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"...T-thank you." You stutter a bit, still a little surprised by Bakugo being the more cooperative of the two boys and even <span class="mu-i">sharing</span>. But more than that surprise, you’re preoccupied by the new questions spurred by it all.
Like, how is it possible for Midoriya to have ‘gotten’ his quirk from All-Might in the first place? Let alone reconcile that fact with having witnessed the pro hero throw out punches with <span class="mu-i">visible</span> shockwaves of super strength many times since losing it. If you can lose it…Or maybe you can share it? What decides that? Do you have to be related? Oh god, is Midoriya being a secret All-Might love child still on the table??
Fortunately, Shoto filled in for you as you spaced out on the implications, letting Bakugo know about what he found, or rather didn’t, on his dad’s agency’s terminal. Afterward, Bakugo merely grunted at your friend in what may have been a somewhat positive way before departing.
"Uh, y'know, don't go after Midoriya, ya hear? Ah don't… wanna have to report you, or somethin’..." You blurted out in farewell after coming out of your daze and before the boy got out of sight.
>"Whatever. You owe me, Briskets.” Bakugo replies without looking back before heading to the train station. Seems like it's back to square one between the two of you.
You don’t think he will go rogue, but you give a small prayer that Midoriya got on an earlier train before finally returning your attention to Shoto.
“Well, that was…a lot.” You exhale.
>“Not the information we were hoping for, but we still came out of it more informed.” Shoto calmly and tautologically observes.
“Sure, if having even <span class="mu-i">more</span> questions than at the beginning counts for credit.” You reply dryly before patting him on the shoulder. ”But Ah get what you mean, and Ah’ve gotta thank you.”
>“That’s not necessary. You didn’t rely on me and you deescalated things quite well yourself.” Shoto ambles forward and you follow along at his side, finally getting out of the alley and back on your way.
“Ah reckon we both know that if you weren’t here to begin with, Ah’d have only eaten my own boot by the time they had gotten on the train. As for in the alley, things could’ve gone quite differently too…and Ah’d have some big regrets later. So ya, Ah did rely on ya in a way: To be here for me.” You try giving him something close to his own soft, subtle smile, but as he continues peering at you with a (barely) raised eyebrow, you couldn’t help but let the timid expression break down and become your usual wide grin.
>"Well, if we're voicing our appreciation again, I should also thank you.”
“What for? Midoriya?”
>"Well, that too… But no, I meant thank you for listening.”
