Moving her hand to cover her own eyes, Amari sat in the utter silence of her room, all of her swirling thoughts and decisions weighing down on her one by one. It seemed that in moments like this, the anxiety of everything worsened to an extreme amount. That's why the girl had tried to keep herself busy over the course of the weeks, but something about her conversation with Todoroki felt like a rock in her stomach.
She knew he wasn't going to give up on her, and that his words were only to cause a change of heart in her, yet no matter how hard she tried Amari couldn't come up with any sort of solution to her problems.
She just wanted to be held, to be kept safe like before, although it seemed like she had ruined that as well.
Shaking her head, Bakugo then immediately stood up and began screwing her head on straight. No, she couldn't crumble apart now, so many people depended on her to stay strong. This was the path she had chosen and the girl knew it was right, now she just had to follow through.
Quickly throwing on her clothes, Amari decided to give her wandering mind no time to think, and instead focused on the idea of waking Katsuki up instead. Yeah, that would give her some much needed distraction, a band aid for her worries, at least for now.
Bakugo moved towards the doorway before throwing open the object and focusing on that very goal when something bumped her foot on the way out.
Looking down she found a small brown package with her name drawn across the top. Huh, she wasn't expecting a package, maybe it was from her mom?
Picking up the object, Amari stepped back inside her room before carefully ripping the paper only gasp in utter horror and shock. Wait, no she thought she got rid of these on her birthday.
But if that was the case, then why was she now staring at that same small glass bottle of pills in her hands, and why were they continuing to haunt her everywhere she went?!
A small bit of panic seeped into her throat as Amari dropped the objects onto the bed, afraid to touch the damn things after all of the pain and suffering that they caused.
What was All for One even doing?! Was he tormenting her, was he trying to tell her that she wasn't safe, was he trying to make her insane, was he trying to get her to use again? All of her burning questions and fears jumbled together as she suddenly noticed a small black card in the bottom of the box, coaxing and teasing her to read.
Don't disobey for too long
You might regret it
Little One
Immediately ripping up the pieces of paper, Amari's eyes screwed shut before throwing the torn up bits into the nearby trash can. She knew she had to fish it out later in order to show the pro's of her harassment but the girl couldn't help but be clouded by her own dark thoughts at the moment.
All she wanted was a normal life, something that was stripped away from her as soon as Amari followed that villain unknowingly when she was a kid.
The girl was only sixteen after all, and yet it seemed like she had already lived through a lifetime of tragedy and despair. Why did it have to be her? Why couldn't she be like her classmates, careless and relaxed? No, instead Bakugo had this intense anxiety around her at every waking moment, suffocating her until she gave in under the weight. Why, why could she just be normal?
Placing a shaking hand onto her dresser, Bakugo faltered even more as a faint sight of black veins started to fade in, a sign that she was losing control of herself once again. She needed to stop this self pity and suck and up. Whining and crying would get her nowhere at this rate. It wouldn't do any good for her or for the people she was trying to save.
Just then, a loud knock on her door startled Amari, jumping out of her own fears all at once as her brother's voice carried through the air. "Hey Amari, get your ass up or we are gonna be late again!"
Trying to regain her place of reality, the girl turned her head before quickly picking up All for One's pills and throwing them into the drawer next to her, just in case Katsuki decided to come into her room for whatever reason. She'll worry about this later, when she wasn't so scatterbrained.
Then she picked up Toya's old ring before placing it on her right hand, a reminder to keep herself grounded and think about the goals ahead.
After that was finished, Bakugo took a deep breath to will the Nomu blood in her system away and grabbed a jacket just in case they returned for whatever reason. "Coming!"
Opening the door to her room, Katsuki looked down at his sister as she huffed out a breath, almost like she was rushing for some reason. "What's wrong with you?"
Yet Amari only laughed before slapping his back playfully, not wanting to bring up the subject just yet in order to calm herself down further. "Sorry, slept in. You ready to go?"
His eyes were skeptical but Katsuki decided to keep it to himself for now, obviously already aware of her fight with icy hot from yesterday. Perhaps she was still worried about all that. "Yeah, hurry up already."
Smiling under her breath, the twins began to follow each other as Amari stewed silently. She wouldn't let All for One control her, she refused to let him bother her to this extent. No, she just had to move on and live everyday the way she had planned it.
Yeah, that was it. If she just ignored her fears, then they would surely go away.
Slouching in her seat Amari sighed to herself as Aziawa entered the class, carrying a large stack of papers and looking very unhappy at the notion he was about to present for some reason. Although it could have just been a reflection of how tired he was, given the yawn he let out before speaking.
His eyes narrowed towards the students all at once, his gaze boring into them per usual. "Before we get started on training, I have some important questionnaires for you all to fill out."
Everyone gasped around him as Deku aggressively raised his hand, excited for whatever it was. "Is it regarding our hero work?"
Sighing in response, the teacher answered plainly. "As you all know, you are now second year students, still far from being pros but considering you only have one more year left it's time for you to start thinking about your future and what path you want to take after you graduate."
The entire class seemed in a frenzy at that, allowing Aziawa to pick up one of the pieces of paper in front of him. "Write down whatever that is and try not to take forever."
Then the man began to slouch just slightly before pulling out his usual bright yellow sleeping bag and flopping to the floor with another yawn. "You have till tomorrow to turn them in."
And just like that, the teacher was out cold, his slight snores echoing through the space. No one seemed overly surprised by that though, given Aziawa usual behaviors. Looks like it was up to the class to discuss.
Momo and Ida began passing around the questionnaire to each of the kids as Denki began to beam, already dreaming about his ideal future. "Oh, I already know what I'm gonna do when I graduate! Gonna join a super cool agency and get my name out there so I can attract all the cute ladies!"
Some began to Ohh and Ahh at that idea as Uraraka gushed. "I just wanna be able to help my parents as soon as I can."
Clapping her hands in excitement, Mina added roughly. "But what about starting your own agency? That way we can make the rules and be the boss!"
Kiri seemed to have other ideas though, shaking his head once. "Yeah but starting your own agency once you graduate is hard work. Not everyone can do that and succeed. It's definitely a gamble."
Everyone couldn't help but agree with that, their voices perking up the space as each kid layered on top of the other in hopes of telling their plans for the future. It seemed like everyone at least had some sort of idea of what they wanted, whether it was fully fleshed out or not.
Yet when Amari looked down at her questionnaire, she only drew a blank. The idea was so simple, of having dreams and wanting to hold onto them for the future. But what about her, what about her future? She honestly didn't know if she had one.
It wasn't like she was signing her own death certificate just yet but Sir Nighteye's prediction made it very hard for her to trust in any sort of permanent path. She just didn't want to get her hopes up for something if it was inevitable for her to be ripped away. It brought the girl a sense of reality, and that's always how she lived.
When she started using her pills, Amari was told that she would die early and that was enough for the girl to get her head on straight, to understand that forever wasn't something that she was meant to have. But then, Bakugo was given hope.
After Endeavor had trained her and told her she could have a future, Bakugo truly believed it, even for just a hopeful moment. She started to make bonds, to get attached to others and plans her own future as well.
But after the Overhaul raid, everything was so uncertain. There was no guarantee of either life or death for her, and that was something that scared Bakugo Amari more than anything.
If she was told she was going to die, Amari would have accepted it, if she was told she was going to live, then Bakugo could dream. But now she couldn't do either of those things, and this questionnaire was only visualizing her worries even further.
She picked up her pen in hopes that it would help give an idea to her mind, something she could write that wasn't a complete and utter lie, although nothing came. The only thing she did feel was that small bit of anxiety creeping back into her mind.
Although before she could even think, Amari jumped as a pair of arms were thrown on top of her, a hand now raised to her face. "Helloooo? You in there Amari-chan?"
Blinking in surprise, Bakugo turned to find Mina staring back. Oh crap, was she saying something to her? She hadn't paid attention in the slightest. "Oh uhh yeah? Sorry, I kinda zoned out."
The girl only laughed though only looked down at her blank paper in question. "It's okay, I was just saying that you don't have to worry about the future, since we already know what you're gonna be…"
She raised a suggestive eye although Amari didn't fully understand where she was getting at. Did she have some kind of plan that the girl didn't know about? "I don't know what you mean. What do you think I'm gonna be?"
The girl only winked at that though before raising her hand up to point at Todoroki, her voice filled with teasing love. "A bride, duh!"
Widening her eyes in shock and utter embarrassment, Bakugo's face lit up bright red, not even having the heart to look at Todoroki. Saying those kinds of things was bad enough but little did Mina know that the two of them were discussing breaking up the other day. Now was not the time.
Bakugo shook her head before pushing Mina's arm away, obviously uncomfortable by her words. "Whaaaa cut it out Mina. We are just kids."
Yet it seemed like she didn't get the memo, Denki now chiming in as well. "Come on Bakugo, we all know how lovesick you two are. It's bound to happen. I better be invited to the wedding though."
They meant no harm, she knew that, but after everything that was happening, Amari didn't want to think about these kinds of things.
Of course she had her own fantasy's of marrying the boy plenty of times, any girl would want that. But now everything was so uncertain, and Todoroki's feelings were waving.
It was cruel of them to ask these things, to give her hope when everything was so uncertain. "G-Guys, stop it.."
But they didn't stop, in fact the two kept pushing, now getting poor Todoroki involved as he wore his own unreadable and reddened expression. "Don't you agree Todoroki. Wouldn't she make a good wife?"
Just then, the bell ran as Amari immediately shot up from her seat, gathering all of her belongings in one singular motion before rushing to the door. She didn't want to hear his response, she didn't want to think about how he was giving up on her and that what they were suggesting was pointless. No, she couldn't do it.
Muttering to them quietly, the girl then took off, before anyone could stop or question her movements. "I have to go…"
Mina and Denki looked between each other in confusion when Katsuki's voice cut through the space, rough and irritated. "Cut it out extras. Your idiocy is obviously bothering her."
The blonde haired boy couldn't only pout though. "Aww come on Bakugo. We are just playing around. She should've known that, right?"
Yet Katsuki couldn't stare in the direction where his sister went, a heavy ominous lump in his throat as he eyed the empty doorway. She must have been thinking about her and icy hots fight, that idiot.
Looking down at his own questionnaire, the boy then picked up his pen before writing an assortment of words silently, his mind focused and serious about something in particular.
Moving to the first year's class, Amari stopped at the door to Kazumi's classroom before seeing a very familiar boy walk past her. That was his step brother, wasn't he? Yeah they weren't close but perhaps he would at least know where to find the boy.
Although she didn't know him that well, Bakugo still wanted to make sure Kazumi was alright. Amari wasn't perfect but she at least wanted to tell him that she understood his fears and that they were valid, just like someone had done for her when she needed it.
She tapped Kenji on the shoulder only for the boy to turn around with annoyance. "You're that Bakugo kid, aren't you? What the hell do you want?"
Sighing at his tone, Amari tried to counteract it with a smile. "Ah, you're just as charming as I remember. I was wondering if you knew where Kazumi was? I kinda wanna talk to him about something."
The boy only scoffed though, obviously not taking her seriously. "Why are you asking me, I don't know where that loser is."
Bakugo couldn't help but frown at that though, now following after the boy as he tried to leave the conversation. "But you're brothers, right?"
This definitely got Kenji to stop, his eyes glaring back roughly. "Who told you that?"
It sounded like he was bothered by the fact that she knew they were related, and that did make sense. From what it sounded like, Kenji wasn't very loved by half of his family, so it was almost like they weren't brothers essentially. "It doesn't matter how I know, it's the truth right?"
Kenji scoffed once again though, his towering appearance trying to imitate the girl to no avail. "I don't know where you heard that, but you better forget it right now."
Bakugo didn't seem intimidated in the slightest though, only narrowing her eyes at the familiarity of the conversation. "You know Kenji, I couldn't help overhear you yesterday and I get that you're angry about everything but you don't know how Kazumi is feeling either. He might be just as upset as you."
Widening his eyes for a moment, Kenji began to grind his teeth. "What, and you understand what that idiot is thinking? He's just a cocky, worthless son of bitch."
Although she could only stare back into his hate filled eyes, knowing that there was probably a thousand words of unsaid hurt as well. "Yeah I do, more than anyone. Just because he puts on a brave face doesn't mean he isn't actually alright. Maybe you should try to understand him a bit more, before you can't go back."
The boy stood silent then, like Bakugo's words were sinking in slowly before she continued low and quiet. "Now, are you going to continue to be a jerk, or are you gonna tell me where he is?"
Kenji continued his silence though, now knowing how to respond to the girl. This was stupid. Of course she couldn't understand his pain and struggles, that girl was given favors left and right. She didn't know what it meant to struggle for everything.
Yet a part of him didn't have any more energy to argue with her, instead the boy turned his back and walked away before muttering. "He's absent."
Then just like that, the boy was gone, causing Amari to sigh roughly. All of that and Kazumi wasn't even here today. Just her luck.
Sighing to herself, she suddenly felt a tap on her shoulder only to find her brother glaring back in annoyance. Wait, why was he in the first year's hallways? Did he have business with them also? "There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you."
Amari twisted her brow in confusion at that. "Really? Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know. I was just going to talk to one of the first years but he's absent today. What's up?"
A small moment of silence flew by them as Katsuki only stared at his sister for seemingly no reason. It was like his matching red eyes were staring into her soul, extremely intense. Alright, that was weird. "Uhh Katsuki? You okay?"
Yet that's when Bakugo spoke first, his voice rough. "The questionnaire, you left it blank, didn't you? Why?"
Amari's eyes widened at his words, already knowing she couldn't tell him about the uncertainty of her life. "Oh, uhh I don't know. I guess I haven't really thought about what I want to do in the future. It's a big decision, you know?"
Her brother only glared back in response, the silence growing thick again before reaching into his pocket before pulling out a folded piece of paper and shoving it in her direction. "Take it."
Still not really understanding, Amari touched the corners lightly before turning the paper over in order to inspect it. "What's this?"
Her brother only grumbled though, shaking his head in exasperation, almost like he was anxious about something. "I said open it already!"
Putting her hands out in defense, Amari couldn't help but chuckle to herself, already opening the contents slowly in order to quell her brother. "Okay okay, I'm going.."
She felt the paper move under her fingertips before unfolding it fully, now seeing the all too familiar writings of the questionnaire that Aziawa had handed out. "Okay, it's the questionnaire? I don't really get it."
Yet that didn't seem to be the response Bakugo was going for, aggressively pointing his fingers towards the writings. "Read it dumbass."
Compiling to his wishes, Amari ready the contents slowly before the words soaked into her all at once, her eyes widening at the process. Wait, did this say what she thought it did?
Seeing that she was taking too much time to answer, Katsuki did so for her, taking in her frozen expression. "I obviously already know what I'm doing after U.A, and the only way to do that and be the best is to start my own agency."
Amari still didn't respond at that, causing Bakugo to sigh, now pointing to the paper once more. "I know it ain't gonna be easy, but that's not going to stop me, and I'm gonna need strong people that can keep up with me so I can be number one."
That's when his voice lowered just slightly, taking in the surprised look of his sister. "And that's also why I want you with me when I do it."
Blinking twice in disbelief, Amari read the words on that questionnaire over and over again, not believing that they were actually real in the first place.
But sure enough, there, in Katsuki's hand writing under the section about future plans, he wrote: Open The Bakugo Twins Agency and Be Number One.
Feelings a ball of emotion in the back of her throat, Amari shoved it down before shakily answering back. "Y-You want to open up an agency with me? But Katsuki, that's going to be really difficult. I mean, we will just be out of school so it would be smarter to just look for an agency and build your reputation before.."
Yet Katsuki only shook his head, slight aggression in his tone. "Huh, you think I can't do it?! I'll make everyone recognize me, even without the help of another agency. That's the only way to be number one!"
She admired his passion, but there was a lot more to it then what her brother was claiming. Starting an agency right after school was extremely risky and most failed within the year, besides a couple few that is. It was definitely the hardest path to take, but then again, she was talking about Katsuki after all. If anyone could do it, then it would be him.
Then, something else crashed into her all at once. Who knows if she'll even be around that long, if Sir Nighteye's prediction will have come true? Katsuki was making all of these plans without knowing that she might not even have a future.
Because of that, Amari knew he shouldn't involve her in this, he shouldn't allow her to dream this big. No, she couldn't take it, and the heartbreak that would slowly follow afterwards if she did indeed die.
Feeling her own breath shorten, Amari tried to put logic to her brother's plan, hoping it would cause him to change his mind. "Right, b-but think about the public. I'm not, really hero material for them so it will be harder for you if you take me on as your partner. We should just go our separate ways and.."
Although it seemed like Katsuki wasn't having it, only balling his hands into fists before cutting her off immediately. "Don't you get it, idiot?! It's not the same without you."
At that, Amari's voice cut out, stunning her into silence, before a small breath voiced out a single word. "W-What?"
Squeezing his eyes shut for a moment, the boy seemed at war with himself, not knowing how to phrase his next words before sighing roughly. "I want to be number one, but it doesn't mean shit if you aren't with me when I do it. That's why…"
The boy then sucked in a breath before continuing. "That's why I wanted it in the first place, idiot. I thought that if I was like All Might, like if I was the strongest of them all, then I could protect your scrawny ass as well."
Katsuki then flashed back to his childhood, when he made that promise in his bedroom after finding out his sister's condition was his fault. It may have gotten blurry along the way but his obsession and desire to be number one, it was all for her sake.
Amari opened her mouth at that before he shut her down once again, already knowing what she was going to say, about how she was going to say that she could protect herself.
Shaking his head, Katsuki continued. "Look, I know you ain't weak, that much is obvious. That's why after we graduate, I want everyone to see just how much better we are, and that goes for both of us. Who cares what those extras think, let's show them just what happens when they underestimate me and my sister!"
His words were overwhelming with such pride and emotion, causing Amari's eyes to begin to water. Wait, he wanted to be number one because of her, and now that he recognized her talents he wants to reach his goal together? It was too much, too much hope, too much cruelty and Amari couldn't take it.
She really wanted to follow him, to help create the future he had built in his mind, but Bakugo didn't even know if that was possible. This was bad, her brother was causing her to dream again, to hope for a different future when the girl internally knew there wasn't one.
The reality was, he would probably have to open up that agency by himself, and that was utterly heartbreaking in every way.
Not wanting Katsuki to figure out her feelings, Bakugo then began to shove them down, further until she could finally speak normally, a few revealing tears still lining her eyes. Yes, this was better. She wouldn't let All for One control her. No, she would be happy. "I would really love that Katsuki."
Yes, that's right, she was fine. She had to be fine. Falling apart would do nothing for the people she was trying to save. She was fine. She had to be. Just ignore the pain and it will go away. Yeah, that's it.
Her brother took her lining tears as ones of happiness before placing a hand on top of her head in a single motion.
He didn't know just how much heartbreak he had caused from his act of generosity.
Falling to the ground roughly, Amari groaned back as Hawks towered above her questionably. He had noticed that something was up with a girl since she arrived, acting overly serious and intense for training.
Yet when they actually started, Amari was behaving sloppy and uncoordinated, something the bird knew was out of character for her. When he asked her about it though, the girl seemed to brush it off.
Scrambling to her knees, she frowned before fixing herself upright. "Again."
The hero had continuously knocked her over a dozen times by now and yet she was still going, trying to best him with her sloppy movements. It would never work the way she was now, and Hawks was starting to become a little concerned for her.
He had been analyzing Bakugo Amari for weeks during their training and this was the first time she was acting so brash, so serious. It was like fighting was the only thing on her mind, like she would rather break herself then admit to whatever was plaguing her mind. This desire, this determination, it certainly wasn't healthy.
Placing his hands out in front of him, the hero replied back. "Hey, why don't we take a break there chickadee. You seem a little tired.."
Yet before Hawks could even finish, Amari was already shaking her head, the sweat pouring down her face as she did so. She couldn't stop now, there was so much she had to do, and so little time to do it. "No, I can't. It's okay, I can take it. Come at me again."
The hero wasn't really into that idea though, seeing her shaking arms and legs. "I'm sure you can but I really don't want you dying on me kid. Think about your quirk, what if you overdo it again?"
Amari only shook her head again though, ignoring the strain in her palms, her voice thin. "I said I'm fine. Just come at me again, I can do it."
It was true that Bakugo's quirk was wearing thin, but she couldn't stop now. With everything going on, she had to get this aggression out somehow, and training was the only way to do it. Why wasn't Hawks listening to her?
So much so, that Amari decided to make the first move, raising towards Hawks roughly before the hero easily moved out of the way. "Whoaaa, okay okay. I getchu kid but you are wearing yourself thin here."
The hero could see her distraught, knowing this was a perfect time to try to get information out of her, but something inside him paused, now seeing Amari's shaking arms. "Come on chickadee, let's just calm down and.."
Although Bakugo's sparked palms said otherwise, wanting to shove down everything that had happened over the last couple days. No, she needed to be strong, she needed to forget about her future. "I don't need to calm down, I'm fine! Fight me Hawks!"
Using his wings, the bird only flew up into the sky though, obviously not wanting to fight his trainee in this state. It looked like she was falling apart slowly. "Not when you're like this."
Amari only grumbled though, racing towards where Hawks landed before pounding into his chest once, the bird groaning in response. "What are you talking about, I said I'm fine…!"
Her hands raised up again only to catch a flash of Todoroki in her vision, his words cutting through her very sore as she pounded into the hero's chest, her facade crumbling slowly.
"Perhaps I should stop trying then, if that's what you really want."
Shaking her head to will away the thought, Amari repeated the mantra in her mind, her voice cracked just slightly as each fist barreled into Hawks' chest. "I'm fine…"
Squeezing her eyes shut, another voice slammed into her mind unwillingly, Dabi's voice thick and cruel in her ear as her fists continued to pound into the bird sloppily.
"Just don't blame me when your pretty little world comes crumbling down."
Gritting her teeth at his invisible words, Amari tried to push those down as well, yet they seemed even harder this time, her tone strained. "I-I'm fine…"
A small whimper escaped her throat without meaning to, causing Hawks to look down at his trainee with extreme concern. She looked like she was breaking about before him, the girl's knuckles turning white from the amount of pressure she was putting on her hands.
The hit didn't hurt anymore, yet Bakugo still delivered them anyways, almost like she couldn't stop. Something was definitely wrong here. "C-Chickadee?"
It seemed like Bakugo didn't hear him though, another terrible phrase sticking to her memory, except this one was just too strong to ignore.
That's why after we graduate, I want everyone to see just how much better we are, and that goes for both of us. Who cares what those extras think, let's show them just what happens when they underestimate me and my sister!"
Becoming more concerned, the hero began to lightly touch the girl's shoulder in hopes to snap her out of whatever devastating trance she had put herself into, his voice small and slightly panicked. "Hey, Bakugo...Bakugo…"
Yet that was it, the damn that broke everything down around her. How dare her brother say those kinds of words to her. She wasn't going to have a future. She wasn't going to be able to do all the things that he wanted.
And how dare Hawks place his hands around her shoulders, giving her the comfort and love she willingly desired for days. How dare he make her break down like this, yet it was too late to stop it.
All for One had won again, She couldn't be strong, she couldn't just forget about it, because it was suffocating her.
Letting her hands stop their movements, Hawks looked down again only for Amari's eyes to fill with heavy tears, her voice wavering on a couple words in hopes of shutting down her overflowing emotions. "I'm...I'm…"
Yet it was stopped by a choking sob, Bakugo losing all the feeling in her legs before Hawks crumbled down with her worriedly, keeping hold on her shoulder as she did so. Now he was beyond terrified, just like with their first day of training. "B-Bakugo..?!"
His voice was drowned out by the sound of heavy sobbing though, Amari's tears coating his shirt as she clung onto it for dear life. She couldn't stop them even if she wanted to, because the damn keeping everything in had already been torn apart.
Not knowing what he should be doing, the bird was frantic, listening to his trainee cry, her sobbing hiccups cutting through the space. "Why, why is everything fucked up?! I just want to be normal...why can't be normal..?"
Hawks didn't understand her words, just letting the girl continue roughly, her voice muffled by his shirt. "I don't...I don't wanna die…..I wanna live….why can't I live..?"
The hero then realized that she was now completely distraught, which meant he could get any information he wanted from her, including something about Dabi. Although it felt absolutely cruel, now seeing his crying kid in front of him.
And for that, he held off, focusing on rubbing small circles on her back as he suddenly remembered his commission training, although that didn't calm the panic in his throat. "H-Hey, It's okay...it's okay chickadee...just breathe…"
Amari only shook her head though, gripping onto his shirt even tighter. She didn't even notice what she was saying at the moment, the words flowing out without thinking who was actually listening. "No, no it's not okay! Nothing is okay. This is all my fault...Dabi was right...everything is crumbling down...everything is messed up and it's my fault…
At the sound of Dabi's name, the hero twisted his brow in concern before shaking his head. No, he couldn't ask her now, the girl was practically breaking apart. "Hey, come on. Not everything is crumbling down. I'm still here, right? It's gonna be okay. You just have to breathe.."
Well that was a stretch, considering that he was only using her for information, but in this moment he really wanted to be there for the kid, to help but stop crying in any way he could. "If you were normal, I wouldn't have offered for you to be my trainee, right? That's because you have something special chickadee.."
This was only met with another strangled sob though, Bakugo's voice rising just slightly. "I don't want to be special! I don't want that. I just want to be normal...to stop burdening everyone..to stop lying...I can't do it anymore…!"
Her words crashed into him all at once before Hawks recalled the same phrase that he internally had said a thousand times. Man, Bakugo really was like him, wasn't she?
Putting on a face, forcing herself to be happy and fine even when everything was falling apart around her. How heartbreaking to have these ideals so young, to have them suffocate you entirely. Hawks knew it all too well, he knew how terrible it was to be "special" sometimes.
And yet even knowing that, the man went ahead and responded just like those awful commission members, making her believe that being special was something to be proud of, not to be regretful of. How terrible of him to be manipulated so easily. That's not what Bakugo wanted to hear, he knew that.
Going along with this, Hawks hurriedly replied back. "Hey, stop that. You don't burden everyone chickadee. You don't burden me. In fact, I'm glad you're my trainee."
Amari lifted her head at that, her tear filled expression, causing a ring of guilt to course through him. Why was he saying this? It was obvious Hawks just brought her on to spy, and yet he was giving her hope."R-Really?"
Nodding his head before he could even think, Hawks answered. "O-Oh yeah, I'm really glad I get to help you out kid. You've never burdened me, not once. Listen, things may seem bleak now, but it will get better, you'll see."
Bakugo sniffed at that, wiping her face sloppy before realizing the position she was in, now removing her hands all at once. Reality had now set in and the girl realized just how pathetic and crazy she looked for freaking out like that. "Ah, I'm sorry, I didn't...I shouldn't have…"
Yet the hero only shook his head before shoving Amari back into his arms, Hawks' wings wrapping around her for protection and comfort. It didn't matter if she was the key to his mission, the hero couldn't leave a broken child like this. "Shhh it's okay chickadee. I'm right here. You don't have to act all tough. I know what you wanna do.."
Hawks patted her head once before giving her exactly what he desired as a child, hoping it would somehow calm her down and finally relax. The president taught him to push down his emotions, and he didn't want that for her. He didn't want her to live the way he did.
Already feeling the tears to make their way to the surface once more, Hawks lifted his wings up so that he couldn't see her face and gave her the privacy she needed to cry everything out, the small girl clutched his shirt as she did so.
Every couple minutes or so, the man would touch her head or breath out a couple soothing words in order to comfort her all at once. Shhh "It's okay, let it out…"
Amari couldn't help but recognize that his voice softened as she cried, like he was letting his guard down with her for the first time since their training together. He seemed kinder and more gentle in this moment, like the man was afraid she would break given the slightest push.
They sat there for what seemed like forever, Keigo looking down at the girl with sadness. Sure, she was involved in some sketchy shit but she was also only sixteen, with so many fears and burdens.
It was easy to think that Bakugo Amari was this criminal mastermind but gazing down at her now, the bird could see how fragile and small she was underneath his arms. The need to protect her rang in his stomach at the sight, wanting to take away whatever terrible thoughts plagued her mind.
Hawks wasn't a family man by any means, and neither was Keigo but he knew this much. He didn't want to see Bakugo hurt, to see her manipulated like he had once done. This girl had fought so hard for her happiness and her dreams, so much so that Keigo wanted to see them come true.
And that meant getting her out of whatever scheme Dabi had for her, it meant protecting her smile and her dream.
For the first time, Keigo wanted to protect someone other than himself, so that she didn't end up like someone from the commission.
That was the path he had foreseen for her, and yet the bird was terrified of it actually coming true. No, he wouldn't let that happen, he wouldn't let that happen. He would not be responsible for creating another brainwashed soldier like himself.
After her tears were all dried up, Amari hesitantly turned away before casting her eyes down. She shouldn't have done that, she shouldn't have broken in front of him like that. "I-I'm sorry Hawks.."
The bird could only smile though, before placing a gentle hand on her head, his eyes seemingly like a completely different person entirely as Keigo spoke back. "Feel better?"
Nodding back slowly, Bakugo turned away only for Keigo to beam. "Good. Now, I think it's time we take a little break and go get some chicken nuggets, what do you say?"
This got a small smile from the girl, whipping her eyes of her leftover tears before giving a half hearted chuckle. She was happy that he wasn't questioning the breakdown, given how nosey he was half of the time. "You just want them, don't you?"
The hero only fake gasped at that, his wings flapping with explanation. "Whaa, of course not. I'm just saying, whenever I'm feeling down I get some chicken. I thought it could help you as well."
Given his reasoning, Amari smiled a bit wider, knowing that he was trying to help in his own way. "You know what, that does sound pretty good."
Clapping his hands together, Keigo beamed before Amari continued. "Just give me a couple minutes. I gotta go wash my face since I probably look like a train wreck now."
Bakugo then stood back up before waving towards the bird all at once, feeling strangely lighter after her cry sensation. "I'll be back."
Then her voice lowered just slightly, causing the man to ring with slight warmth. "Thanks Hawks. I really needed that. Seems like you're always saving me. Silly, right?"
Keigo nodded back watching his trainee leave a small smile upon his face. She seemed better, that was good. He didn't know what he would've done if Amari continued to break down in front of him like that.
Shaking his head to will the idea away, the hero went to grab his jacket when Amari's phone blinked to life, signaling that she had a text message. He wondered who it could've been from.
The hero narrowed his eyes before picking up the object and reading the text, the bird's eyes widening all at once.
Sweetheart.
I have something to show you
10PM Kokusai Warehouse
Well that was ominous. In fact, that text message was extremely strange, given that it came from someone in her recent texts. And after looking further, all of the texts the number had sent her seemed equally as strange, with directions and meeting spots littered all through their interactions.
This gave Hawks a sickening feeling in his stomach, switched back to original ideals immediately, giving into his soldier mentality once more and already knowing what kind of person was giving her orders.
The hero began to wonder what kind of mess she had gotten herself into because there was only one person that gave out messages like these, and it was Dabi.
Narrowing his eyes, the hero quickly memorized the address before the doors opened once again, Amari strolling up to him like nothing was wrong. "Alright, I'm ready to go.."
The bird began to watch her movements then, seeing her pick up her phone before Amari's eyes hallowed immediately. Yeah, that proved it. The text was from Dabi.
Seeing the reaction she made, Amari suddenly seemed more nervous, shoving her phone into her pocket before giving a smile that the bird knew was immediately fake. "Actually, something just came up. Katsuki wants my help with something. Rain check on those chicken nuggets?"
Hawks realized the lie before nodding back slowly, careful to even his tone. "Oh yeah, no problem. I should probably get some work done anyways. You know how it goes…"
Amari smiled before waving her hand away and hurrying out the door, much to Hawks' distress.
All of this was going to end now, for her sake and for his own. This was the key he was looking for, the breaking point in the case. Once he followed her to that location, Hawks would find out what she was hiding, once and for all.
Yes, tonight he would finally put together all the pieces, whether he was ready to or not.
Hawks entered the abandoned factory slowly before sending a feather inside in hopes of catching Dabi and Amari's conversation between each other. He couldn't get too close, but he could get close enough to see them.
Hiding himself behind a wall, the hero found just who he was looking for, now seeing Amari walk up to Dabi slowly, her phone outstretched slowly. "What do you want Dabi?"
The villain couldn't help but smirk though, his eyes lazily casting over to the girl. "So cruel, I thought you wanted to talk to me sweetheart. What made you change your mind?"
Bakugo only rolled her eyes in response though, putting the phone away. "Yeah well, I'm not too happy with you right now, considering that everything going on with me and Shoto is your fault."
Shoving his hands in his pockets, Dabi smirked back. "Shifting the blame, are we? That's not very hero like, little Bakugo. We both know that you caused this to happen. Perhaps if you didn't lie to the boy then things would be different."
Amari scoffed back though, already knowing that he was indeed right. Yet, she wasn't going to let him know that. "Shut up. Get to the point. Are you finally ready to talk, or are you still going to be a pain in my ass?"
The villain couldn't help but chuckle at that, already enjoying where this conversation was going. "Relax sweetheart. The show's about to begin after all."
Twisting her eyes in confusion, she then watched as Dabi pulled out his phone before dialing a couple buttons, a knowing look on his face. "But first, we need a guest."
Not understanding where they were going with this, Hawks stood silent when his phone began to ring in his pocket, the noise causing the villain and student to turn towards it.
Widening his eyes in anxiety, Hawks immediately took the object out before cursing to himself. That asshole knew he was here, wasn't he? That purple skinned bastard.
That's when Dabi lifted his hand out, already knowing who was lurking in the darkness. "Come on out birdbrain and show little Bakugo who you are."
Amari turned her head in confusion at that. "Dabi, what are you…"
Yet that was before a figure emerged from the light, causing Bakugo's eyes widened with confusion and fear. She didn't understand what was happening."H-Hawks? What are you doing here?"
Turning his eyes away in shame, he took in the kids innocent expression before Dabi shattered it all at once, his voice cruel and smooth. "Hawks here has been helping out the league. He's the one that broke me out of Tartarus."
His words crashed into her all at once, now feeling Dabi's hands touch either side of her shoulder, taking in a confusion on her face.
Wait, all this time, when Hawks asked her about Dabi at the hero's billboard charts, he already knew that he had escaped.. "W-What?"
Smirking and obviously enjoying the show, the man continued. "That's not all. You wanna tell her pigeon shit, or do you want me too?"
Feeling the sweat start to accumulate, the bird forced any sort of words to his lips before coming up dry. He had to say something, something before Dabi did, but he just couldn't. Just seeing the devastated look on his trainees face made him falter. "Now hold on, I..."
It seemed the villain didn't like waiting though, answering for him. " He's been playing you this entire time. The only reason he took you in is because of your relation to me. It's all been lies Bakugo, all of it. He doesn't care about you, he only wanted to get something out of you. Isn't that right?"
Hawks then watched as Amari's eyes widened even more, her face sharply turning to his in hopes of the bird denying the claims. He had just comforted her after all, it couldn't have been fake, right? He said he believed in her. "Seriously Dabi? If you're gonna lie, at least make it more convincing."
And this made the hero's heartbreak even more, knowing that she had so much faith in him, faith that he didn't deserve.
Dabi was quick though, sighing back roughly. "See, this is why I said you were too stupid to realize when people are manipulating you. You think you would've learned your lesson by now. Just a few kind words and you still fall apart for anyone, don't you?"
Seeing her resolve falter, Amari then turned to Hawks again before seeing his eyes crumble all at once, not being able to lie to her anymore. "Listen chickadee. Things are complicated…"
The fact that he wasn't denying it punched a hole through her heart, the girl shaking her head in denial. No, it couldn't be. Hawks understood, he believed in her. "Is..is he right?"
And once again, the hero could only cast his eyes down, giving Amari the answer all at once. Hawks had just confirmed it, Dabi's words were true, and it was too much to bear.
Seeing her head fall, Hawks opened his mouth to speak when Dabi cut him off. "Hurts doesn't it? Having such blind faith only to be let down and dropped like shit. Maybe if you actually listened to me then you wouldn't be so stupid."
Amari didn't reply though, causing Hawks to step forward. This was the first time he was seeing Dabi truly interact with the girl and he already didn't like it. "Hold on Dabi, she's just a kid. You gotta cut her some slack."
Yet the villain only seemed to chuckle at that before reaching into his pocket all at once. Calling someone like Amari a kid was too simplistic and the man knew that. "Oh, is she? Didn't stop you from doing whatever you wanted, did it?"
Feeling a twinge of pain reach his chest, Hawks shook his head. He wanted to defend her but the man's hands were tied right now. He was supposed to seem villainous, and by not doing so it was breaking his cover.
Yet when he caught the blonde girl's fallen expression and clenched hands, the man faltered once more, doing some uncharacteristic. "Come on man, just let her go. You've said enough."
This only caused the villain to smile though, pulling out a singular red vial from his pockets and showing the two spectators. Hawks recognized it as the same vial that he was holding yesterday. "On the contrary, we are just getting started."
Just then, they heard the small echo of footsteps, coming from the back of the warehouse and approaching them silently. This wasn't good. It was obvious that Dabi had some sort of plan.
But as the figure revealed itself, Amari's eyes couldn't help but widen with horror, a small gasp catching in the back of her throat. Wait, why was he here? "K-Kazumi..?"
He stumbled to the center of the room as she raced forward, only to be stopped by Dabi's fire, the man placing a line in between her and the boy. "Ah ah, stay where you are. We don't want you ruining the fun."
Grumbling to herself, she completely ignored Hawks' presence before shouting back. This was bad, she needed to get this kid out of here. "Kazumi, get out of here! It's dangerous!"
Yet the boy didn't even attempt to move, Dabi handing him the small red vial. "Look Bakugo, he's just like us. Stepped on by society. He wants to be stronger, just like you wanted."
Kazumi gripped the vial back until his knuckles were white, causing Dabi to chuckle once more. "Do you remember what this is? I'm sure you do.."
Eyeing the vial once more, realization slammed into the girl, recalling the veil all at once and wishing she was wrong. That looked like the blood that Shigaraki stole from her during the Overhaul raid, her blood specifically. This was bad, this was so so bad.
Suddenly, she knew Dabi's plan, the girl's hands beginning to shake at the idea. "Listen Kazumi, I know what you're thinking, but this won't make you stronger! Just..just..walk away.."
Hawks just stood dumbfounded though, seeing the color leave Bakugo's face all at once. "What is it, what is he going to do?"
Although Kazumi only shook his head, unscrewing the top before lifting it above his face, his eyes dull and emotionless, like he had already given up, like All For One had already broken him somehow.
Feeling her body move in slow motion, Amari then watched as the first year student drank down the red substance, her eyes hollowing in absolute fear. "No...Noo!"
Almost immediately, the small boy's eyes began to roll into the back of his head before falling to the ground in absolutely agony. That blood, it was killing him!
Amari put up a gold shield before running through the fire and placing a shaky hand to his back in order to quell his violent shakes and screams. "K-Kazumi, Kazumi….!"
Yet that did nothing to stop his agony, the boy feeling his entire body ripping into pieces from the inside as her mutated Nomu blood ate away at his cells, changing them entirely.
Bakugo's eyes hallowed when she noticed a small line of black trail from his arms before a large gust of air flung her backwards, hitting the back of the warehouse wall and landing with a heavy thud.
Hawks went to help her when the figure next to Dabi began to move all at once, the boy beginning to stand on his feet. That's when the hero noticed his eyes. They were dead and hollow, still rolled back into his dead as thick black lines traced the entry of his body.
Placing a hand to the boy's neck, the villain then began to sigh, almost like he was disappointed. "Dead after ingestion. Pity. Still seems like no one can beat his pet."
That's when the hero's heart dropped into his chest. This boy, he was already dead? But that was impossible. He was standing right there. Yet that's when the bird realized that it was just a mutated corpse. How sick, he was just a child!
His mind started to spin in circles then, trying to understand what was going on and forcing his rage down in order not to seem suspicious. "What did you do?"
The man only shrugged though, placing a hand on Kazumi's shoulders. "Just testing out a product. All for One asked me to see who was stronger. I guess we'll have to see."
Twisting his brow in uncertainty, Hawks replied. "What do you mean?"
Yet that's when Dabi smirked under his breath before gesturing to the bird. "Kill him."
All at once, Kazumi seemingly raced forward, intent in his step as Hawks faltered slightly. Wait, they were supposed to be partners, so why was Dabi trying to kill him? Was his cover blown?!
Readying his feather sword, the human mutated Nomu lifted up his hand before something else blocked their pathway entirely, protecting the hero all at once.
Hawks then watched as Bakugo Amari outstretched her hands in front of him before huffing out a shaky breath, and the black veins of her own Nomu blood now fully visible to the hero.
Widening his eyes, the bird looked at the girl in front of him before noticing the similarities between Kazumi and her, and the small claw like wound that now decorated her side. That wound, that was meant for him
Dabi seemed curious as well. "Interesting, protecting that chicken even when you know he's been playing with you. How self righteous can you be sweetheart?"
Yet Amari only growled under her breath. "Shut up."
Hawks had enough though, reaching forward in panic only for Dabi to chuckle at the exchange. "Hey bird brain, you wanted to see her in action right? Well, here's your chance…"
The realization hit him all at once, now turning back to his trainee with a look of horror. No, no it couldn't be. He had to be lying. It wasn't true..."W-What?"
Shoving his hands in his pockets, Dabi gave a cynical look, watching the hero fall apart all at once, and enjoying every minute of it. "I'd like to introduce you to All for One's masterpiece."
The words crashed into him all at once, before a sudden realization and horror crossed his face. No no, it couldn't be. Dabi's tone played again and again in mind on repeat but the hero couldn't believe it. No, he didn't want to believe it.
Suddenly, the president's orders rang in the back of his mind, now fully understanding the context. "When you find All for One's masterpiece, I want you to kill it."
"I want you to kill it."
"I want you to kill it"
No, it couldn't be. It just couldn't. All this time, the monster he was looking for, the very thing he was sent to kill, was Bakugo Amari?
Sorry this took so long. Had some personal stuff going but, here you go! Things are getting bad real quick. Poor Hawks just started to like Amari and now he realized he has to kill her.
Also major points for you if you noticed I changed "Hawks'" name to Keigo after he started opening up to Amari and comforting her. He was showing his vulnerable side and that's why Amari said he seemed like a different person, the man behind the mask. But when he read Amari's text, he switched right back to Hawks. Just a fun little thing. :)
Also I know he are in anxious times, but can we appreciate Katsuki's character development? If you go back to Ch1, he wants to be Number one to protect his sister but now that she can protect herself most of the time, he wants to reach their goals together. Let's hope that can happen though oof.
Next Chapter: Hawks has that internal struggle whether to kill Amari or not, now that he knows.
