Saving Each Other (todoroki x oc)

Don't Blame Yourself

"Yeah, I know now that what I did was extremely dumb," he muttered. "Because of my decision, I almost cost us the exam. If it wasn't for Yaoyorozu, we would have failed."

I frowned at how serious his tone was while saying those degrading things about himself.

"The whole time I thought about what happened that night in Hosu," his voice was small and I saw his hands shake. "That night when all that chaos occurred. How badly Iida and Midoriya got hurt. And you.......You almost died twice and I wasn't able to do a single thing either time. Not when Stain stood over you with his sword as he.... Or when that Nomu grabbed and took you away. When I saw you pass out, I thought..... I thought I lost you."

The last part came out as a whisper. I held in my breath as I saw unspilled tears building up in the corner of his eyes, making my heart ache from just how much he was hurting from what had happened that night.

"I never want to feel that helpless again," he said. "That's why I put all that pressure on myself and didn't talk to Yaoyorozu so she wouldn't have to feel the same way I did. But after talking to Mr. Aizawa, I saw that I only made things worse. I should have seen that she wasn't confident in herself from the very beginning and helped her instead of trying to do everything myself. I was so stu-"

But I cut him off by clasping my hands around his. "Stop," I hushed him, shaking my head. "Stop it, Shoto." I couldn't bear to listen him talk such words about himself any longer.

I couldn't believe how selfish I was by not realizing how much he was hurting this whole time by only thinking of my own pain. He had been there countless times to comfort me since that night, pulling me out of the pit of darkness each time. He was always there, comforting and reassuring me as he kept a strong front for my sake.

But now looking into his eyes, I saw the clear hurt in them, making him look scared and helpless. This wasn't the Shoto Todoroki I knew.

Now, it was my time to comfort him.

"Don't," I said firmly as I gave his hands a tight squeeze. "Don't you dare blame yourself from what happened that night and today. Yes, you shouldn't have put all the responsibility of the exam on yourself and not trust Momo. But you were the one who helped her bring back her confidence, correct?" I asked, remembering their conversation I saw on the screen. I didn't have to hear the conversation to know what he had said. He looked at me with wide eyes and I held back a chuckle. 'That's right, Shoto. You aren't the only observant one here.'

"And at that night at Hosu," I continued as I sadly shook my head, "there was nothing more you could have done. Or any of us for that matter. All that matters is that we are okay and we're here. Sure, we will encounter more hardships on the road and that's why we have to get stronger. But Shoto, you have to realize you're a human and you can make mistakes. You can't control everything. You need to understand that you're doing the best you can. So don't blame yourself ever again. As long as you're learning and trying, that's enough. Because that's how we get stronger."

I raised my hands to his face and wiped the tears away with my thumbs, keeping my gaze captured to his magnetic stare. His eyes were so intoxicating; one a refreshing aqua and the other a swirling storm of gray. The both hold such a unspeakable passion; a force that quiets all my worried thoughts and erases my surroundings.

We both stood silent as I stroked his left cheek, my fingers gently tracing along the lines of his scar. I felt a slight heat radiating from his cheeks, as he leaned into my touch.

It was quiet for a few more moments, although it felt like forever. Just like at the moment at the park, it was like we were in our own world, feeling like nothing else mattered as we stared into each other's eyes. But remembering all the time that has passed from all my conversations with Izuku, Katsuki, and now Shoto, I knew my exam was about to start soon and I had to go prepare. I slowly teared my hands away from Shoto's cheeks and dropped them to my side, the warmth still lingering on my palms. I turned my body sideways to break our long stare, knowing that if I didn't, I would get lost into his endless abyss.

"Well, I should go find my teammates," I said, taking a step to walk away. "Our exam is soon and I still need to plan more with-"

But I was interrupted as I felt a strong grasp on my wrist and I collided against a hard chest. I felt a strong pair of arms wrap around me and my body immediately melted into the familiar and warm embrace.

"Thank you, Sakura," Shoto whispered in my ear, sending tingles down my spine.

I embraced him back, wrapping my arms around his waist tightly. I let out a quiet sigh as I felt his fingers pressing into my hair.

I never really understood the concept of hugs until I received my first one from Shoto. His was always so passionate and full of care, making me feel secure.

"Of course, Shoto," I mumbled into his shoulder, closing my eyes as I savored this moment. "I'm here if you need me. Just like you have been there for me."

Shoto let out a light chuckle from me using his words as he pulled back to let me see that heart-melting smile of his.

"Good luck on your match against All Might," Shoto said. "It's definitely going to be difficult trying to get Bakugo to cooperate considering from what I just witnessed before."

"Is that doubt I hear in your voice, Shoto?" I questioned, raising a brow. "Don't tell me you're underestimating me?"

"Underestimate? You? I would never," Shoto gave me a soft smile as he shook his head.

I felt my heart skip a beat from his comment, not doubting that my cheeks were now bright pink.

"I'm sure you guys will pass," Shoto stated. "But just be-"

"Careful?" I finished, a wide smile spreading my lips.

"Yeah," Shoto said softly, nodding. "Please be careful, Sakura."

I turned towards the exit of the hallways. "Well, considering who we are going against, I can't reassure you that," I said over my shoulder. I shuddered from mentally counting the number of bones I could possibly break during this exam.

"But," I glanced back at the IcyHot boy with a grin, "I promise I'll try. As much as I would love to stay and talk, Shoto, I gotta go. This girl has an exam to pass," I gave him a two finger salute before running off towards the exit of the building.

I swung open the doors, letting the warm sunlight hit my eyes. I kept running along the concrete pavement towards the entrance of my exam that would determine that fate for the summer.

I slowed to a halt when I saw the huge gates that would open to a city like setting. And in front of those two gates, stood my two teammates.

Izuku, Katsuki, and I stood in a pyramid shaped figure, all three of us staring at each other in a deafening silence. I frowned when I saw Katsuki snarl at Izuku, making the poor boy shudder in fear.

Suddenly, our staring contest was interrupted by a loud siren and the gates slowly started to open, revealing numerous tall buildings.

I took a step in between the two boys and glanced at each of them. Even though the two boys were the complete opposite, they wore the same expression as they stared into the place that our exam was going to take place. Determination and fortitude shining in both their eyes. I turned my gaze back towards the city and took a deep breath as I prepared myself mentally and physically, knowing who was waiting for us in there .

'Well, here goes nothing.' I raised my hands and tightened my ponytail as an excited smile crept up to my lips.

"Team Bakugo, Midoriya, and Asano Practical Exam. Ready? Go!"

A/N: again sorry for the really late update. i should be going back to updating normally after this weekend

Next chapter: Sakura's final exam takes place