All This Is Is Complicated {TodoBakuDeku}

CHAPTER 6 SHOUTO

TW: Self Harm, Blood, Slight Graphic Imagery, Abuse(maybe?) Mention, Post-Panic Attack,

Shōto didn't really want to part with Midoriya but Bakugō did have a point as he was supposed to be in the extra classes anyway. He slung his bag over his left shoulder and adjusted his tie. He walked forward at a quicker pace than usual. He hoped he wasn't late as that would be inconvenient for him; his father would get mad, he may not get his provisional license, and he would also not be able to participate in some activities. In all honesty, his father didn't bother him anymore. Everything his father tried to instil in him had seemed to dissipate; he had friends, he had power and he didn't have the same fear of his father as before.

He always did everything for his father. It was always in fear of his father or wanting to look good for his father. But not anymore. From now on he was going to do it for himself. He was going to do things his way; his rules. And no one, especially his father, could stop him.

He sighed as he crossed the bridge and saw the looming school. He found school to be an escape of some sorts. Yet when he saw the training centre, a sense of dread came along with it; the feeling of failure crept onto his shoulders. It wasn't as bad as before because he actually found the classes... fun. Just being with his classmates was a pleasant experience. It was surprising but he actually enjoyed friendship.

He and Bakugō attended the early support classes with Inasa and Camie and a few others. The early classes weren't mandatory but they were all driven by their competitive and dedicated natures so they attended all the classes that were available. He and Inasa had actually become exceptionally close despite their initial rivalry and Camie had also become a friend that Shōto enjoyed company with. Though there were times where he was confused at advances she made but Momo reassured him that it was called flirting and was normal. The course wasn't the 'failure' class he thought it would be. He got to experience so much. He got to see so many talented people. He was actually happy he was enrolled and now that it was ending, Shōto wanted to make it count.

He heard a familiar buzz from his phone and quickly pulled it from his pocket. "What did you do to Midoriya-Kun?!" greeted him from Momo. The text was swiftly followed by "We are talking after this. You better get here on time, then you tell me everything ;)". He smiled and checked the time to see if he was still going to be indeed late. It was 7:00 in the morning. Damn, he was already going to be tardy. Bakugō was going to hassle him for sure, not to mention Inasa.

A smile spread across his face as he thought about how good the support classes turned out to be. His mind went to how Bakugō had actually woken him up at 6 and how he had insisted that it was because Shōto would be bringing the entire team down and it was only for the sake of the class. But Shōto knew that that wasn't the person Bakugō was. If anything it was Shōto who should be waking Bakugou up because of the dorm layout.

Shōto looked up to the sky and wondered why. Bakugō was a very intelligent, punctual, and diligent person. Shouto didn't really understand why people had the idea that he was a troublemaker. If anything he was the opposite of a 'bad boy' (as Momo put it). Bakugō woke up at 6 every morning, brushed his teeth, and made breakfast for the class (well Lunch Rush would give them breakfast but Bakugō wanted to prove he was better). Shōto smiled to himself as he thought about how Bakugō wasn't really a bad person, he was just a bit crass and competitive. Shōto hoped that Bakugō saw him the same way Shōto saw him.

A friend.

Shōto rounded the corner into an alley that he and Bakugō had found as a shortcut and was proud that he actually obtained another friend. His stupid father was to blame for his lack thereof. And Midoriya was to blame for all the new ones he had gained. And in all honesty, he really wished that he and Bakugō could gain the same closeness that he and Midoriya had.

Then he saw him. He saw Bakugō. Shōto could feel the ice inside his stomach start to switch on. He ran towards him. What the hell was this? Who did this? What happened?

"BAKUGŌ WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

He lunged forward towards the crumpled figure that Shōto immediately recognized. His bag dropped to the floor of the alley; accompanying an already fallen bag that spilt out notebooks and pens that belonged to the crouching boy.

Bakugō seemed to stiffen as Shōto pulled his arms around him and pull his body closer to his own. Shōto placed his hands on either shoulder as he attempted to pull him into his lap. He didn't understand where the burst of emotions came from but he just knew that he had to do something. He almost had to pull Bakugō off the wall as he seemed to be connected to it. He quickly realised that it was all self-inflicted based on the placement of the injuries and his constant refusal of help. But maybe that was just Bakugō's nature to reject help. This time he needed it. "Bakugō... please... let me help you," Bakugō's strength left his arms and his head crashed into the wall. Shōto took the opportunity to pull him closer.

He elbowed Shōto harshly in the chest before he suddenly collapsed into the knelt lap of a scared friend. "What were you doing to yourself?!" He said it laced with concern but it came across as angry. Well, it was. Shōto was beyond disconcerted about the situation but he needed to stay in the moment. In this moment where he is taking care of his friend.

Bakugō had a grimace and an angry expression on his face but tears were streaming down. He seemed so weak and in pain. His hands were a mess. His fingernails seemed to be nearly ripped off. Blood streaked down the walls with an obvious correlation to his injuries. Shōto pulled their fingers from their clenched position and tried to ice the traumatized hand. The surrounding skin was broken from most likely constant pressure against that rough wall. His knuckles were stained purple and red and blood trickled down his forehead and mixed with his sweat and tears. His fingers didn't seem broken but they were in terrible shape. His teeth were unclenched but his face now laid emotionless and drained. Someone who Shōto remarked at being so strong now seemed so hurt and broken. He seemed to lean into Shōto every so often but then quickly pull away from the proximity but then fall right back when his strength wavered. He always seemed so powerful and stubborn.

But he was just like Shōto.

He didn't even look in pain. He just looked like he was angry. He was in pain in another way. His eyes still closed and scrunched, refusing to open. Blood trickled down his temple and neared the closed eyes of Bakugō. Shōto wiped it away without thinking. He was pushed away and fell backwards from another blow to his chest. "Why won't you just let me help you?!" He didn't mean for it to come out so sharply if anything he didn't mean for it to come out at all. His eyes finally met his. The silence filled the empty alleyway as they both failed to gather coherent thought.

How did this happen? Why did it happen? Was Bakugō okay?

What was he supposed to do?