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"okay, but, midoriya, just hear me out--"
todoroki spoke, pulling out a board that had pictures of bakugo, his family, and spicy curry on it. midoriya raised a high brow to this.
today was a peaceful day in the dorms, with todoroki on some sort of weird theory that seemed like a fever dream. most of the students of class a, sat near and watched on in amazement -- or just were purely dumbfounded at what goes on in todorokis mind. well, at least the half and half teen had kaminari, sero, and ashido nodding along to whatever he said like it was remotely true.
though, midoriya just thinks it was more so because they wanted to annoy bakugo. mostly.
"where did he get that board from?.." a confused student, yaoyorozu, asked as she stared with her brows furrowed at todoroki who also pulled out an pointer stick, also seemingly from thin air.
"woah, todobroki! how did you make that come from no where!?" midoriya would like to know this too. he swore todoroki had an half ice, half fire quirk not some sort of summoning or a form of creation quirk.. does he already need to update his notebooks so soon?
"that is unimportant. what is important though, is i have evidence that bakugo runs on spice."
"no i fucking don't!" bakugo cursed, but he only got shushed by a trio of people who were, in all honesty, too invested with todorokis madness.
"let the smart people speak." ashido said, as she leaned in forward, eagerly awaiting for what todoroki had to say. midoriya gave an bemused smile at this as he shook his head.
"hahh?! fucking half and half is just crazy that's what he is!"
"you're just jealous, bakugo!"
"jealous? oh ohh! ill show you fucking jel!--"
"kacchan please calm down, todoroki just.. mm uhm, appreciates the fact you like spicy foods so much that he just had to make this theory about you. isnt that right todoroki?" midoriya told the now raging teen as he gave a pointed stare towards todoroki who only gave him a deadpan in return before he had side glanced at bakugo; in a critical and also thinking manner that wavered in his hetrochromia eyes.
"yeah okay sure, something like that." todoroki said, and midoriya let out a breath that he was holding. he was so glad that todoroki chose not to mess with bakugo, he really didnt want sensei to come up to the dorms thanks to something was set on fire due to bakugo being a little too explody.
"tch, whatever. this shit dumb anyway." bakugo crossed his arms in a loud huff, as he leaned back into the couch with a resting scowl on his face. well, that is better than him trying to kill everyone. midoriya will take what he can get!
"im sorry todoroki, you can resume your, um, theory? i promise, no more interruptions." midoriya sheepishly said, as he rubbed the back of his neck. todoroki gave a sharp nod of his head, as he waved the pointer stick to one a the few pictures of bakugo eating biting a pepper. kacchan what the fuck, midoriya thought as soon as he saw the picture.
midoriya, he was also curious on how todoroki got that shot. in fact, he was curious on how the half and half teen got any of the pictures he got. especially of the ones of bakugos family. todoroki was unknowingly scary at times..
"thank you midoriya. as i was saying, bakugo eats, lives, and breaths, things that are spicy. case in point, this is him taking a bite out of a red pepper as if it was an apple--" a round of over layered grimaces and winces came, along with todoroki giving a harsh glare that made everyone, even bakugo who started to yell at everyone who was disgusted at the fact he a bit into a pepper, shut up.
midoriya will say it again, todoroki is scary.
"ah, carrying on.. his quirk is explosions and his quirk does need him to produce sweat to make them. and, what better way to do so, through spice. the more spice you eat, the more sweat and heat your body produce which, in theory if bakugo just eats spicy things, then he has an unlimited source," todoroki gave a pause, as skimmed over the class who was in stunned silence. he took the opportunity to push in he retractable pointer stick as he sat it aside, before he addressed the class once again.
"in conclusion, bakugo is a walking and breathing spice source. it may even be better for his quirk, and perhaps make it stronger for him. it mayhaps even be the reason he has such a.. inhumanly high tolerance for spicy things. though, i am not a quirk expert, so i will stay out of that topic."
"that- that actually makes sense? guys im not going crazy, because that makes sense right?" uraraka said as comically looked side to side to the others who could only, dumbly nod thier head.
"well at least we understand why the hell bakugo eats peppers like they are candy.." jirou said as she twirled her jax around.
"i fucking heard that headphones!"
"thats good, i don't need to speak louder then." jirou said, rolling her eyes as she crossed her legs together. bakugo growled.
midoriya sighed, bakugo just calmed down. well, calm isn't what he would put it. more like he was in a neutral state of don't explode no one, and that was a hard state to put bakugo in. he should know, midoriya seen bakugo in that state all the time. but, at least, he could say he's mellowed out. somewhat.
bakugos still is an asshole. pardon his french.
"well! that was a good theory todoroki! i actually kind of believe it!" midoriya said as he gave a bright smile towards the dual haired teen whos face soften ever so slightly and as a smile crossed his lips. it would be hard to notice the shift in todoroki, but, midoriya noticed, which, made him smile even bigger. he was glad todoroki was becoming more and more expressive.
no matter how slow of a progress it was. midoriya was just happy to see his friend happy! it was much better than the frosty, stoney, act he had up during the beginning of the year.
"thank you midoriya, i tr--" todoroki paused, as a loud ring blasted through the common area. the half and half teen brows knitted together at the sudden interruption, as midoriya face flushed in a embarrassed, bright, red knowing that it was his phone that was ringing.
"s- sorry! um, ah, i thought it was silent. apparently not.." midoriya muttered as he pulled his phone out of his pocket, to only see an unsaved, but yet vaguely familiar number that was calling him.
midoriya hesitated with answering, after all, he didn't know the person. at least he didn't think he doesn't. he tried to wrack his mind for any information that could help him, but, he just came to a bitter, blankness. that only left him even more hesitant to answer the call that kept ringing back to back for all the times he didn't pick up.
"who is it deku kun? why do they keep calling you and.. why aren't you picking up?" uraraka asked in concern, possibly picking up on his frustrated hesitation as his phone rung once again.
"i don't know them. i think."
"you think, kero?" tsuyu asked, her head tilted as she stared at the buzzing phone. midoriya just nodded his head.
"arggg! well i don't want to sit here and keep hearing that annoying ring! just answer the stupid damn thing and tell them to fuck off!" before midoriya could stop bakugo, the ashen haired teen had swiped his phone right into his hands and answered the call.
"hey asshole! why the hell- hell.." there was a ridge lull in the air, as bakugos red eyes trembled with an unfamiliar emotion. midoriya could see how the explosive blonde throughout the few seconds he was on the call, grew paler, and paler, until his skin shinned with sweat dripping down his forehead. he could see how bakugo breaths sucked in, as if he was trying to be quiet and.. midoriya only seen his bakugo like this during a horrible part of their shared childhood. and, they both, silently had agreed to never mention it, to act like it never happened.
because it was easier to pretend they never went through the pain that his dad put the two of them together. on most days, it almost worked. most days he fooled himself. he just stuck with the bullshit, naive, lie his mother gave him that his dad is overseas somewhere and giving them money. its unhealthy, but no one said that what was doing was particularly good for him either.
"katsuki, is that.." bakugo flinched, and that startled a number of classmates. he could see iida moving to go get aizawa. midoriya didn't stop him. instead, he just moved to snatch the phone from his best friend ear. bakugo had enough of whatever bullcrap hisashi was most likely sprouting.
"why are you calling me?" midoriya hissed through his teeth. there was a grainy, and low chuckle through the phone. he could practically see the hot, smokey, breaths of hisashis. the way the smoke poured out passed his lips, as he gave the crooked grin of his. it made his stomach sick just even thinking about it.
"is that anyway to speak to your father, now, son?" midoriya could scoff. father. that man was barely a father, and he sure as hell wasnt a dad.
"drop the act and tell me what you really want hisashi?" midoriya pressed on with impatience boiling under his skin, and hisashi had the nerve to sigh disappointingly. midoriya rolled his eyes.
"oh come on, son. i wanted to see how you were doing. after all, i saw you had made it into u.a.--"
"yeah, months ago. you're little late to be caring."
"well! better late than never! though, i do wonder when they let in quirkless? u.a. is the school for the best of the best after all!" midoriyas body gave a recoil to his father too chiper tone that was oh so sweet voice. that was oh so loving. it could have tricked midoriya if it wasnt for the harsh words that was structured with a acidity venomous undertone. hisashi had always spoke to him like that, and, well on multiple times, izuku was left crying out of confusion whether or not his father hated him or was telling the bitter truth.
"but.. you know, its u.a. after all! i trust them, they know best huh, son? and.. well you technically aren't quirkless anymore, am i right?" midoriya felt his heart drop, as his green eyes widen in shock and fear at the fact his father had mentioned his quirk. he knew he had no reason to be so surprised, hisashi probably watched the sports festival and saw it. but, it didn't mean that what he said didn't shake him to his very core.
"w- what?"
"mido-- midoriya, are you okay? what is happening on the phone?" a classmate asked, midoriya couldnt recognize the voice, all he could hear was the rumbling and deep laugh of his father that sounded like a primal growl of a predator that was just waiting to attack its prey.
midoriya felt the growing lump in his throat, as he wrapped a comforting arm around himself. he tried ground himself but he his head felt like he was floating in the crashing in the waves of the ocean in the mist of a storm. his legs felt weaker, like at any moment, he was going to collapse just from hearing his fathers voice.
the greenhead teen gritted his teeth as his nails bared into his arms; he thought he was stronger than this.
"don't play stupid now, izuku. you are a smart boy.. or should have been. you got that from me thankfully!"
"don't compare me to you! what do you want? why are you calling?! you don't have any rights to be calling me after all you've done!" midoriya snapped, as he could feel his classmates start to pull on him, as one, he think was ashido go as far as to snatch at the phone which brought him out of his anger for a few moments.
midoriya let out a breath, as he stared at the rest of the class who all, in there own way, had worried looks. bakugo, thankfully, was doing slightly better. he had cold water, and was begrudgingly letting kirishima and kaminari help him. there was still no signs of iida nor aizawa, he had to guess the man was somewhere far or just busy. either way, midoriya was partly glad he wasnt here yet.
".. perhaps you should put it on speaker midoriya." yaoyorozu suggested, and, midoriya didn't bother to argue. he just nodded his head slowly, as he placed his phone on speaker. isntantly, the angry voice of his father could be heard.
"are you ignoring me? son, you know i hate, being ignored. is this what your godforsaken mother taught you while i was gone? i knew i should have.."
"say one more thing and i will find you and you won't be able to fucking speak again, hisashi." the atmosphere in the room was tense; hard to breath in as the class stared at midoriya who had a wild dangerous gleam, in his eyes. the stare looked better suited for a villain -- yet, as they looked at midoriya, who was a hero student, he seemed so unhinged and feral. with the way his lips quirked into a smirk like sneer that promised the pain midoriya was saying.
"ah! i see you still can't take a joke, huh son? well then. you sadly, got that from your mother!" midoriyas smirk dropped into a more lethal expression, as he snarled lowly; ready to reply with something that was more threatening than the last. that was though, before bakugo placed his hand on top of his shoulder; keeping him mildly calm and grounded.
"deku.. he isnt fucking worth it. just hang up and let it go." bakugo said, in an uncharacteristically quiet voice. it made the man on the phone give an a high amused ‘ oh ’ as he now, zeroed his full attention back onto bakugo.
"katsuki! my boy. i was worried when you suddenly went off the phone! are you still doing well? hows mitsuki? is she treating you well? oh! i know she is so proud that her perfect, strong, and brave, little boy made it to u.a." at each word, katsuki jerked back. and at each word that seemed like a praise, bakugo red eyes misted over, with unseen tears that were ferociously wiped away.
most of the class didn't understand the underlying tone, but, they didn't need to understand. midoriya knew what him and bakugo went through. he can still vividly remember the harsh words of his father that would be laced in a caring tone that you couldn't question him. you wouldnt dare question him. he remember the times he did and it didn't end well for neither of them.
subconsciously, midoriya traced his thumb across his thigh that held a faint scar. it could barley be seen. not unless you were truly looking for it. but, even now, he could feel still the bubbling and hot pain of his skin boiling -- popping under hisashis fire that rained over him for simply asking one wrong question. it was a reminder, to keep your mouth shut, and to speak when you were spoken to.
midoriya and bakugo, followed that rule for years. and even now, he still falls into that nasty habit on his bad days. and midoriya, he could also see katsuki struggle not to fall into the spirling world that they were forced to endure. some days he manage. some days he break down silently with no one noticing and putting it off as him being extra aggressive. those days, him and bakugo are brought closer just by sharing trauma.
"... well son, katsuki my boy, since you two clearly don't want to speak to me, and i can't force you, ill cut this short. i just wanted to let you know how proud i am of you izuku. and ill be seeing you soon. tell your mother i love her!" his fathers voice sounded like static to his ears as the phone call ended before he could fully process what hisashi said.
ill be seeing you soon. ill be seeing you soon. what the hell does that mean? he can't possibly be coming to see him or bakugo anytime soon or ever.
"kacchan.." midoriya let out a whimper, as he stared at the phone that had his fathers contact flashing at him like some sick joke.
"i fucking know-- i fucking i know."
the class settled into silence. unsure what to do. they stared at midoriyas phone until it turned off automatically, and even then, the class stared.
it wasnt until heavy footsteps caught the attention of dazed class, which, if anything else, put them on high alert due to the recent events.
multiple people had ready themselves to pounce on the intruder, even if they were unsure on what midoriyas father looked like, they just knew he was a bad person. a threat that needed to be taken out immediately.
"i must apologize for being so late! i couldn't find aizawa, and the rest of the teachers were in the meeting! i hope you do not mind i brought present mic sensei." iida, it was just iida. along with present mic who right behind him.
"it was just iida and sensei.. its okay.. deku and bakugo are okay." uraraka had whispered, as she visibly relaxed along with the rest of the class. though, most had still looked tense. looked upset. it made present mic brows furrow, as he walked closer to the shaken up class.
"how about you little listeners tell me what happened?" present mic asked, and midoriya answered, his voice a bit drained and far too unstable for his liking. but, midoriya didn't care. he just wanted this evening over with. it had began nicely, but ended horrible. oh so horribly.
"w- well, it started with a phone call sir, and, everything from there went bad."
midoriya retold everything. from how they were listening to todorokis insane theory. to how his phone rang. from how bakugo picked it up and it was his father on the other end. from how his father subtly threatened them, and how his father left the strange, eerie, remark of seeing them soon.
by the end, everyone was shaken and practically vibrating with anger once again.
"thank you for telling me this midoriya. i will let nezu know immediately! we wont let him come near you, or you bakugo. i promise!" midoriya, he wasnt sure how to feel about that. his father usually got away with all the things he did because he was a smart, and a crafty lair. because he was a well respected man within the business world and did good deeds such as donate and had a quirkless son which gave him more pity and remorse from people. he was such a good dad, such a good husband and a member in society, how could he ever do bad? its just, taking a page from his teachers book, simply illogical.
but, staring at his teacher who had put up a trusting smile. he, for a moment, felt like he can believe that this time, for real, his father wont get away this time. midoriya wanted to laugh. it took nearly sixteen years. sixteen years of abuse and harassment for someone to finally do something. and what? it took a simple fucking phone call.
and midoriya couldn't help it, he broke out in laughter. in disbelief laughter as he felt the warm tears stream down his face.
"k- ka- kacchan! can you believe it! sixteen years of his bullshit, no one believing us and.. he finally gets caught all because of call! a fucking phone call katsuki!" midoriya roared louder with laughter. he could hear bakugo start to snicker, and soon, break out in his own hysteric laugh.
"and he called you knowing you are a hero student in a school full of pro heros! and just.. just assumed he could come here acting like the fucking creepo he is?!"
"exactly! for as smart as he is, he is so stupid! he needs to work on his acting."
"pfft, exactly."
"midoriya.. bakugo?.." iida called out, with worry evident in voice. though, midoriya laughed, and laughed, and laughed. he laughed until the disbelief settled in, and came reality and his laughter dissolved into wracking, wailing, sobs that shook his body. he could hear the class gasp, and speak to him. but everything sounded like they were underwater -- as if he was drowning in his own pitiful emotions.
and midoriya wasnt sure if it wasnt from sadness, anger, him being overwhelmingly happy, or simply nothing. but, he knew, he should feel happy now that help was here. that someone was actually really willing to do something about his father. but yet..
why didn't he feel happy? in fact, he feels bad!
midoriya, let out a laugh. a bitter, watery laugh as he threw back his head. who knew that a phone call would destroy the peaceful, perfect, day that he was having.