Make it stop!

Chapter 39

It only felt like a dream, he wasn't close to conscious for most of it. Did Momo confess an attraction or was it in his head? Due to a significant amount of healing needed for his wounds, it led to him feeling exhausted and sleeping throughout most of the days. He wasn't sure how long it had been but knew that today would be when he saw Becca for another therapy session. Being shifted to an earlier date than planned. Additionally, she agreed to meet him in the hospital room which was a relief to Aizawa, who wanted him to rest as much as possible. Bakugo looked at the window and saw trees rustling, a windy day. Not a blue sky in sight, all masked by grey clouds. It was expected for a storm to arrive later.

"Hi, Katsuki." Becca smiled as she entered, letting the door shut on its own.

Recovery girl stood up, fully aware of the situation and exited. Bakugo shifted on his bed so he could face her properly.

"I heard a lot happened, would you like to quickly talk me through it before we dive in?"

Bakugo fidgeted with his fingers, looking up at Aizawa for a reassuring smile. "Right, yeah. I relapsed badly and um did go to sensei..."

"Was it life threatening?"

The two didn't notice Aizawa shift his feet at the question, too much memories for his liking. Bakugo slowly nodded, crossing his bandaged arms. No use for lying, all his pride was in the afterlife.

"Do your parents know?"

"Please no--." Bakugo tried to lean forward to protest. Shit, he had forgotten about his parents, there's no way they can know!

Becca turned to the teacher with a raised eyebrow. "You didn't tell his parents?"

He sighed. "No..."

"That breaks health and care policies, what were you thinking?" She scoffed.

It was difficult to watch the man of steel teacher Bakugo had struggle to talk. "I was in a difficult position, I just wanted to make sure he was okay."

"A phone call wouldn't have taken long, but I guess we can make the phone call now. As legal guardians, they need to know."

Bakugo bit his tongue. He couldn't stop it or they'd get suspicious but if they call then his parents will know. Which was worse?

"Don't call them, I beg you. I won't do it again." Bakugo wiped at his eyes.

"I'm sorry Katsuki but this is a policy that can't be avoided." She stood up, turning away from the blonde that struggled to breathe.

Aizawa patted Bakugo on the back but he knew it wouldn't be too helpful. He had met his parents once in person and saw the strictness, would they be understanding if they knew? He could only hope.

The therapist took a few steps outside the office as she filled the mother in on what happened. It wasn't long after that she returned back inside.

Bakugo looked up at her, slightly calmer but still having shaking hands. "I talked with her, it went okay. But she wishes to check on you later today."

"Alright..." He nervously fiddled with the blanket.

"Is that essential?" Aizawa asked, feeling that the blonde would prefer not to.

"Legally, yes. She is allowed to see her son."

Aizawa sighed. "Yes, I see."

Sitting down, Becca pulled out a clipboard and smiled. "Now that it's sorted, let's continue."

The ceiling light gave the occasional flicker as it struggled to keep on going. It was hard, exceptionally hard to describe the parts you kept so close to your chest: self-harming, suicidal tendencies. He never properly explained it to someone until today, why he felt urged to do such. And boy, it wasn't easy. He had to carefully think because even to him, it wasn't clear to why he would do it. A spur of the moment although, they did manage to notice some rooting causes. Such as overwhelming spirals of guilt with the inability to cope.

She fixed her glasses and looked at Bakugo. "I think for the last part of today's session, let's go over healthier alternatives to self-harming. One of them is flicking a rubber band, the elastic can give a temporary pain. Another is drawing on your arms. Do either spark your interest?"

"I mean, I can try the elastic bands."

"Trying is good. Ah, it seems we are over the time for our session. But before I go I have one more question to ask."

"What?"

"Do you think those energy drinks I've seen you have help or make it harder for you?" There wasn't a reply needed, she left the room so Bakugo could reflect. He didn't expect the question, indeed reflecting on it. Thinking about the drinks he adores with new lenses.

Was it worsening things?

Aizawa walked over to Bakugo and pulled him in for a hug. "Jee, Sensei. Don't go soft on me."

"I'm here for you kid."

Bakugo's lips creased as he hugged his teacher back. "Can I ask you to stay when my mother comes?"

It was barely above a whisper so Aizawa had to concentrate. "Yes, of course."

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His mother opened the door with a glossy handbag on her hip and painted eyelids. She saw his teacher and stared, expecting him to leave. He didn't move an eyelid.

"Uh, can I talk to my son in private?"

"I think it's better I stay."

"Whatever." She groaned, not bothered about it anymore. "Katsuki, I can't believe you did this. All the sacrifices we made for you to be someone and you had to fuck it up on your own. And not only that, you go behind my back to talk to a therapist? Am I some sort of joke to you?"

"No mum." He hung his head low.

"Well, I fucking look like one. I thought the cutting was a phase, I thought you had grown up. I guess I was wrong," she noticed the lack of response from her son and added a final grain of salt. "Your father and I are getting a divorce."

"Yeah, that's what you always say." He chuckled.

"Excuse me?! You have some fucking nerve, Katsuki. I wasted my life to make sure you could succeed but I'm not wasting it anymore, I have my own life to live. Be a screw up if you want but I'm no longer your mother."

Aizawa had enough. "I'm sorry but this is completely ridiculous and borderline abusive. Blaming your son for your decisions."

"Oh! And you'd know? You know nothing about me."

"I know enough. That kid deserves care and if you don't want to be the one then you can happily fuck off."

Her jaw dropped as Aizawa glared. She tried to put words together but nothing came out, white-faced like a ghoul and completely embarrassed. She had nothing to say and all Bakugo heard was a door being slammed. Somehow, he felt incredibly numb about it... despite losing his mother.

"Hey, hey kid." Aizawa kneeled down to his level. "I am so sorry for how she's acted, no mother should do what she did. Please, don't take to heart what she says. I'm going to help you."

"Why do you care so much...?" Tears welled in his eyes.

"Oh, kid. You've just really grown on me, because of who you are."

"But it doesn't matter, if I have no guardian and my dad's gone, how the hell can I stay at this school?"

"Then it may be a stretch but allow me to adopt you." He stared, full compassion and authenticity in his words.

"Adopt?!" Bakugo croaked out.

"There's some things you don't know about me, kid. I used to be a parent but I'll tell you about that another day. I want to help you as a teacher and as a father too. If you are comfortable with it."

"I'll need time to adjust, but thank you so much. I'm so lucky to have you." He sobbed in his new father's arms, finally letting out the dam of tears he built from the encounter with his birth giver.