me. I don't know how to act around others and as a result I push them away." Todoroki sighed, "I want to be a hero like All Might, too, Midoriya. I want to be someone people look towards as a hero. I don't want to be the brash hero that my dad is."

"I think," Todoroki started, looking towards Midoriya again, "I think that I'm going to try to forgive my dad in some way. I don't know if I will be able to, but, at the very least, I want to let go of my hatred. I want to try making friends here at U.A., and I would like to try to live for myself… and for my mom. I want to make her proud." Midoriya was choking back sobs now. Todoroki had been suffering this whole time, wanting to engage, but not knowing how. He wanted to have friends and Midoriya didn't see that. He just saw Todoroki, always alone.

Before he knew what his body was doing, Midoriya was standing up, walking over to Todoroki's side of the room. He wrapped his arms around Todoroki's shoulders, pulling him into an awkward kind of hug, just the way that he had seen All Might tenderly hold Bakugo only hours before. "I'm sorry," he sobbed, "I'm so sorry."

This time though, Todoroki didn't tense up and pull away like Bakugo had from All Might when Midoriya touched him. Instead, he raised his left hand and placed it gently on Midoriya's forearm. Midoriya noticed that the touch was warm, radiating heat through his muscles. "Why are you sorry?" He asked quietly.

"I've been a bad friend," Midoriya cried, "I should have noticed, and I should have tried to include you more."

Midoriya couldn't see it, but he swore that Todoroki smiled as he felt the boy lean his head into his chest. "You've been a better friend than I could ever ask for, Midoriya."

So, I have kind of spoiled this story with updates. It's only been up for a week and we're already approaching 5 chapters and 20k words. Due to my schedule this coming week, I don't know if I'll be able to update until next Friday. Cross your fingers!