Behind the Smile | TodoBakuDeku | Book 1

Chapter 19

Todoroki Person POV

It had been two full days since Midoriya attempted to...

Bakugo and I are trying to piece him back together as best we can, but, in all honesty, we are having a hard time working through everything, too. Though it may sound selfish, watching someone you love choose a life without you is soul-crushing. I thought he loved us. I thought he might have wanted to be with us, but was unsure now.

As much as I wanted answers, Midoriya's well-being was more important. After several hours in the infirmary with Recovery Girl, he was released to Bakugo and I. Aizawa wasn't too happy about that arrangement because we nearly lost him the last time he was under our watch, but Nezu insisted it was what was best. "He needs to be with friends right now."

From that point on, he was on suicide watch until further notice. No matter how well he said he was doing or how annoyed he got, he could not be alone by any means. He may have said that he regretted it and he wanted to live, but who's to say that won't change again...especially with Dark Deku in the picture.

Before all of this, Midoriya had told us that Dark Deku was a villain of the mind, more or less, but that he had him under control. Once we got back to Bakugo's room from the infirmary, Midoriya decided it was time to come clean.

"Guys," he whispered barely audibly, "I think we should talk." He lent against the headboard of the bed, snuggled under the covers, and gestured for us to join him. We, of course, complied.

"Remember when I told you about the other me? The one only I can see?" We nodded, waiting for him to continue. I was expecting Bakugo to jump in and say something snarky, but to my surprise, he sat patiently for answers.

"He is...I...I c-can't shake him," he began to whimper. "He's the worst part of all of this. When I'm down, he makes me feel worse. He's the one who taught me to do this," Deku pulled up his sleeve to reveal the fresh bandages recovery girl had set not too long ago. "He tells me I should die. That I'm s-stupid, fat, ugly, a slut, a waste of space, a quirkless nobody with an undeserved borrowed-quirk, a fag, an a–"

Bakugo and I both reached to cover his mouth at the same time, our hands overlapping. "We get it, nerd. The guy's bad news, but I promise you are none of those things. Don't listen to a word coming from that psychotic bastard!"

"Why didn't you tell us?" I asked as we released him so that he could answer.

"I-I didn't want to worry you...either of you. I feel like such a burden, that I want to be as less of a distraction as possible."

I stroked my fingers through his green curls. "You are and will never be a burden to me."

"Or me, ner–...Izuku," Bakugo added, reaching for his hand. "Look, you just need to promise from now on, that you will be completely honest with us...no matter what, got it?"

Midoriya nodded as he leaned into my touch and pulled Bakugo closer in. "I promise...which means...we should probably talk about..." His face turned an adorable shade of red and for the first time in so long, I saw the possibility of a genuine smile cross his face.

I looked at Bakugo for some kind of clue as to what Midoriya could be talking about, but he only looked back at me with a slyly smug expression. I think he was trying to hint something to me, but I really had no idea what was going on. I shrugged and mouthed out "Huh?"

Bakugo jokingly slapped himself in the face with the hand that wasn't laced with Midoriya's. "Oh for fuck's sake, Icy Hot. He's talking about us."

Ohhhhh.

I could feel my face begin to flush as I let out a nervous laugh. Yes, Midoriya and I had kissed, and Bakugo...he almost kissed us...but we never talked about what any of that meant. I knew what I wanted. I wanted to be with both of them. I just wasn't sure if that was even a possibility.

"Kacchan, be nice!" Midoriya lightly told Bakugo, who only smirked back at him. He pulled Midoriya onto his lap and waved for me to scoot closer.

"What are you doing, Kacchan," Midoriya playfully whined. "This is...an embarrassing position," he continued though he didn't try to move off or squirm.

Bakugo's smirk grew as he placed both hands on Midoriya's waist. "You know what I think, Icy Hot?" He was speaking to me, but his eyes were locked with the perfect greenette on his lap.

I shrugged. He knows reading minds is not a quirk I have, right? 

"I think Izuku here wants to talk about a relationship, am I right?" He placed his forehead against Midoriya's, who was as red as a cherry.

"Maybe..." Midoriya responded.

"Ohhh. Well, Midoriya, I can't speak for Bakugo, but I can tell you how I feel if you'll let me," I said. He nodded, waiting for me to continue. "I've already told you I fell for you on the day of the sport's festival. With you by my side, I feel like I can do pretty much anything. You and Bakugo, that is. I'm not quite sure if this is even a thing or not, but can three people be together?"

"Of course," Bakugo answered. "It's called a throuple. It just means you want a poly relationship...that you want to be with more than one person...and I feel the same way." Even Bakugo was blushing at this point. If someone were to walk in right now, they'd assume our thermostat was broken from the heat emanating from each of us. "Is that what you want...Izuku?"

Rather than answering right away, he crashed his lips to Bakugo's as they melted into one another. I felt myself being yanked even closer to the pair. They parted for air and turned to face me, Midoriya's lips inches from my own. Bakugo began to trail light kisses down my neck, as my lips finally met Midoryia's.

I suddenly tasted a hint of salt and pulled back, realizing Midoriya was crying. Bakugo must have noticed to, because all eyes were on Midoriya, trying to comfort him. "Did I do something wrong, Midoriya?" I quickly asked.

"You can call me Izuku, too, if you want. And no, the exact opposite actually. This is the happiest I've felt in a while. I just can't wrap my head around it. I just hope this isn't a dream or something."

Bakugo kissed Midoriya once more, then leaned in to kiss me. "Trust me, dream's never feel this good."