• Benevolence •

Chapter 67

"Keep up! Don't waste a single second!"

I glance over my shoulder to see the others are right behind us as we rush down the street. Part of me wants to point out how close they are but Endeavor pushes for a reason.

There's only one way to get better.

"I want to try something."

Endeavor pauses, regarding me with an intense gaze. "Explain."

"I have an idea of how to better utilize my quirk in a way that would let me be more aware of what's going on around me but it's just an idea. It could go wrong."

"Anything can go wrong at anytime. If it fails here, you have three peers and a pro watching your back. Just don't become a liability."

"Yes, sir."

Playing the conversation back in my head, I take a deep breath. Now's as good time as any.

I look to the sky and activate my quirk.

Suddenly, I'm high in the air and the cityscape is stretched out below me. My view stretches further than I could ever imagine. I can see everything from the traffic to the crowds of people flowing down the side walks.

It's beautiful...

Then-

I'm falling.

Air rushes around me and I forget to breathe for a moment.

I forget to think.

I'm flailing, my panic overwhelming, drowning out everything I was taught, everything I know. A mantra of regret tramples through my mind leaving nothing in its wake.

I can't do i-

"Always observe and analyze the world around you and act as it presents itself, even before, if you can."

I spot a building down the street along the patrol route and I force myself relax, pushing away the fear. I focus on it and suddenly my feet are planted firmly on a steady roof.

It worked.

I can do it.

I let out a bright laugh and whirl around to call over the others but I see them already on their way to join me on the rooftop, Bakugou in the lead as usual.

The second the blond's feet hit the ground, I bound over to him with a brilliant grin.

"Hey! Did you see-"

"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!"

Bakugou snatches my arms and pulls me close, practically fuming, but I can see the uneasy mix of concern and relief in his eyes. I feel my smile slip for a moment and my stomach drops.

We're quickly joined by Midoriya and Todoroki who share a similar look of concerned fascination. I try to offer them a reassuring smile but it doesn't seem to do much so I opt to just explain.

"It's this thing I've been thinking of. If I can see everything, there's nowhere I can't go. I hadn't really had the chance to try it out and now just kinda seemed like a good time."

Midoriya smiles eagerly. "That's a genius idea! How did you come up-"

He's cut off when Bakugou snarls, tugging me forward and almost bashing our heads together. "You could have died if it didn't work! What the fuck were you thinking?!"

"I talked to Endeavor before I-"

Bakugou's grip tightens and I fall silent.

"No. Listen. You gotta tell us before you pull some dumbass trick like that so I don't look up to see you plummeting to the fucking ground."

I meet his gaze and oh...

Oh.

"...I scared you."

"No shit, boy scout."

"I didn't mean to. I'm sorry... I'll be sure to let you know ahead of time if I'm gonna try something like that again."

Bakugou releases me and gives a gruff nod, turning away. He stands still for a moment before muttering a 'nice idea' under his breath and taking off again.

I turn to the others with a sheepish grin. "Sorry if I worried you guys. I should've said something first, I guess."

Midoriya is quick to reassure me. "It's fine! I mean- I was totally worried for a second there, who wouldn't be? But anyway, how did you come up with the idea?"

"When we had lunch at the top of that building on our first day with Endeavor. I could see everything from up there. I realized that being able to get a bird's eye view would give me a major advantage."

"That's clever! You're really creative, Meraki!"

I duck my head a little, blushing. "Thanks."

We're interrupted by a flash of heat and a booming voice.

"It worked but you panicked for a moment. You can't afford even a second of doubt. It can mean life or death. Keep working on it."

Endeavor stares from across the rooftop and I meet his eyes with a nod. "Yes, sir."

I spend the rest of patrol practicing my new technique and I find the momentary panic almost completely gone now that I'm sure in my ability to land.

In fact, I begin to find the rush exhilarating in a way I've never felt before. The almost unnoticeable pause just before I begin falling feels like it lasts eons as I can clearly see the whole world. Air rushing past me, ruffling my hair and clothes, gravity dragging me back to earth as I watch the world breathe.

In the air, I'm free.

Truly and completely free.

Free of any limits.

Free of any fear.

I've never felt more confident in my life.

---
Hey guys.
I hope everyone's doing well.
This chapter is a little short but I hope nobody minds too much.
I'm getting slight bursts of motivation so we'll see where everything goes but I don't want to get any hopes up that I'll start to be super active.
I really appreciate everyone who reads, comments, and likes my story.
It really does make me smile.
Thanks for reading.