Behind the Smile | TodoBakuDeku | Book 1

Chapter 14

Aizawa's POV

"Chiyo, how's my favorite pupil doing? I was devastated when I got the call from Shota about his predicament and how it was being dealt with," Principle Nezu deadpanned towards me. I felt so much guilt, the last thing I needed was him laying it on thicker.

Recovery Girl took her time finding a seat at the conference table before replying, "He is stable. Among other injuries, the boy had countless lacerations from his wrists to his shoulders and a deep one on his abdomen. I believe most if not all of the current injuries the boy sustained were self-afflicted." She looked down regrettably before continuing, "Bakugo and Todoroki are with him, while he sleeps. Once he has enough energy, I'll try to heal him further, but the scars will always be there. It's something he will live with for the rest of his life, even if we are able to remove the quirk."

"Poor little listener," Hizashi wailed, wiping away a stray tear before slamming a fist on the table. "There has to be something we can do!"

Shit! He's never going to get over this. There will always be a constant reminder. How are we supposed to force my problem child to stay alive long enough for us to find a way to get rid of the quirk, and then tell him he will live with those scars and memories forever?

"Eraserhead, you must calm down. Pacing like so will do nothing for young Midoriya's situation I'm afraid." Nezu said, but calming down was not an option.

That rat-bear-hybrid thing can shove it! This thing is destroying my kid from the inside out.

"Look," I attempted to appear as level-headed as possible, but I'm sure I looked like a lunatic. "I don't care what needs to be done, we will not let him suffer like this anymore. We need to fix this now!"

Nemuri placed her hand gently on my arm and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "We're all worried, Shota, but we need a solid plan. It's not exactly like we can walk into Tarturus, demand to see this Psycho Flip bastard, and beat the living daylights out of him until we're satisfied and have answers."

"Yes, that is precisely what we will do. I have already made the arrangements. Mic, you will accompany Eraser to Tarturus. Deep in the basement of the prison, there are rooms specifically equipped to...convince the enemy it's best to share any information they may have. I may or may not have blackmailed the warden into letting us use one of those rooms indefinitely. You are free to do as you please, in order to save our student," Nezu said. He may be a tiny rodent-man but he has great pull within the commission and higher authorities. I do not want to know how it came to be that way, but I do know damn well not to get on his bad side.

"You can't be seri–" I swatted at Hizashi before he had a chance to finish his thought. He may be the loud and strong-spirited one, but he is also reluctant when it comes to matters that fall in a gray area.

"You don't have to tell me twice," I responded, readying to leave.

Before dragging Hizashi out of the conference room, I heard Nezu call my name. I rolled my eyes before turning around to face him. What now? I don't have time for this. My kid needs me.

"Do what you must. There are no restrictions. No one hurts my students and gets away with it, understood?"

I gave an assuring nod while fastening my goggles as I turned to continue walking out the door. "Oh, I plan on it! No one hurts my problem child and gets away with it!"

— — — — —

Third Person POV

"Hey," a hushed voice broke the silence of the night. "Hey, wake up!" The voice hissed a little louder.

Midoriya stirred slightly in his sleep but found there was little room for movement. His eyes fluttered open to the sight of Bakugo and Todoroki sleeping soundly. Midoriya's head was resting in the crook of Todoroki's arm, while Bakugo clung around him from the other side, all legs intertwined. The heat in Midoriya's cheeks became nearly overwhelming when he fully realized the intimate predicament he found himself in.

Before he could bask in the glory of sleeping in his crushs' arms, a figure in the corner of the room caught his attention, filling him with dread. "You, again?" Midoriya whispered distressingly.

Dark Deku stepped into the light, with his signature, sinister grin from ear to ear. "You do realize you're only hurting them, right?"

"What do you mean? I would never hurt either of them," Midoriya responded in a hushed voice so as not to wake the sleeping teens. "I...I love them. I'm in love with them. I would do anything and everything to keep them safe. You will not touch them. Do you understand?!"

"You...l-love us?"