#someone had asked for a powerful reader and tho this wasnt their request i found myself writing this anyways LOLL

[sipsteainanxiety]

for so long, midoriya and bakugou had competed with each other over the title of number one hero.

constantly butting heads both inside and outside of class, trying to one-up each other out in the field, fighting together to nitpick at their strengths and weaknesses. they were both so steadfast in their decision to be at the top, nothing seemed like it could sway them.

it had gotten to the point where everyone in their little class at yuuei ruminated on who would be the victor. they were both strong—terrifyingly so—and had potential that reached the very stars. they were leagues ahead of their colleagues as they grew and this was recognized—even celebrated in some cases.

people starting placing bets once they'd all graduated, judging the two based on how well they interacted with people, dealt with villains, supported fellow heroes—everything.

of course, they each had their own separate strengths and weaknesses. where bakugou prevailed with his flashy, explosive quirk, devilish good looks, and minor injuries when dealing with villains, midoriya fell. where midoriya prevailed with his kind smile, heartwarming words towards civilians, and willingness to help even small-time heroes, bakugou fell. they see-sawed—balanced each other out—but they were too thick-headed to realize as they focused on themselves.

they had to work hard as sidekicks to make their way up to the pro-hero status. they busted their asses, put their all into saving people. the race to the top was as invigorating and demanding as ever, but by god they were going to win.

so when it was finally time for the yearly reveal on the top ten pro-heroes of japan, they both waited with bated breaths. who was it going to be?

dynamite? with his 100% win-rate against villains and deadly efficiency?

or deku? with his blinding smile and determination to save everyone?

the answer? it was neither of them.

it was you.

you, with your warm smiles that made your eyes crinkle and put anyone at ease. you with your strength, your powerful quirk, that could save anyone within minutes—seconds, even. you, with a public approval rate that skyrocketed once you were out on the scene. you, who had snuck up behind them and caught them both completely by surprise.

they'd been so wrapped up in competing with each other that they hadn't realized there were other heroes with the same goal—same potential.

midoriya was stupefied and immediately started flipping through his hero journal so he could see if he'd written anything on you. he hadn't—you'd appeared seemingly out of nowhere. he mumbled to himself and started looking you up, pouring over article after article, watching interview after interview.

bakugou was outraged—justifiably so, in his opinion. who was this fucking extra that stole the number one spot from him? he sneered at the picture of you on the official hero ranking website. he made a promise to himself then and there that he would beat you, no matter what it would take.

after so many years of vying against each other, midoriya and bakugou finally had a common goal that didn't involve fighting between themselves. and that was to win against you.

but you wouldn't make it easy for them, that was for sure.

and if they found themselves developing teeny little crushes as they saw you more and more, practically inserting themselves into your life in an attempt to topple you from the number one spot, well... that wasn't anyone's business now, was it?