Darkside (BkDK)

~~** When we all fall asleep, where do we go? **~~

Locked on, Bakugo began approaching the pair of friends rather aggressively. As if he had any other mode of operation these days. The more Midoriya seemed to pull away from everyone over the weeks the more the ruby-eyed teen's attitude regressed to the emotionally constipated version of himself from just a year ago. Only Mina and Eijiro would brave his wrath to reel him in these days.

Looking first at his boyfriend then to the taller male on his right, Deku didn't know what to say. Hitoshi had been urging him to tell the blonde the whole truth of what he was dealing with everyday, now included, but more than anything else lately the freckled youth didn't want to worry anybody. Especially one future Pro Dynamight.

Knowing there would be no way to get to his room alone with the purplette now, All Might's successor looked at his partner and did the best impression of a smile he possibly could. "S-sorry, he didn't mean it! I know he didn't." Turning to face the non-resident beside him, the smaller teen swatted Shinso on the upper arm. "Don't antagonize Kacchan."

Glaring at the smirking smug face of the most sleep-deprived member of the UA Hero course, Katsuki stepped between him and the clearly not okay Broccoli. "We need to talk Nerd. Now." His tone was soft, concerning so. He wasn't asking, but wasn't exactly demanding either. It was almost a plea. One the freckled boy couldn't ignore. Walking out the front of the building, the oddly calm behavior of the explosive teen had everyone's attention on him.

If it wasn't noticeable that something had changed between the 'Wonder Duo' before, it was glaringly obvious now. Offering a weak smile up at the much taller youth first, Deku followed the other out of the building leaving behind a room of confused classmates.

As soon as the two were gone the purplette was bombarded with concerned questions from nearly everyone. Rubbing the back of his neck to dispel some of his discomfort with all the sudden attention, Hitoshi looked to a certain electric quirk user before addressing the group. "It's not my place to say. If Izuku wants to tell everyone what he's dealing with, then that's his call. Not mine."

"Is he ok?" Kaminari's voice didn't quiver, but the genuine concern held in its timbre was clear.

"Truth? No. But it's not something you can help with unless he lets you. And before anyone asks-" Switching focus from the boy now holding his arm to the others around the room, the tired teen saw the eyes of many worried friends. "-yes, I've been trying to get him to talk to you all. Especially that idiot." Pointing to the main doors he continued to address the room. "But he doesn't want to worry anybody. You all know him as well as I do, if not better. He'd rather deal with it alone than worry his friends, completely oblivious to how much that in itself affects everyone. His ability to disregard his own well-being might really work against him this time."

Looking down in concentration, Denki gripped his friend's arm harder before asking what was on everyone's mind. "Do you think we could do anything at all? Is it really something none of us can help with?"

Reaching down, Shinso lifted the electric boy's chin making the other face him and moved a lock of black streaked hair away from shining yellow eyes. The near anguish in his amethyst orbs was clear: he was just as worried as the blonde. "Not unless he decides to let you all in. Best hope is he tells Hound Dog or even Bakugo the whole story. Maybe then he could start to get back to his usual self. I haven't been in his exact shoes but I've been damn close and I know from experience that if you push him before he's ready he will shut down completely."

Outside in the slight chill of the evening air the volatile couple stood in silence. He may have said they needed to talk but when it came down to it Katsuki just couldn't find the words. After several slightly tense minutes the ruby-eyed teen at least found his voice, though the words he spoke betrayed his reason for wanting the meeting. "You'll confide in Eye Bags but not in your own boyfriend, huh? What could possibly be going on that you could tell him and not me? Do you not trust me anymore Deku?" Refusing to let the smaller male see him crack, Kacchan kept his back turned and waited to hear if his partner would answer.

It was another few minutes before the nearly silent sobs of the greenette caught in the other's ears. Spinning around immediately once he recognized the sound, Katsuki embraced the boy he loved without a second thought. "I'm- I'm so-sorry!" The two stood locked together until the breakdown wracking through the inheritor of One for All calmed enough for him to try speaking again.

"I'm sorry Kacchan. It's not that I don't trust you. Of course, I trust you! You're my partner. In everything. How could I not? It's just not something you can help with and if you knew what's been going through my mind lately I don't think you'd be so willing to stay with me. I know it's selfish, I do, but I don't want to give you up! I know it's completely unfair of me but please, please! I can't lose you, especially not now. I promise I'll get this figured out and I'll make it up to you. I just need you to try and trust me a little longer. I know I'm asking a lot but-"

The lips pressed to his own stopped the emerald-eyed youth from continuing to babble out his worries. It was an almost chase kiss but so very soothing to his fractured soul. He loved the teen holding him so much it sometimes scared him. What will I do if you find out how broken I am? Will you go back to how you used to be? If you know how weak I really am I know you'd want a different partner. You deserve one. You are so strong and you'll be a great Hero for sure. I don't want to hold you back. I don't want to disappoint All Might. I don't want to worry my mom or Mr. Aizawa. I just want all this to stop but I don't know how to do that without making you all hate me.

'You should push him away before the one who is broken is him. Look at his face. See how much better he looks from sleeping alone? Everyone would be safer if you weren't around.'

"Shut up shut up shut up!" Face pushed against the strong chest of the other boy, Izuku's words were muffled and lost to the one holding him.

"What is it Bunny? Just tell me! I want to help you but I can't if you don't talk to me dammit!" All he could see was the top of soft green curls as the youth in his arms refused to meet his gaze. "Will you at least tell Hound Dog? You said you thought your sessions were helping but he can't do anything if you don't at least tell him what's really going on. I know there is something more to this than just nightmares. You won't tell me what they're about but I'm not stupid. I can figure at least that much out. I know you're dreaming about hurting people with your quirk, that's why you don't want me with you. I can understand where that fear comes from, but why did it start all of a sudden the way it did? I hate it but I can't force you to let me help. So-" Taking a deep breath the most temperamental member of UA's Star class said a word he rarely ever spoke in his life, "-please."

The earnestness of the request was not lost on the disheveled recipient of the rare plea. On the contrary. It hit the smaller youth like a truck. THAT was how badly he was hurting the blonde. Deciding at that moment he would do as the other asked, Izuku finally lifted his tear filled eyes and looked at the beautiful frowning lips. "OK."

That was it. No other words were spoken between the two as they stood a while longer. Eventually both found themselves shivering and headed back into the building. When they found the common room abandoned the pair noticed how late it had become. While most of the class would still be awake at this hour they had all retired to one dorm room or another for the evening. Walking together up to the greenette's door the pair shared one last embrace and gentle kiss before parting ways. As much as the taller teen wanted them to remain together he knew his boyfriend wasn't ready to do it. He needed time to work through his problems properly and Bakugo would do everything he could to not push him while he did.

After entering his room and closing the door, Midoriya took out his phone and texted his purple haired friend knowing he would still be up. He thanked the mind control quirk user for his help and told him he would speak to Hound Dog on Monday. He wouldn't ask his friend to help him sleep any more.