Work Text:
Izuku smiled wide when he nailed the landing, looking around the training field and at the way he had completely restrained all of the Villain Bots through a combination of Black Whip and the enhanced strength from One for All’s base level.
A part of him thought he would never reach this level of finesse and control, but seeing it now made him feel the smallest bit of pride for the first time in his life.
He stepped into the observation deck where his classmates and All Might were waiting.
The confidence faded into bashfulness when he saw the large grin on All Might’s face, still not used to a teacher giving him praises of any form.
Not even Aizawa gives them the positive praises All Might gives to everyone, instead focusing more on critique and nitpicking every last mistake Izuku and a select few members of his class made.
He knows it’s because Aizawa wants nothing less than perfection, but part of him fears that Aizawa may very well carry out the threat he made on their first day at UA.
Change his mind and decide that they’re all unworthy.
His train of thought suddenly derailed when he felt something get pressed onto his cheek.
He looked up to see All Might’s smile had softened, but his eyes were still filled with the purest of pride as he held up a sticker sheet.
“You earned it, Young Midoriya,” he said, though there was a hidden message that Izuku picked up on.
That’s right, he’s earned everything he got by working hard and with help from All Might.
Even still, he couldn’t help the tears that flowed freely from his eyes as he gave the biggest smile possible.
“Tha- Thank you!”