Darkside (BkDK)

~~** Mother knows best. **~~

At the end of the first full day of classes the Baku-Squad found themselves in the commons draped over couches along with Tokoyami and Shinso watching some kind of documentary on native South American tribes.

Kirishima lay with his head resting on Ashido's thigh as the pinkette ran her fingers soothingly through his styled locks as best she could while internally debating if she could get away with braiding a few strands without him noticing. Kaminari sat between Hitoshi's splayed legs while the taller boy hugged him and rested his chin on his shoulder, occasionally nibbling the soft skin of the citron-eyed teen's neck causing him to flinch and laugh. In front of them sat Jiro on the floor between Denkis legs receiving a relaxed shoulder massage. Dark Shadow was perched over the top of Fumikage watching intently from the armrest of the chair Sero was unceremoniously draped over sideways. Bakugo sat on the floor with one knee up and an arm resting atop it as he leaned back on the other.

The fiery blonde hadn't told anyone what he spoke to the principle about earlier that day, it was none of their fucking business. Once everyone returned to class following lunch he became uncharacteristically quiet after learning he missed out on seeing Izuku. Not that he was one for idle classroom chatter, but he ignored Iida's lecture on how to sit properly and didn't comment on how dumb he found some of his classmate's conversations as he usually would. Learning that his missing Nerd would be joining them at lunchtime regularly but NOT on the days he himself would be there only further reminded him of the situation. And how far the staff was willing to go to keep them away from one another.

He was positive the extras were not aware of the full reason why the greenette was being kept mostly isolated from the group, from him. Katsuki knew the whole truth because how could he not? His partner was back after disappearing in some misguided attempt to protect everyone but he wasn't allowed to see the Nerd or even call or message him? You bet your ass he found the fuck out why. Though admittedly, he'd had to rely on a source he truly hated using. It was one that came with strings attached, always, but desperate times, right?

~~

"Brat. How are you?" The older female Bakugo hugged her only child tight to her chest knowing that he was far more likely to open up if he didn't have to make eye contact. Feeling him actually return the embrace spoke silent volumes as to the serious nature of the pending conversation.

"Why?" Knowing her son just needed time to find the right words Mitsuki remained quiet and just focused on enjoying the rare affection. "Why can't I see him? They won't even let me talk to him. I don't get it. I NEED to see him, I need to know he's ok with my own eyes. Why won't they let me mom? Why? This is all my fault. AGAIN! Just like All Might."

The crackle in his voice did not go missed by the seasoned parent but it did go unacknowledged. Her boy was fragile right now, it wasn't the time to poke fun or point out how wrong he was. "I saw Inko this morning. She was with Izuku all day yesterday and being the awesome best friend that I am, we talked about everything last night. Kats, the effects of that quirk really broke him down mentally. He's convinced that what he did when he tried going rogue means he's a bad person at heart. He's convinced that he's too dangerous to be around people. So in his mind he isn't worthy of being a Hero anymore." Sighing, knowing exactly how her son was likely to react to the words she was about to speak, Mitsuki braced herself. "He wants to drop out of UA."

Pulling away abruptly, the younger blonde stared incredulously at his mother's calm tones. "What the fuck!?! That's bullshit! If beating the shit out of a few minor Villains means he can't be a damn Hero then the shit I pulled in middle school should have barred me from ever even being accepted into UA in the first fucking place. Hell, I'M the reason this even happened to him and if it weren't for ME All Might wouldn't have had to retire! If anyone should be kicked out it should be ME! If they let him drop out-"

"Inko said no. She asked for some accommodations from the school and Nezu agreed with everything. She knows that in time he will understand that this is all a part of his origin story now, something he will have overcome and grown from and she's not going to let him throw away his dream for a temporary situation. Same with you Brat." Holding her only child at arms length, the older blonde looked into his confused eyes. Experience to her to wait for the boy to find words to match his thoughts.

"Auntie Inko asked UA to keep him under lock and key like a damn Villain?!?" A hint of disbelief and near panic filled the worried youth and it pulled at his mother's heart.

"No Katsuki. She asked for him to be able to take separate classes to get back into the rhythm of school before going back to a normal schedule. Inko is not the reason why he's being watched so closely." Seeing her boy deflate at her words, the fiery woman took a deep calming breath. The experienced mother was preparing for the pending explosive reaction her next revelation was sure to elicit. "She got a call while we were talking and apparently when he was talking to the therapist he alluded to everyone being better off if he were gone."

"He was already fucking gone for three damn weeks, hasn't his dumb ass figured out that those fuckers won't let that happen?" Confusion clear on his well-structured face showed he didn't quite pick up on her full meaning.

"THEY won't or YOU won't?" The slight tease in her voice went unnoticed to the increasingly aggravated teen, and that was good. Mad Katsuki was someone she could deal with. Emotionally vulnerable Katsuki was uncharted territory.

"Yes."

"Brat. The staff are going to keep him isolated for a while. He'll take one-on-one classes for the time being and stay in the teacher dorms until they are sure he's not a danger to HIMSELF." Realization lit up the fiery youth's face but before he could shout out his protest to the thought his knowing mother cut him off at the pass. "Good. You get it then. So you won't argue when I tell you that YOU will also be going back to Hound Dog a few times a week for a while since you were also hit by that attack. When HE decides the time is right you can see Izuku again."

"I'm fucking fine. I don't need any extra shitting therapy."

"Tell it to someone who doesn't know you so well kid."

~~

Blinking his way out of his flashback, Bakugo looked around to find the others in the room had left and the TV was now off. How the hell long was I just sitting here spaced the fuck out? No way would he tell anyone the truth behind the reason Deku was really being kept under such close observation. There was an equally non-existent chance he would tell anyone what he himself was doing in therapy either. Being lost in thought was something that had been happening more and more lately since being hit by Darkside.

As much as the literally explosive teen hated to admit that the Old Hag was right: she fucking was.

It only took three sessions over the course of the rest of the week and the next, but the blonde learned that his brain chemistry had been affected by the attack. The extreme guilt he felt over not being able to prevent Darkside from attacking Deku was, at least in part, a result of a chemical imbalance. The same could not be said for his lingering feelings regarding the Symbol of Peace but it was reasoned that was triggered by the change as he had adjusted well to that situation prior.

Recovery Girl had run some blood tests and found his dopamine levels almost nonexistent. Apparently the neurotransmitters in charge of manufacturing the happy chemicals in the brain were not functioning. Yesterday was his first day starting on some medication originally formulated for ADHD that should help regulate his brain to a healthier level.

In a strange twist, he officially no longer needed the sleeping pills he was once forced to rely on. New nightmares about losing his hearing causing him to not be able to become a Hero replaced any underlying fear that lingered from the claustrophobia brought on by previous attacks. Apparently his brain was only prepared to deal with one set of fears at a time and as much as he loathed the idea, hearing loss has a practical solution. Healing quirks couldn't repair lifelong slow damage BUT there were always hearing aids. Not perfect, but workable.

It would take several weeks for his dopamine levels to stabilize and no one was sure if the medication would be a short term or forever measure but for now at least there was a plan. Maybe the same medication would help Izuku too?