Shattered Light: A Neglected Izuku Story

chapter 20: I need help

Sitting across from Aizawa in the dimly lit counseling room, I felt an unsettling mix of unease and exhaustion wash over me. The last few days had been a whirlwind of emotions, nightmares, and difficult conversations. And now, here I was, facing yet another challenge-this time in the form of Shoto Aizawa, better known as Eraser Head. He had a reputation for being blunt, no-nonsense, and incredibly perceptive. The kind of person who could see right through any facade you put up. I was nervous, to say the least.

Aizawa sat in his chair, his eyes half-lidded in that usual, almost lazy way of his. But I knew better; behind that sleepy expression was a mind that was constantly analyzing, constantly evaluating. He reached into his bag and pulled out a thick file, dropping it on the desk between us with a soft thud.

My eyes darted to the file, a sense of dread creeping in.

Izuku:What's that?

I asked, unable to hide the anxiety in my voice.

Aizawa didn't look up immediately. Instead, he flipped open the file, his eyes scanning the pages within. "This," he said flatly,

Aizawa:is your file. It contains a detailed account of all your possible mental health issues, provided to us by the hospital.

I swallowed hard. I had known that something like this was coming, but seeing the actual file-thick with pages of reports, diagnoses, and observations-made it all too real.

Izuku:all my... mental issues?

I echoed, my voice barely above a whisper.

Aizawa nodded, his eyes finally meeting mine. There was no judgment in them, just an unwavering seriousness.

Aizawa:Yes, all of them

he confirmed.

Aizawa:The hospital didn't leave anything out.

I could feel my hands trembling slightly, and I clenched them into fists to stop the shaking.

Izuku:How bad is it?

I asked, though a part of me didn't want to know the answer.

He didn't sugarcoat it. Aizawa never did. "It's extensive," he replied.

Aizawa:But that's why we're here-to address these issues, to help you understand them, and hopefully, to help you manage them.

I felt my heart sink at the word "extensive." I had always known that I wasn't okay, but hearing it confirmed like this, knowing that there were pages upon pages detailing just how broken I was... it was overwhelming.

Izuku:What... what does it say?

I asked, bracing myself for the worst.

Aizawa sighed softly, flipping through the pages as he began to list off the diagnoses.

Aizawa:Let's start with the obvious. PTSD-Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. That's a given, considering everything you've been through. The hospital reports indicate that you experience frequent flashbacks, nightmares, and episodes of severe anxiety related to your time in captivity.

I winced, remembering the vivid nightmares that still haunted my sleep, the way I'd wake up drenched in sweat, my heart pounding as if I were still trapped in that facility.

Izuku:Yeah... that sounds about right

I muttered, my voice heavy with resignation.

Aizawa continued, his tone steady and clinical.

Aizawa:There's also evidence of C-PTSD-Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. This is a result of prolonged trauma, and it manifests in more pervasive ways. It's not just about the nightmares or flashbacks; it's about how you interact with the world, how you relate to yourself and others. You've developed deep-seated feelings of worthlessness, shame, and guilt. You've become hypervigilant, always on edge, constantly expecting danger or betrayal.