Maybe We'll fix Each Other

Chapter 57

Summary:

If someone had asked Keigo five years ago what it would take for him to speak out against the Commission, he would've said "nothing."

Cause only a Commission agent would suggest that.

Who knew all it would take was gaining a new family? God, he's terrified to mess this up.

Notes:

Heyooooo! Sorry I wasn't able to post last Sunday--work and life stuff came up and I wasn't able to get it all written. That being said, there's a 50-50 chance I won't be able to post this next week either cause I'm working night shifts this week. But I'll try!

In the meantime, here's a good dose of Keigo angst for you guys! 😉😇 Poor birdie 🥺

(See the end of the chapter for .)

Chapter Text

Would it be too dramatic to say it felt like he was on a death march?

Cause that's how Keigo felt.

Each step towards the witness stand made his chest tighter. It felt like his fingers and toes were going numb.

Pull yourself together, Keigo thought. You've done this once before. But the tension in his shoulders only worsened, the spot on his back where her eyes were boring into him felt like a scalding brand.

He took his seat, subconsciously pulling his wings closer to his back. His heart starting to pound against his ribs wasn't helping him feel very confident. He forced himself to look only at Nighteye. But he knew she was watching.

"Keigo Takami," Nighteye stated, officially starting the testimony. "Would you please state your relation to the defendants?"

The last thing Keigo wanted to do was mess up the trial for Dabi and the others. So, even though it made his stomach roil with nausea, Keigo defaulted back to his training.

Remain calm and collected, the president's voice whispered through his head. He wanted to throw up. That way they won't realize when you've taken control.

"I was raised by the Hero Public Safety Commission," Keigo replied with a flat voice.

"During the preliminary hearing," Nighteye continued, "the circumstances of your childhood, being taken in by the Commission, and their subsequent 'training' of you was detailed. Would you please summarize these points for Judges Kaiba and Rikimaru who were not present?"

"When I was six years old, the Commission approached my mother. We were homeless at the time, and they expressed significant interest in my quirk. They offered my mother a large sum of money to relinquish her parental rights, which she accepted. I moved to a Commission facility and immediately began training my quirk."

Nighteye gave a solemn nod. "And what did the training consist of?"

"Mostly quirk control, how to use my feathers, speed training. Learning personable skills and how to field questions."

"What were the consequences of poor performance?"

Just answer the question. List the facts, Keigo reminded himself.

"Meal restrictions, beatings, isolation, sensory deprivation, limb amputations."

Keigo couldn't help it anymore, and his eyes slid to the defendant's table. His mouth went dry.

The president was watching him with sharp, beady eyes. Did she look almost...proud? For what she did? Keigo had to believe that's what was happening. Because the thought that she saw something in him now that made her proud...it made his skin crawl.