I should proof - read everything before publishing.
This chapter took some solid determination, creativity and, of course, a lot of time.
I have poured every ounce of Angst I could think of in this chapter.
Let me know if I have overdone it. Or was it just the bare minimum? and I should pour more in future?
I will stop rambling now and let you enjoy.
Chapter 17: Matter at hand
"Are you really sure about this?" I asked him as he settled
"As sure as I can be" he replied with his false bravado. I know he is scared. Fucking hell, I am terrified. We had gone over the steps at least five times after refining them. We had discussed this before I left, so I knew how much herbs I needed to gather.
I began laying the supplies next to him - all the wash cloths/towels we had, Rubbing alcohol with plastic threads submerged, cotton balls, a paste of Aravac leaves, a bottle of the leaf extract, a bottle of warm water with Actortium roots, a paste of Magrimulish flowers, and three water bottles placed near the base of second tree for easy access.
"Do you still want to change your mind? It won't take long to reach Aizawa sensei if you use your quirk" I said, trying to coerce him as I handed him the bottle of Aravac leaf extract and another bottle to wash down the horrible taste.
"I am positive. Let's get this over with" he said, grabbing the walking stick (for pain) and shifting slightly to give me more space. It's a psychological trick and I know, it won't work but it's just for ease of my mind.
I took a shaky, deep breath and brought the bottle of rubbing alcohol next to his abdomen, dropping a single drop on his wound. I heard him inhale sharply as the liquid made contact. A quick glance showed the nerd biting his lip.
"Don't be such a wimp and man up"
"Fine. Keep going"
I poured the solution again, the liquid came out in a steadier stream, the wound begin to fill like a tank. Deku's muscles had tensed considerably and when I looked up again, his eyes were closed and a glance at his hand showed the stick being clenched tightly. I put the bottle aside.
"I am going to clean it as much as I can. You still good?" I said, taking a clean tissue.
"Yeah"
I gently pressed it to the upper part of the wound and he took in a sharp breath. I lifted the tissue, folded it and pressed inside the wound. This time, he let out a noise somewhere between a moan and a cry. I closed my eyes, willing this all to be over. I don't want to continue but I know, I had to.
"Do you need a break? We can go slowly, if you want." I asked, throwing the soiled tissue away. He was biting inside of his cheek, a single tear escaped his right eye and without opening his eyes, he shook his head.
"Alright then, I am starting now. Brace yourself." I laid the Aravac leaves paste as a boundary around the wound. Then cleaned the distorted fishing hook, first with water and then with rubbing alcohol, ensuring it was properly sterilized. When I first saw the fishing hook, I was almost convinced that it might work till I saw the other end of the hook. The thread hole was so large that I argued with him to drop the idea. In the end, we came up with a solution to pinch it and make it as thin as we can. I carefully heated the metal and Deku pinched it, reducing the size of the hole to a workable point.
I zoned out all the sounds around me and focused on the task at hand. I pierced his skin with the fishing hook, the other end was still big enough that I had to tug at it a couple of times to pass the thread. The moment it came out, Deku let out a pained grunt. Without looking up, I quickly tied the first stitch and started working on the second. Though I heard various sounds, I ignored them completely. It was during the third stitch that Deku's body suddenly began to glow a vibrant green, and a powerful, thunderous groan erupted nearby. Glancing up, I found the tree, which had been providing Deku's legs with much-needed support, now bent at a severe 120-degree angle, the victim of Deku's raw power. Even more alarming, Deku's head was tilted back, his eyes wide, mouth agape, and his skin had taken on a sickly, greyish hue. Worst of all, I noticed with growing panic, Deku's chest was completely still, no signs of breathing visible.
"Shit. Deku, breathe. In and Out. Now. Come On. Look at me" I urgently commanded, rubbing his arm in a desperate attempt to bring him back. After a few agonizing seconds, his lips finally stuttered and he gasped, gulping air and coughing like he had just been saved from drowning. He clawed at his neck like something were obstructing his airway. Quickly, I pried his hands away and made him drink the Aravac extract.
"I'm almost done. Just hang in there. Alright?" I said, my voice uncharacteristically soft and laced with worry. When I received no response, I lightly tapped his cheek until he said yes, willing him to stay conscious and focused. The moment I touched the thread to tie, he squeezed his eyes shut, his hands shot up, fingers disappearing in his dark curls as he held his breath, bracing for the pain. This wouldn't work - I needed to keep him breathing. I need to keep him talking, to monitor his breathing and ensure he did not slip away.
"Oi, Deku. Look at me. I'm not doing anything. Just sterilizing the hook. See?" Deku's eyes fluttered open, and he released a shaky breath, his fingers uncurling from the death grip he had on his own hair, sweat and tears streaking down his face. I waited patiently for him to gather himself.
"So tell me the name of the latest upcoming movie of All Might." I asked, as I tried to maintain calm in this chaos. He stared at me with half-lidded eyes as he took deep, irregular breaths as if the simple act of breathing was a struggle. I waited for him to answer before proceeding.
"B...Beacon of Ho...Hope: The All Might Le...Legacy" came his thready response.
"Correct. And what is the release date?" I asked, my tone deceptively casual.
"Next year, Augu..." I grabbed this opportunity to tie the third stitch. He gasped sharply and bit down on his lower lip, stifling a scream.
"You're right. Which was the last one? What was it about? Have you had a chance to watch it yet?" I asked as calmly as I could. Inside, my heart was pounding, telling me to stop his pain and suffering but the logical side of my brain knew that I have to finish what I started. He looked at me before answering to make sure I remain at a safe distance.
"All Might: Radiant Ascension. I watched it last month with my Mom." His words tumbled out rapidly as I touched the hook to his wound. He understood my attempt to distract him from the pain, and played along, speaking at a frantic pace, as if he could immerse himself so fully in the conversation that he'd forget what was happening to his body.
"It was truly an amazing movie, even though the actor playing All Might was nothing like the real one. But he still did - Aargh...- a decent job. The movie started with..."
He yelped as I started tugging at the hook to pass the thread and complete the fourth stitch. His rambling increased, clearly indicating the pain was excruciating, but Deku persevered, his voice wavering only when I tugged particularly hard on the suture. By the time I was tugging on the last stitch, I heard him call my name.
"Kacchan. Please, stop. Please, I beg you. Aargh. Give me a minute. Please, Kacchan." he sobbed, his face flushing a sickly green. I hadn't realized he'd finished his breathless recap of the film.
"Are you dizzy or nauseous?"
"Both" he swallowed.
I left the hook protruding from his skin and helped him sit up slightly to ease his breathing. At some point, he had slumped down completely. I cleaned his face with fresh wipe, helped him sip some water and Actortium root concoction to settle his stomach. Once he had calmed, I reassured him that I will end this quickly and finished the sutures. I gave him a couple of minutes rest before starting again.
Next, I cleaned the claw marks on his chest with cotton. His body tensed but I didn't stop. I warned him before applying the alcohol to the first line. I asked him about another movie to keep him talking but instead of diving into the details, he let out a few choice swear words, his hands flying up to grip his dark green curls again. His face had paled further and he was clenching his teeth with closed eyes. As I swiped the second line, Deku started breathing loudly through his mouth, every exhale producing a noise that wasn't exactly a cry but also wasn't exactly a moan. I quickly swiped the third line clean and applied the aravac paste on his chest and the pink paste over the sutures.
"Come on Deku. Lay over the tree on your stomach. I will just clean the area and wrap the bandage."
"It hurts, Kacchan. It really hurts a lot. I am sorry. Please, just leave me. I am begging you." he cried.
"It's alright, Deku. You're doing great. It's over now. I just need to clean the exit wound and then I will wrap it up. I promise" I even handed the hook to him to ease his mind. "I will tell you what I am about to do. The moment you tell me to stop, I will stop. Okay?" I waited for his reply but he just gave a curt nod.
I helped him drink the rest of the Aravac extract. I don't know how much is a high dose but I don't care if he sleeps the entire day, I just want his suffering to stop. He flipped and rested his forehead on the tree, wrapping his hands at the back of his head. That's when I noticed the crimson spot on his hand. I completely forgot about the gift he received from the blasted wolves. The gift that was meant for me. And it was bleeding again.
I ignored it for now. I need to focus on the task at hand. His entire back was a piece of art. It was littered with cuts, bruises and fading burn marks. I told him that I am going to wipe the exit wound with a napkin and then clean it with rubbing alcohol. This time, he openly screamed and cried like a child. He banged his fist repeatedly on the tree and kicked his legs each time I wipe. I can't even imagine how much pain I am causing him.
Atleast, the major injury is out of the way now. I tried to cover his entire back with the rest of the Aravac paste as quickly as I can but I ran out of it halfway. With a quick application of pink paste, I wrapped his torso. Suddenly, we went completely rigid and still.
"Deku?" I stood up and crouched in front of him to see his face.
"Deku, Are you okay?" His one hand was on his forehead and other covering his mouth. He blinked with wide eyes like there were gaps in his vision. Suddenly, he lost control over his stomach. I held him from behind and dragged him away from the mess. He continued vomiting until his stomach was empty, leaving him retching and gagging.
"It's okay. You're fine" I repeated it over and over again like a mantra till the words lost there meaning.
"I am so tired. I am so cold." he slurred weakly. Even before the procedure began, he had a slight fever. Now, the situation had escalated further. Alarm bells were blaring in my head, and the bright red warning signs were impossible to ignore. He was on the verge of unconsciousness. I cleaned him as much as I can and half carried/half dragged him back to our tent.
"It's okay, Deku. Can you help me put a shirt on you?" he nodded. I gave him a fever reducer after putting a clean shirt on him and let him rest.
"I am just gonna change the bandage on your arm. It won't hurt a bit." He immediately closed his eyes, shivering, but remain awake. He twisted and turned to get a comfortable position. His skin was flushed and his brows furrowed in constant pain. I placed a cool, damp cloth on his forehead, and watched as the tension immediately melted from his face. Sensing his hands were cold, I carefully warmed them just enough to keep them at normal temperature, and observed as his ragged breathing began to slow and coughing bouts lengthened in time to occur.
It felt like an eternity passed as I meticulously tended to the wound on his arm, my heart racing the entire time as I worried about causing him further pain. The sight of his agonized expression was seared into my mind. I made sure he was comfortable before hurrying out the tent, towards the stream, to wash the remnants of Deku's blood and medical paste splattered over me.
I scrub furiously at my skin as silent tears ran down my cheeks, but no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to wash away the lingering sense of guilt. Why am I crying? This is all because of him and his meddlesome, self-sacrificing nature. I don't want to be here, don't want to stay in his presence a moment longer than absolutely necessary. I just want to complete this assignment and go home. Maybe have a session or two with "Shitty Hair" as he is the only one who can take my blows without a scratch. Why did I agree to this?
Do you want me dead that badly?
Oh yes, I remember. A sob threatened to escape as tears spilled uncontrollably. Does he really think I want him dead? Was he carrying such dark thoughts all this time? I just wanted him to stay away from me. I just wanted to be perceived as a strong hero. And strong heroes never hang out with quirkless people. But he is not quirkless anymore. I growled in rage. I hate him. He is insufferable. He is the reason why I am having a whirlpool of emotions. I am itching to throw punches to blow some heat off. The urge to beat Deku to a pulp was overwhelming, but at the same time, I fear he will shatter with the slightest touch. How can I hurt someone who is already broken, shattered?
I stayed near the stream for some time. The steady flow of the water had a soothing, hypnotic effect, allowing me to find some semblance of peace amidst the turmoil. Yet my gaze constantly drifted back to the tent, a lingering sense of concern driving me to maintain a watchful eye, ready to spring into action should Deku require my aid. Returning to the tent, I felt utterly drained, both physically and emotionally. His anguished screams echoed in my mind. Yet, as I placed my hand on Deku's forehead, I sighed in relief to feel that his temperature had gone down, a sign that the worst may have passed. I allowed myself to take a deep breath and stepped outside our tent.
No matter how much Deku beg, I have made up my mind. I am not gonna give him any more breaks. We are not going to stop till we catch Aizawa sensei, even if I have to carry him all the way. I don't care, I just want to go home, that's all that matters now.
I sat there contemplating what should I do next when I heard him whimper quietly. Furrowing my brow in frustration, I muttered "What now?" and entered the small enclosure. There, I found Deku clutching his shirt, beads of sweat on his forehead, his face contorted in pain, breath coming in shallow, uneven intervals, eyes squeezed shut as he was lost in the turmoil of his subconscious. I called out his name but he remained unresponsive. As I got up to leave him alone, he suddenly moaned out a desperate plea "No... Please..." The raw anguish in his voice sent a shiver down my spine, and I found myself rooted to the spot. Tear drops falling from his eyes.
I don't know what is going on in his head but the way he is reacting, it's not good. Not good at all. I kneeled next to him and shook his shoulder, only to watch in horror as his back arched and he let out a guttural, animalistic sound. "Kacchan, Please don't...H-hurts" He sobbed, his words cut me to the core, but his eyes remained firmly shut, trapped within the confines of his nightmare. Is he dreaming of me hurting him? Have I scarred him that deeply? Am I a villain in his nightmare?
Changing tactics, I began gently rubbing his uninjured arm, and for a moment, that seemed to relax him. At one moment, I think I saw his lips twitch a little in smile. Until he suddenly gasped, his body tensed even in sleep. His head lolled a bit and his eyes darted beneath his closed eyelids. The silence was eerie as I watched him, holding my own breath, wondering what will happen next. It was Deku who shattered the silence as he let out a blood curdling scream, curling in on himself, clutching his right side. "Please stop, I beg you..." he pleaded, his voice raw with anguish as his breaths become even more erratic.
What the fuck is he dreaming? My heart raced, this is getting out of control. I need to wake him up from this torturous nightmare. Grabbing his hands, I met with an instant reaction - Deku's movements stilled, and his breathing became shallow and labored. I quickly snatched up a nearby bottle of water and, without a moment's hesitation, splashed it directly in his face in a harsh, unforgiving motion.
The sudden shock of the cold water seemed to jolt him awake, and with a sudden, wide-eyed gasp, Deku's hands flew up to his throat, as if he was desperately trying to draw breath, the sheer terror etched on his face.
"Stop it Deku"
"Deku"
"DEKU"