35

Bakugo stood in the entryway. The room was small, the floor tiled, a bed with restraints, the machines in the inside were full-blown medical equipment, and they lit up like medical machines would, beeping with fluctuating speeds of colored lights. There was a heart monitoring device in there too, so that they could watch over his pulse.

This was not going to be an easy process.

From a normal standpoint, it would be.

The little kid would go in, sit on the bed, relax and take naps while the machines ran, the low electric pulse making them feel fluttery, but tired, the humming of the delta waves soothing their heads as they watched cartoons.

All would be calm.

But not for Kasaya. Not with the brain Diasuta the way it was.

"You sure?" He swallowed, looking over his shoulder to Aiwaza, who was reading instruction manuals with glasses on; he had no idea he had a need for such.

"I have to." Saya knew Suki knew the why. He looked deeply into those molten eyes, which sat brewing in pent-up, intense worry. He could see it, and he could sense it. Katsuki was being that quiet mess for him that he should be right now.

But instead, there was a different feeling inside him: One of intense, withdrawn fear.

What this meant for Satoko was turning around in his darkness, lifting his lids to look at the horror, to watch, to see, to re-experience those sights as things that were done to him, slews of very real things that were memories, some of them not so distant, ones that still rubbed raw, like a beat-red burn on the flesh.

This was to turn and face himself in the mirror, but knowing who would be looking back, would not be him. It would be his body, but who would be staring would be the 'other' inside himself.

The one who he had thought was nothing but a killer. But now? He was unsure.

This entity inside him, had been there for some time, and supposedly it scarily could communicate.

Seeing that? Hearing that?

Saya had stark fear rushing, but what was more integral was getting the data he needed, that they needed. To do what they needed. To accomplish.

Kasaya would not rest until this was over. He would not rest until he could rest with Suki; a much deserved rest, in freedom together.

Bakugo nodded. Indeed, this person in front of him, this man… Katsuki knew he'd follow him into the deepest places, into the most abysmal trench that existed, all for the sake of doing the best things they knew how: To rescue. To punish. To fight.

Because, they were both to be heroes now.

In each other they found a reason to continue.

In each other they found a reason to lay down their old mindsets.

In each other they found the power and strength to do better, to be better.

Sometimes… really all it takes is just one.

A singular person who can alter your perception on the material world, on the people around you, on the emotions that you hold inside that bang at your being.

People can go through their lives, being thrown into situations where it's a slow build; learning lesson after lesson from random, multitudes of people. How rare it is that we do meet just that one 'specific' person, a singular someone that can gravitate our existence, that can give us a new reason to begin breathing again.

Kasaya and Katsuki never would say that it was 'soulmates', as much as they would say it was luck.

But one thing that they found themselves agreeing on before they both walked into the building this morning was a feeling, one that was so simple but resolute that it could melt anybody's broken lining, and alight their eyes as they bore witness to it.

Saya had to remind him. He just wanted to hear it again.

Things were almost done. Eraser was almost ready.

Satoko pulled the blonde in by the wrist, and whispered in his ear. "Y'won't go anywhere?"

Those lips whispered back. "I'told you… I'd never leave you."

A soft, growing smirk formed, so soft on those pink lips that it was barely seen by the other, but the biker cut did see, and went on to put his cheek against his cheek while they spoke, grabbing onto his wrist in return.

"I'm startin' t'not feel very good." He had to tell him. "I'm startin'… t'see stuff. T'hear it." He hadn't drank today. His eyes shot around the room, swirling as some images came to him.

Kugo wrapped a strong palm around his waist at that, the fingers spreading to take up as much room as they could, to hold him while he still had these tiny chances, to reinforce. "You told'me y'didn't want to live on without me." He hushed into the smooth navy hair. "I will see that through."

That was what was said.

Primary in word, but deep in meaning.

In the hallway leading up the stairs they'd whisped it to each other, then they'd embraced deeply getting in as many kisses as they could before coming into the 'public eye'.

They didn't want to go on… if the other could not be there.

It was no longer about wanting a future together.

What they'd said foretold a longer future.

What they felt was so strong it was through their bodies, down into their bones.

It was a need that was so natural, and real, and hungry that it wanted to be fed for life.

Somehow… they just knew.

Like a light switch in both of their minds. Something turned on, and it burned so hot it was blue.

"You'll still be with me…" Saya swallowed. "after this? What if I'm not th'same?"

Suki smirked and chuckled, earning a quivering look from the other and a tilt of his head. More long hair consumed the blonde's face. He was so enveloped in the smell of his shampoo, unique. Whisper: "Then I'll find you."

Tears came to gray sheets like a storm. He laid his head on Suki's shoulder and they wrapped each other up, Aiwaza in the background saying how he was done with prep.

It came out as a sobbing choke. "You'll fin'me… bu'what if y'find me an' I can't come back?" He held him so tight. The emotions he had now, how he felt them now, they hurt so fucking bad.

Eraser looked at the two. He turned away, this was too unbearable to watch!

He whispered back: "Jus'grab my hand."

"What'if I can't move?" He sobbed.

Suki kissed his ear. "You will damn it."

"Why… why d'you hav'such'a.. such'a…" He already could feel his sober mind beginning to unravel into hell. Images shot his eyes all around the room suddenly again, and his eyes went to the ceiling, feeling like he'd fall.

There was a swipe of blood up there.

It was spotty, a slash of it, it was from his sword.

The memories. They were coming.

Suki had to put hands on both sides of his cheeks to make him focus, and pulled the face a little forcefully back down to look him in those shale orbs which were one of the things he adored the most. "Because… I'm in love with you."

The lids opened wide, a mouth agape, in that perfect natural curve that they had. Kasaya's cries intensified, water spurting out and down over Suki's fingers on his face, his heart fluttering out of his chest. He… he loved him! What, what did that mean for them?

On Katsuki's end, he had to tell him. No longer could he hold it inside anymore. He knew how awful this would get. He hoped that how he felt could bring back Kasaya, the one he wanted, whose form he had memorized, whose love he desired in return.

He could tell who it was even in the dark, by only one touch of a fingerpad. It was how Saya felt him. How the grain of that finger was. The texture, succulent and suave; the way it caressed tender and pure. As soon as their skin met, it created a buzz between them, a fire in their veins that made the blood pump, the head rush, and the mouth wet.

Chemistry of two complimentary elements coming together as one complete whole.

"Saya." He whispered. "I will stand with a torch... in your darkness." He wiped tears away trying not to cry himself. He had to be strong for him, but he felt his insides weakening at his boyfriend's awfully broken state. His voice cracked in a similar choke, wetness coming. "An'I will.." He breathed. "patiently wait f'your touch."

They gave up.

Shota turned even further away, eyes to the ceiling now, as the two behind him in the doorway kissed as if they had no time left.

The passion between them was so eloquent, and with recognizing how their mouths fit around each other's in perfection?

Bliss.

They pulled apart, noses and foreheads touching.

Kasaya was no longer a puzzle to Katsuki. A gameboard. A mystery to figure out.

The game… it wasn't just laid down, it was complete.

They were now just two players above the once-game now, chips all down, end of the night, cards all strung out all over the table, their portraits painted in the widest array of colors known to the human eye.

And there they were, completely exposed, staring at each other.

Lips a swatch of rose, eyes a dab of crimson, a small tap of gray. The skin lightly flush and smoothed with a coat of oil to shine the paint.

The conclusion they came to: They were both just people. Two people who'd found something healing, calming, relieving, and did not, would not, and could not let it go.

And Suki wasn't bored, as he usually would grow to be after he figured someone out... instead he was enthralled. His attention was always on him. His eyes traced his outline everyday.

And in the same way, Saya always found himself watching the blonde. His build was so terribly and horribly tantalizing. He always wanted a piece of his body touching him. In bed watching a movie, he'd have his hand on his thigh. Laying down reading, a palm on Suki's wide back rubbing it, under his shirt even! He'd run fingers through his blonde hair in the night and in return he get a couple little growls of protest in his sleep, but they'd turn into airy sighs as he'd come to a bit and realize it was just him.

"I got you'somethin'." Saya wanted to give it while he still had his mind in tact.

"Hm?"

Saya pulled a paper out of his athletic shorts pocket and handed it to him. "Here."

Bakugo took it and started to unfold it. It didn't have anything but a phone number on it. "What's this?"

"Jus'call it later."

'This guy.' Bakugo smirked, always with the surprising chases, it never ended. How he enjoyed these mysteries.

"Merry Christmas." Kasaya said. "I kno'its a little early." But he'd be in the room through the 25th, and he wouldn't have another chance. And what if he lost his mind? Then this might not have a chance to happen. It very well might and could be the last thing he could ever give him.

Suki leaned to kiss him on the cheek to thank him. He didn't know what it was but he was happy for more than one reason because... "I'have somethin' f'you too."

"How?"

"It's why I went t'work for him." He ran his eyes to motion at the professor, who was waiting, sitting on the bed. "So I could get you somethin'."

Saya lightly smiled. He was trying to stop the tears. They were slowing, but still one or two was falling. So that was why he took on the job, aside from it looking decent on a resume. He had wondered why.

"I'm gunna wait though."

"Hm?"

Suki leaned in and kissed him, and as he put his mouth to the right side of his lips: "It's more'a reason f'you t'come back to me... yeh?" Bakugo moved into his hair again. Hugging him once more. A small whisper. "Please, come back t'me."

He nodded, wiping hot salty tears.

Eraserhead knew they were set. "You ready?" He called over.

The navy headed one lifted his chin, taking a hair tie off his wrist.

Bakugo let go to watch him put up his deep oceany hair, same way as always, long fingers running through the sides, a swipe underneath.

"Yeh." He walked over and sat on the bed. Shakily, he laid down, pulling his arms out.

The hero professor began strapping on the wrist guards, which chained him to the bed, then went to do the same to his ankles. "We'll put th'tape over your mouth next."

Katsuki started to cringe.

The tape roll ripped. Duct tape.

It was to keep Saya from saying names, from talking at all.

They had no idea what he'd do as the two consciousnesses formed into one, what would happen; if it'd hurt, if it'd cause him to go insane and lash out. No matter, Saya agreed, he wanted them protected from his quirk which could easily destroy them.

Whether he said their name and made them beat each other to death. That could happen.

Whether he said their name and made them use their quirks on each other until one or the other was dead. That could happen.

Whether he said his brain's name before the merging was complete and Diasuta went out and unleashed internal power he knew he couldn't control. That could also happen.

It was too high a percentage that Kasaya, not in right mind, could escape and do so violently.

Bakugo laced his fingers with the other's hand, standing over him; Aiwaza looked to the blonde, who nodded, then to Kasaya who nodded as well.

The tape went over the lips.

He looked like a captured hero who was getting ready to be tortured. It wrecked Suki up as such strong emotion was suddenly coming to those gray eyes. He could tell Saya was feeling trapped, afraid, but like the day the navy haired one stood above him not extending his own hand down, Saya was challenging, pushing forward.

And Suki was his reason along with his hate.

Bakugo combed his long bangs with his fingers, calming him as Aiwaza began taping the nodes on him for the electricity; 20 of them on his skull, about 40 on his body. Aiwaza hooked the heart monitor's sensor up under his shirt to attach to his chest, taping it down too.

The last thing: The loud delta waves.

Aiwaza turned on the speakers. "Go ahead." He hollered out the door.

Toshinori was outside there at a monitoring table, and he hit a few buttons and it turned the sound system on. He was Aiwaza's boyfriend, and he was now the 'third' person that knew what was going on, but Bakugo let it. He assumed with Aiwaza being his significant other, he'd told him already, plus, as he was a trusted therapist, who had listened, been open minded, and respectful, Katsuki allowed him to know what was going on with Satoko Kasaya's consent of course.

An awry, very low rocking buzz of two tones arose, one with just a few higher hertz than the other. It was quiet but it was there. It sounded as if in a tunnel and something was vibrating.

It slowly began getting louder, slowly, slowly. This was how they had to do it as to not shock the brain.

Saya shifted uncomfortably as a few electric nodes came on.

Louder. A few more nodes. This time ones on his head.

"Let go of him." Aiwaza said. "You're lettin' the electricity escape. You're his body's conduit to the floor."

Under Kasaya's bed was a rubber mat to keep the electricity flowing in and out his body through the wires.

Saya looked up and nodded. 'Let go. Jus'let go.'

Bakugo disgruntedly did, his didn't want to lose his touch, but he could feel that little pulse of electricity that he was sharing with him.

It increased. The sound, the pulsing. The nodes on his head all began turning on one by one as Eraser was flipping switches.

Kasaya swallowed and closed his eyes. 'Shit!' He couldn't speak with the tape over his mouth, but his body started to shift more, he started huffing air out of his nose. Things were stirring up. He seen through his eyes a strange illusion of red swipes across the wall. He was feeling some weird intense emotion coming... and emotion that was still on there.

He knew all too well what the fuck it was: Ashley's shit still inside him.

Louder.

Satoko was squeezing his eyes closed, and his head jerked back, his jowls puffing in and out, breathing heavier. If he closed his eyes he wouldn't see it! The blood! He wouldn't!

All the nodes on. Even louder.

Bakugo covered his ears. He had to. His hearing issues were causing his eardrums to start aching, he'd tried holding on for Saya, but his ears!

Aiwaza looked at Bakugo growling. It wasn't that loud just yet. Loud enough but... why'd he have his hands over his ears?

The pulsing got louder.

They had to leave the room, Bakugo was starting to grimace from the noise, it was hurting him it was so terribly loud to him! He had to! He couldn't take it. He couldn't hang on it was too painful!

Aiwaza came out too. They stood at the viewing window, the door closed, sound proof.

It was suddenly quiet.

"You okay?" The professor asked.

Bakugo dropped his palms, came up to the window, his hand on the glass. "Fine."

Kasaya's eyes were closed, his chest heaving as it was obviously getting louder in there. A wrist shot up and yanked on the guard desperately.

Bakugo put his forehead on the glass. "Damnit." He hated this.

"Do'you have sensitive ears?" Aiwaza was trying to ask him questions. He was honestly concerned, trying to also distract him a bit from what was going on in the room. With how these two cared about each other he could already tell it was going to be hard as fuck to peel Suki away from this area.

Not that he would want to, but Kasaya needed to be left alone so that the treatment could have a chance to work it's way along.

Suki turned. "Don'tell him." He meant not to tell Kasaya.

"Hn?" Shota nodded. He wouldn't unless he wanted him to, but it was that serious?

"Bu'I think..." He turned away from the window, not able to watch his boyfriend clinching his fists like that anymore. "I think I'm goin' deaf."

It was true.

In a matter of a year he was worried he wouldn't even be able to hear Kasaya Satoko's rich toned voice.

As a matter of fact, he was concerned he wouldn't hear anything at all.

Suki raised his right hand.

A soft beep.

He didn't raise it.

Another beep; left.

Nothing.

Beep.

Right hand.

"Okay we're done."

Bakugo pushed himself away from the device and sat back on the bench.

"Good thing we'use these things often." Eraser flipped a few pages. The old gal at the med bay taught him how to operate it. "We're usually losing our senses after battles, it's a pro hero problem. Common." He flipped a few more pages, running fingers down a column. "Ah."

"So?" Bakugo crossed his arms.

"You're left ear is worse than your right. Do you ever hear ringing?"

"Yeh, after too huge an explosion I will."

"That why you've been holdin' back?" Aiwaza smirked.

"Holdin' back?" Bakugo snarked. This guy knew him a little bit too well now. "Yeh. It fuckin' hurts." He pointed to his left.

"I have a solution."

"What?" Bakugo grumbled. He was expecting to have him say a hearing aid. He would not do that! He was seventeen damn it!

"Merry Christmas from me." Eraserhead opened a cabinet and tossed him a little box that looked like a eyeglasses case.

He opened it up curiously. Inside were two clear round looking squishy things with wires inside them.

"You can't fix what you've lost, but y'can prevent it gettin' worse." Aiwaza leaned on the bench by him. "They're expensive earplugs, don't lose'em. Ones that heroes usually wear. They're invisible when inside the ear, they bring high decibel sound down to a lower level, and make it to where you can hear normal things like music and voices."

"Thanks."

He actually said a thank you. Surprising word. Aiwaza was surprised himself, really he was.

They walked out together, and back down the hall where Toshinori was sitting at a viewing table.

"How's he doin'?" The blonde asked, looking at the computer screen.

Kasaya's wrists were turning red from where he'd been yanking and clenching.

"We've got a camera on him so we don't interrupt. So far, just a lot of tugging at his wrist locks." The longer blonde pushed up on his glasses and closed the book he'd been reading.

Bakugo started walking to the window.

Toshinori interjected. "Come over and sit down, we don't want to distract his brain from what's happening. He won't see you anyway. He won't open his eyes."

Bakugo stopped, sighed really largely. Before he came to have a relationship with Kasaya he would of yelled at someone for telling him what to do, but now?

Passively, he came over to sit between the two older men, all three looking at the monitor with the film rolling.

Kasaya wasn't just yanking here and there, he was twisting, he'd roll a wrist in a circle, obvious if he was set loose, he'd run off. He'd throw his head back every five minutes or so, bangs sweaty. They could see him swallowing over and over and over again, that Adam's apple bobbing.

Aiwaza after nearly an hour of silence spoke. "He looks miserable. Is he really that much of an alcoholic?" It was addressed to Bakugo.

Toshinori was opening some containers. He'd left and picked up Thai for them as Eraser was hesitant to leave the campus (knowing he'd be attacked a few times), and because Bakugo didn't want to leave either for obvious reasons.

Toshi didn't mind being the 'errand boy'. He actually enjoyed it, and felt that he was playing a good role.

People needed to eat. Aiwaza needed his help. Bakugo needed his advice, his presence.

Both the older men cared for these two younger teens, and nothing would get in their way of doing what was the right thing for both, of course, since the teens were almost of age, they also wanted them to make thier own decisions, as it was that stage of life.

And they were making those decisions.

"Yeh." Bakugo crossed his arms and leaning back as food was sat in front of him. "He is."

"Can I ask you'somethin'?" He took a plate of noodles and thanked Yagi, who smiled down at him.

"Hn?" Bakugo was already slamming his mouth full of food. His martial arts practice this morning had been sketchy as Kasaya hadn't been lit up on the vodka, and so he resorted to doing some drills on his own. He was very sore, and his body was so hungry.

Tons of food to feed the muscle. Kasaya had said that. He was getting so lean and large some of his jeans were beginning too fit too tight.

He'd have to either go up a size or something. His thighs and glutes could barely fit, but if he did, his waist was too small, then he'd have to belt the larger size of jeans, literally fold the denim over and cinch it down.

How awkward.

One of the worst parts of getting in extremely good shape. Clothes in stores weren't made for that silhouette. They were made to fit the masses.

"What do'you know about the Connelys?"

Bakugo just gawked, slowing his chew, red eyes scrutinizing. "Why?"

Aiwaza took a bite now too, talking between mouthfuls, kind of slobbish, like his normal tired demeanor usually made him. "I've decided somethin'."

He had to know now. Bakugo's response ached that he did 'know' things. Of course he did. He was Satoko's significant other, he probably knew almost all the things about him.

One 'thing' that had shot Eraserhead through a loop was as he was hooking up the heart monitor under Satoko's shirt he'd realized the kid had his nipples pierced.

Unexpected. Not strange. But different. Very different compared to the upstanding looks of the rest of the UA students.

Girls usually had thier ears pierced. That was about it.

Good thing the electricity was low so it was okay that Kasaya could leave the bar jewelry in that he had.

"Satoko said there was more to it. To them."

Bakugo didn't say anything. This was their goal. Together. Him and Kasaya... they'd get her. They'd get them.

What did the professor have to offer?

Those were the exact words that came out. "What d'you want of it?" Bakugo wasn't livid, but mostly just leery.

"Y'know, and I can tell, one of th'big reasons he's doin' this, why he wants t'be a hero, it's because he wants t'have access to th'information we can see."

"Hm." Bakugo still just chewed. He knew that. Didn't surprise him that Eraser picked up on that, Satoko had melted down a few times in front of him, just as he had.

"So. I'm breakin' the rules." Aiwaza sighed setting his plate down. His elbows on his knees, hands in his dark hair. "I'm not supposed to." He said it to the floor.

"Aiwaza." Toshinori shot out a tone that was of warning. He hadn't said anything to him about this!

"Fuck." Aiwaza sat straight now and leaned back. "Yagi. I'm sick of this." He looked at the screen at the teen yanking on his wrist guards. "The crime rate, it's high as hell right now. I get attacked, students get attacked." He got a bit more loud than he needed to be. He was bent out of shape over it more than the usual. This stressed him. "We've gotta start figurin' some shit out, we gotta get in somehow. They're gettin' smarter, more careful. You know how hard it's been to solve anything!"

"Shota!" Toshinori stood. "Y... you're not?"

Aiwaza looked at Bakugo. "I am."

The longer haired blonde came over and put a hand on his shoulder. "You can't do it. It's breakin' the code. The code as pro heroes."

"I know. But what other options we have?"

Bakugo was now clued in. He knew what was about to happen. "Y'want information because you've got nothing."

"Yes."

"'An how will this do shit f'him?" Bakugo looked at the screen, tossing his plate to the table. How would benefit his guy?

"The Connelys dont have a lot on'em in the file we have, but the stress is just too great."

"Are you sayin'..." Bakugo glared with eyes like hot branding irons. His heart pumped in this. "that the pro hero leagues are..." He felt uncomfortable. But surely not? Right? "failing?"

Eraserhead shook his head a yes as his boyfriend clasped tight on his shoulder.

Yagi spoke now for him. Eraser was getting a bit torn up. The black haired man's eyes were getting wet and he had to take off his tortoise shell glasses and toss them to the table.

The oldest one softly spoke. "It's been goin' downhill f'awhile. It's a combination of what Shota said with the villains being more tactile, but it's also an internal issue."

"And what's that?" Katsuki.

Toshinori sat. "No information sharing. Since the villains have tightened up thier securities and assets, the pro hero league files lack leads, and due to the 'no sharing' policy, there is information out there but we can't divulge any of our own to compare notes."

Yagi didn't personally agree with what his man suddenly decided on, but he was coming around. What was more important was getting an 'in' somewhere.

Things were gettin' worse, much worse, All For One's influence he was beginning to see everywhere, and if there be any hope for Japan or the whole world?

Eraserhead sighed. "That's why I've decided, I'm gunna share the files with you two. Can I trust you and him with it?"

Bakugo nodded. "So what'd'y'want from us?"

"Any information you have, that you can expand on from this." He handed Bakugo a few vanilla folders that he pulled from a black briefcase. Eraserhead sighed, embarassed. Unbelieveable that it's come down to this: depending on students. But the damn cornerstone was failing. "We have to restructure or we'll collapse. We have to find a way to penetrate into thier social ladder."

Katsuki breathed. What he was just handed! Knowing what he knows! Feeling how he feels!

He looked to the screen at Kasaya shaking and writhing, tugging, in no sound mind to make decisions for himself, for what was right.

In a way, Bakugo felt that he was his guardian right now, much like how he was his grandmother's guardian.

He was his protector. He was his supporter.

He was his decision maker.

Bakugo closed his eyes. Breathed, trying to calm his stomach which was all over the place, a mess.

He opened the first one. "I kno'he can't speak f'himself right now." He looked away from the screen to his therapist, knowing full well the older man knew the predicament he was getting ready to present. "But I can't break his trust."

"Bakugo." Eraser mumbled. "Yes, I am tryin' to take advance of the knowledge you hold. But it's for the cause of saving Japan."

"I know." Just like how he felt when Hisashi had given him his number and told him to text him if anything was to happen. Sort of put on the spot, his hand being forced along. But he wasn't hot under the collar, just swaying back and forth internally.

On one hand, he had the pact they made together. That him and Satoko were to find them. But then they did need info to make the court case better, but now, and he knew for sure it wouldn't happen without letting the two elder ones in on some stuff.

But in doing so that would break Satoko to peices.

But yet he'd told him he'd told Aiwaza that there was more to it, that he knew details.

Bakugo sighed a little louder. "Y'understand what position this puts me in?"

"I'm giving you the keys." Aiwaza tossed him a chain with little golden keys all over it. "Physical files. The harder stuff we keep it in them, not on the web or electronic. We don't know what's been happenin', but recently we were forced to print everything off and delete our systems. The villains have high class hackers that have been stealing and altering things. They can't hack UA's student data, but they did hack the pro league office's."

Toshi spoke. "This puts you as the decision maker for Satoko. What d'you think he'd want?"

Bakugo spoke with as much clarity as he could, in 100 percent truth and honesty. "He'd want to get them, by any means necessary."

Shota and Yagi raised their eyebrows.

"He'd claw and scratch at their ankles until they'd fall." He clinched up some. "It's supposed to be jus... him and I... and his brother."

Aiwaza put his hand on Bakugo's knee. "I don't give a'shit what's said, what's told. I know Satoko is good. I wouldn't of told him I'd stand up for him in court if I didn't think that."

"Y... you said that to him?" The teen looked at the man wide-eyed. He didn't know that.

"Yeh. Bakugo." Aiwaza smiled. "There's some bad shit goin' on, we can't figure out what it is. When villains get quiet, that's when things get bad. I'd stand up for Satoko Kasaya. I'd stand up for you. I'd stand up for anyone the League of Villains has manipulated so that they can have a chance to live a better life." He cleared his throat. "I'm Eraserhead, my word in court, it weighs very heavy; I'm trusted but the justice system."

Yagi nodded. It was true. Aiwaza had helped put an end to so many cases since he'd been a pro. He'd gained a position of power that was highly regarded.

That was why the criminals in the streets attacked him.

Why they were getting ballsy.

Aiwaza Shota, Eraserhead, senior member of Japan's elite hero league, one of those members that stood on the pinnacle of light, was walking talking, living bearer of truthfulness in the system.

He had all the judges favor.

The LOA wanted to take him down.

Bakugo took in a huge gulp of air. Looked down to the file in his hands.

Pictures. Documents.

He pulled a photo out. "This has to be Ashley's father." He spoke low. "Ashley Connely."

Eraserhead smiled. "So you'll... you'll assist us?"

"I get it. Y'know." Bakugo had weighed the options. "This isn't jus'bout him anymore." He looked to the screen.

"Yea."

"It's about everyone in the world isn't it?" Bakugo looked to the older men with wet eyes.

Aiwaza put a hand on Suki's shoulder. "Shits gettin' bad in every country. It's not just here."

Dr. Toshinori piped up. "We're unstable. The hero leagues in other countries are crumbling. We're out of options, and we're running out of time."

"Time... what?" Bakugo was starting to tear. This was so unbearably heavy that he was feeling the intensity.

"The world... it's uh." Aiwaza went on. "It's not in good shape. We had a meeting a few days ago. We got the stats in. The organizations of heroes are at an all time loss. China is gettin' the shit whipped out of them. So is Germany. Italy. America has lost at least one hero league every major city." He had to breathe. Toshinori sat down aside him. "Japan's the epicenter. The LOA's 'main office' so to say, is here. We're right in the eye of the storm."

Bakugo sniffed, wiped an eye. "So... eh." His throat was hoarse. "What's th'frame of'time Japan have?"

"Before all falls down?" Yagi stated.

Bakugo nodded, his mind crazy. What about his future with his lovely Kasaya Satoko? The last years of his grandmother's life? What of UA? The to-be hero classers? What about the people in the country? In other countries?

"Less than 10 years at this point."

He couldn't take it. He started crying and suddenly he started yelling. "This! THIS!" He stood throwing the file down. "Y'COME AT ME WITH THIS!"

Aiwaza stood. "Yes! No other people or students on UA know anything! We have to find a way in! We have to somehow stop this! The leagues one by one are starting to shut down!"

"NOO!" Bakugo revolted. He turned to bolt but Eraserhead grabbed his wrist. And he reeled around to swing a fist, but Eraserhead caught the fist in his palm. "LE'GO OF'ME!!!!"

"This isn't you anymore! STOP!" He squeezed harder.

Suddenly Bakugo fell helplessly down into his chair, taking Aiwaza with him.

Eraser was quickly on the ground at Bakugo's knees. Toshi at his side.

Bakugo wrapped his arms around both and bawling, slammed his head between the men's heads, so that his forehead was on both their shoulders. "Why..." He choked. "Why'is'shit never'easy f'us?!" He sobbed.

"Please. Bakugo." Aiwaza whispered. "Help Japan. I'm glad Satoko said he wanted to be a hero. We need what you know, we need what he knows. We need you two on the front lines. That's why the training has gotten harder in class. That's why we're consistently forcing everyone to do these explicitly difficult exercises. We're on our wits end, and now as of a few days ago, we've got the information that it's so much worse than what we'd expected. They're winning, they're fuckin' winning. We don't know how. We've got to find out, or everything is goin' to end, we've go no faith that civilization will be able to survive, because that's thier goal. That's always been thier fuckin' goal. It's to tear it all down."

Bakugo could barely speak. "I have no'choice then." He choked. "I'm, we're gunna be 18 next year."

The two elders hugged the teen listening, holding him dearly.

"An'..." He mewled, barely able to breathe. "I got'him a book f'Christmas. I foun'it. Took me awhile to find a copy. I knew it'd be expensive because it's old as shit." Bakugo went on through breathes. "It's why my hero name's Apollo."

"Yea?" Aiwaza bellowed low, comforting his 'son'.

"Yea. An'inside it... There's somethin' else."

"Hn?"

"It's a... it's a..." Tears flooded. "I've never been... so'happy."

Yagi hugged him closer on his side. 'Shit.' He knew what he was going to say.

"It's a ring." The red eyed one softly lipped. "I wanted t'ask him... if he'd con... consider..."

Aiwaza pulled back. His eyes serious into Bakugo's. "You... are you... are you certain?"

"I am." Bakugo. "This is why it's so hard on'me. Hearin' this. Knowin' this. Then what future will we have? One amongst chaos and the world goin' t'hell?"

"You wanna give him paradise don't you?"

"Nah, jus'somethin' good. Something' real f'as long as he'd have me." Bakugo tears ran over Aiwaza's fingers which were now on his face.

The three were so very close.

"I'll tell you as much as I can." The blonde breathed out. "I'll explain t'him, and try to get him to speak." He meant Kasaya. "So that we can fuckin' fix it. Not jus'f'him, but f'everyone."

"Thank you." Eraserhead smiled earnest. "You're a detective now. An' you have to sign paperwork."

Bakugo nodded. "Fine." He put his hands to his face suddenly to wipe the wetness away, which prompted Eraser to drop his hands. "Because I will have a good future with him."

Yagi and Shota were absolutely speechless.

"Don't care how young'we'are. All I know is I want him, an'only him." He smirked. "I want things t'go right f'the world... because..."

Silence.

"I will ask him to marry me."