Hijacked Hero (completed)

Chapter 11

POV Katsuki

He didn't like the reason for Eijiro's call at all. One was not even allowed to drive through the city with an open window! Katsuki zapped through the TV programs until he got stuck on a station known for its tabloid magazines.

"W-What's wrong?" Izuku searched his gaze and looked worried. He held onto the blond hero's forearm.

His frightened tone stung Katsuki's heart. Just now the green-haired man had finally let him get close to him and sought comfort from him, and then something like this had to happen.

"Seems like we made headlines."

Izuku stiffened. Slowly, he turned his head to the screen.

The annoying commercials ended, and instead a pompous female presenter faded in, announcing a sensation. A still image appeared next to her.

The alpha growled as soon as he recognized his car.

The anchorwoman blathered on exitedly, "Right now, a video is going viral. Actually, the young women were just excited about a random sighting of their favorite hero, but you won't believe me what they got to see next. So see for yourself!"

The still image was put on full screen and the video started. It showed the complete situation at the traffic light, only this time from the perspective of the startled chicks.

Katsuki was seen looking at the traffic light, obviously waiting for the signal to move on. The squealing and shouts of the women grew louder, whereupon Katsuki briefly raised his hand in salute and then turned his attention back to the traffic light.

At that moment, Izuku was seen leaning forward in the passenger seat and looking directly into the camera. While he was a shadow of his once cheerful self, his emerald eyes and forest green hair had always been his distinguishing features.

The camera zoomed in closer. By now, at the latest, everyone recognized Katsuki's passenger. The women fell silent. One of them called out, "Deku!"

Katsuki watched himself pale, swear loudly, and roll up the windows. Even his exit had been filmed by the women.

The video stopped and the presenter was shown again. She beamed into the camera as if it was her spontaneous birthday. "Isn't that incredible?!" she exclaimed, and immediately continued chatting. "It looks like we've just witnessed the return of the hero Deku, who was thought to be dead. Surely you remember. Even two years ago, his disappearance was more than mysterious. At that time, his agency remained silent and refused to make any statement. Deku's current appearance is no less unusual, considering that he was seen on a joyride with Dynamight, of all people. After all, the two were rivals for years for the coveted #1 pro hero spot."

The host paused for effect and smiled smugly at the camera.

Izuku's fingertips on the alpha's arm began to tremble. Before he could think of pulling his hand away, Katsuki placed his own on top and gently squeezed the other's fingers. His gaze drifted to Izuku. The omega's petite body trembled and his eyes shone suspiciously.

He was about to say something comforting when the anchorwoman's squeaky voice came from the television. "It seems unusual, but what do you think about this?"

Katsuki tore his gaze away from Izuku and looked to the television screen again. This time, a picture of the blonde hero was shown after the club raid. The snapshot must have been taken just before he got into the ambulance with Izuku in his arms.

This image was also zoomed in, showing a close-up of the mop of green hair peeking out from under the emergency blanket.

"Last week, we reported in detail about the heroic mission against the super villain Overhaul. In the process, this photo was taken. From the looks of it, Deku reappeared a week ago and none of us noticed!" the woman squealed happily. "Of course it's not confirmedyet, since you can't make out his face, but there are several good reasons for this theory. For one, of course, Deku's distinctive hair color. Moreover, eyewitnesses report that Dynamight did not get out of the ambulance again, but left the scene of the raid with the crew, although the other pro heroes departed much later. Also, it is striking that both Deku's disappearance and reappearance seem to be related to Overhaul. Perhaps the cute hero we all missed so terribly was on a secret mission, after all? Our field reporters are on the scene at both the hospital and Deku's agency. We now switch to my colleagues-"

Katsuki was fed up with the crazy bitch and turned off the TV. Startled, Izuku flinched as if he had awoken from some kind of trance. Silent tears streamed down his face. His legs gave way and he would have fallen had Katsuki not caught him in time.

With Izuku in his arms, the blond hero sat down on the small sofa. The omega sat sideways on his lap, burying his face against Katsuki's neck. He cried bitterly, clinging to the collar of the blond's hoodie.

Soothingly, Katsuki put his hand on his back and ran it up and down his spine. "If those assholes from the press get too pushy, I'll blow them up for you."

Izuku let out a hoarse laugh between sobs. "L-Let's not do that, o-otherwise your reputation is l-likewise ruined."

Katsuki paused in his movement, his hand still resting on Izuku's back. "What do you mean likewise?"

The omega in his arms went quiet. "E-Especially you should know w-what I mean. Y-You've seen it."

Katsuki guessed what he was getting at. Surely he couldn't be serious ... "I didn't tell anyone."

Surprised, Izuku raised his head. "W-What didn't you t-tell anyone?"

"How exactly your kidnapping came about. Only me and that fucking asshole know it was because of your heat. I haven't told anyone your secret. Kirishima knows by now. He was in that room before me, but I sent him away. Some of the rescue workers saw you or treated you on the way out, I made it clear to all of them what to expect if they didn't keep their mouths shut. Well, and then some people at the hospital." Katsuki watched Izuku's reaction closely. He seemed relieved.

"Ah, and I had to tell at least round face the truth about your secondary gender because she wouldn't stop busting my balls at the hospital. But I only did that because I know she's your best friend and okay. The general public doesn't know any of that. If they want to believe you were a double agent at Overhauls, let them believe it, if it makes you feel better."

"D-Do you think this will work?"

Katsuki shrugged his shoulders. "Sure, why wouldn't it? They believe what they want anyway. You're still a hero - just said so herself by that scarecrow."

The corners of Izuku's mouth dropped and he hung his head, avoiding Katsuki's gaze. "I-I don't deserve to be called a h-hero anymore."

"Where did you come up with that nonsense?"

"After a-all I've d-done ..." He didn't speak further.

The alpha waited a while, but nothing more came. His patience wore thin. With light pressure, he lifted Izuku's chin, forcing him to look up. Their faces were very close now, emeralds meeting rubies. Katsuki swallowed hard. "You didn't do anything. None of what happened is your fault. I can't even imagine what they've done to you over the years and what you've had to go through, but none of it is your fault. The crimes that have been committed against you are not your fault. You can still be a hero."

Emerald eyes filled with tears. "N-No. I c-can't smile from my h-heart anymore. H-How am I supposed to give h-hope to a-anyone when I-I am so dirty and u-ugly myself?"

Katsuki froze. This was how Izuku felt about it? He leaned forward and pressed his lips to the omega's forehead. It was only a quick kiss, for fear he might go too far. "You're beautiful."

He rested his forehead against Izuku's, the tips of their noses touching. The omega's vanilla scent enveloped him, making him feel calm. "Whatever happened to you during your captivity has no effect on your true nature. Your inner radiance is still there. I can see it."

Izuku closed his eyes, broke their eye contact, and locked the alpha out. Rattling, he expelled the air, turned his head away, and pushed Katsuki off of him. "Th-thank you for taking me h-home, but I w-want to be alone now."