Sweet

Chapter 10

"Shhhh," Katsuki comforts me, rubbing my back and running his hands through my hair, "It's alright, Ten, just breathe, okay? We're not here, right? We're in the dorm, watching the Marvel movies in order again, you're throwing popcorn at me when I make fun of the acting, right?" I nod, remembering last week when this happened. He said the acting in Black Panther was awful, and I threw popcorn at him. I couldn't eat it, but I could use it as a mini weapon.I keep visualizing the fun times Katsuki and I have had over the past few weeks.

"No, I never did that, I would never hurt my son." I hear my father lie. I lean further into Katsuki, seeking comfort.

"So the footage we have obtained from your security system has been fabricated? We don't have five years worth of abuse here, on tape? Videos of men who paid you, assaulting your very young son?" The lawyer's voice is raising, anger lacing it.

"Yes, someone tampered with that footage!" Father is yelling now, my ears start ringing. Katsuki is saying something, I can feel his chest rumble with his voice. I have no clue what he's saying. I don't realize what's going on, but Katsuki carefully guides me out of the court room into the hallway, helping me maneuver my cane.

Once in the hall, I collapse against a wall. I can't control my breathing, I can barely hear, my vision is blurry. I'm scared. I don't know what's going on. I see Katsuki kneel in front of me, trying to get my attention. I look up at him, focusing on his brilliant vermilion eyes.

"It's okay, Ten, he can't hurt you. The judge told me we could sit out here until it's your turn on the stand again." I nod, numbly. He carefully pulls me into a tight hug, and my head is pressed against his chest. I hear his heart beat. Strong, steady, and constant. I listen to his heart and breathing, and find myself calming down. I can hear yelling in the court room, and a gavel being struck. Father probably got rowdy again.

A while later, a court officer comes out, and tells us it's time for the jury to convene, and the court is in a short recess for now.

"Do you want to go outside? Get some fresh air?" Katsuki asks me, I nod, I need some fresh air. He helps me up and we make our way outside, sitting on a concrete bench. It's a gorgeous day, sunny, lightly breezy, and warm. Katsuki takes my hand, looking at the blooming Sakura trees.

"I love Sakura, it's my favorite." He states.

"I do love Sakura, but I think sunflowers are my favorite." He smiles and chuckles. "What? Is that weird?" I ask, confused.

"Not at all, honestly I expected it. Sunflowers for Sunshine."

"S-Sunshine?" I can't help but stutter. Did he call me a pet name?

"Yeah, you're my Sunshine." He smiles at me, a blush coating his cheeks, but this time he isn't hiding it. I smile back, trying to think of a name for him.

"And you're my sweet." I reference his secret love of sweets. He can't eat them often, they hurt his teeth. I've learned he takes his coffee with mostly sugar and creamer, and a little coffee mixed in. I never drank coffee before, but Recovery Girl thought it would be good for my energy levels, I like it the way he does, but slightly less sweet, his is almost sickly so. His blush explodes, taking over the rest of his face. I look up as the same court officer approaches us again, Aizawa and Mic flanking him.

"Come on, son. The jury has made their verdict." I nod, and Katsuki squeezes my hand.

We sit in the court room. I'm ignoring my parents, glaring at me from their side, and focus on the judge reading the charges.

"In the charge of child abuse in the first degree, how does the jury find the defendant?" His booming voice carries through the room. I look at the jury representative, standing, holding a paper.

"We the Jury find Mr. and Mrs. Iida, guilty." My eyes widen. Guilty. They're guilty. They'll be away for a long time.

"And the charges of prostituting a child under the age of fifteen?"

"We the Jury find Mr. and Mrs. Iida, guilty." My breath catches, guilty again. The glare from my father is more intense now.

"And the charges of child endangerment in the first degree?"

"We the Jury find the defendants, guilty." She sits down, all charges having been found guilty.

"You heard it, everyone. The defendants are guilty of all charges in the first degree. We will hold another private trial for sentencing, in the meantime, the defendants will be held on their charges. Court adjourned." I look around at Aizawa, Mic, and Katsuki. Is this real? I'm free?

"It's real, kiddo. You're free." I guess I spoke my thoughts aloud, because Mic answers my questions. We walk outside and I hold my free arm out, relishing in the breeze. I can truly enjoy it now.

I'm still in slight shock on the way back to the dorms, Mic and Aizawa chatting away in the front, Katsuki and I sitting in comfortable silence in the back, holding hands.

We walk up to the entrance of the dorm, the class had the day off for the trial. Taking a deep breath we enter Alliance Heights, to a surprise party.

"Congrats, Iida!"

"You did so good! We're so proud of you!" And similar choruses ring out. I smile at my class. It looks like Sato has been baking all day, and I smell beef stew, my favorite.

"I made a lighter version of beef stew for you, I cleared everything through Recovery Girl. She says you can't eat a whole lot at a time, but a little bit won't hurt." It's Katsuki who speaks. I turn to him, he's blushing again.

"When.. How.. You did this for me?" He smiles at me.

"You deserve the world, sunshine." I grin at him, and he stays by my side while we mingle with our class. I have a feeling it's not just for medical reasons he sticks around me now.