Black Magic!

Part 17~Fates

Sitting by the bed, Akuma's leg bounced nervously. His hand was clasped around Iida's, looking just as pale as the comatose boy. Iida's shoulder was wrapped in bandages, covering what was left of his removed arm.

"Ku-chan?" Izuku wiped his eyes as he sat up, stretching like a cat. "He still asleep?"

Akuma nodded, gulping as he tried to push away his emotions. "He just needs to rest a little longer. Just a little longer..."

Izuku shifted, gently coming closer and climbing onto Akuma's lap, hugging him tightly. "He'll be okay. He's strong, like you."

"You'll know... won't you?"

Izuku nodded. "His spirit is strong. He hasn't let go yet."

"If he goes-" Akuma's breath hitched, his eyes prickling- "If he goes..."

"I'll take him. I'll make sure he's safe, I promise." Izuku nested in Akuma's hug, falling asleep as Akuma's hand trembled.

"Please don't go. Please, don't leave me yet, Tenya."

~~~

Ichi froze as she spotted Akuma at his desk. His head was on the table, bags under his eyes. "Hey, I wasn't sure if you were coming."

Akuma tiredly lifted his head. "I couldn't stay there. He... He looked..."

"Hey, it's okay." Ichi gently pulled a chair closer, holding Akuma's hand. "You don't need to be here. You can go home, I know Kosho won't mind, and the heroes will understand."

"No. I don't... I can't be alone right now."

Ichi sighed, squeezing Akuma's hand. "As long as you're sure." She paused. "Where's Izuku?"

"He stayed with Tenya." Akuma frowned, closing his eyes. "I don't think he's having a good time. His dad showed up, and they got in a fight."

"Izuku has a dad."

"Yeah. A demon, apparently. It was a whole thing. Endeavour is a demon too."

"That... That explains a lot about the guy. Wait, that makes Todoroki half-demon."

"And Izuku's cousin. Endeavour is Izuku's uncle."

"Woah."

"And Izuku has a job."

"A job?"

"A job. He actually works as a grim."

"Oh. Oh! We completely forgot about that." Ichi tapped her chin. "Are you sure Izuku is the best person to look over Iida so close to death?"

Akuma chuckled softly, leaning against his hand. "Yeah. Despite what he says, I think he isn't letting Tenya go anyway. He's more likely to be fighting him back in his body than guiding it anywhere."

Ichi snickered, covering her mouth as she relaxed slightly. "I'm sure he'll be fine. Iida is strong."

"Yeah, but so was his brother."

~~~

Groaning, Akuma gave up reading the textbook. His revision wasn't going well. His mind was too scattered for English adjectives; they made no sense.

Hesitating, he pulled out his phone. He clicked on his voicemail, listening to the saved message again.

"Akuma? Akuma... I messed up. I know you told me not to go after him, but... he killed my brother. I couldn't let him go free. I can't feel my arms. I can't feel anything. Please, Akuma... Forgive me."

The message cut off as Akuma curled on himself. He played the message again, savouring the sound of Iida's voice. "I forgive you. Please, don't go."

~~~

Blinking, Iida looked around the hospital wing. He felt unnaturally light, floating above the ground. "What... What?!"

Izuku yawned, looking up sadly. "Morning, Ten-chan."

"Izuku! What is going on?!"

"You're dying." Izuku stood up, climbing over Iida's body to look at him.

"I'm... I'm dying... Akuma! Where is Akuma?!"

"He couldn't keep staring at you. You've been here a long time."

"I need to speak to him."

"Then you need to live."

Iida nodded, waving his arms about as he tried to swim back to his body but simply fell through and under the bed. "How? How do I survive?"

Izuku's tail flicked as he bit his lip nervously. "I only know one way to save you, but... you won't like it."

"How?"

"You need to make a deal with a devil."

"A devil?"

"Devils and angels are the only beings with the power to revive the dead- without them becoming ghouls, that is."

"And why can't I make a deal with an angel?"

"Angels are goody-two-shoes." Izuku's tail flicked in agitation.

Iida paused. "Do you know a devil I can make a deal with?"

"Yep. The kindest devil around."

"Who?"

"Me." Izuku grinned, holding out his hand. "But I should warn you, I've never done this before."

~~~

Akuma paused as he walked towards Iida's room. He could hear voices, happy voices. Picking up his pace, he pushed open the door, his eyes wide.

"Tenya!" Akuma charged forward, tackling Iida in a hug. Iida's arm wrapped around Akuma, holding him closely.

"Akuma, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"You should be. You scared me." Akuma buried himself in Iida's shoulder, sighing happily. Izuku's tail flicked, a soft smile on his face as he shared a look with Iida.

Carefully, he mouthed the words. 'Don't tell him.'

Iida knew he couldn't, but it still made him hesitate before hugging Akuma tighter. "I'm sorry, but I'm not going anywhere again."

~~~

Akuma's soft snores filled the room, finally resting after so long. Iida ran his fingers through Akuma's hair, glancing at Izuku, who was sipping at his milk. "Why can't I tell him?"

Izuku paused, turning to Iida with a soft smile. "If you tell him, all it will do is hurt him." Izuku jumped off his chair and climbed onto the bed. "Best to just let him live in denial."

"But you saved me for him. Surely he will be thankful."

Izuku's eyes darkened for a second, looking down.

"You did save me for him, didn't you?" When Izuku didn't respond, he gulped, speaking quietly. "Why did you save me?"

Izuku shrugged, twisting the blanket in his hands. "Because if I didn't, something else would happen, and that event would lead to the whole world being destroyed."

Iida froze, his hand turning clammy. "Izuku, what are you talking about? What is going to happen?"

"Something that must happen eventually but something I will not let happen, no matter what the fates want."