Behind the Smile | TodoBakuDeku | Book 1

Chapter 16 - Edited

Author's Note: I edited this chapter to add a short but much-needed scene between Midoroya, Bakugo, and Todoroki.  

Bakugo's POV

Deku gave Icy Hot another kiss before leaning in towards me. My heart was racing a mile a minute. I've loved him for so long, and I almost lost my chance because I'm a fuckin' moron. I should have never pushed him away. I should have never said those hateful things. I should have held him close and told him how special he was to me. But I didn't and I will always hate myself for that, even though Dek...Even though Izuku has forgiven me. I swear, I will never hurt him again. I just want to be with him...with them.

Seconds away from our first kiss, I leaned forward to meet him halfway. Our lips nearly grazed one another before–

SLAM!

Recovery Girl flung the damn door open.

"You've gotta be fuckin' kidding me!!!" I could barely contain my pent up...aggression. I was sick and tired of getting interrupted every single time things were about to go somewhere. The great kinda somewhere. The fuckin' fantastic kinda somewhere that I've only been able to experience in my dreams. Well I'm tired of the damn wet dreams! I want some attention, too!

"Kacchan! Language!" Izuku brought me back from my ranting train of thought as he scolded me.

I waved our cinnamon roll away, while Todoroki tried but failed to hold in a chuckle. "You think this is funny, Half and Half?!" I discreetly gestured down to the bulge in my pants. The jerk had no sympathy for me and instead laughed even harder. "Fuck this! I'm going to take a piss," I said as I started to walk off.

Apparently my gesture wasn't as discrete as I thought. "Make sure to use some lotion, dear. Don't want you chafing. You'd be surprised how much ointment I've had to prescribe over the years because of that sort of thing," Recovery Girl chuckled.

That cheeky old bitch!

I stomped out of the room after swiping the tube of lotion Recovery Girl handed to me.

How am I still hard after all that?!

Third Person POV

After Bakugo excused himself, the room gradually grew quiet. Recovery Girl ruffled through her cabinet for the supplies she needed. She then made her way to Midoriya's bedside and gently pulled his arm towards her. "Young man," she directed her attention to Todoroki who was holding the greenette's other hand, "I need to change Midoriya's bandages. You should step outside whil–"

"No!" Midoriya loudly interjected, squeezing Todoroki's hand. "I want him to stay."

He looked up at Todoroki, who was brushing the green locks out of the boy's face. "That is, I want you to stay...if you want to," Midoriya explained. He would respect whatever it was Todoroki decided, but deep down it would destroy his remaining spirit if he was left alone to face the damage he caused to himself.

Todoroki solemnly grinned and squeezed my hand back reassuringly. "I meant it when I said I would always be there for you." He looked at Recovery Girl, "I'd like to stay, please."

The elderly healer simply nodded and began to unravel stained bandages that had been wrapped snugly around Midoriya's left arm. He winced in pain as the cloth peeled off some of the scabbing with it. Todoroki held in a gasp when he saw just how bad it was. He didn't just slit his wrists a couple times. She then started on the right. His arms were littered with hundreds of cuts on his arms and several with stitches.

"Izuku," Todoroki whispered to himself. He wiped his tears as they fell, trying to stay strong for Midoriya.

After his arms were freshly wrapped, it was time to check the worst of them all. Recovery Girl looked to Izuku for confirmation that he still wanted Todoroki there before snipping through the layers of bandages and gauze. What they saw nearly made the boys vomit. The wound was deeper than any other cut he'd made.

How could he do this to himself?! | What did I do to myself?!

— — — — —

After Midoriya was re-bandaged and received another healing kiss from Recovery Girl, he was released with strict instructions. He was to take it easy; no training for at least a week, and even then it would have to be light. Bakugo and Todoroki were warned not to leave his side until the quirk was handled, and maybe even after then. Other than the physical scars, who knows what impact it will have on Midoriya when it's finally over.

Bakugo made the executive decision of having Midoriya and Todoroki spend the night in his room. "All the damn extras know my room is off limits, so we should be able to hunker down without too much prying."

Midoriya would have normally been ecstatic about spending the night in Bakugo's room with, not one, but two of his crushes. One of which he kissed multiple times. Instead, he couldn't get the image of the damage reeked on his body out of his mind. He was ashamed of himself. He felt weak and inferior. It was the first time he thought the quirk had a chance at winning in this deadly game of roulette.

Because it was late, they didn't expect to run into any classmates on the way to the dorms, but they did find Aizawa with Present Mic. "What are you three problem children doing?" Aizawa asked suspiciously. "And why is my problem child not resting?!"

"We are going to the dorms," Todoroki said flatly. Crickets chirped as Aizawa waiting for more of an explanation but none came.

Aizawa huffed and rubbed his head, "I realize that, but shouldn't Midoriya be in the infirmary? He looks like he's exhausted." He directed Bakugo and Todoroki's attention over to Midoriya who was swaying in the wind, barely able to keep his eyes open.

"That extra healing must have taken a lot out of him," Todoroki replied before catching a drowsy Midoriya as he tipped over.

Bakugo then scooped Midoriya up in a bridal-style hold, as their little broccoli drifted off to sleep with his head resting on Bakugo's chest. "Recovery Girl released him a few minutes ago. We already know we can't let him leave our side and that he can't do any strenuous activities, so you can save the lecture."

"Fine. But don't make me regret trusting you with him," Aizawa said. "And see what kind of information you can get out of him about the quirk. When we get back, we'll all debrief."

"Where are you going?" Bakugo and Todoroki asked simultaneously.

"Tartarus," Aizawa responded with conviction.

— — — — —

Stepping fully into Bakugo's dorm, Midoriya weakly opened his eyes. "Thanks, Kacchan," he whispered lightly.

Bakugo smiled down at Midoriya, wishing the walk was longer so he had an excuse not to put him down yet. "Anytime, nerd."

Todoroki pulled back the sheets for Bakugo to delicately place the sleepy Midoriya on the bed, before tucking him in. Both boys stood in awe at the beautiful sleeping boy in front of them. He was too precious for this world, and didn't deserve the hand he was dealt.

Just as the Bakugo and Todoroki were about to leave their crush in a deep slumber, Midoriya let out the most adorable, dainty yawn and reached out for both boys' hands, pulling them close. "Don't go."

"We're not going anywhere. We'll be right here on the futons if you need us," Todoroki tenderly guaranteed, but Midoriya only pulled them in closer.

"Lay with me?" He drowsily pleaded. The two boys heartily complied, scooching into the bed as gingerly as possible. One on each side, they wrapped their arms around Midoriya and laced their fingers with one another. 

"Tomorrow," Midoriya cooed while drifting in and out of consciousness, "I want to tell you both everything. Absolutely...everything..."

Bakugo's smile only grew as he and Todoroki both leaned in to lightly kiss Midoriya's cheeks. "Sweet dreams, Izuku. Everything else can wait until tomorrow."