*Waves* Thanks for not giving up on my stories (and me, lol).

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What I've Done

Chapter 11

Bakugo leaves once it starts getting dark, leaping from my window as if it's totally normal to jump down from the second story of a house. The headphones he let me borrow still hang around my neck, Bakugo having left them with me because 'I needed them more than him'. Part of me wanted to refuse since I hate him and I shouldn't accept things from anyone except Tomura, but I couldn't bring myself to shove them back into his hands.

In fact, as I give in to the urge to peer out my window to watch him leave, I can't help but feel something strange in my stomach; It's almost like the longing I feel when I think of Tomura, but that couldn't be right... Bakugo looks back at me as I contemplate this oddity, flashing another smile as he waves goodbye once more.

I absolutely refuse to return the gesture, however, and instead step back into the shadows of my rapidly darkening room. Bakugo is a bully who hurt me just because he wanted to; I'm simply missing Tomura and projecting my pitiful desires onto the only person near me. I suck in a deep breath to center myself once more, letting my confused emotions go like a good pet as I crawl up onto my bed. It's just in time too, because right afterward, a knock resounds on my door followed by Naomasa's voice asking to come in.

"Okay, dad."

He looks worn out and upset, but he tries to smile as if I'm the one that needs comforting. "Son, I know I said that I'd take you and Katsuki to see a movie this weekend but… well, your mother is still adjusting to certain things."

I blink as he shuffles over to me with heaviness in his steps, dropping to the side of my bed with a coil-squeaking thud. There's an awkward tension in the silence that falls between us, but I have no idea how to make this 'conversation' any easier. It's not as if I'm shocked that Inko won the argument; she's gotten her way every time it's something about me.

"When you were taken," he starts slowly, his voice hesitant and saddened. "I was one of the officers to arrive on the scene and was instructed to sit with Inko while the detectives did their jobs… From the moment I met her, she was stricken with guilt and regret; she blamed herself for your abduction all this time—and still does. In her mind, she failed you in every way before but has been given a second chance. I know she can be overbearing, especially for a young man who needs his own space… but please understand she's only behaving this way because she loves you so much, Deku."

My stomach twists with discomfort as he speaks. For maybe the first time, I'm feeling something other than annoyance and contempt for Inko… It certainly throws me for a loop. "I understand," I mumble out somewhat absently as I try to make sense of my unusual emotions towards her and Bakugo.

Naomasa nods with an empathetic, understanding expression and leaves so that I can get ready for bed. I repress the urge to sigh; I'm so confused but I can't dwell on that—Bakugo was supposed to be my 'protector' so that Inko would be comfortable with the idea of me going to UA high school.

I fall back to my pillow and roll to my side to face the blank wall, trying to focus. What am I going to do?

A chill runs up my spine and pulls me from my sleep, my room completely dark; I'm immediately on edge since I should at least have minimal light from my alarm clock. Four cold fingers and a clammy palm cover my lips before I can truly react, however, and I relax completely, relief flooding through my previously anxiety-filled limbs.

"Tomura…" I think happily as his hand moves to cup my chin, chapped lips finding their way to my forehead. I can only assume from the total lack of electricity and his presence that he or Master All For One did something to the power system in our neighborhood, the thought making me feel so special.

Of course, that wondrous sensation is soon replaced by dread and guilt; Tomura must know that I haven't been able to make headway convincing Inko to give me space. Despite not being able to see much, I peer up at him for permission to speak, hoping beyond hope that he isn't too displeased with me.

"You can speak, Deku." He declares quietly, his spidering fingers already moving to play with my wild curls like he usually does.

I breathe out quietly to steel my nerves, willing myself to admit my total lack of success. "I know you and Master are going to find a way for me to get into the UA hero course without a quirk, but I haven't been able to convince Inko—"

The grip on my hair tightens painfully and I immediately stop speaking. I'm afraid of what Tomura is going to do to me even though I know I would deserve it since I'm turning out to be such a disappointment. I whimper slightly and tentatively reach out to paw at his hoodie jacket, wordlessly begging to be allowed closer to him. He growls some but loosens his hold on my curls enough for me to move forward. His thin but muscled chest is so comforting when I finally press my face into it, so much so that I almost forget the problem I should have been finding a solution for… Almost.

"Tomura…" I attempt again submissively, body beginning to shake no matter how hard I try to get myself under control. "Inko won't—"

"Master said her behavior is normal." Tomura finally explains, interrupting me again since he knows what I'm going to say; I'm always amazed by the immenseness of his knowledge. "If she doesn't stop being such a pest by the time acceptance letters are mailed out, I'll intervene. Just stick to the plan and apply like I told you to."

Something inside me reels at the declaration and I have to consciously keep myself from shuddering in horror. I don't know if he's saying that he'll hurt Inko or not, but I can't help but hope that isn't his intention. Naomasa wasn't lying when he said she was only behaving this way because she loves me and I know that… I don't want her to suffer because I can't do my job.

"I'll figure something out…" I respond. "You saved me because I'm just like you. I was being bullied by people who should have been my friends and ignored by the people who should have been protecting me. You wanted to keep me safe from that and so you brought me home with you to make me strong like Master did for you… You're the only one who cares for me, Tomura. I won't let you down."

Despite my failures Tomura graciously forgives me and begins cooing, likely pleased that I reaffirmed my loyalty to him without being prompted. His fingers are working their way through my hair again with such affection that I can hardly keep my heavy eyelids open; it's been so long since I was rewarded with his presence.

"When will I see you again, Tomura?" I mumble tiredly, hating that he'll no doubt need to leave soon.

I can feel more than hear the rumble of irritation behind his sternum, but this time I'm relieved it isn't directed at me. "I don't know; that woman makes it so hard for me to even get near this place. Did you know she convinced her new husband to have patrols constantly driving around this whole area?"

My heart drops despite his continued hold on me. I had noticed the large presence of officers in the area, but I'd hoped it wasn't because of me specifically; there's no way Tomura can risk coming here again for some time…

"Go to sleep now, Deku." Tomura orders, pulling away from me. "I'll come back to check on you when I can."

My body follows him as he shifts to get up, desperate loneliness driving me to move without even realizing it. I do stop before I get out of bed completely though, common sense reminding me that disobeying Tomura wouldn't end well. Without another word, he disappears into Kurogiri's void.

The days and weeks blur together once more as I wait for it to be time for the UA entrance exam. I know I'll have the grades and score well—if not perfect—on the written portion… but the practical will be difficult. Master was able to glean information on what it usually consists of and without a quirk, running around destroying robots seems impossible.

I remember how upset I'd been to learn about this particular part of the application process. Really, I'd just sat in my chair and blinked, but internally… well, Tomura wouldn't have been happy to know that I was 'feeling'.

It's absolutely ridiculous for one of the biggest factors of being accepted to the school centers around destructive capabilities when punching a 'villain' isn't supposed to be the main job of a 'hero'. What if your quirk is like Eraserheads? His power wouldn't be of much help against a robot, but he's one of the best Pro's there is. Sure, he can do that scarf thing— I don't know how yet—but I'm going to assume he didn't have that level of combat skill when he was fourteen years old.

Master and Tomura had discussed it at length and decided it would be best for me to remain quirkless as there would be questions I couldn't possibly answer without giving away their plans if I miraculously showed up with a power after being diagnosed as not having one. But that also means they're trusting me to figure out a way to destroy robots as a normal person while competing with super-humans.

I'm struggling to come up with a solution, however, especially since most of my day is spent attempting—and failing—to find some way to distance myself further from Inko. To her credit, she has been allowing me to walk home after school, but the moment I step through our front door, she latches onto me and can't bring herself to let go until Naomasa somewhat pulls her from my room so that we can all get some sleep.

Bakugo is still a sore spot for her as well. I know Naomasa tried to convince her that us spending time together wouldn't be the end of the world and might actually be good for me since the school has told them I don't speak to anyone… but she can't let go of her prior failure to protect me. In her mind, Bakugo is still the reason I was 'vulnerable enough' to be kidnapped and she can't forgive him for that; she can't forgive herself for blissfully ignoring how he was treating me nearly a decade ago.

After my crude attempt at forcing my 'parents' to back off by coercing Bakugo into taking me off campus, Inko had the school put me in a different class. I still see him of course; it's hard not to when we still attend the same school, but he keeps a fair distance.

Instead, he flashes me a saddened, longing smile and occasionally waves, especially if he sees I'm wearing the headphones he loaned me. At first, I'd just blink and then move on but as we do this routine day after day, I find myself more compelled to return the gesture or even go against Inko's wishes again and approach him.

The only reason I can think of for this rather disturbing impulse is my prolonged distance from Tomura. It's been six months since I began my mission and I've only seen him once for a few minutes… It's hard to keep my emotions in check because he's not here to feel them for me.

That's how I end up trudging down an unfamiliar street and through a tunnel, my phone long since discarded so that Inko can't track it this time. I set my backpack down and crouch low, hiding my face in my knees as I hold them close. It's a long shot I know, but I have to believe that Tomura or Master will know I'm calling out to them…

"Deku."

I shudder from the familiar voice, my eyes almost rolling back when I feel icy fingers in my hair. Tomura yanks me to my feet by my curls but the sting is perfect—it's grounding. "Tomura…" I breathe, almost vibrating to be closer.

He smirks at me and shifts his hand down to the nape of my neck, crushing me into his waiting chest. I suck in breath after breath of his scent, fisting his hoodie like a lifeline. If I didn't know it would displease him, I'd probably cry with happiness.

"That bitch mother of yours is a real piece of work." He mutters with irritation, "Master couldn't risk me coming to your room again since she's always peaking in."

"I know Tomura, I apologize for not—"

"No, you've done what you're supposed to." He interrupts, pulling back so that he can stare into my eyes. "But you won't get into UA if you misbehave frequently… that stunt you pulled with that blonde asshole that used to pick on you was bad enough."

I feel my face drain with color; Tomura looks dissatisfied with the decision I'd made months ago. I open my mouth to explain but let it fall shut once more. I shouldn't try to defend my actions; if he says they are wrong, then they are wrong.

He chuckles at my silence and pets my now freckle covered cheek gently. "I might not punish you if you have a good enough reason, Deku… Tell me what you were thinking."

"Despite our history, Bakugo has the strongest quirk at our middle school, and I determined that Inko's insistence of always monitoring me is due to fear that I'll be taken again. I assumed that if I could get Bakugo to spend time with me, she'd trust that I was safe and give me more space. I thought it would make it easier for you to contact me, Tomura. I was wrong and won't make that mistake again."

He seems to be considering my explanation, no doubt annoyed that I'd spend time with anyone but him even if it's for a very good reason. After what seems like an eternity in limbo, his chapped lips are at my forehead and my eyes flutter closed, body almost falling limp with relief.

"You're such a good boy, Deku…" he whispers against my hair, and I swoon. I needed this; I needed him… This brief meeting has reset my emotional state to where it should be and will give me the strength to keep it there this time. "Now run along… I'm sure those pests you're supposed to call your parents are worried about you."

"Yes, Tomura."

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