Bloody Roses

9. Visitor

I woke up to knocking, very persistent knocking. I sighed and sat up slowly, pressing my palm to my forehead. I paused when there was a weight around my waist and moved the blanket to see an arm. I followed it to the owner surprised I hadn't woken up alone for once. He was out cold, breathing slow and even as he stayed unconscious through the repetitive sound. 

I sighed when it didn't stop and removed myself from his hold. I looked around at the mess of wrappers and half eaten snacks as I made my way to the door. There was another set of knocks, louder this time. I groaned and opened the door quickly, “Shut up already.”

I looked up, tensing at the familiar set of empty eyes.

“Oh. it's you.” He shook his head and started to push the door open, “Wheres the King?”

I narrowed my eyes and leaned against the door to keep him from opening it further, “He's asleep. What do you want?”

His gray eyes narrowed as well and he crossed his arms over his chest, “if you must know, Midoryia is requesting your presence.”

My body froze at the mention of his name. I looked away and stepped behind the door a bit, preparing to close it. “And… why would he be doing that?”

he shrugged and rolled his eyes a bit, “I don't know, something about apologizing and-”

“thats enough Natsuo.”

I looked over my shoulder to see a half-awake Todoroki glaring at the other. It was quiet a little too long for comfort. I turned to face him, “He wants to see-”

“I'm going out for a bit.” He put a hand on my head as he spoke over me. The glare was gone, but there was still a bit of malice behind his soft smile, “I'll see you later. Aizawa will bring up your breakfast.”

He kissed me softly and ruffled my hair a bit before he maneuvered around me, “i'll be back around lunch.”

And with that, he closed the door behind him.

Looking at the wooden barrier, I could still hear their voices. I sucked in a breath before pressing my ear against the wood.

“What did I say about telling him?”

There was a chuckle, “easy boss man, I figured he should know.”

There was quiet for a moment before they started walking away, “Don't tell him things I haven’t permitted.”

“You like him, don't you?”

“He's very important to me. He isn't something I intend to lose.”

I blushed a bit at the last part that I caught. They were still talking but they were too far to decipher words. I pulled away from the door and watched it for a moment.

Deku wants to apologize. Hell get mad if I dont go see him.

 I nodded to myself before heading to the door. Teh handle turned with a soft click and the door opened without much effort. I smiled softly as I stared out into the hallway. 

Afterall, it wouldn't be this easy if I had made the wrong decision. He would be proud of me for choosing right.

Following the hallway, the carpet was soft against the bare soles of my feet. It was a pleasant change from the cold tile and wood. 

There was an elevator at the end of the hallway and around a corner. The dial above it showed it was in the basement. If Todoroki took the elevator, that might mean Deku was being held in the basement. Pressing the down button, I stepped back as I watched the dial slowly turn back. According to that, I was on the sixth floor. No wonder why that fall took so long. 

The elevator chimed before its doors opened to present an empty capsule. I stepped into the box hesitantly and looked at the array of buttons. I pressed the one with the letter ‘B’ engraved into it and watched the doors slowly closed. I smiled a bit to myself; it was nice to be able to do this myself for the first time in five years.

I watched the numbers change as the elevator lowered itself to its selected destination. It jolted when it came to a stop on the third floor. I worried for a moment that it had broken down before the machine chimed again before the doors slid open.

A male in a suit with light blue hair stepped into the elevator, wiping something red off his face. Keeping my head down, I stepped to the opposite side of the elevator, watching him press the button for the ground floor. He hummed and looked over at me as the doors closed, “So, you’re his bitch?”

I kept my mouth shut, lifting my head slowly to get a better look at him. My body tensed when red eyes locked with mine. They were cold, and empty. He looked like he desperately needed a couple gallons of lotion; he'd possibly crumble to dust if the wind blew too hard. 

He lifted a crooke hand to his neck, scratching away at the already damaged skin. He sighed softly, “It's considered bad manners to not reply to one's question, you know?”

His other hand reached up to his hip and pushed the jacket of his suit back, revealing a holstered gun.

I bit the inside of my cheek and turned away from him, focusing on the doors. I shouldn't have left the room. I wasn't safe outside without Todoroki.

“You may be a problem. I don't like problems.” 

I closed my eyes at the comment, holding my breath. the elevator chimed again and he hummed, letting his hands drop back to his sides. He left the confined space without another word. My body relaxed as the doors closed again. I chuckled softly as I leaned against the wall, “I'm fine… I can do this on my own.”

The elevator went down another floor before opening to a dimly lit hall. It smells damp and metallic. I stepped out of the elevator hesitantly, stepping onto the cold concrete. I steeled myself before following the hallway, glancing into rooms as I passed them.

There were stains on the floor; dark, foreboding stains of a substance I wasn't sure I wanted to know. The entire place reeked of death. I understand why he didn't want me down here now, I should go back to the room before he gets mad that I had left. 

I spotted fluffy green in one of the windowed doors and felt myself relax a bit, “Deku..’

That's right. He could protect me too. He wanted to apologize, so that means he would, right?

It took an effort to open the door, pushing it open with a grunt. I smiled a bit to myself when I managed to open it before freezing in the spot at what was waiting for me.

He looked up slowly, cold eyes locking with mine. He was covered in fresh cuts and purpling marks on his cheeks. He looked awful; exactly how I'd imagined him to look.

It wasn't as satisfying as I thought it would be.

He breathed in deeply as he sat up, leaning his head back against the wall as he smiled, almost familiar but not quite, “You came…”

Emerald eyes closed as he laughed, kicking his legs a bit and throwing his arms open wide as a child would, “Yay! Kachaan came!”

He dropped forward again, stomping his bruised and bloodied feet into the concrete floor. His eyes darkened as he continued to smile that smile, “We have much to talk about.”

Maybe I shouldn't have come after all.