Lyrical
Disclaimer: I do not own My Hero Academia.
Warnings: Self Harm, Sexual Assault, Drug Use, Angst, Hurt/Comfort
Pairings: Midoriya x Bakugou, Kaminari x Jirou, Aizawa x Yamada
Plot: Bakugou discovers a runaway hiding in his junkyard.
Ch 04: Watch
Part One: Match Strike
The call comes in from dispatch at almost 2am on a Saturday morning, Kirishima reaching for the radio and swallowing down a bite of his burger before turning up the volume and answering the call.
"Dispatch, this is Unit 629. Repeat request for officers in southeast quadrant?"
There was a pause and a brief moment of static before the dispatcher's call sounded once more over the radio.
"Requesting immediate unit response. 10-50 at Cherry and Fisher. Multiple vehicles involved. Possible 10-53."
"10-69, Dispatch." Kirishima replied, shifting in his seat and reaching for his seat belt, Kaminari echoing his movements from the passenger seat. "We are 10-60 and 10-17. Will advise once on scene."
Another voice chimed over the radio just after, familiar and cheery. "Unit 730 to Dispatch, we are also 10-60. Offering assistance to 629."
"10-4, 730. Proceed."
"We are 10-17."
Kirishima grinned, glancing over at Kaminari as he flicked on their emergency lights before pulling out of the median, starting towards the scene of the crash indicated by dispatch. Kaminari was shoving fries in his mouth, blushing as he stared at the radio, as if wishing for that voice to speak again.
"So? Are you gonna talk to her about things tonight?" Kirishima asked while navigating the dark, winding country roads with practiced ease, keeping an eye out for deer as they went. "Think she'll say yes?"
"I don't know!" Kaminari sighed shakily, groaning and thumping the back of his head against his headrest, frowning as he gave Kirishima a forlorn look. "You make it sound so easy! Relationships are hard!"
Kirishima laughed good-naturedly, offering his partner a reassuring smile. "I know it's a big step, asking her to move in with you, but it'll be a good thing! She'll move in, you'll get all cozy spending the holidays together, and then you're one step closer to that marriage proposal you've been on about, right?"
Kaminari breathed out a heavy sigh, gazing out the window with a shy smile turning up his lips. "That's the dream, someday…" He drummed his fingers against his thigh anxiously before reaching for another handful of fries, chewing messily while adding on, "Assuming she says yes, that is!"
"She'll say yes!" Kirishima chuckled, slowly shaking his head. "Have you seen the way she looks at you? She's absolutely smitten. You've got nothin' to worry about."
As they crested the rise of the next hill they came across the wreck in question, flames lighting up the darkness in a brilliant display. One car was on its side, with several passengers standing around it. The other car was mangled but somehow upright, and fire was slowly creeping along the hood, licking at the curling paint.
"Damn it." Kirishima hissed through grit teeth, and this time it was Kaminari who reached for the radio.
"Dispatch this is 629, requesting immediate fire and medical to Cherry and Fisher-"
Kirishima parked directly across the middle of the road as Kaminari handled dispatch, quickly grabbing a fire extinguisher from the trunk of their squad car and rushing towards the scene. He pulled the pin and took aim, fire-retardant clouding the air surrounding the burning car. He could hear Kaminari somewhere behind him calling for the passengers to back away from the growing fire, sweat beading across his forehead and dripping from his chin as he held the spray steady. Luckily the flames hadn't reached the gas tank yet, and they weren't about to if Kirishima had anything to say about it.
In the distance he could hear a firetruck's wail and ambulance sirens echoing through the towering pines. Help was coming, fire and medical would be on scene with them within the next few minutes. Ashido and Jirou too. It was only a matter of time.
Midoriya heard the sirens as well, his head jerking up with a start. He tumbled forward through the trees, letting out a short yelp as he nearly tripped over a fallen limb, his steps crunching the dried leaves beneath him loudly as he struggled to catch his breath. He glanced behind him, pausing for only a heartbeat to make sure he wasn't being followed before starting to run again, tugging his hood tighter around his flushed cheeks.
This was his last chance, his only chance to make an escape. Tears stung at the corners of his eyes, clouding his vision. His ears were filled with the memory of Todoroki's voice, the sound of him begging, pleading for mercy. He grit his teeth, clenching his fists and squeezing his eyes shut, choking back a sob.
He couldn't focus on that right now. Couldn't focus on anything other than getting away, and finding somewhere safe to hide.
He burst through the trees and into a break between the bare maples and a row of dense pines. He turned in a half circle, glancing behind him again, then surged forward, running through the pines as fast as his feet could carry him.
He didn't look back again, putting as much distance between himself and the column of smoke rising behind him as he possibly could, his heartbeat deafening in his ears.
At one point he jumped an old wooden fence, then there was nothing but acres of forest and overgrown farmland for miles. Eventually he crossed a small creek, splashing through the shallows and soaking his sneakers and jeans, shivering as he forced himself onwards. He ran for what felt like hours, his legs trembling and lungs burning as he gasped in cold air.
Finally, he stumbled upon a large abandoned junkyard in the middle of nowhere, scrap metal and busted cars piled high behind a tall chain-link fence. It looked completely deserted; no lights, no barbed wire, and no apparent cameras. The oversized locks binding the back gates together were rusted from weather and age.
Midoriya debated for a long pause, eyeing the height of the fence, then he tightened his backpack's straps and squared his shoulders, reaching out to grasp the frosted chain-link. He hoisted himself up the length of it, sitting at the top for a moment to catch his breath before carefully climbing down the other side.
He jumped the last bit of the way, hissing as he landed on his ankle, limping a bit as he tried to walk off the sharp sting of impact and find somewhere to curl up and sleep.
After searching through a few gutted cars he finally managed to find one that had most of its windows intact, climbing into the backseat and stretching out with a sigh, pillowing his head with his backpack.
"At first light…" Midoriya whispered to himself, his eyes slowly closing as he stifled a yawn. He curled in on himself, tucking his hands into his hoodie's sleeves for warmth, and fell into a restless sleep.
Bakugou was up with the dawn.
A tow truck was waiting for him at the front entrance, a police escort right behind. He clicked his tongue against his teeth and a teasing smile turned up his lips as he caught sight of Kirishima, the red-head offering him a cup of coffee as Bakugou reached his side.
"Got another one comin', after this one. It's in worse shape." Kirishima sighed, gesturing for the driver to unload the wrecked car. "Barely managed to save anything by the time the fire was put out, but this one's decent enough."
"This happen last night?" Bakugou asked, sipping at his coffee while Kirishima stepped closer to the tow truck, the officer giving a little nod.
"Two car collision, just off of Cherry and Fisher. Still not sure exactly what happened." He met Bakugou's eyes, his expression hinting at how tired he actually was. "Heading back to the hospital after this, Denki's still working on getting statements. There were witnesses, but nobody wants to talk. One of the passengers was admitted, his face is pretty messed up. Got burned before they managed to get him out, poor kid."
"That's a shame." Bakugou murmured, glancing down at his cup, steam curing from the dark surface. "Hopefully it'll turn out alright."
Kirishima hummed and let out a quiet sigh, then gestured towards his squad car, taking a few steps backwards towards the front gates. "Well, I'd better head out. Promised I'd grab some breakfast on my way back. Y'know how Denks gets when he's hungry." He flashed an impish grin and gave a little wave before turning to go, and Bakugou watched him leave with a soft chuckle and a wry smile, shifting his attention to the crushed car the tow truck had left behind.
If the other car was burnt as badly as Kirishima implied, he'd have the tow truck drop it off in the back lot. He spoke with the tower briefly, then they parted ways, Bakugou sipping at his coffee while making his way through the salvage yard and towards the rear entry, his eyes on the brightening horizon.
An hour later, Midoriya jerked awake with a start at the sound of a tow truck beeping, inhaling sharply and ducking low in the backseat, listening to the sounds happening around him.
The beeping eventually stopped, and there was a brief exchange before the sound of the truck departing. Gates closing, chain-link rattling, rusted locks slamming back into place.
He swallowed thickly, carefully slipping out the back door and shrugging his backpack onto his shoulders, peeking around the rear fender and searching for a path of escape.
Loud barking jolted him into action, and he took off running across the yard, several sets of paws quickly chasing after him as he muffled a scream.
Bakugou looked up from the burnt chassis he was examining at the sudden sound of barking, frowning as he realized there was someone else in the yard. He pushed himself up and started forward, weaving through twisted cars and junk metal before finding his dogs, whistling through his teeth to call them off as he eyed the hooded trespasser with a scowl.
"Oi, tramp! Get outta here! You're gonna wind up cutting yourself or some shit and the bill's gonna be on my ass!"
Midoriya couldn't move, his frame trembling as he tried to put weight on his right ankle, but it was throbbing defiantly and painfully swollen from the night before. "I-I…" He swallowed nervously, trying to find his voice. He had to think fast, he had to figure out how to get away from this stranger and his huge guard dogs without drawing more attention to himself than he already had. "I'm going! I just need a sec…"
Bakugou frowned at hearing the tone of his voice, realizing how young he was without being able to see his face. He's just a kid? He could tell the hooded figure's shoulders were trembling, and he was breathing nervously. He frowned and clicked his tongue against his teeth, calling his dogs to heel. They came to sit at his side immediately, one on either side of his legs.
"What're you doing out here kid, skipping class?" There was nothing around him for miles; no neighborhoods, no businesses, no schools. He lived as far on the outskirts as he possibly could, right at the county border. If he hadn't been childhood friends with Kirishima, and occasionally coaxed into town to have drinks with him now and then, it was likely he wouldn't be known to the locals at all. "C'mon, hop to it. They're not gonna get ya, not unless I say." He reached down to pet between their ears, both panting and looking up at him expectantly, waiting for his next command.
The hooded figure shifted slightly, then hissed and raised his foot while reaching out to support himself, limping as he carefully walked between rusted cars. Bakugou frowned and clicked his tongue irritably, stepping forward into the stranger's space, the other tensing and drawing away from him as much as he could, pressing into the side of a car.
"You hurt yourself?" Bakugou asked with a frown, eyeing the other's raised foot.
Midoriya frowned and eyed the blonde watching him warily, trying to figure out how to respond. He was quiet beneath that crimson, piercing gaze for a long drawn-out moment, then hesitantly replied, "I-I think I twisted something…"
Bakugou groaned, carding his hand through his hair and reaching out to grab Midoriya's elbow, balancing him while guiding him along. "Christ, should have known. Alright, c'mon. Let's call your parents, have them come pick you up-"
A bolt of panic seared up Midoriya's spine, and he wrenched his arm from Bakugou's grasp, his eyes wide with fear. Bakugou didn't miss that expression, his eyes widening in surprise as Midoriya fell backwards into the side of a car, quickly pushing himself upright again.
"I don't need-" He looked around quickly, wincing and favoring his ankle, hissing as he tried to stand on his own. "I'm fine! Really!" He turned to glance ahead, spotting the entry gates in the distance, limping along as he forced himself to walk towards them. "I'm sorry for any trouble, okay? I-I'll be out of your way in a minute, just…give me a sec!" When Bakugou took a step after him, Midoriya recoiled again. "I won't come back here, I swear. Please just let me leave!"
"Hey! Hey! Kid, will you calm down already?" He took Midoriya's arm again, and this time when he tried to wrench away Bakugou pulled him closer, Midoriya's eyes going wide as he struggled to get free. "What the fuck, will you wait a damn second? I'm trying to help you!"
"I don't want your help!" Midoriya all but screamed, fear creeping icily up his spine. "J-Just leave me alone! I'm going, okay? I'm going!"
Bakugou could tell something was wrong by how strangely Midoriya was acting. When Midoriya pulled away this time Bakugou let him go, but not before glimpsing the bruises along his wrist and forearm, where Bakugou's grasp had pushed up his sleeve. Midoriya covered the marks quickly, meeting Bakugou's eyes for a fleeting second before turning away, steadily limping towards the gates, his heart lodged firmly in his throat.
Bakugou frowned and watched him go, pulling his phone from his back pocket and dialing a familiar number, lifting the phone to his ear.
Midoriya heard the subtle ringing and his spine stiffened. He turned to look back over his shoulder towards Bakugou, his expression twisting with panic.
Bakugou held his eyes, trying to discern what Midoriya's expression meant, but he knew nothing. It could have meant a thousand different things.
With a trembling voice Midoriya called out to him. "W-What are you doing?"
Bakugou snorted impatiently, narrowing his eyes. "You know damn well what I'm doing. I'm calling the cops." His frown was prominent, gesturing as he spoke. "Whatever it is that's got you so spooked? I want absolutely no part of it." He eyed Midoriya for a moment before adding, "You don't want my help anyway, right kid?"
"You can't-" Midoriya's breath hitched, and he took a step closer again. "Hang up. H-Hang up the phone."
The line continued to ring, Bakugou watching the hooded stranger carefully.
Midoriya's expression grew more desperate, his cheeks flushing, a glassy sheen cast across his eyes. He reached out as he hobbled closer to Bakugou, his voice hitching an octave. "P-Please! Please hang up the phone! Please!"
Bakugou's frown deepened, but he did as he was bid, purposely ending the call and showing Midoriya the blank screen. "There, see?"
Midoriya's breath hitched as he drew back his arm, his expression caught somewhere between relief and exhaustion. He shifted his weight slightly and his ankle buckled, and he dropped to his knees with a pained gasp. Bakugou quickly crossed the distance between them, crouching down beside him and taking his arm, carefully this time. Midoriya ducked his head, allowing Bakugou to help him to his feet, not saying a word as the blonde stared down at him.
Bakugou was quiet for a long moment, assessing the situation, thinking of what he should do, then he let out a quiet sigh and asked softly, "You hungry, kid? Was thinking it's about time for breakfast-"
Midoriya's stomach growled loudly before he could respond, and Bakugou let out an amused chuckle, Midoriya's blush spreading across his nose and cheeks.
"Alright, let's get you inside. Get you warm, and get that ankle tended to."
When Bakugou whistled again the dogs followed after him, wagging their tails as they walked in his footsteps, Midoriya watching them warily as Bakugou helped him into the house.
The house was more shopfront than anything, with a large workshop attached, along with several locked garages. Midoriya plopped down onto the worn plaid couch with a soft huff, Bakugou tossing a blanket into his lap before leaving him be, stepping behind the bar divider and into the small kitchen, starting the stovetop and grabbing a skillet from the hanging rack.
"Eggs?" He asked, Midoriya perking up slightly, his stomach rumbling again as he gingerly nodded his head.
"Y-Yes, please."
The dogs were watching from nearby, one laying down on the rug before the couch while the other sat at attention, panting and tilting his ears to and fro, looking between Bakugou and Midoriya while whining softly.
Bakugou glanced up, exhaling an amused breath and asking, "You scared of dogs? They'll keep staring ya down like that 'til ya introduced yourself. You're in Rocket's spot."
At hearing his name the dog sitting upright twisted to look at Bakugou fully, tilting his head to the side, ears cocked. Midoriya noted he had a red collar, while the other dog's collar was orange.
"Seriously, you don't have to worry. Nitro's a big baby, and Rocket just wants to cuddle." He clicked his tongue and both of the dogs came to his side, sitting at his feet while he cracked eggs into the skillet, Midoriya watching them curiously from his spot on the couch.
"What kind of dogs are they?" He finally asked, Bakugou flashing him a teasing smile.
"German Shepherds. Brothers, the two of them. Had them since they were puppies." He continued on as he cooked, adding bacon to the skillet as well. "One of the K-9s had a litter 'bout six years ago, and Eiji snatched them up, no hesitation. Rocket was supposed to be his originally, but police academy and all that jazz…" Bakugou shrugged a little. "Ended up with me puppy-sitting all the time, so we decided they should stay together. Got more space out here to run around, anyway. Nobody else around this place for miles."
Midoriya was quiet at that, glancing out the window behind the couch, his gaze drifting towards the tree line just beyond the tall fence. "Really? It's that secluded?"
"Yeah," Bakugou went on, "Which's why I'm surprised you're out here. The occasional vagrant'll trespass now and then, got a train track a few miles south of here that the tramps wander 'round, but rarely get any kids skulkin' around these parts."
Midoriya frowned at that, glancing towards Bakugou as he approached with a plate in hand. "I'm not a kid. I'm nineteen."
"Oh well excuse me." Bakugou scoffed sarcastically, Midoriya accepting the plate with a little frown. "Still a kid in my book, but I guess if you're that age you're not just skipping school for shits 'n giggles." He settled down in the recliner opposite the couch, watching Midoriya with lazy interest. "You running from something, kid?"
"Midoriya." Emerald eyes glanced up over a forkful of eggs, meeting Bakugou's crimson. "My name is Midoriya."
"Got a first name to go along with that?" Bakugou asked, and Midoriya gave him a look while chewing his mouthful of eggs, taking his time to swallow before answering.
"Izuku." He said softly, spearing another forkful, not bothering to look up.
"Welp." Bakugou sighed loudly, reclining back in his chair while watching Midoriya with a grin, "Name's Bakugou. Bakugou Katsuki. And this here-" he gestured broadly to the space all around him, "-is Dynamite Detailing." He propped his chin against his hand, quirking a brow. "You're lucky you didn't get caught stealin' nothin'. Don't take too kindly to thieves."
"Wasn't planning on stealing." Came Midoriya's muffled reply, glancing towards Bakugou again. He swallowed and set his fork aside, grabbing a piece of bacon. "Just needed somewhere to sleep. That's all."
Bakugou hummed thoughtfully, eyeing Midoriya as he ate, then with a sigh he pushed himself up again and made his way back to the kitchen, fixing a plate for himself. "Is that right? Well…" He returned to the recliner after a few moments, his dogs sitting at his knees and watching him expectantly, Bakugou chuckling to himself and offering them each a piece of bacon. "Don't know what you've gotten yourself into, Midoriya, but I don't need no trouble 'round here. You get me?"
He was watching Midoriya with a cool gaze, Midoriya hesitantly glancing over and meeting his eyes.
"Not my intention to bring you any." He set his plate on the small table beside him, licking at his fingers while reaching down to check on his ankle, tugging up the damp denim and hissing quietly. Bakugou could see his skin was discolored and swollen, even from where he sat.
"That doesn't look good." Bakugou's tone was strained, mostly irritation laced with the barest hint of concern. "Gotta ice that, get the swelling down." He took another bite of eggs before getting up once more, his dogs sitting dutifully at the foot of his chair, watching his movements with attentive eyes.
Bakugou grabbed a compress from the freezer, then two bottles of water from the fridge, before making his way to the couch, kneeling at Midoriya's side.
When he realized Midoriya's pants and shoes were wet, he let out an exasperated huff and shook his head, setting the compress and bottles aside. "Alright then." He sighed, lifting Midoriya's foot to rest atop his knee. "First thing's first." He started untying Midoriya's muddy sneaker, tugging it off despite Midoriya's protests and tossing it aside, vaguely aiming for the front door. He made a face before continuing on, peeling off Midoriya's wet sock and examining the angry bruise beneath with a frown.
Midoriya was gripping the couch with white knuckles, biting his lip to keep himself quiet, trying to remain still.
"That's gotta hurt, huh kid?" Bakugou murmured, poking at the bruise carefully with his fingertips, Midoriya inhaling sharply and flexing his toes, his leg trembling where it rested atop Bakugou's knee. "Alright, this'll smart a bit. Take a deep breath, just gotta tie it in place."
Bakugou lifted the compress, glancing up and meeting Midoriya's eyes briefly before returning to the task at hand. He pressed it over Midoriya's ankle, listening to the pained gasp that escaped him as he adjusted its placement slightly before tying it securely in place with big bunny ears.
Midoriya had reached for his shoulder automatically, clinging to his shirt desperately as he swallowed through the pain, ducking his head as hot tears gathered in his eyes. He let out a shaky breath, blinking as he settled back against the couch again, staring up at the ceiling and shivering.
"Easy does it." Bakugou said with a soft sigh, shifting Midoriya carefully so he could stretch out across the couch. Bakugou propped his right foot atop a pillow, taking a moment to rid him of his other shoe and sock before covering his legs with a blanket, Midoriya watching him with a somewhat guarded expression.
From the way Bakugou had been acting before, Midoriya hadn't expected him to be so nice. He'd said he didn't want to get involved, but his actions said otherwise.
Bakugou grabbed one of the water bottles as he rose, returning to his seat to finish his breakfast. Midoriya watched him with a little frown, but eventually took the other water bottle in hand and cracked the seal, taking a few hesitant sips.
Silence spanned between them, broken only by the occasional scrape of cutlery, until Bakugou set his plate aside and fixed his eyes on Midoriya, the other purposefully ignoring his gaze.
"You look like shit." Bakugou eventually grumbled, standing up and gathering their plates before walking towards the kitchen sink. "I'll find a change of clothes. Can't have you getting sick too, or I'll never hear the end of it."
Midoriya started to protest, but Bakugou waved him off as he walked past the kitchen and disappeared into a back room, shuffling around for a while before emerging. He returned with a pile of clothes in hand, and as he approached Midoriya gave him an appreciative little smile, sitting up a bit while reaching up to loosen his hood.
As the dark fabric fell back Bakugou's eyes went wide, and he inhaled a startled gasp. He dropped the clothes beside the couch and immediately turned heel, Midoriya watching him go with a confused little frown.
"Jesus Christ-" Bakugou ducked into another room beside the first, cursing loudly as he rummaged around, calling out angrily, "What the hell, kid? What mess have you gotten yourself into, huh? Should have called the fuckin' cops from the start-"
"W-Wait, what?" Midoriya asked with concern, not understanding Bakugou's sudden aggression, recoiling away from him a bit as he returned with a red case in hand.
"You're fucking bleeding!" Bakugou snapped, opening the case and pulling out gauze and antiseptic, Midoriya blinking in surprise as Bakugou doused a large gauze pad and pressed it to Midoriya's forehead, the other hissing and jerking back at the sudden sting. Bakugou's face was flushed, glaring daggers down at Midoriya as he barked out, "You better start talking right now, or I swear I'm gonna-"
"You can't call anyone! Please!" Midoriya insisted worriedly, wincing as he reached up to hold the pad himself, groaning as Bakugou pushed him back to rest against the arm of the couch. "I just-" He pinched his brow, frustrated tears gathering in his lashes as he tried to breathe through the pain. "Everything hurts, okay? I didn't realize I was bleeding!"
"When did this happen?" Bakugou demanded, grabbing more gauze from the case. "Last night? Did you fall when you climbed the gate?"
"No! I mean, I jumped down half-way, or at least higher than I meant to. That's what tweaked my ankle, but this isn't-" He sniffled shakily and blinked back tears, avoiding Bakugou's eyes. "This isn't from that."
Bakugou wasn't satisfied, narrowing his eyes as he growled out, "Talk."
"I can't." Midoriya whispered, his voice cracking as he shook his head. "I…I can't say anything-"
"Bullshit." Bakugou grit his teeth, grabbing Midoriya's wrist and shoving up his sleeve, gesturing to the dark bruises littering his arm. "The fuck is this, huh? The fuck is going on? You show up in the middle of the night outta nowhere, bloodied and beaten. You don't want any help, and you don't want me to call your parents, or the cops-"
"My parents are dead, okay?" Midoriya snapped, glaring up at Bakugou defiantly. "Have been for a while now. Couldn't call them if you wanted."
Bakugou clicked his tongue against his teeth, exhaling an irritated huff. "Give me one good reason not to call the cops right now-"
"They'll find me!" Midoriya shouted angrily, an errant tear streaking down one of his ruddy cheeks, his angry expression highlighted with an obvious sheen. "You want to help so badly? Then you won't call anyone! You won't tell anyone you saw me! This is my last chance-"
His words caught on a hiccup as he yanked his arm free from Bakugou's now lax grasp, immediately pressing his forearm over his eyes and curling in on himself, his facade breaking.
"Please? Please don't say anything? They'll find me, they'll hurt me-"
"Whoa whoa, hey…" Bakugou watched him with a frown, carefully reaching out to touch a trembling knee, lowering his tone to something less abrasive as he spoke. "Calm down, alright? C'mon, now. Take a breath, kid. That's it, easy…"
Midoriya was fighting to rein in his breath, scrubbing at his eyes with the back of his hand while the other held the gauze pad precariously in place, smearing blood across his temple and forehead. He looked exhausted and miserable, and Bakugou decided that for now he knew all he needed to know. He set his questions aside, took a deep breath, and let it out slowly.
"Okay. I'll make you a deal."
Midoriya blinked towards him blearily, sniffing wetly as he met Bakugou's eyes.
"I won't tell anybody else you're here, and in exchange you swear that you won't lie to me about anything I ask. You got it?"
Midoriya pinched his brow, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth, sniffing again before replying gingerly, "I can't tell you about everything-"
"That's fine. Then you just say so, and I'll get it." He held Midoriya's eyes, searching them slowly. "Tellin' me you can't talk about it's the truth, right? That means you're keepin' up your end of the bargain, and I'll keep mine. No lying. If you can't answer truthfully then just say so."
Midoriya nodded his head slowly, still holding Bakugou's eyes. "As long as I tell you the truth, you won't say anything?"
"Not a peep. Not to a soul." Bakugou drew his fingers across his lips in zipper fashion, making a motion of securing a lock at the end.
The tension in Midoriya's shoulders lessened a bit, and he carefully uncurled from his fetal position, wincing and hissing as he straightened out his legs. Bakugou helped him prop his injured ankle atop a pillow again, and Midoriya watched him quietly for a moment before asking softly, "How long do you think before I can walk again?"
"That's hard to say." Bakugou said with a quiet sigh, eyeing the compress. "Should be able to tell how badly you've tweaked it once the swelling goes down. Till then, can't do much else but wait."
Midoriya fell quiet again, then eventually asked in a soft, hesitant tone, "You'll let me stay?"
Bakugou exhaled a soft snort, a teasing smile turning up his lips. He shrugged a bit, petting Nitro's side as his dogs settled down beside him, Rocket resting his muzzle on the couch and staring up at Midoriya pointedly. "Depends, I suppose. Got anything you can offer in exchange for room and board?"
Midoriya frowned a little, glancing towards his backpack, thinking for a moment before replying, "I…I don't have any money."
Bakugou barked out an amused laugh, shaking his head as he shifted forward with a handful of fresh gauze, shooing Midoriya's hands away so he could properly inspect the damage. "Was thinking more along the lines of dog-sitting while I work. These two tend to get in the way when they're not lavished with enough attention, and I've got a custom that needs gettin' done by the end of the week. Gotta meet that deadline!"
Midoriya winced slightly as Bakugou cleaned him up, watching him work with only a hint of lingering apprehension. He studied the blonde's features while Bakugou focused on his forehead, noting the way his irises reflected the sunlight streaming in through the window, turning crimson to vibrant red.
Bakugou felt his gaze, glancing down and holding Midoriya's eyes, Midoriya shivering lightly and biting at his lip, eventually breaking away from the intensity of Bakugou's gaze.
The blonde chuckled under his breath, finishing his task before pushing himself up and stretching his arms above his head. "Alright then. That should do for now." He gathered the medical supplies and waste before returning to the kitchen, tossing the trash in the bin and setting the case beside the sink for later, starting the tap to wash his messy hands.
"Thank you." Midoriya called softly, Bakugou humming a soft acknowledgement as he dried his hands on a dish towel, clicking his tongue against his teeth to call his dogs while heading towards the side door.
"Alright, kid. I've got work to do. Get some rest, I'll check on you in a few hours." He opened the door, the dogs running outside, Bakugou lingering in the doorway a moment longer. "Holler if you need anything."
Midoriya gave a little nod, and Bakugou closed the door behind himself, leaving Midoriya alone to rest. The last of his tension melted away once he was alone, resting his head back against the arm of the couch as he exhaled slowly and closed his eyes.
He never imagined he'd get so lucky as to find someone to take him in. Maybe there was a chance he wouldn't be discovered, and once he could walk again he could find someplace safe far away from here, where Chisaki would never be able to find him.
-x-x-x-
"You said his name is Midoriya?"
"That's right," Shigaraki nodded, looking towards the hospital bed nearby before offering Kirishima a polaroid. "Our younger cousins were in the back seat with Toga during the crash; Midoriya Izuku and Todoroki Shouto."
Kirishima took the photo with a frown, knitting his brow a bit as he studied the faded image of the two boys together. "Alright, we'll do what we can to find him, as quickly as possible. He couldn't have gotten very far on foot. It's likely he's holed up in the woods somewhere around there. We'll get together a search party, and keep you updated."
"Thank you, officer. We appreciate any help you can give us."
Kirishima glanced up to meet Shigaraki's eyes, giving a little nod. "You said he might be hiding because he thinks he's in trouble?"
Shigaraki hummed quietly, pressing his gloved fingers against his chapped lips, tapping absently. "We were arguing, it's likely he feels responsible for the crash." He sighed, giving a little shrug, his brow pinched with worry. "I know it probably sounds silly, but that boy has a wild imagination. A way of…misinterpreting things." He glanced to the side, looking towards the window, his tall, lanky companion making a soft sound of agreement as he gazed between the drawn blinds.
He turned from the window and took a step forward, hands in his pockets, his blue eyes a stark contrast to his vibrant white hair. "All we care about is that he's safely returned to us." He licked across his bruised bottom lip, brushing over a pair of staples briefly before continuing on. "If he was injured in the crash, and he's out there in the middle of nowhere, hurt…"
"I understand." Kirishima offered the polaroid to Kaminari, the blonde studying it for a moment before returning to his report, jotting down the details. "I know this is a difficult situation, but try not to worry. We'll do everything we can, starting by gathering together that search party."
The blonde girl sitting beside the bed glanced up, offering Kirishima a sweet smile. "Thank you so much for everything." She murmured, and her voice was strained, tears glistening in her eyes. "Please let us know as soon as you find something?"
"Will do, ma'am." Kirishima nodded, flashing her a reassuring smile before turning to go, Kaminari following right behind him. The two officers stepped out into the hall side by side, the automatic glass door closing quietly behind them.
As they walked off, Shigaraki let out a heavy sigh, turning towards Toga. The blonde was frowning as she looked down at Todoroki, who was still unconscious, an oxygen mask over his nose and mouth, fresh gauze padded over the left half of his face.
Dabi clicked his tongue irritably, reaching for his phone, checking his messages with narrowed eyes. "Still nothing from Geten and Jin. This is taking too long."
"Patience, Touya." Shigaraki sighed, the barest hint of a smile turning up his lips, Dabi and Toga watching him quietly as he spoke. "Let's give the local police some time to find him for us. Given the state of our young friend, we won't be able to leave this hospital now without raising suspicion. We'll have to stay a little longer, at least until that brat wakes up."
Dabi crossed his arms over his chest, turning back towards the window, and Toga returned her attention to Todoroki, reaching out to pet his messy two-toned hair.
"When I get my hands on that little shit…" Dabi growled lowly, and Toga giggled, pressing her hand against her lips, her gaze wicked as she studied Todoroki's features with a knowing smile.
Shigaraki let out a soft chuckle, taking a few steps closer to the bed, looking down at Todoroki with lazy interest. "I wonder what sounds he'll make this time, when you force him to watch."
-x-x-x-
Bakugou tilted his head back with a groan, setting his wrench aside and patting down his leg before finding his phone, glancing at the caller-ID and answering while placing the call on speakerphone. "Why is it you always call when I'm right in the middle of something, huh?"
"Because you're always in the middle of something." Came Kirishima's good-natured reply, the two chuckling for a moment before Kirishima spoke again. "Hey, listen. I've got something going on with those folks from the crash last night. Thought I'd give you a heads-up, in case it's comin' your way."
Bakugou frowned a little, reaching for a rag nearby, wiping it across his forehead and neck before tossing it aside again. "Oh yeah? What's that?"
"We've got a kid who's missing."
Bakugou was quiet at that, waiting for Kirishima to elaborate.
"Sounds like there was an argument that might have caused the wreck. Kid took off, probably hiding in the woods somewhere nearby. Not sure if he's headed your way or not, but if you see him-"
"You know I'll call." Bakugou replied with a soft huff as he rolled onto his side, crawling out from under the vehicle he was working on and lifting his phone, staring down at the screen for a long moment. "That it?"
"I dunno. Something's fishy. Not quite sure what it is yet." Kirishima let out a quiet sigh, then Kaminari said something in the background, Kirishima chuckling and letting out a tired groan. "Denks is right, probably just need another cup of coffee. Or a whole pot. Anyway, give me a shout if you see anything."
"Will do."
The call disconnected, and Bakugou turned to look towards the side door, a frown fixed in place. He checked his phone, noting the time, then with a huff he pushed himself up and dusted his hands against his jeans, clicking his tongue softly to call for Nitro and Rocket, opening the door to let them inside.
Midoriya didn't move as he walked in, Bakugou watching the slow rise and fall of his shoulders for a moment before making his way over, noting the pile of dirty clothes crumpled beside the couch. Seemed like Midoriya had decided to change after Bakugou had left him, before falling asleep. Bakugou gathered them up, walking past the kitchen bar and making his way towards the laundry closet in the hall, opening the lid to the washing machine and tossing the clothes inside.
He paused before starting the wash, checking pockets for anything that might have been left behind, and he pulled out a few pieces of gum and some spare change before finding a folded slip of paper, opening it and holding it up to the light.
It was a receipt for two train tickets, from a few days before. If Bakugou was reading it right, the tickets were from a city way past the mountains. Kirishima's words echoed in his head, anxiety caught tightly in his throat.
If he's all the way from there, what the hell is he doin' out here?
Bakugou made his way to the bathroom, closing the door half-way and stripping down, stepping behind the curtain before starting the warm spray. He washed and rinsed, grabbing a towel from the rack once he was finished and heading to his bedroom, emerging a few minutes later in a fresh set of clothes. He stepped into the kitchen, thinking of what to make for lunch, trying to distract himself from what was really on his mind.
"Maybe I'll ask what he's hungry for…" Bakugou murmured to himself, stepping past his dogs and back into the living room, leaning over the couch to place a hand on Midoriya's shoulder, gently shaking him awake. "Hey kid, you hungry yet? I've got-"
Midoriya jerked awake with wide eyes, throwing up both of his hands to shove Bakugou away from him while letting out a startled cry. He started kicking off the blanket, curling in on himself while scrambling blindly to escape. "Don't hurt me! Don't hurt me please! I-I didn't say anything! I didn't-!"
Bakugou's eyes went wide, and he reached out to Midoriya in an instant, trying to catch his flailing wrists. "Hey! Hey kid, it's me! Hey, slow down-"
"I'm sorry I ran, I'm sorry-" Midoriya sobbed, still not fully aware of himself, panic and fear overwhelming all else. "Please don't kill me! Please, I promise I didn't say anything-"
"Midoriya!" Bakugou shouted over his rambling, taking both of his forearms and shoving them down against the couch, pinning Midoriya beneath him, leaning close to catch his gleaming eyes. "Hey, look at me! Look at me! You're safe, you hear me? You're safe here! You're safe with me!"
Midoriya was crying shakily, tears spilling down his red cheeks, blinking up at Bakugou without seeing him as the other slowly coaxed him into calm, trying to bring him back to the moment.
"I'm not gonna let anything happen to you, okay?" Bakugou said worriedly, quickly lowering his tone to something calm and soothing. "Take it easy. Hey… Easy now, just breathe…" He loosened his grip, shifting to rub Midoriya's upper arm and shoulder, watching the way his gaze shifted as he realized what was happening, and where he was. "You're with me, kid. You're safe now, you hear me? You're safe…"
"I-I'm sorry." Midoriya whispered, his breath caught on a sob. "I'm sorry. I-I didn't, I didn't mean to…"
"Hey." Bakugou said gently, shaking his head, giving Midoriya a little smile. "You don't need to apologize, okay? Not to me. Not for defending yourself." He held Midoriya's eyes, and patted his shoulder, giving a little nod. "You take a breath now, and try to relax. I didn't mean to startle you like that, just wanted to know if you were ready for lunch or not." He inclined his head towards the window, pointing out the sun's position high in the sky. "You've been sleepin' all day. Must be gettin' hungry again by now, huh?"
Midoriya sniffed and blinked up at Bakugou slowly, then nodded gingerly, Bakugou offering his hand and helping Midoriya sit up a bit. He wiped at his face with both of his hands, sniffing quietly as Bakugou watched him, the blonde pausing for a moment before looking down at the crumpled blanket thoughtfully.
"Let's take a look at that ankle, huh? Might need to get ya another compress."
Midoriya was quiet as Bakugou checked on his injuries, starting with his ankle first, then his forehead, his breaths slowly evening out the longer Bakugou stayed beside him, taking comfort in the other's presence. Eventually Bakugou fetched the case from beside the sink and a fresh compress, going through the same steps he had earlier that morning before tucking the blanket around Midoriya legs once more, satisfied with his work. He left Midoriya to rest a bit longer while returning to the kitchen, making them both grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch.
Midoriya sat quietly for a while, then twisted slightly to reach out and grab his backpack from the floor, lifting it to rest atop his lap before unzipping it quietly. He dug through the inner pockets before pulling out a handful of polaroids, some crumpled, some with burnt edges. He flipped through them slowly, his brow pinching, soft sniffles escaping him once again.
Bakugou glanced over and watched him, wondering what he was looking at. He carried their plates into the living room once he was done, sitting beside Midoriya on the couch and offering him a plate and a fresh bottle of water, Midoriya setting the polaroids aside and accepting them both with whispered thanks.
Bakugou glanced down at one of the photos, gesturing towards it while asking, "Friend of yours?"
Midoriya was quiet for a moment, then nodded slowly. He took a bite out of his sandwich, chewing slowly, then offered, "My best friend in the whole world."
Bakugou hummed his understanding, glancing down at the photo again, noting the boy's split two-toned hair. That style was nothing like anything he'd seen in this town or the surrounding. It was something you'd most definitely see in the city though, kids there dyed their hair all sorts of crazy colors without a second thought.
His eyes shifted to Midoriya's hair, noting the greenish sheen his dark hair reflected in the sunlight. "You from the city, kid?" He asked, Midoriya tensing a bit and glancing up at him with something between confusion and worry.
He took another bite of his sandwich, chewing slowly, then finally nodded his head.
Bakugou eyed him for another long pause, then he asked, "You and your friend get into some trouble in the city? Is that why you're out here?"
Midoriya glanced away, not responding. Bakugou sighed softly, setting his plate aside, reaching for one of the photos. He studied it for a moment, a teasing smile playing across his lips.
"Yeah, looks like you two are thick as thieves. Best friends, huh?" He tapped the polaroid against his fingertips, adding on, "Not too often ya see old photos like these. Are polaroids in style again nowadays?"
"It was my mom's." Midoriya said softly, setting his plate on the side table before reaching for his backpack again, retrieving an old polaroid camera from within and showing it to Bakugou with a little smile. "It's one of the only things I have left of hers."
"Wow. That's pretty cool." Bakugou grinned, looking down at the camera carefully cradled in Midoriya's hands. "That's what we'd call a classic, huh? Old school."
Midoriya smiled at that, a soft breath of laughter escaping him. "Yeah, I guess so…"
Bakugou's chest twisted at Midoriya's smile, and he let pleasant silence linger between them for a few moments longer before he asked, "These guys you're afraid of, the ones you say are out to hurt ya…" He frowned a little, thinking of the phone call he'd received from Kirishima before. "Can you tell me anything about them? Why they're looking for ya? Or why they'd wanna hurt ya?"
Midoriya tightened his hold on the camera, resting it atop his lap and worrying his lip, murmuring hesitantly, "If I say anything, they'll kill me. They'll kill Shouto…"
Bakugou's frown deepened at that, his thoughts reeling as he tried to understand. "You're saying the guys that're after ya…they've got your best friend?"
Midoriya's brow arched and his expression crumpled, and without looking at Bakugou he nodded his head.
"T-They've hurt him already. They made me watch."
"Bastards." Bakugou hissed between his teeth, reaching out for Midoriya, placing a hand between his shoulder blades and rubbing gently, offering what comfort he could.
Midoriya looked up at him, tears gathered in the corners of his eyes, and he whispered, "You really believe me?"
Bakugou blinked in surprise, then clicked his tongue against his teeth. "Why wouldn't I? You've got no reason to lie to me, and tellin' the truth was part of our deal, right?"
Midoriya nodded slowly, "R-Right."
"Not gonna disbelieve anything you say, so long as you keep telling me the truth, okay? If that's what you're worried about, then don't be. You can tell me anything, and I'm gonna be on your side." Bakugou drew back his hand, giving Midoriya a little nod. "I get it. I know what it feels like to be telling the truth, and have nobody listen. I know it all too well."
Midoriya watched him curiously, but didn't pry any further. He simply set the camera aside carefully, before returning to his grilled cheese, Bakugou watching him with a soft smile before doing the same.
Rocket and Nitro sat at their feet, watching them with unwavering eyes, Bakugou eventually giving them each a piece of crust before dusting his hands against his jeans and getting up, looking down to meet Midoriya's eyes.
"Alright, if these guys are coming for ya, there's a few things you gotta know. There are places you can go, places you can hide, that nobody else 'cept me is gettin' into. If they show up-" Bakugou nodded towards the window behind Midoriya, "First place they're gonna wanna look thru is in here. Which means the safest place for you to be is in one of the back rooms, or the garages."
Midoriya nodded his understanding, licking his fingers as he watched Bakugou with wide eyes. "So if I hear someone coming?"
"You should hide, even if it ends up being nothing. Can't promise Eiji won't swing by at some point, he likes to drop in unannounced. Better safe than sorry." He pointed out the window towards the front gate. "You hear footsteps, voices, the sound of somebody driving up? You find a safe place to hide, and be quick about it."
Midoriya and Bakugou looked to Midoriya's ankle at almost the same time, Bakugou frowning a little as he considered their options.
"Y'know, come to think of it, I'm pretty sure I've got a set of crutches from when Eiji busted up his knee a few years back. I'll do some diggin', see if I can find them."
As he turned to walk away, Midoriya reached out and grabbed his hand, Bakugou pausing his steps to look down at him.
Midoriya was watching him with a smile, his expression thankful and relieved beyond words. "Thank you so much. I can't thank you enough, for everything you're doing for me."
Bakugou chuckled softly, shaking his head dismissively as Midoriya drew back his hand, continuing towards the side door. "Don't worry about it, kid. Just doin' the right thing."
Midoriya watched him go, his heart fluttering as Bakugou closed the door behind him, casting his eyes towards the sun in the sky, wondering just how safe he was with Bakugou watching over him.
More than anything, he wished he was with Todoroki. He wished he knew his best friend was safe, and not at the mercy of those loyal to Chisaki. He closed his eyes, pressing his hand against his chest, tears prickling at the edges of his sight as he rubbed at the terrible ache trapped beneath his sternum.
He'd watched as Dabi set Todoroki's face on fire, right in front of him. He wasn't certain how much more Todoroki could endure now that he was alone, without Midoriya beside him.
This ended up being longer than I expected.
Thanks for reading! More to come!