I'm very sorry for the hiatus. Life. FuCkInG LiFe. Anyway, I'm back and most of my stories have already been updated (with more updates in progress). Thank you to everyone who came back after all this time! I really appreciate your support!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Call Me... Deku

Chapter 56

One meeting. That's all it had taken for Bakugo to realize that he'd made a big mistake accepting Mirio's offer to apply to the Nighteye Agency for a work-study.

All Might's former sidekick was nothing less than an absolute freak; what the hell kind of person 'tortures' their assistant with a tickling machine? Mirio didn't seem to think much of it which meant it must be a fairly regular occurrence. Gross.

If that wasn't enough, Nighteye also seemed to enjoy being a condescending, arrogant prick. The man had spent the better part of their 'interview' explaining all the ways that Bakugo was mediocre, especially when compared to Mirio. What the fuck had that even been about? Of course, a third-year with field experience would be more skilled than a first-year with virtually none. That's the whole reason he was there... to learn.

But Bakugo had endured, even going along with an absurd test—that he knew he couldn't pass—to prove that he was worthy of being there at all. It was an unsettling dynamic, but Mirio was the best UA had to offer and had supposedly reached such status by studying under 'Sir'. Smug bastard would eat his words one day though; Bakugo would make sure of it.

And yet, life wasn't through punching him in the balls.

No sooner had he gotten his paperwork signed, Bubble Girl began explaining their current cases at the Nighteye Agency. Out of every damn criminal in the world, their top priority just happened to be Kai Chisaki, the Yakuza thug Deku was scouting at that very moment.

What a mess.

After spending so much time stuck between a rock and a hard place, Bakugo hadn't thought it was possible to feel more stressed than he had these past few months. Yet there he was beside Mirio, 'patrolling' around known Yakuza hubs just waiting for Deku to jump out and start a confrontation.

It wasn't as if either of them were weak. Mirio had proven himself to be a particularly dangerous and effective hero in training during his demonstration fight with Class 1-A and he ranked top of the first-year students... Neither of them would go down easily and yet that fact was inconsequential. They'd fair no better than Endeavor or Kamui Woods in the end.

Still, even with the odds in his favor, Deku probably wouldn't want a protracted fight in the middle of the day so close to a potential colleague... right? Bakugo rolled his shoulders and continued surveying the area; best not to take that chance. If he saw Deku or any member of the League, he'd do whatever it took to steer his partner away from the unpredictable and likely deadly encounter.

"So, that's why I chose 'Lemillion' for my hero name, get it?" Mirio questioned, proudly pointing to the yellow lettering on his costume.

Despite the ever-increasing concerns plaguing his mind, Bakugo couldn't help but snort at the explanation; it was a dorky name, but it certainly fit Mirio's personality. The 3rd year was who he was... he didn't put on airs or doubt himself. He was genuine and good-natured—cringe and all. "Yeah, yeah... I got it."

"What about you, Bakugo?" He questioned. "Your hero name isn't on your costume and I don't think I've heard you mention it yet."

Bakugo shrugged noncommittally. "Haven't come up with one yet..." he admitted, somewhat wondering if he should even bother with the way the world was headed; maybe he'd ask Deku to pick one for him.

Mirio, however, became extremely animated and excited. "What? No hero name? But that's like, one of the best parts of becoming a hero! Come on, you've had to have thought of something. Don't be shy! Fire a few off!"

The wave of childlike enthusiasm was intense, but Bakugo couldn't help but feel more relaxed by it; in some ways, Mirio reminded him of Kirishima which was never a bad thing. Before he could answer though, something collided with his hip.

Nerve's already on high alert, Bakugo turned rapidly and pointed both canisters straight at the perceived threat. Surprisingly, the culprit was just a small girl, not some villain intent on taking a swipe at a fledgling hero.

He'd have preferred a villain.

When it came to combat, Bakugo knew what he needed to do at all times. But consoling people—especially children—was about as far out of his comfort zone as he could get, and this girl looked one breath away from sobbing.

Bakugo could swear he heard his stiffened body creaking as he got to his knees and attempted a 'good guy face', hoping that it didn't frighten the already terrified child more. "Uh, hey..." he started, reaching out carefully to pick the little girl up and put her back on her bare, dirt-covered feet. "I didn't see you there... I'm sorry I knocked you down. Are you, uh, hurt or anything?"

The child didn't answer. She was tense and defensive, bracing her arms in front of her while keeping her leaky eyes glued to the sidewalk. Bakugo probably hadn't hurt her, but from the pitiful state of her heavily bandaged arms and legs, someone clearly had.

An ominous tapping from unhurried footsteps echoed down the alley moments later, alerting all three of them that the child's abuser was headed their way. "P-please don't g-go..." she whimpered, pressing herself deeper into Bakugo's hold.

"Tsk. Don't worry kid, I'm not going anywhere," he responded. Bakugo re-hardened his expression and flickered his eyes up to the apparent threat, readying himself for a confrontation. The person who was strolling towards him, however, was none other than Kai Chisaki.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me."

~0.0~

Midoriya watched from his hiding place as Chisaki approached, heart rate picking up from the poorly veiled tension between the three 'adults' and the still whimpering child his boyfriend had wrapped in his arms. All he'd been planning to do that day was observe some of the buildings controlled by the Yakuza, so he was too far away to hear what was being said, further heightening his sense of unease.

"Deku... Are we going to step in?" Todoroki questioned. Despite aligning with the villains, he wouldn't let anyone harm his friends unless it was Deku himself and he certainly wouldn't let some scum get near his bosses' lover.

Tense seconds passed as they watched the stalemate become more strained, but Deku shook his head eventually. "No, if you or I were to get involved now, it could get Kacchan branded as a villain and would ruin our later plans. Besides... Kacchan isn't a pushover and even if he is a cringy soon-to-be-hero, Mirio Togata isn't someone to be taken lightly either."

"Does this not change our plans though, Deku?" The dual user continued, eyeing the little girl as she yanked herself free from Bakugo and followed after Chisaki with solemn defeat. "We weren't expecting him to have a child."

"We don't know for sure if she's his or not," Midoriya responded, following the two blondes with his sharp eyes until they'd rounded a corner. "As far as I'm concerned, the only relevant information we learned today is that Nighteye and his agency are watching Chisaki and the Yakuza."

Todoroki frowned for a moment, wondering how Midoriya had come to such a conclusion until it dawned on him. The kid was clearly terrified and abused; anyone with half a brain would know she needed saving. But Mirio refused to step in to help and even worse, used his arm to prevent Bakugo from fully squaring up once Eri ran back to Chisaki. The only reason he would have behaved in such a way was to serve some 'higher' investigation.

"Hm." Midoriya hummed in proud amusement. "That's right Shoto... Rookie mistake if you ask me."

Todoroki nodded, though the delight he felt from pleasing Deku was somewhat overshadowed by the very obvious problem this posed. "And if we figured it out... Then that means Chisaki probably will too. The heroes may have just lost their advantage of surprise."

Midoriya created a portal for them to return to their hideout, seemingly unconcerned by the development. If anything, the dangerous gleam in his eyes had only increased along with the deranged smile on his lips. "That's true..."

Whatever their next steps were, Todoroki was certain they'd leave everyone involved reeling once set in motion. His only concern was what role he'd be playing in this next saga of Deku's rise to power. In terms of 'quirk outbursts', he hadn't had much improvement in his opinion. They still happened frequently enough for him to be deemed dangerous to his comrades.

Deku had rewarded him for being able to curb the severity of the meltdowns, but there were limits to what he was allowed to do. Situations like this, where there would be an outright confrontation or contact with heroes he knew, were generally forbidden until he could keep himself under control entirely. He was still such a disappointment...

"I haven't even said we're going to get involved and you're already depressed about not getting to participate," Deku hummed in amusement. "Honestly, Shoto... You're as much of a worrier as my mom."

Todoroki rubbed his upper arm rather pitifully, hiding his eyes behind his hair while his head lowered with shame. "Well... it's just... Katsuki is involved so I figured that means you would want to be as well. I know how important he is to you, Deku. If you intend to participate in the Chisaki-Pro Hero scuffle, I want to help however I can. With my quirk so out of control though, I don't see how I can be of use to you."

Deku side-eyed the fledgling villain carefully, keep his voice low when he answered. "I'm not going to lie and say that I didn't wish you were ready for active combat, but that doesn't mean that I consider you useless. In any case, you're not a toy or tool, Shoto."

Todoroki nodded but still felt the unsettling pit of despondency weighing heavily in his ribcage. In his mind, he'd failed everyone he'd ever met and even now he was like static on a screen; defective, frustrating. Wouldn't it be better for everyone if he was just powered off for good?

Deku puffed out his cheeks, pouting. "It doesn't seem like you're listening to me, Shoto. I suppose your mental state is to be expected after these last few months though... Okay. Here's the plan then. Why don't you go find Kurogiri and have him take you somewhere remote so that you both can practice emergency extraction? If you can suppress any quirk outburst you might have long enough for him to warp you to an isolated area, then we'll talk about your spot in the Yakuza assignment. Sound fair?"

For Todoroki, life was the equivalent of standing alone in a vast tenebrosity. From the moment his quirk had manifested, he'd been trapped in the sightless hellhole so many others found themselves lost in, always waiting for the moment when he stumbled off an unseen cliff or was mauled by a vicious creature that stalked silently in the distance.

Deku was one such entity.

Unlike most, he'd been able to adapt to the chaotic blackness and transformed into something that could thrive under the same conditions that broke everyone else. At Todoroki's weakest moment Deku had snuck up behind with full capability of murder... only to compassionately lead him through the dangerous and uncertain terrain—just as he was doing now.

Terror of the unknown evaporated from his being, renewing his sense of purpose and direction. He was still lost and wasn't yet able to navigate life alone, but Deku hadn't given up on him. When he strayed or stumbled, a lifeline was thrown back along with encouraging words, whispered. Todoroki could do this. He would overcome.

"Yes, Deku. Thank you for allowing me another chance."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Might have ended up a hot mess... Not really sure lol. Please, tell me what you think about this chapter and what you think (or hope) will happen next!

Again, thank you to everyone who returned, and welcome to all new readers!