When the Strong are Weak [Bakugo x Reader]

14

You'd barely made it through the doors before you collapsed to your knees. Your tears fell unchecked, your sobs echoed off the stone walls. "I'm sorry," you managed to say aloud. "I'm so sorry."

Pulling at the collar of your uniform you found yourself gasping for breath. You covered your mouth as another sob tore through your body. Tears blurred your vision but you were able to make out a figure retreating down the hall. You didn't care.

Minutes could've passed, hours even, you didn't move. Instead you allowed yourself to succumb to the emotions you'd kept pent up for years. "I'm sorry," you sobbed again.

The frantic sound of boots on concrete and your name shouted in panic met your ears.

"Katsuki," you looked up to see him running towards you. Though you tried to stand your legs gave out beneath you.

"Hey, you're okay," Bakugo caught you when you fell, lowering you to the ground gently before cradling you in his arms. "It's okay, Y/N."

"It's not," you choked out, clutching his shirt in your fist. "Katsuki it not okay."

"You won though," you heard the confusion in his voice.

"It's not that," you sighed, drying your eyes some and leaning back to look at him. "Do you remember me telling you how my mom died?"

"You said she was sick," he nodded.

"She was sick, for years. And she was tired. Of fighting to stay alive, tired of seeing my father and I grieve her like she was already gone. She felt like she was holding us back," you grabbed Bakugo's hands and took a deep breath. "Katsuki, she asked me - she asked me to help her one last time."

With fresh tears in your eyes you saw the understanding dawning on him. "She said she wasn't scared, that I was strong and that I was her hero. She told me it was okay to use my quirk and asked me for a hug and told me she was ready and that she loved me. And then she was gone. I killed her," you ended with a sob.

There weren't enough words in the world that Bakugo could've said to make you feel better. But he tried. He took you into his arms again and held you, smoothing your hair from your face and you cried. He whispered words of care and understanding and told you not to blame yourself. He begged you to let go of the guilt you'd carried for nearly ten years. He told you how proud of you he was and reminded you how strong you are.

At some point Todoroki sat with you so Bakugo could go to his fight. "We can talk as much or as little as you want," he told you when he sat beside you.

Drawing your knees to your chest, you hugged your legs and stared at the wall across from you. "I want to withdraw from the competition," you told him after a few minutes. "I won't fight if it means using that ability. I can't yet. It's took much."

"Don't worry about sending that announcement. I'll take care of it for you."

"Thank you Todoroki," you gave him a half smile. "And thank you for grabbing Katsuki."

"I - I didn't think you'd seen me," he stammered.

"Crying doesn't necessarily make a person blind," you forced a laugh. "Besides, you're the only person I know with white and red hair."

"Well, you're welcome. I figured if anybody could calm you down it would be him or Uraraka. He was the first one I found."

"I completely forgot she was facing Katsuki," you rushed to your feet, ignoring the head rush that came with the sudden movement. "Come on, we should be able to catch some of it still."

The two of you made it back into the stands in time to catch the last few moments of their fight. Pride swelled in your chest for your friend. "She always had a trick up her sleeve when we trained," you mentioned to Todoroki as the dozens of pieces of debris fell from the sky.

"He may not have seen it coming but Bakugo has quick reflexes so I'm not surprised he was able to counter the distraction so easily. Looks like she put up a good fight though."

"She's strong," you agreed glancing through your class until you found Iida. "Listen-"

"Don't worry about it," Todoroki shook his head. "He's been wanting to talk to you too."

"Thank you," you told him over your shoulder as you started down the short flight of stairs. You touched Iida's shoulder gently when you reached him. He's okay. "How are you feeling?" You asked just to be sure as you sat beside him.

"Very well," his smile made your worry dissipate. "I hope you know that I'm not upset with you. It was a good tactic to keep that move a secret."

"I appreciate you telling me that Iida," you smiled. "But it wasn't for tactical reasons that I didn't show or tell you guys about it. I'm ashamed of it because of how much harm it can do."

Iida stared at you for a moment before nodding. "I see."

"I really am sorry Iida, by all rights you should've won our battle."

"It's okay, Y/N. I did tell you to give your all, didn't I?"

"Yes, but I hurt my friend by doing so."

"You also healed me as soon as the battle was over," he reminded you. "I think that makes up for everything and then some."

"If you say so." You felt an overwhelming sense of relief and smiled.

When Bakugo found his way back to the stands you joined him as he sat beside Kirishima. "Hey," he pulled you into a one armed hug. "Feeling better?"

You nodded though frowned slightly. "Is your hand okay?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I smarter than that." Was all you said, taking his free hand between both of yours. You only needed a few seconds before you smiled. "You don't have to worry about me so much," you told him. "I spoke with Iida and he's okay and happy that I didn't hold back. I just surprised him."

"You surprised all of us." It was Tokoyami who spoke behind you. "Sorry to interrupt."

"Don't be," you turned and smiled at your friend. Bakugo took his arm from your shoulders but kept a hand on your thigh, comforting silently.

"I think I speak for all of us when I say that while we have considered you an asset, we underestimated the power of your quirk, Y/N," Tokoyami went on. "And for that I am sorry as well."

You took his hand, squeezing it gently. "Thank you Tokoyami."

"You are most welcome," he dipped his head slightly.

"Tokoyami's right Y/N," Kaminari confirmed. "You're a huge asset. Not just because of your quirk but you thrive under pressure."

"Like at the USJ." It was Mina that spoke. "I would've been a mess if you hadn't stepped up and taken charge."

When murmurs of agreement from your other classmates met your ears you smiled through the tears. "You guys - you guys aren't afraid of my quirk? Or mad at me for hiding it?"

"Of course not," Kirishima almost laughed at the notion. "It's totally badass."

"Why are you crying?" You hadn't even seen Uraraka approach but she was sitting beside you now.

"I'm not sad," you promised, taking your friend's hand. "I was so worried about how everyone would see me after using the harmful part of my quirk but everyone seems to be fine with it."

"You have been my best friend since we were kids," Uraraka told you firmly. "Nothing will ever change that."

You hugged her. "Thank you." I have to tell her everything you decided.