Trigger Warning for physical/emotional abuse

Kaminari POV

-

When I got inside my dorm, the first thing I saw was Bakugou. He was sitting on my bed, reading a book. I swallowed hard and stepped all the way inside, hesitantly closing the door behind me.

"H-Hey." I greeted, even though I desperately wanted to run away.

"Where were you?" the blonde didn't even look at me. That definitely wasn't a good thing. "I've been here for the past two hours, ya know."

"I'm sorry, Katsuki. I was..." I hesitated, almost afraid to tell him the truth. But I couldn't lie to him. "I was with Kirishima. We were just playing video games and stuff, nothing big or important."

"So you mean to tell me that you weren't here for the past two hours because you were with another man? Hmm." Katsuki clicked his tongue and shook his head, obviously disappointed.

"You cancelled our date, I honestly didn't think you were gonna be here today." I made the mistake of turning my back to him while I started off for the rack on the wall to my left where I usually hung up my backpack.

Suddenly a large hand closed around my wrist and spun me around roughly. Katsuki had gotten up and come up behind me without my realizing, and now he was all up in my face, red eyes flashing with anger. "Oh, so it's suddenly okay for you to go off on your own without telling me?" he snarled.

I flinched and shrank back against the wall behind me, my heart beginning to race. His grip on my wrist was so tight and firm that it hurt. I struggled a bit, trying to pull my hand from his grasp. "K-Katsuki, please... That hurts..." I knew trying to reason with him never worked, but it was the only thing I knew how to do that might make him stop.

"I don't care." he squeezed my wrist even harder, earning a startled yelp of pain. "You should've at least told me where you were, then this never would've happened. This is your own fault."

I knew the blow was coming before he had even raised his arm. He struck me across the face, hard. A bolt of white-hot pain shot through my head and I let out a little gasp of pain. I had learned not to scream when he hit me, because that only made him angrier. My hand flew up to my stinging temple and I stumbled a bit from the force of the blow, nearly falling.

"W-Wait, please, I'm sorry." I held my other hand out in a helpless gesture, trying to reason with him. "It won't happen again, I promise."

"Oh, I'll make sure it won't." he hissed.

That's how I knew this was going to hurt. Badly. His grip on my wrist tightened once again and he suddenly yanked me away from the wall, nearly dislocating my shoulder, just so he could throw me on the ground facedown. A strangled cry escaped my lips as he kicked me in the side scornfully. I pressed my face into the floor, feeling hot tears slide down my face, biting back a sob.

It'll all be over soon. Just don't scream. Please don't scream. I told myself.

I considered using my quirk to protect myself. But then I remembered a time in the past when I had done that. The shock actually hurt him, but it made him so mad that he beat me until I was unconscious. I wasn't allowed to defend myself in any way, shape or form unless I wanted to get seriously hurt.

"Get up." Katsuki growled.

I was paralyzed with fear. In the past, if I ever got up when he told me to, he'd just force me up against the nearest wall and hit me again and again. I didn't want that. I knew that the outcome would be worse if I disobeyed him, but I was so scared. I couldn't move!

"I said get up!" he shouted, grabbing a fistful of my hair and yanking upward, forcing me to look at him.

I managed to cut off the shriek of pain before it escaped my throat. It came out as a gasp and a whimper instead. I couldn't bring myself to look in those flaming red eyes that were probably alight with outrage right now. His eyes were always the scariest part of him.

"K-Katsuki!" I cried, voice shrill with pain. "L-Let go of me!"

"Fine, stay down then, you fucking weak little runt." he rolled his eyes and released my hair, only to hit me in the face with the back of his hand.

The blow connected with my nose, and I thought I heard the bone crack. Blood immediately spurted from the new gash on the bridge of my nose, running down my face and dripping on the floor. I covered the wound with one hand, the sight of glistening red blood on my fingers frightening me. I'd always hated the sight of blood. I drew my knees up to my chest and huddled there, trembling, waiting for the next blow to land.

But it never did. It seemed Katsuki was feeling merciful today, because he stopped tormenting me earlier than usual.

"Denki..." he knelt down in front of me and took me into his arms, kissing my tears away. The use of my first name made me wince, I felt like I was going to pass out. "You know I hate having to hurt you, right?" He gently stroked my hair, I had to fight to keep myself from flinching away from his touch.

I nodded slowly, my head throbbing and the gash on my nose stinging like crazy. "Y-Yes, Katsuki."

This always happened after he got done hitting me. He'd suddenly turn from angry to docile, rough and violent to gentle and concerned. It always messed with my head because it really did seem like he hated hurting me, which meant I had to deserve it. I just had to.

"Just... Don't do it again, okay?" Katsuki kept petting my head for a moment before kissing my forehead and slipping an arm around my waist. "I love you."

I closed my eyes against the pain, vaguely aware of the fact that I was sobbing. "I-I love you t-too."

Satisfied, he held me for a moment longer before standing up. "Alright. Get cleaned up, okay? I want to cuddle."

I nodded again, pretty much incapable of doing anything else. Knowing what would happen if I defied him, I got up slowly, wincing at the pain that flared up in my side where he had kicked me. There would definitely be a bruise there later. And the gash on my nose was so blatantly obvious that, even if I bandaged it, Kirishima would notice and want to know what had happened.

Kirishima.

He was my best friend. I trusted him with everything. And it broke my heart to lie to him and tell him I was okay, that everything was fine, that I got all these bruises by some stupid mistake. But Katsuki had threatened to beat me to death if I said anything about what was going on to anyone. He would also kill me if I tried to leave him (breaking up with him, running away, etc). I knew he wasn't above such cruel, drastic measures. So fear is what kept me from talking about what was happening, even when I desperately needed to.

I walked into the bathroom and washed my face, cleaning the cut on the bridge of my nose that was still bleeding profusely. It wasn't deep enough that I'd need stitches, fortunately. And it probably wouldn't scar. But it hurt like a bitch, and I continued to cry the entire time I was cleaning the cut and bandaging it.

The pain wasn't the only reason why I was in tears.

I don't want to live like this... I can't do this anymore... But I can't leave... He won't let me... I'm scared, I don't wanna die... My thoughts were all jumbled together and conflicted like they always were after Katsuki hit me. He says he loves me and I think he does, he certainly acts like it. When he hits me, I deserve it because it's my fault. Mine. I am the reason for my own suffering.

Feeling slightly better, I left the bathroom. I wasn't crying anymore, thankfully. Bakugou hated it when I cried. He was still there, he invited me to come lay on the bed with him. I knew better than to disobey. So, we watched TV together and cuddled, like he wanted to. Because he was quite a bit bigger than me, he was always big spoon. And I would've been okay with that if it weren't for the fact that his arms felt like a trap. I wanted to feel safe when he held me but I couldn't. I was too afraid of what would happen if I so much as breathed incorrectly.

He absentmindedly ran his hand up and down my arm. The touch made my skin burn. I shifted a little, grabbing the blanket and tucking it around my waist, trying to make myself feel a little more secure.

I couldn't stop thinking about the gash on my nose. It was getting harder and harder to hide and make excuses for the marks Bakugou gave me. They were getting bigger, bloodier, more obvious. And I had a feeling that Kirishima had already figured out what was going on by himself, he was a smart guy.

If Kiri decided to do something about Bakugou... Oh, I was so scared. The very thought made me tremble slightly. I felt the blonde's grip on me tighten, and I realized I had accidentally drawn attention to myself.

Fuck, fuck, fuck... My heart was trying to pound right our of my chest now.

"Denki? Are you okay?" Katsuki asked.

He snuggled closer to me and pressed a gentle kiss to the nape of my neck. I wanted to jump away screaming.

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine." I replied, inwardly kicking myself for stammering. "Just... Thinking, I guess."

"What about?" he questioned, breath hot against the back of my neck. I shivered again.

It's so strange how he can beat me up to the point where there's a bloodstain on the carpet and yet... He's acting like nothing bad ever happened at all. Maybe this is normal, then? Are all relationships like this? I cringed inwardly at the very thought.

"S-Sorry, it's nothing. Nothing important." I tried to be dismissive about it. I should've known better.

"Babe. I can tell when something's bothering you and you're a really bad liar. You can talk to me, you know." He said, reassuringly.

No I can't. I can talk to Kirishima but I can't talk to you because if I mess up, you'll hurt me again.

I briefly wondered why Kiri was so worried about me if violence was normal in relationships. If it were normal, he wouldn't care at all about the bruises I kept showing up with.

"I just... I wonder how... I don't know..." I was stuttering like crazy again because I knew I couldn't lie but I really didn't want to speak my mind. I knew Katsuki wouldn't like it at all. "I just don't understand how you make this seem so... So normal... And stuff..."

"Make what seem normal, baby?" Katsuki didn't sound mad... Yet.

"The... The blood and stuff..."

"Oh, that." he still didn't sound angry. He just snaked his arms around me and pulled me close, absentmindedly playing with the fabric of my shirt. "I hate to break it to you, but that's pretty damn normal. Some couples prefer lovey-dovey nonsense. I'm a bit more straight-up about my expectations for you."

"Oh, okay." I nodded and closed my eyes, pretending to be half-asleep so he wouldn't talk to me anymore.

My new bruise was beginning to ache. Fortunately it was on my side, under my shirt, so the only time Kirishima would see it was when we were in the locker rooms getting changed out of our gym uniforms. After surviving a grueling training class with Aizawa, of course. I honestly liked All Might's classes better, even though we didn't do any training in them. He actually talked and interacted with us, and he had a bit more personality.

I still wasn't looking forward to facing Kiri the next day, he'd definitely have a lot of questions about what had happened to my nose.

Kirishima POV

I decided this had gone way too far when Kaminari showed up with a bandage on the bridge of his nose. I couldn't allow this to happen anymore, but I still didn't know how to do something about it.

"So how the hell did this one happen?" I asked, gesturing to his nose.

"Hmm..." Kami hummed and covered the bandage with one hand but didn't say anything. I half expected him to make an excuse for it like he always did, but it seemed his excuses had run out.

"Hey. You know you can tell me." I reached out and took both of his hands, cupping them between my own. He flinched, as usual. "What happened? Does... It have something to do with Bakugou by any chance?" I had never asked him directly like this before, but I had a feeling now was the right time to do so.

All the color drained from his face and he looked down at the floor, grimacing. That was basically an immediate yes, because if nothing were going on, he'd have immediately said no. I smoothed my thumb across the back of his hand just to remind him that I was there. There was a prolonged silence. We were gonna be late for class at this rate, but I didn't care. This was way more important.

"Y-Yes. Yes it does." he finally whispered, so softly it was barely audible.

"Oh, Kami..." I ducked my head and squeezed his hands. "I... I don't know what to say except for thank you. Thank you for finally telling me."

Kaminari didn't say anything. He just wiped his face with the back of his hand and pulled away from me. "Come on. We have to get to class." he said, turning and walking out.

I hurried after him. "Kami, wait. Maybe you should... Stay in today. I don't think you should be anywhere near Bakugou if he's-" I started to say, but he turned to give me an absolutely venomous glare that stopped me in my tracks.

"I don't want to talk about it." was all he said.

I wanted to facepalm. What was going on? Why was he suddenly acting all closed-off like this?

"You can't tell me that your boyfriend is hitting you and then expect me to just back off and forget I heard anything." I lurched forward and grabbed his arm, trying to stop him.

His entire body tensed at once and he let out a startled gasp. Almost immediately, a little electric shock shot through my hand and up my arm, making me cry out and let go of him. He clutched at his arm where I'd touched him as if I had hurt him, eyes wide and frightened.

"Don't touch me." he hissed, between gritted teeth. "Please. I don't like it."

My hand was completely numb from his powerful quirk, even though it had only been a little shock to get me to let go of him. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." I apologized. "But my point still stands. I can't let this one go. Bakugou is hurting my best friend. And I can't allow that to continue. You're important to me, Kami. Perhaps the most important person in my life to date. So don't push me away. Talk to me. Please." I said, trying to reason with him.

"L-Look, Kiri... I wish I could explain everything to you. I-I... I really want to. But... But I can't because Bakugou said... Well, he said..." Suddenly the smaller boy was stammering, voice wavering, unable to get the words out.

"He threatened you, didn't he?" I asked, tone softening.

Kaminari nodded. "Yeah, that. So the fact I told you anything at all puts me in immediate danger. Please, if you really care so much about me, just let it go. I'll find a way out of it myself."

"You can't do this alone. I wouldn't be able to either. Because if you could've made it out alone, you would've done it already and everything would be fine right now." I said, tentatively. "And I certainly can't just stand by and watch all of this happen to you. It's too much for me because I can't stand to see you hurt like this. So don't ask me to."

"You can't say anything to him, Eijirou." He pleaded, eyes wide with panic, silently begging me to listen to him. My own eyes widened slightly. He'd never called me by my first name before, that was an honor reserved for those you love most. He realized his mistake and quickly apologized. "S-Sorry, Kiri. But I'm being serious. Keep your mouth shut about this and I'll be fine."

I sighed and ducked my head, studying his school uniform instead of his eyes. That desperate look of absolute terror in his gorgeous golden eyes was killing me.

"I... I won't say anything." I finally gave in.

"Thank you." Kaminari seemed to completely relax. He took a step closer and gave me a quick hug before turning around and starting to walk away. "Come on, we need to get to class. We're so late."

-

We were lightly scolded for being ten minutes late to class, but I didn't care. I just quietly found my way to my seat, Kaminari right behind me. I noticed the look on Bakugou's face when he saw us, and winced.

Dammit, he just saw his boyfriend walk in late with another guy. Another guy that he's always staying with in the evening. It probably looks really bad, and, knowing Bakugou, there will be absolutely no way in hell Kami can convince him that there's nothing going on between us. I thought, grimacing as I sat down and Kami sat in his usual spot, in front of me.

I couldn't focus at all during that class, though I wasn't sure why. We got our gym uniforms on- I saw the bruise on Kaminari's side- and went out to run twenty laps around the entire campus. Kami and I usually ran side by side because we had identical running paces. We would usually chat as we ran. But today, we were completely silent. Neither of us could think of something to say.

Kaminari was a lot paler than normal, and I could tell he was trembling even though it was hot outside. He was scared. Scared of what would happen after school when he was alone with Bakugou.

And that... That really bothered me.

I have to say something to Bakugou. I know I told Kaminari I wouldn't, but I can't let this go on. It's too much. I won't say anything bad. I'll just tell Bakugou to back the fuck off and treat his boyfriend with respect. Sorry, Kami... I thought. I knew how Bakugou worked, and if he was called out for doing something wrong, he'd usually stop.

So, during lunch, I intentionally dodged Kaminari so he wouldn't see where I was going or what I was doing and found Bakugou. He was hanging out with Shinso. As I got closer, I could overhear their conversation.

"...And how are things between you and that blonde kid going? I've heard you've been together for about three months now." Shinso inquired, in his usual monotonous voice.

"Who, Kaminari? Oh. Yeah." Bakugou rolled his eyes with a sloppy grin, as if he'd forgotten Kami even existed. "He's... Interesting, to say the least. A very wild, spunky character for sure. But I've been working on that and he's doing a lot better. Just had to show him who the boss was and he settled down."

That made my blood boil. He spoke about Kaminari as if he were just a useless toy.

"Oh really? That's a shame. He seems so cute and polite. I wouldn't mind talking to him sometime." Shinso folded his arms and shuffled his feet.

That was my cue to step in. "Hey guys." I greeted, walking over to them.

"Ah, Kirishima. Long time no see." Bakugou gave me a cold smile that didn't reach his eyes, which were full of hatred. He obviously didn't like me.

"Shinso, do you mind if I borrow Bakugou for a moment?" I turned to the purple-haired boy, whom shrugged noncommittally.

"Eh. Sure. See you later." Shinso turned and walked away without saying another word.

"What do you want, you red-haired idiot?" Bakugou demanded, as soon as his friend was out of earshot. "I'm not interested in talking to you. After all, you've been trying to steal my boyfriend for quite awhile now. Don't think I haven't noticed."

"Ah, perfect. That's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about." I gave him a smile, much to his chagrin. He hated it when people smiled at him, especially when he was angry. I allowed my smile to abruptly change into a hateful glare. "Listen up, Bakugou. I don't know who the hell you think you are but I do know one thing. You absolutely will not continue to put your hands on Kaminari like you have been. He isn't your personal pinching bag that you get to beat on whenever things don't go your way. I don't care what your excuses for this behavior may be, it's never okay to hit your partner. If you don't cut it out right now, I'm going to bring this to All Might's attention and he can deal with you. This is your first and only warning. I hope I have made myself clear."

Bakugou's expression had changed from his usual malice-filled glare to a look of distaste. "Ah. So Denki's been snitching on me. I see."

"No, no, he hasn't." I quickly rushed to cover for Kaminari. "I figured it out all on my own. The marks you've given him aren't exactly subtle, dude. He's got a fucking gash on his nose right now."

"Oh yeah? Well, you should probably quit wasting your time, I don't care what you think. You're all bark and no bite, Kirishima." the angry blonde pushed past me (none too gently) and stormed off, refusing to say another word to me.

I was expecting such a reaction. He wouldn't verbally admit he was wrong. But he was going to stop hitting Kaminari. He had to, now that I'd threatened him with All Might himself. Right..?

Feeling slightly unsure of what I'd just done, I walked back out into the crowded mess hall and found Kaminari. He was seated at our usual table, eating some bento, blissfully unaware of what had just gone down. I noticed the adorable smile on his face as he engaged in friendly conversation with Ashido, and couldn't help but smile a little myself. It was nice, seeing him so happy and relaxed like this. Like he used to be before Bakugou cane along.

Don't worry, Kami. You'll never have to hide your beautiful personality again. I promise. I thought as I sat down next to him and started eating my lunch.

Little did I know that I had only succeeded in making things worse, and that, in roughly nine hours, Kami would show up at my door, covered in his own blood, all because of my stupid mistake.

To be continued...

Eheheheh sorry. Another cliffhanger. But I figured I might as well get this chapter out there as it is and have all the bad stuff happen in the next chapter, that way this one doesn't end up outrageously long. Hehe, sorry~

Lol. In any case yeah I hoped you enjoyed this chapter! Please remember to leave a review and tell me what you thought of this. Next chapter should come out either tomorrow or the day after. See you then!! Much love!!!

-UltimatexAdmin