Artifice

I'm Not Okay (I Promise)

Izuku's POV:

Pain ripped through my body. A throbbing sensation pulsed from my shoulder.

I drifted in and out of consciousness as I tried to grasp what happened.

"Why?"

I don't know.

"Deku, don't do this."

I'm sorry. I had to.

"Why would you try to kill him, but spare me?"

I-

I can't tell you.

Bullshit.

I don't know myself. I- I just couldn't.

An incoherent voice called out to me.

I don't know why I spared you, Kacchan.

I just-

"Izuku!" A pair of hands grabbed at my arms, careful to avoid the gunshot wound.

I was jerked awake by none other than the man I've come to see as my brother.

He looked scared? I brought my hand up to rub the sleepiness from my eyes only to be met with fresh tears. I was stripped of my clothes except for a pair of gray boxers.

Dabi was crouched on the side of the bed with worry replacing his usual 'I don't give a fuck' demeanor. Before I even knew what I was doing, I sprang up and wrapped my arms around him in a week attempt at a hug. It took him a moment to return the embrace, but when he did, it felt as if he'd never let go.

My shoulder hurt like hell, but I didn't care. All I wanted in that moment was comfort from the unbearable thoughts that rummaged through my head.

He adjusted my grip around his neck and lifted me up. I winced a bit at the pain that shot through my injuries, but I didn't fight him like I usually would. I face planted into his chest, letting out quiet sobs. I don't cry as much as I used to, but his presence made me feel safe enough to let my emotions pour out.

I felt him leave the room, which I assumed meant he had left the door open. He walked for a short while until he sat down on the familiar couch. I heard a female gasp, but I ignored her and buried myself deeper into Dabi's embrace.

He gave me a gentle squeeze and spoke.

"Can you let me see your shoulder, please? I need to change the bandage." He said quietly as if he spoke too loud it would scare me.

I released my grip on him and pulled back just enough for him to see my shoulder. I guess he didn't have enough room to work, so he gently sat me down next to him on the couch.

The movement hurt, but I refused to let it show.

"Toga, could you get me the first aid kit?" He spoke calmly.

"Uh.. Yeah, sure." She said without her usual cheery tone.

A few moments later, she returned with a white basket.

Dabi slowly unwrapped the cloth from my shoulder, revealing a pretty nasty hole. Toga shrieked but remained speechless.

"Ok, this will burn." He pulled a bottle of rubbing alcohol out of the basket and a towel.

I nodded hesitantly as he poured the liquid onto the cloth. He pressed the dampened towel against the wound.

I let out a mix of a whimper and a groan of pain. I would've been louder, but I didn't know what punishments I would endure if I did so.