Shouto and Naoki both ended up staying at Izuku's for the night, both insistent on it, and Inko more than welcoming the company and comfort they brought her and Izuku. But, she knew they both needed it just as much.

She also worried about Naoki, though. Each time he'd stayed in the past, he was usually up the entire night, she'd come into the kitchen to him cleaning or doing random busy work, and it worried her what she learned from Izuku about why Naoki couldn't sleep.

She had seen the scars on his arms and legs, but not more, though, given those, she feared what she'd see underneath the rest of the clothes he wore because of what Izuku had implied; the simple words 'He's self-conscious about his scars'. Certainly not something a mother could bear to see.

As Naoki helped her finish cleaning up dinner after also helping her cook, he was drying his hands when Shouto and Izuku came back into the kitchen, both with towels around their shoulders, and both currently in pajama pants.

"Ki? You should get a shower next. Izuku's shirts don't quite fit me, but you'll fit for sure if you want to cover up." Shouto suggested, aware Naoki would normally not pass up the chance to take a shower or bath.

"Actually, Naoki, why don't you take a bath while you're here? I know you've mentioned stepping through the shower drain while you were at Dabi's, so you probably haven't gotten to enjoy a bath for a while, huh?" Izuku offered, seeing Naoki perk up at the words.

"Yeah! May I, Inko? If I can get the water hot enough, I might actually be warmed up enough to get at least a little sleep." Naoki asked Inko, who gave him her usual response, that he didn't need to ask for everything.

"Um... Actually, Naoki, Shouto and I thought of something. Part of the reason you sleep so well when you're with Dabi is because he's so warm, right? And because he's familiar enough that you can actually relax. Since Shouto is pretty familiar to you too, and since his fire side is so warm, it might be enough to help you sleep better, we thought. If you're comfortable with it, you could maybe join us." Izuku offered, he and Shouto holding hands and meeting Naoki's gaze.

"A-Are you s-sure? I mean- I don't want to impose or get anyone upset..." Naoki asked, concerned.

"Don't worry about that, Ki. It was a mutual concern from both of us, and we both agreed it would be better than you having to stay up all night. And this way, we'll have a pretty good idea how well it'll go over at camp since Aizawa asked us to try and find a way to help you sleep. We talked it over in the shower and this is as good of an option as any. Since Dabi isn't here, and won't be at camp, we still want you to be able to rest, even a little. And I don't think he would want you risking your wellbeing so carelessly. If he gets upset, then we can explain why we did it this way." Shouto assured Naoki as Izuku finished.

"I don't picture him as jealous or irrational. He'd understand why we're doing it. And besides that... He'd probably be relieved you took the care that he does with you and made sure you were able to sleep. It's probably going to worry him while you're apart, whether you're getting sleep or not. If he does want to be upset, then we'll take the fall, it is our suggestion, and we are talking you into it." Izuku smiled at Naoki as he shrugged and accepted.

"You're not wrong. He'd be far happier I was able to sleep, and he's not going to get upset. He's not irrational or jealous much. Just over-protective and constantly looking out for my well being. Well, then I'm going to go shower. Um... Could I ask you guys to help with the..." He glanced at Inko before choosing his words with better care. "With fixing up my back? Dabi gave me some new higher melting point clasps like he uses." Naoki asked hesitantly. Dabi had originally planned on helping Naoki with them that night, since he was due to switch the old ones out any day now.

Izuku's eyes widened a bit, having forgotten about the semi-healed burns on Naoki's back, not unlike the ones covering most of Dabi's body. Shouto looked to Izuku, both nodding.

"We'll both help. That way you can talk us through it in case one of us needs to do it and the other isn't there. That work, Ki?" Shouto asked.

Naoki nodded. "Yeah. Thank you, Shouto. Um... I'm... Planning to grow a pair and finally stop changing in the stalls at school... I was planning to start at the camp for sure, but... Maybe getting a head start around you guys first like Dabi suggested isn't a bad idea... I'm kinda self conscious even thinking about it, so starting small is probably best..." Naoki finished.

"O-Okay. If you want to, then we'll have your back, Naoki. You've still got a few clothes here from staying over, so I'll bring them up to you in the bathroom when we come to get your back fixed up, alright?" Izuku offered as he, Shouto and Naoki walked towards the bathroom.

"Okay. Hey, Shouto? Can you bring the small canvas pouch from my school bag with you when you come? That's where the tools are for the- um- my back." Naoki asked, Shouto nodding as they let him enter the bathroom.

Shutting the door behind him and slumping against it, Naoki heaved a sigh. Maybe relief, maybe stress, maybe worry or overwhelmed.

Odds were, it was all of them. All topped by feeling like he'd made Shouto and Izuku both massively uncomfortable.

With another small sigh, pushing himself from where he'd been leaning, Naoki started the bath, then stripped from his clothes, chancing a glance in the mirror that became uncomfortably long as his eyes traced all of his scars, so many he still had no memory of, and, given his night terrors, feared the origin of something great.

Words of Rei's when the Todoroki family doctor had examined him so long ago echoed in his mind- Who could do that- something like this- to a child so young and small'. Painfully accurate- Naoki knew as such. Whoever had done the most of them, had not been uncruel about it.

Tearing his gaze away before those thoughts grew even worse in the forefront of his mind, he stepped into the tub, the water steaming as it still kept rising, barely more than an inch by his entering the water.

He'd be terrified of his current weight, he knew. So, he didn't check or look, but, his mind had already slipped into calculating it. It wasn't good. Less than when he'd entered U.A., but, more than he'd been after starting Juniour High- his one year of it. Just over 44 kg. He'd been 52 when he'd entered U.A., and closer to 32 when he'd started at Aldera... Still a far cry from the 26 he'd been when All Might had found him and Hajime had first examined him.

He hated a lot about his brain. He hated more about his body. The inability to build or maintain weight or muscle mass. The crippled state of his hands. How badly most of his joints were damaged. How many scars...

Naoki found himself groaning at that. Oh man... Now that I've actually gone and said it out loud, I have to do it- no changing my mind. But...

Naoki spared another look at the front of his body, what scars he could see in the bath still steaming, the knob entirely on hot as the water kept flowing. "I'm really not..." The words stuck in his throat.

I'm nervous and scared about how they all might react. The sheer number of questions and explaining I'll have to deal with, probably followed by even more than a few disturbed or disgusted looks... Remarks. Comments, hidden in whispers or behind my back... Or downright insults. That one question lingering in every single gaze- How is he even alive. A question I have no answer for...

Reaching up, Naoki turned off the running water, the bath now as full as it could be without risking overflowing when he moved about as he settled in.

Not to mention the fucking burns...

With a very audible and embarrassed, uncomfortable groan, his thoughts kept going. Not atypical when left to his own devices.

Did I... Oh fuck me... Did I really ask Shouto and Izuku to staple my back together!? The hell is wrong with me! I probably grossed them out... I should just... I mean, with my hands, Dabi's been the one doing it since I've lived with him... But... I should just tell them they don't have to worry about it. I don't want to make them uncomfortable, or be a burden. Or worry them. Or see if they are disgusted.

Naoki sighed, left hand reaching for the section of burned skin on his right arm that creeped over to the front view, rubbing the tender skin and a staple absentmindedly.

Tsu's words... About Dabi... Really, all the girls who didn't outright hate him... Mina said they must hurt- Dabi's scars. And Tsu said he's probably had a lot of people see them, see him, and run the other way... And that was after I temporarily Time Reversed the ones on his face and neck for the trip... He... Even he admitted it, more or less...

With a pathetic whine of self-disgust as he wrapped his arms around his legs, pulling them to his chest as he dug his fingers into his sopped hair, his thoughts kept going, one to the next, strung together while he lingered in the bath water.

Ahhhhhhh... How much worse would that trip have been if I hadn't? They'd all have hated him or been grossed out and I would have made his... No... Even that way, I definitely made his already crippled- based on how he reacted to me complimenting him- self-image soooooo much fucking worse!

I feel like utter shit... I'm a terrible person, and even worse boyfriend... I did it without even asking if I could, if it was okay, or he'd even wanted it... Just went and did it... A-And I didn't even consider any of that- his own views on his appearance... His obviously every single fucking day and movement pain... Mine are only on my back... His... There's no way they don't scream in pain every single time he even breathes... How often he gets sick and how bad his health has to be from burns like that... His don't even get the chance to heal.

And how much he's done for me...

He lifted and carried me more than twice, and been as gentle as he can, while being the 'strong' one of us when he's so very not. His body is in far worse shape than mine and he's done so much... He always puts me before himself... Even when he was sick, he still rushed my dead weight to help that night. At the expense of his health. His safety... Both then, after Tomura's attack, and when we first met this time...

I didn't even realise he was sick. Not at all... And he didn't tell me... Which means he probably didn't want me to worry... Or didn't want me to know so I wouldn't insist on him taking it easier and letting himself relax and recover- to make him stop being the strong one... Or let me take care of him- heal him.

Then I still went and pried it out of him and forced him into letting me heal him... Gaaahhh... He must have been so angry or hurt or... Just... Felt like I thought he was helpless- inadequate. Incapable. Like he was weak...

Naoki pulled out of his little ball, slumping in defeat as he felt a pit of guilt and self-hatred swell in his gut.

"I really am a shitty fucking person... A shitty excuse of a boyfriend..." Naoki whispered.

I've taken him for granted this entire time- both since meeting him, and back then...

And I didn't even... Well- I figured it out along the way- but I thought he'd tell me if he was over-using his Quirk when we were training and stuff. But he never did- never said a thing- just went along like nothing was wrong. And I went along thinking he must be okay- when I knew he wasn't... The coughing and how he had trouble breathing when he thought I wasn't paying attention. The blood in the shower once he was done- the freezing cold showers.

I took advantage of his charity, when it was costing him his health and his body... His safety, even risking- costing- his life...

Even with the water having been all the way to the red the entire time, not cooling even at the end, Naoki still shivered. Even in mid-summer, in sweltering heat, he'd be chilled. He was always cold- unnaturally so.

The only times the deep-set, aching chill left him was... Was with Dabi. With Touya. Such was Blood Tempter rearing it's nasty side-effects in a far too dangerous way.

And right here and now, even the scorching water wasn't enough to stave off the chill as his mind tore itself apart- a normality when he was completely alone.

And when that shit with Shigaraki Tomura happened... If I had just been careful like I should have, he'd never have gotten ahold of me... And by all that mess, I lost my ring to the guy... And Dabi had to clean up my failure and massive fucking screw-up. Dabi had to contact Izumi and Dad to get me help... Which just made them all question him and single him out- made them doubt him and his intentions- made them distrust him just because of something as petty as his scars- physical and more- when they all know I have my own too... And far more concerning things...

Then the mess between Dad and I... He must have felt like that was his fault this entire time. I can't even imagine how much he already blamed himself for back then- now adding the rift between Dad and I to that, atop everything else since then. And then fixing it today, all on his own without telling me... So I wouldn't have to worry or be upset anymore...

And... I don't know what happened during the time after that happened. I don't remember. He does, and he had to live through it- still fights it I imagine.

He never tells me what happened during that time. He didn't tell me about his being sick, about his Quirk killing him, about how wrecked he is. Maybe... He's always been consistent- constantly there for me, and I... I vanish. I fade. I lose memories... And I'm mentallly weaker than he is by far... Maybe he doesn't think I am worth trusting with his pain or secrets... His weaknesses- even his life- on someone like me. Maybe Dabi thinks that too... That he needs to sacrifice himself to protect someone like me-

Naoki's thoughts were abruptly cut off, interrupted by the door opening suddenly...

--

"Do we knock?" Shouto asks Izuku. The green shrugs, and Shouto gives a single, firm nod, opening the door. Inko, coming around the hallway corner, sees them enter, Izuku with some of Naoki's clothes from when he'd stayed during Juniour High a few times, and Shouto with a canvas pouch. Her thoughts flashed to how secretive Naoki had been, how selective he had been with his words before he'd left the kitchen with Shouto and Izuku.

She'd been worried about him for as long as she'd known him, even more when Izuku received a call from All Might a while back, that Naoki hadn't made it back safely. And, now, she was deeply concerned.

Once the boys closed the bathroom door, she found herself lingering outside, listening in, worrying the whole while, fear of what she may see or hear tempting her away, as her motherly concern for Naoki as well as her own boy, and Shouto keeping her firmly rooted there, determined to stay through the entirety, no matter what she heard or saw. Her excuse: That it was her duty as a mother, even if Naoki wasn't her own, nor was Shouto.

--

The bathroom door clicks open as Shouto barges in, no knock or warning. Shouto and Izuku see Naoki physically flinch, a near jump at the suddenness, and very obviously trying to rush and put his normal mask back in place- the one that kept others out so he wouldn't worry others.

Shouto casts a glance at Izuku, meeting green eyes- they both saw this, they both know exactly what he was doing. The worry was in why he was needing to put this mask on. What had his thoughts up to their intrusion been?

Things turn different, however, when Shouto turns back to Naoki, who is standing from the now draining tub, uncomfortably and awkwardly posed, head lowered and eyes downcast as he fidgets and Shouto sees. Shouto sees them- the scars covering and littering and marring, marking Naoki's body. Far more than he remembered from the past. And, what ones there were he recognised were worse- deeper, longer, wider- like his memory had undermined just how extensively they had been when he was a child and he gulps, visibly.

Shouto can't help but feel they are all worse, and it's not just his childhood innocence hiding the reality. They visibly and distinctly look far worse- even aggravated, jagged, rough. He was sure- sure most had been even, smooth-edged. Most on him now look very unlike that. Very much like the serrated blade of a knife. Knotted. Twisting. The skin redder and raised. Not at all what he felt he recognised.

Izuku- god of smoothing over tense situations- cut through it like a true Pro would.

"Naoki? Are you ready? Here's a towel since Shouto and I had the last two in this bathroom." He approached Naoki with ease Shouto had frozen trying to accomplish, letting the fabric loose from it's folds and draping it around Naoki's shoulders as gently as a soft, quiet rain or a wisp of wind.

"And we'll worry about the under garments after we tend to your back. So, I'll leave them here on the counter. I think having you sit on the edge of the tub would be better so we can access your back best. Will that work, Naoki?" Izuku finished placing the rolled cotton on the sink counter as he spoke.

Naoki nods once, a stiff, short bob of his head as he very carefully dries himself from the water still dripping down him. He keeps it brief, seemingly not wanting to waste their time. His hair is barely touched as he dries himself.

But when Shouto sees those- the burns- as Naoki turns around he feels his stomach drop to his ankles, his heart sink right with his gut, a pit now inside him elsewhere.

They had to staple- staple- his back. The burns were identical to Dabi's- if not slightly better healed- and Shouto felt sick, the worry and fear of how something like that could have happened- how Naoki survived, even how Dabi did with far more, and far less recovery time than Naoki's seemed to have had.

After the final exams, referring to how Naoki had told him his back was covered in temperature-sensitive burn scars, Shouto had talked about it with Izuku once they'd gotten home. Izuku had told Shouto that Naoki's back was burned his first day at Aldera when they met. It did nothing to make the feeling any better.

It meant they'd barely healed since even then. It meant it had to have happened after the last time anyone had seen Naoki and... And him. Which... Left few people who could have... And there were already so few people with fire Quirks to begin with- especially ones capable of that.

Even still, Shouto couldn't picture Dabi doing it. Not with how caring and concerned and tender- gentle- he was with Naoki. His version of 'rough' was just being legitimately worried and concerned...

The least he'd have gotten from his father was a small beating and half-hour lecture on how important he was to Enji's plans and goals... But even from other parents... It wasn't rough- not by a long shot.

There was no way- past or not- that Shouto could imagine Dabi having done that. Dabi wouldn't- couldn't- have.

And was becoming far too easy to see... It left one person who...

Rei said Touya- Shouto knew Touya- couldn't ever harm Naoki.

Naoki was so so careful as he dried off. The majority of his body was simple and easy, sure... But when Naoki went to dry his back... There- there it was so plain- so obvious- how delicate he had to be.

Once he was done, though, he sat back down on the edge of the tub, back to the shower as he tried to hand the towel back to Izuku, head still lowered, now looking away from the door. Away from them. Though they couldn't see his eyes... It was fairly obvious what emotions Naoki was feeling. Shame. Guilt over asking them for help. Fear- they both hoped it wasn't directed at them, but the obvious reality of what the fear was from felt far worse. Shouto's throat felt tight, the breath in his lungs small and frigid.

The alternative was fear of the inevitable pain Naoki knew he'd feel, and how he and his body would in turn react to this normally foreign sense for him. Enough that he hasn't spoken yet.

His legs were pressed as tight as they could be at the knee, his right hand supporting him, keeping him from falling backwards. His hair was loose, mostly pulled around his left shoulder, and reaching the end of his ribcage at its longest, the iridescent, opalescence almost shimmering through the droplets of water still dripping from the strands and ends of his black hair.

"H-Here... Izu. I d-don't... St-st... Ruin it." Naoki tried when Izuku hadn't grabbed the towel yet.

Izuku started, eyes narrowed painfully at Naoki's words and the emotions in them, the implications. "Naoki. You can use a towel to cover up. You're... You're safe here and it's fine. More than fine. Please. Its completely allowed. It's just a towel. Nothing irreplaceable. You, Naoki. You are far more important." Izuku assured, grasping Naoki's hand after getting the towel from him, pulling him up and wrapping the towel around Naoki's waist, skillfully tucking it into place, his tongue out the right side as he concentrated. More than his actions, but his own mind for the coming task.

When Izuku stood back up, he saw Naoki's eyes, worried about the mindset and mood Naoki was showing in more than his eyes as his behaviour and words were showing just as much as well.

"Naoki." Izuku put his hands at Naoki's shoulders, gentle but firm as he continued. "You're fine. Its not a bother to us. You need help and asked us to help you. We're all training to be Pros, sure, but even Pro Heroes need help from others as well. You did the right thing and this isn't an inconvenience for us at all. I'd rather a measly towel get a little bloodied than you being uncomfortable or feeling like you have to remain uncovered so you don't get it dirty. It's a towel. It will wash out. It's replaceable and cheap. You are irreplaceable and worth so so much." He pulled Naoki in to a hug, the shorter raven already shivering from the temperature change from leaving the bath.

Shouto joins the hug before they both pull back, Izuku going to help Naoki sit back down, his back facing the tub, legs on the cold tile floor until Izuku moves the bathroom rug under his feet with a soft, gentle and warm smile, trying to do everything he can to brighten the mood and ease the negative emotions in the small room.

The first item that stood out when the canvas pouch was opened was a single-load gun and over a dozen strings of staples. After each staple was put in Naoki, it had to be reset to take the next staple into the gun, though they were connected so it was a fairly easy process. A few seconds between each- or it should be a few.

The next piece of equipment was a small, flat appliance for removing staples, and the other supplies included general liquid cleaner and astringent, a roll of high-melting temperature wire and a curved needle to use with that. Last was a wire cutter and small maintenance kit for the tools inside.

Naoki's directions were pretty clear cut. Take out the old first, pour the liquid down his back once, flush it again, and a third time to be sure it was well applied. The staples were to go in everywhere along the edges of the burns, two centimeters apart, alternating with the previous staples to make sure that skin wasn't over-used and got the chance to heal. The exceptions were along his neck and burns at the base of his spine. The closeness to the spinal cord was too dangerous for the gun and would have to be sewn with the wire. And, even that wasn't possible at his neck.

The skin the burns needed to be held to had to be healthy. The odd scarring at his neck was by far not. He and Dabi discussed it, and Naoki had his suspicions about the origins, since it closely resembled the marks of decay left by Tomura- only, the areas at his neck were deep-set and old enough that they'd scarred over, and healing them wouldn't be possible. Dabi knew they had been there when Naoki had been at the Todoroki's, and when he'd still been Touya.

Still, the daunting prospect of removing the old staples and wire... Shouto- being the more closely acquainted friend- took the initiative, deciding it was his place, his duty to take on the gruesome task and spare Izuku.

Shouto had unpacked the canvas pouch's contents, now staring at it for a good long while before gulping and unlatching the staple remover and wire cutter, setting them aside on the counter, turning to ask Naoki a final question.

"Ki? Are these sterilised? Even though your blood is sterile, you could still get infections, right?"

Naoki shook his head. "Not nearly as easily. Considering when I'd been in the woods before dad found me, I'd had to have been in who knows what... Even..." Another head shake as he met Shouto's eyes, both teens having a blue eye on the left. "Anyway... Hajime-san said there weren't even any early staged infections- even after that long in the woods and injured as badly as I was... But yes, they're usually kept as sterile as I can get them... And I clean them usually before and after each... Or... Dabi does anyway... He's... He's the one who gets infections a lot..." Naoki's mood dropped enough to leave the room feeling chilled.

"A-Alright." Shouto begins pulling the staples out after stepping into the basin of the bath. The first one was simple... Barely a movement or reaction from Naoki, and Shouto thinks for a small second that this'll be easier than he'd imagined. It won't end up too much for him to handle.

The second is worse. Naoki reacts and there's blood. So much blood from such a small pull and Shouto horrifyingly worries he'd caused it- he'd been too rough and now, he's sure. He can't handle this. But he still tries.

His thoughts are scattered like the blood that's spattering the bottom of the tub as the fourth and fifth come out.

That's a lot of blood.

These burns are so much worse up close.

This is worse. So much worse than I thought.

I am pulling staples out of his skin. Ki's skin.

I'm terrified that this is so common for him. Dabi... He's gotta be so much worse and he does this for Naoki and probably his own as well...

As the first legitimate pained yelps and cries get out of Naoki, it gets worse.

This has to be hurting him. I'm the one hurting him.

Can I really do this?

Shouto hadn't even finished half of one side before he had to stop.

I'm going to be sick. I can't do this. Not this.

Izuku jumps and Naoki flinches as the tool clatters to the basin of the tub. Shouto's palms pressed to his forehead, blood mostly kept clear of his skin as he has to stop.

"I can't do this. I can't do this. I can't hurt you like this." Shouto's mumbles are heard loud and clear as he steps back against the plastic wall behind him.

Izuku rushes over, calming and reassuring Shouto. "It's okay. Its understanding to be overwhelmed. Nobody would find it easy, especially not with their friend. I can take it from here. You did everything you could. Go rinse off your hands and try helping comfort Naoki from the front. Its obviously painful, so comfort is best, and you've got the mindset for it." Izuku took over, picking the tool up and bracing himself as Shouto rinsed and dried off his hands, settling in front of Naoki, who was shaking far more now than before.

Izuku assesses the staples already pulled, making sure they're as well done as possible, and planning how to go about the rest. Even with the seven pulled out, there was so much blood.

He could easily see why Shouto had to back out of this.

Dabi's the one who's been handling this since the two met. It must be heartbreaking to see Naoki in so much pain, and knowing its him, but that its so essential and he has to do it.

I have to do this. Shouto can't. So I have to- for Naoki and Shouto.

The rest of the removal was painfully long, it seemed.

It became too too obvious Naoki's nerves weren't damaged, that he still felt normally where the burns were, if not more than normal. It was impossible he didn't feel it. There were pained cries and half-garbled curses and held-back whimpers.

Shouto was muttering calming nothings and trying to soothe Naoki as best he could think. He was still overwhelmed. Unsure how to help. It was obvious neither had as good a grasp on what this would entail.

Once the old were removed, Naoki flinched something terrible at the cool liquid now running down his back, shivering by the second wave, but forcing himself still at the third.

Izuku had saved the wire for last, so, thought it might be better to start there. The bleeding had mostly stopped, or at least slowed tremendously, so the sewing part was the quietest and calmest Naoki had been most of that time. Still, the bleeding from the new punctures, even though Izuku followed Naoki's instructions on how deep to go in, was no small amount.

Izuku pauses, not sure if he should give Naoki a break or keep pushing through, but, Shouto is struggling. He's half-way between nervous breakdown and nauseous and Izuku can tell. He's aware why. They both know how high Naoki's pain tolerance is. And he's reacting more than either have seen. They're keenly aware, from that alone, that its bad. Izuku's heart does a little twist at how Dabi feels doing this same process over and over again. Its not a good feeling.

Izuku thinks for a second- all it takes- to think of how Dabi helps comfort Naoki, how Dabi is able to make it better. With widened eyes, Izuku put his left hand out, trying to catch Shouto's attention. When he did, he clasped his left hand closed and open a few times waving it around a little before Shouto's eyes also widened in recognition.

He then saw Shouto's eyes narrow in concern about the idea. Naoki may respond well with Dabi, but his own flames were more like Endeavor's. And he'd always used his ice to get through to Naoki, but... It had to work. He wasn't sure he could stomach failing even at comforting Naoki.

How the hell did Dabi do this alone? How did he do his own all the time he'd had them- however long that was?

With a nod of resolution, Shouto locks eyes back with Izuku, all but telling the green to continue.

The staples going in prove to be the worst yet. Izuku was glad he'd stopped to think of a way to help, or things may have gone so much worse.

By the time one side of Naoki's back was redone, he'd gone from whimpers and whines to yelps and suppressing his screams with his teeth sunk into his hand, Shouto needing to hold him still and pull the bitten hand free only for it to be replaced with his arm.

After this, Shouto used his Quirk to help Naoki, his left side just heating up, as Izuku went onward. With the heat pouring from Shouto's left side, Naoki's cries quieted and he'd dropped his bleeding arm, almost slumping into the contact. Shouto was reduced to physically holding Naoki up now, instead of still. He can feel Naoki's tears as they fall, cool against his Quirk-heated skin and his heart lurches in his chest.

He's never felt so utterly useless. Even when he'd been under Endeavor's 'care' and tutelage, failing to meet that bastard's ridiculous standards. Even that felt better than this.

Naoki was crying. Even when he'd been broken at the USJ, when he'd been injured at the Sports Festival. When Katsuki had smashed a door into his skull hard enough to bounce him off the wall in affect, when he'd been walking on a broken leg the entire exam after landing the two of them safely... Naoki didn't cry to physical pain. The few times he'd ever seen tears were emotionally related. Panic or worry induced.

This... This was something so so different, and so very horrifying. Whoever did something like this to someone like Naoki, even the Naoki Shouto knew before... There was nothing good in that thought.

Even more at the implications of who.

"Alright- Last... One." Izuku muttered out, followed by a final click of the gun- a final tak from the staple imbedding itself into Naoki's skin, and this time, there wasn't even a flinch or sound from Naoki.

Shouto panicked when Naoki's entire body went completely lax the second the staple was in.

"Izuku..." Shouto called out, worried, holding Naoki's miniscule weight, trying to let Izuku know Naoki was out.

Both of them are frightened, terrified and worried.

Shouto looks like he's going to puke and Izuku is a confused mess of bundled stress and somewhat relief.

His thoughts are a mile a second.

I did it. Its done.

I hope I didn't fuck it up too badly.

I hope Naoki is okay.

Shouto's thoughts are different.

I was useless.

I was so weak I couldn't even help at all.

Is this normal for him- passing out at the end of it?

How can he even withstand this at all?

What would this pain be like for someone without his tolerance? Could anyone else even stay conscious at all?

Trying to overcome how useless he'd been, Shouto volunteers to rinse and flush Naoki's back again, then rinse him free of the rest of the blood. Izuku agrees, helping Shouto move Naoki back into the bath and handing Shouto the container of liquid from the medical pack as he gets the shower water going, all the way to hot since he knew well Naoki was too easily chilled by anything lower.

As Izuku steps out of the shower, handing Shouto the shower head so he can rinse Naoki when he's done with the initial rinses from the container's contents, he takes the stained towel with him, setting it on the counter and stepping out to get a fresh one, only to find one set outside the door. Izuku glanced up and down the hallway before slipping back in the bathroom and closing the door behind him.

When Izuku returns, he sees Shouto hesitant to use the sprayer on Naoki, as if waiting for Izuku to be there for it.

"I'd rather you be close if he panics or something happens." Shouto explains as Izuku sets the towel on the other side of the counter, sitting on the ledge while Shouto is in the basin with Naoki.

"Then let's finish up." Izuku gently pulled Shouto's head close, a soft kiss on his forehead as he brushed Shouto's hair out of the way.

Shouto gave a nod before returning to his task. He held the sprayer away from Naoki as he started it, and after a moment, moved it up from Naoki's feet until he'd rinsed them clean. Legs- unbelievably skinny. Thighs- far too scrawny. Waist- worryingly thin. The second the steaming water passed over where the scar crossed the midsection of his abdomen, Naoki jerked, spasmed and shot up from Shouto's hold, something too close to fear for Izuku and Shouto to comfortable with as a panicked near-yelp leaves him.

His breathing is short, shallow breaths until his eyes focus again, seeing how concerned Izuku and Shouto are, how frightened they were at his reaction and feeling ashamed he'd lost control so badly.

"S-S..." Naoki swallowed and began again, "Sorry, Izumi... Shouto..." He paused, aiming to stop there before Izuku spoke up.

"It's fine. You're fine, Naoki. It had to have been terribly painful. No one would hold your passing out against you. It was an expected reaction. We're just glad you're okay. We're not quite finished with rinsing you off, so once we finish that, its probably a good idea you sleep, alright?" Izuku's voice was gentle, firm and tender. His words were kind and understanding- soothing.

With a stiff, hesitant nod, Naoki let himself be guided back down as Shouto finished up. Once the water was over his back, his whole body tremoured, the sigh of relief leaving him like the weight of the world and Izuku had to step in and support him as Shouto gave his back a good rinse before moving to Naoki's hair. It hadn't gotten too bad, but he'd gotten an idea.

With his right hand controlling the sprayer, he let his left go to Naoki's head, rubbing and scratching gently, filing his fingers through Naoki's hair with his Quirk heating him a bit.

The steaming water was almost too much already, but using his fire side on top of it- Shouto was overheating a bit more than he'd expected. Still. Naoki was almost melting at the touches, eyes half lidded and calmer than they'd seen outside Dabi's being there. He was tired and that much was obvious.

With a final pass over Naoki, Izuku shuts the water off, grabbing the fresh towel with one hand, the other holding Naoki up as Shouto stands and prepares to help Naoki get up from the shower.

Naoki ends up making himself do that part alone, Izuku's sure he feels bad and is trying not to inconvenience them more, but noticing Shouto was offering because of how little he felt he'd done- he'd helped.

It wasn't a win-win, but it was alright. Naoki was okay.

"T-The passing out... 'Ts from more relief than anything. The last one always gets me... Dabi's always awake through his though... Won't usually let me help since he's been doing them himself for so long- as far as I know..." Naoki explained after he'd dried himself off again, slipping the boxers on.

It was painfully obvious to the two how thin he really was, and Izuku noted how loose even those shorts were, wondering if Naoki perhaps bought them larger than necessary. It was also possible, as worrying as that was, that Naoki had lost weight. Izuku silently hoped that wasn't the case.

Shouto and Izuku wait for Naoki to finish up, hearing the tub start again and spinning around to Naoki trying to rinse the blood from the towel he'd been using before.

He's fussing over the stained towel and it hurts Izuku to see.

Izuku frantically tries to get Naoki to stop. It takes a good bit but they decide on letting it soak in the tub until morning so it can keep from setting in the blood stain, then they'll try treating what is left and washing it.

Naoki settles for that, and both Shouto and Izuku are thankful.

After getting that taken care of, the trio emerges from the bathroom to find Inko- eyes red and puffy, tears still fresh on her cheeks and in her gaze. Izuku can tell- she's barely keeping it together.

Now once more on the verge of tears, she fusses over Naoki- her first time seeing the scars scattered across his entire body. She ends up fussing over all three of them. Her baby had been attacked. Naoki was so terribly scarred and both he and Shouto needed a good, reliable motherly influence. They both had Rei, and she was thankful enough for that, but it wouldn't stop her from fussing and coddling and mother-henning them both alongside her own baby.

After she'd calmed her fussing, she finished with a hug and making them all promise to stay safe.

As soon as the trio is back in Izuku's room, they start getting ready to settle in for the night. Naoki digs in his bag for two things, handing them to Shouto and Izuku, the objects stunning the duo.

"Naoki? What are these for?" Izuku asks.

"Is this what you mentioned when we were on the bus to see mom, Ki?" Shouto's words ring out at the same time.

"Y-Yeah. This is something I worked out for you both... I only had time for a few of them. It should be pretty obvious what it is... If you're getting into a fight or anything where you could get hurt, pop it open and drink some, pour it in a wound- or anything to get it in your system... I can heal you that way. Since my blood is sterile, this won't rot or go bad... It'll also help me get a lock on your location so I can find you myself or get help to you. Just a drop is enough. So these could last as long as you let them. The Blood Type in these is C. I can't turn C to H, but I can turn H to C. The jars and necklace chain are reinforced so they shouldn't break or get damaged easily. Shouto, they last through Dabi's fire and back to sub-zero temperatures on a dime, and Izuku, they'll last through one of Dad's punches at what I calculated his strongest attack in his prime to be, and times an extra hundred for good measure. So, please wear these and use them! I'll worry a lot less if I know you've at least got them on... You can use them on others if you need to as well, since they're C only." Naoki explained, ending with a near plea at the end.

"Of course. You went through a lot of trouble to make them, why waste them if it can help?" Izuku reasoned, giving Naoki a tight squeeze to reassure him that he'd most definitely not waste Naoki's gift.

"Same here, Ki. I'll have mine on anywhere I go since it'll ease your worries even a little. You should try and rest up a bit. There's still a day before we head out to the camp, and tomorrow's closing ceremony and whatnot, so we all need a little shut eye." Shouto encouraged them all to sleep what they could.

It wasn't even three minutes after Shouto's encouragement that Naoki was out cold.

"He must've been exhausted. The stuff this morning with Aizawa, and then the class trip and the whole mess dealing with the class's reactions to Dabi, and with Dabi's place being broken into, then visiting your mom, which wasn't as stressful, but still..." Izuku mumbled out as he and Shouto watched Naoki for a little bit.

"It would have been for him. But, I imagine the incident at the mall between you and Shigaraki was the worst on his mind... And... The last little bit here in the bathroom. That wouldn't be easy for anyone." Shouto added.

They both sighed at that.

"Yeah... You're probably right. But I'm glad he was with you rather than at the mall when it happened. Shigaraki was looking for him, afterall. I don't even want to think about why he sought Naoki out or what he would have done differently. There was something about it I asked him, and I don't like the answer he gave me. Anyway... Shouto, we should get some-"

Izuku was cut off when Shouto's phone buzzed, calling both their attentions. It was close to midnight, possibly after. Who would be messaging him so late?

Shouto picked the device up, face contorting in a mixture of confusion and concerned suspicion when he read the message, prompting Izuku to also look at it.

The text message was cryptic, unsettling. It made something in Izuku's gut clench tight at what it implied and after reading it again and again, it only got worse. Something about it felt off, wrong... Like the sender knew something a whole different level of 'personal' in reguards to Shouto than anyone should. Anyone not already in Shouto's contacts- that is.

One look into Shouto's eyes and Izuku knew he felt the same- along with something else Izuku couldn't place.

You were always the prince saving the princess. So, I think you and your guard might be the only ones I can trust. Keep him safe, from the rest for the court- leave the ones not there to me for now.

"I don't... Get it? Is it some kind of prank or joke? Izuku?" Shouto looked to the green, seeing the recognisable signs of his mind going miles and miles a second. He was thinking, and in short enough time, Shouto could hear small mumblings, though mostly inaudible.

When he snapped his head up and jumped to the floor, coming back with his phone in his hand, he finally explained what had been going through his head- or part of it.

"I couldn't remember why that phone number was familiar. I was right! He's the only other person who might say that kind of thing- but in reguards to Naoki. As opposed to when I've done it with you. Though it's always when we're alone and- anyway! Here! I was right!"

Izuku showed his phone to Shouto, the few, sparse messages he'd had with the number identical to the mysterious sender on Shouto's phone.

"Dabi...? Why- How did he get my number and what's with this message being so... Weird?" Shouto asked.

"How he got it may be the simplest answer- Naoki." Izuku explained, gesturing to their sleeping roommate. "As for the why and what is up with the message... I have a few ideas, and none of them are necessarily good... What I'm curious about though- is how personal the message feels... Like he's known you in the past as well... We already know he and Naoki share a past, but there's only so much 'past' Naoki has, and there's even less we know about where Dabi falls into it... Is it possible he knew you and your family as well?" Izuku asked, seeing a look of growing horror on Shouto's face.

There's no way. It can't be... Not... Its impossible...

"Shouto?" Izuku asked, his hand resting on Shouto's shoulder and shocking him out of whatever thoughts had bounced in his mind.

"S-Sorry... What was that last part?" Shouto asked, Izuku realising there was something unsettling Shouto about the message, and deciding turning the topic a bit might be better for the time being.

"Let's... Let's put that aside for now... Obviously he's asking us to look out for Naoki, which we've already agreed we'd do, but... Maybe we should add to what we were originally planning. Let's have him stay here tomorrow night as well, and stay with him as much as possible before the camp, and while there. Obviously we can't be beside him constantly at camp, but there, we'll have the rest of the class and Aizawa and others to help out. I know you noticed how Naoki was acting when we walked into the bathroom... It wasn't good. There was clearly a lot bothering him outside what he's told or explained. I don't think he's mentally handling things as well as he lets on. But if there's one thing I know from juniour high, leaving him alone and to his own devices never has been a good idea. So that may have been a poor choice on our end... Still, most of what goes through his mind in those situations is simple over-worrying and overthinking every possible thing on his mind, so we can curb a good deal of it by just being here for him and reassuring him everything's fine. In juniour high, that was always the best way to get through to him- constant reassurances, even if they were excessive and seemed overbearing to others, it worked well..." Izuku spoke, Shouto listening and agreeing.

"I agree. I wasn't planning on going to see my old man before camp, and now I definitely won't. And I don't think All Might will object either... I doubt Naoki can sleep there if it's just him and All Might... Based on what Naoki explained, and what you and All Might mentioned before. So, tomorrow, we can explain it to All Might and Naoki. If tonight goes well, we can also let Aizawa know he can maybe sleep this way." Shouto agreed, seeing Izuku's train of thought and pulling himself in the same direction.

That was a box he'd rather not unwrap or dig through that night either, so it was a simple enough task.

"Then let's plan on that. I knew Dabi was worried, his apartment where he and Naoki had been staying was broken into, so that much was obvious. Now we've got more than enough reason to worry about Naoki. Though I'm concerned about Dabi as well. He's not weak, there's no question he's strong- but he handles everything on his own to try and keep Naoki safe and he hides how badly off he really is incredibly well... I noticed it after he'd contacted All Might and I when Shigaraki attacked Naoki that night. He was obviously pushing himself way farther than necessary even though it was obvious then that he was sick. Even so, he still managed to incapacitate Kaachan the next day without much effort, and I can only imagine he'd gotten more sick over that day. He's not weak. Not in the way you'd expect. But he hides a lot from Naoki to avoid worrying him, and I think it might be backfiring a little if Naoki's mindset in the bathroom earlier was anything to judge off of. Either way... I'm worried about Naoki because he's my friend and I care about him. I'm worried about Dabi because he takes on more than he should and carries as much of the burden he can for Naoki and doesn't seem concerned with what happens to himself in the process, so long as Naoki's happy, healthy and safe. And both of them care for each other so wholly that I'm honestly worried what state the other one would end up in if one was seriously hurt or... Or worse..." Izuku reasoned, finishing his thoughts in his mind, as they went back to a question Dabi had asked the night Naoki had been attacked by Tomura Shigaraki. I didn't let myself think too much on it before. But now... There may be more to this than Dabi's apartment being broken in to. I hope I'm wrong. I really do.

They ended it there, getting settled into the bed. Naoki was already well passed unconscious and curled into as small and tight a ball he could be in, so they let him be for the most part, outside covering him with what covers they were under as well as the one Naoki had already been under, and piling more over him in attempt to keep the tiny raven as warm as they could.

"I feel like he'd sleep better actually close to my warm side but I don't want to risk waking him up..." Shouto whispered.

"He'll be alright. If he wakes up, he'll move how he needs. And if he has a bad nightmare, we'll both be right here, so hush and get some sleep. Who knows what we'll be doing tomorrow outside closing ceremony."

"Right. You think his... His back will be alright? He lost a lot of blood... I know he had Blood Tempter activated properly, but..."

"Shhh. He'll be fine. We followed his instructions and nothing went badly. I know you're worried, so am I. And we're both still a little shaken up from it, but at least we know he's been taken care of properly, and he trusted us enough to ask for help he needed rather than hiding it. Sleep, Shouto."

Izuku pulled Shouto closer, curling around the taller as much he could. Shouto was a lot softer than he gave off. Most times, Izuku was the comforting and stronger of them, but given the differences in their lives and childhoods, it made a good deal of sense. Shouto had very little comfort or positive supportive influence. Izuku just happened to be the one to break down his walls and stick around afterwards to help clean up the pieces of everything the bi-coloured had been through.

Shouto gasped a small sound, eyes flashing to Izuku, who smiled and both chuckled a bit at what happened.

"See. He's already found the warmer spot on the bed." Izuku whispered, green eyes closed as he smiled. Naoki had shifted tight as he could to Shouto's warm side, which was down on the mattress as he faced away from the raven and toward Izuku.

"That he did. He's still got that habit it seems... Though... It wasn't normally me when we were kids... He'd go to mom sometimes, but get too cold and she'd take Ki to... My older brother's room... He had the real warmth... Nothing at all like that bastard though..." Shouto mumbled as sleep grew more and more a pleasant idea.

Back then, Ki was so small... Compared to the bastard he stood up against... He was always protecting Mom and I. Always shielding us, and healing anyone's injuries or drawing attention to himself if it would keep those angry, burning eyes off us.

He's still so so tiny compared to even the rest of us guys in the class... And barely much different from back then when he's between me and that bastard... He took a lot for our sake...

But Ki's never opened up to me the way he does with Izuku... Then again- Izuku has that effect... I would know.

Izuku's a gentle person, tender, caring. He's so good at comforting and taking care of everyone around him... Always the voice of reason and emotional pillar for so many people... And it's not just me. He did the same with Ki in middle school. Though- Ki's circumstances were always different- even from the beginning. Either way, we both trust Izuku whole-heartedly. It's obvious I do. But Ki has to trust someone a great deal to ask something like that- anyone would, sure... But... It also means he feels safe with Izuku... Just like I do...

Even so... Ki's never opened up to me or Izuku the same way he has with Dabi- though even Dabi's would pale in comparison to how much Ki trusted and loved and opened up to him...

Izuku watched as Shouto dozed off, soft smile at how easily Shouto could sleep with him there, and surprised Naoki had fallen asleep so soundly and swiftly compared to when he'd stay over during juniour high.

But that all turned to worry pretty quickly. Shouto was pretty good at putting up and maintaining a strong front, so seeing him soften up when they were alone was a shock at first, but after so long, it was more odd to see him so stern and strong, even at school. It went to show how much he trusted Izuku, to let his walls and guard down when they were alone. It had taken quite a while before Shouto would actually accept being coddled and nurtured a little bit, but it wasn't long after he did it once, that it was just common for Izuku to be asked for such or expected for it from Shouto, which he had no complaints about. He'd gone through a lot in his life, growing up Quirkless, sure, but he realised when it came to Shouto, that he had it good even then.

Shouto's childhood was a trainwreck to the kid, enough he rarely actually talked about it with Izuku, but it wasn't unknown it was terrible. Even so, what Shouto had just said was the first time he'd actually spoken even remotely freely about his oldest brother. Nothing had ever left his mind or mouth about him before then, except that he was the youngest of four, and only had one sister.

Still, in comparison to Shouto's was one thing. Even Shouto admitted readily his life was a cakewalk compared to what they had actually known about Naoki's before meeting the Todoroki family. Not even adding in what happened since then. Shouto mentioned time and again that Naoki had stood up to Endeavor, or Enji Todoroki for Shouto, Rei and his sibling's sakes frequently, and it wasn't pleasant for Naoki. Shouto couldn't recall much off hand, it took thinking and digging to remember specifics or anything related to Naoki, his older brother and often, Shouto's memories about the past in general were a bit buried.

Naoki ended up dragging some out of Shouto, but most weren't so easy to remedy. Still- his memory that it was Naoki who stood up against Enji more than once- that was clear. And, that even back then, Naoki's mastery over what Quirks he had back then wasn't novice. Shouto mentioned he had more back then, and Izuku knew from All Might that Naoki did have more, just, his body wasn't able to handle them yet.

Still... For Shouto to say with surety that Naoki's abilities and Quirks were on par with All Might as a child was hard for Izuku to swallow, and even more difficult to see when he'd really only known the Naoki there in that room, in that bed with them.

Naoki was so small. So tiny... Izuku had seen him next to Endeavor and it seemed an impossibility back then at the Sports Festival that Naoki could hold a candle to him in strength. Naoki was shorter than even he was. Small. Thin. Scrawny-even. As much as he hated Kaachan's way of wording it, it was no further from the truth. So, an even smaller Naoki standing up to and holding his own at least fairly well against Endeavor back then... That was so difficult to grasp.

He was easily the smallest in their class, in comparison to scaled size, of course, since Mineta was there... He'd barely grown taller since Izuku had first met him. And, even after almost a year of training with him under All Might, Naoki hadn't gained much muscle mass or weight, just toned what he'd already had when they started.

But what he'd seen in the bathroom that evening worried him. Even in juniour highl, he'd never been able to see Naoki's ribs or the sharp edges of his bones under his skin. He'd lost weight. A lot- given he was naturally underweight to begin with. But he knew Naoki was eating enough. He trusted what Dabi said. There was no way Dabi wouldn't see to Naoki's health and make sure he ate enough- probably at the cost of his own meals if he had to- Izuku surmised somewhat bitterly, given what he knew of the older.

Which meant even Dabi struggled with helping Naoki keep weight on, that he had seen it and it had to be worrying him as well.

All Might mentioned why, as had Hajime Shinsou, and Tsukauchi touched on it after the USJ. Naoki struggled to keep weight on in the first place. He had trouble retaining muscle mass, and sleep was hard to come by for him. But what they'd mostly avoided saying to the general class, and what Izuku knew from the talk with All Might that had also been to explain All For One, was that stress would eat away at Naoki's weight. And, for the most part, it happened in the background of his thoughts, when he'd worry and overthink too much and unintentionally add to his own stress. But...

There was the other cause that seemed to exacerbate it that the rest hadn't mentioned, yet Dabi had, as if he knew it- knew Naoki by heart. Izuku already knew he did.

The ring. It did more than the piece of metal let on. All Might knew some, but Izuku wondered if the Pro knew as much as Dabi seemed to.

Since it had been stolen, Izuku had noticed pretty much immediately. Naoki's control over the Quirks he had wavered. He was more exhausted. He ate a lot more, but he'd catch Naoki wandering off in thought in class, and it clearly wasn't good thoughts. It wasn't as bad as the ones they'd seen in the bathroom. But it wasn't good either. The fight with All Might couldn't have helped.

Naoki didn't let it show much, but it wasn't invisible either. He'd gotten thinner. The way U.A. uniforms were, it was hard to tell, but Naoki's Hero Costume showed it a little. It was the slightest bit loose on him. He'd started wearing a belt with his uniform, but that was also pretty well hidden. His bookbag seemed too heavy for him when he carried less than ever in it. He'd double up on lunches and snack in school whenever he could.

So, Naoki obviously noticed it, and was trying to combat it. It was probably talked over between him and Dabi, but the extra calories weren't doing a whole lot.

Izuku mentally battled over how to help, and whether or not to just discuss it with Naoki, just the three of them, since Shouto may have a way to help or input to add, or bring it up to the teachers and All Might.

The only reason he hesitated with the latter and obviously correct answer was the simple fact Naoki hadn't brought it to his adoptive dad's attention- for possibly two reasons, maybe a third. The first, that Naoki may not want to add to All Might's plate. He'd been told recently that All Might had a lot going on, and Izuku knew Naoki would hesitate even with that, The second probably layered on to the first- that he didn't have a way to stop it, or perhaps, they had a way to fix it- either one would be reasonable for Naoki to hesitate telling All Might. The third had more to do with the fight, but Naoki wasn't the kind of person to withhold information with the intent of spite, or the reasonings of an argument.

No. It was far more likely he didn't want to burden or worry or trouble All Might. Aizawa might have noticed, but Izuku had an inkling Naoki kept from outright telling him so the man wouldn't boot Naoki from the class until he got back to what he'd been before... Which wouldn't help if it was stress related. Naoki would fall behind in class and miss a lot of school, which would add far more stress than relief...

Still, it was possible that Naoki and Dabi either had a way to fix it, so didn't tell and risk adding stress to Naoki and others, or they hadn't found a surefire way to stop it yet, and didn't want to worry or bother others. Either way had the same root, just different options. Izuku could help with either even a little. And he was determined to.

On a different note... Naoki opened up a little bit. He trusted Izuku and Shouto enough to ask for the help he'd needed rather than suffer it alone and that was a big step for someone in Naoki's shoes. Izuku was proud of Naoki for taking that step, and the decision to confront his self-consciousness issues with his scars before school got back in session, and from then on. That was another humongous step.

Izuku wondered if he should find some way to reward Naoki for both of those, but... Was it his place to reward Naoki for confronting his fears and issues? Who's right was it? Normally, even...?

Trusting Shouto and him with something obviously painful, with a delicate and sensitive task. Izuku still worried he'd messed up something, but Naoki assured him he hadn't. Still. For someone like Naoki, who normally wouldn't feel pain at all to feel it to that extent- and do so in front of others. So be seen in that amount of pain and seen in a vulnerable and weak state- that would be terrifying for anyone.

All Might would understand that well, Izuku realised. Maybe he could ask All Might about it, how he would have handled it, and how he could do better for Naoki in the future, and Shouto as well, since it became pretty obvious Shouto got to the point he almost couldn't stomach it, to the point he couldn't do the task.

That could've ended a lot worse...Izuku thought for a second, his face showing just that.

He felt the covers shift as Naoki pulled them tighter around himself, not pulling them from the other two, just closer around himself and Izuku wondered if he was warm enough.

The last few thoughts were similar. If this experiment would work. If Shouto was comfortable and hoping they would both sleep well. If All Might was home safely sleeping yet as well.

--

Izuku's sleep was short-lived, to say the least.

Only about an hour had passed since he'd dozed off when a resounding knock echoed off the Midoriya family's front door, easily heard throughout the entire house and waking three of the four occupants.

When Shouto and Izuku left Izuku's room, Inko was already treading toward the front door.

"Mom- Let us get it. Just in case... Please stay back just a bit." Izuku pleaded, seeing Inko give him a look he recognised well. A mixture of 'are you serious', 'I'm the parent, you're the babies', and the same she'd worn earlier that evening.

So, he added something on to try and ease her nerves just a bit. "It's fine. I think I know who it might be..." Shouto sent him a questioning look that he tried to pretend he didn't see.

He had a scenario list a mile long depending on who was at the door, but the list of who would be there that wasn't ill-intending was... Rather short.

All Might. Kaachan- as rare as that would be. Police or Tsukauchi. Though- there was one possibility weighing on his mind that wasn't necessarily good, but wasn't bad either.

Shouto opened the door and Izuku's stomach clenched, seeing that one possibility being the reality.

Both Izuku and Shouto were a bit surprised.

Bent over, panting and huffing for breath to catch up, and obviously dangerously out of breath as hands rested on knees barely keeping upright was Dabi, now masked again.

At the sound of the door opening, Dabi's eyes shot up and the relief in them was palpable. Shouto felt a small twinge of guilt, not having replied or acknowledged he'd gotten the message Dabi had sent earlier.

Dabi looked like he'd pass out any second, but focused on catching his breath for the next few seconds so he could talk.

When he did, he went straight for the subject that had obviously drawn him there close to two in the morning.

"You're all safe." The sigh of relief was enough he slumped against the wall beside the doorway. "I'm sorry I showed up out of nowhere so damn late. Never heard anything back, Nao's phone's either off or dead and none of my calls to either you two or All Might went through. Worried doesn't cover it. One of my neighbours, the same one who noticed my door actually... She told me about the incident at the mall but didn't know anything about Naoki and Shouto, so I panicked after I couldn't get ahold of anyone." Dabi sighed again and stood back up better.

"Sorry. That was my bad. We all went to sleep pretty shortly and I didn't get the chance to reply... Though the message didn't make a whole lot of sense... I also didn't know you had my phone number... Though Izuku pointed out Naoki probably gave it to you." Shouto replied.

"Ah- Not exactly... The message... Yeah... There's a lot to unpack to explain that one... Not now, though. You've all been pretty rudely awakened so I'll say what I need and let you get back. Is- Is Naoki-?" Dabi began, questioning trailing off when he passed a glance between Shouto and Izuku with a worried expression.

"He's asleep. We helped him with his back this evening, and it wore him out pretty bad." Izuku explained, catching Dabi's concerned drift and giving him a response.

"Thank you. I would have done it tonight for him if I'd been able to... Having a place like where I live broken into is concerning on a lot of fronts... They didn't take anything, though... Still... That means they were looking form information, which is just as bad... Anyway here- these are some of Naoki's belongings he usually keeps close. A-And some of mine he'd probably feel better having. Plus one I'm leaving him with until it's safe for him to come back... A promise I'll be back that he'll understand pretty well. I won't abandon him, not ever... Last time was a... Out of both of our hands, but I'll never do it willingly." Dabi handed Izuku a small duffel bag.

"I'll make sure he gets it as soon as he wakes up." Izuku responded with a genuine smile, knowing Naoki would feel a lot better with anything from Dabi with him. "Is there anything else?" he added, still seeing Dabi hesitant to leave.

"I-I... Yes. Please. Naoki trusts you both so much. And my own trust may have started out through him, but I've come to both trust and respect you both on my own terms too. But I still... Need to hear it, even if I know the answer. Can I trust you both to keep an eye on him, and protect him while I can't? I doubt they'll let him contact me or me him at this camp so I need to make sure he has someone there, and you two are about the only ones who didn't outright hate me or doubt me and my intentions... And more than that... You've both befriended him, and have two different levels and kinds of relationships and understandings of Nao so I-"

"We were already going to look out for him while we were there, and until we get there, and, until he can go back with you. You don't need to worry so much, Dabi. We'll take care of him. He's in good hands. You know that, but hearing it is another thing. Naoki's much the same, so I think he's taken after you before you met him recently. He's safe and sound here and we'll do everything we can to keep him that way. He'll be fine. Just take care of what you need to and we'll see you when we get back. Take care of yourself too." Izuku reassured, ending with a return request, for both Dabi and Naoki's sakes.

Dabi gave a short, curt nod before speaking again. This time, it was a rather lengthy list of behaviours to watch out for, cues in Naoki's facial expressions, body language, keys and hints to reading Naoki how he did, though neither Shouto or Izuku could make complete sense of it all.

He added in what other things each eye colour could mean outside what he thought they may know, including the silver, which was a bit surprising for both Izuku and Shouto to have explained. Even more so how Dabi also seemed happy explaining it, both teens able to hear the smile in his voice when they couldn't see most of his face.

When he finished, he looked relieved and Izuku almost wonders if Dabi has the same ranting and mumbling habit Naoki seemed to share with Izuku himself, albeit in a slightly different way. They both think it's over when Dabi's mood changes again on a dime.

He closes his eyes, as if mentally fighting over his prompted action, whatever his intent to do next is. Finally, with a small inaudible curse and a short sigh, Dabi puts his left hand to his chest for a second before sliding something off one of the fingers.

He held his left hand out to Shouto, eyes locking on to the heterochromic grey and blue as he did. "Please. Make absolutely certain Naoki gets this. It'll help. Only temporarily, but hopefully long enough. It will keep him stable longer than he'd be able to remain otherwise. It'll prolong his time before he starts slipping too far out of what's safe. I know you've both already noticed it, but if anyone else does notice too much, and it gets around, Nao... He'll be in danger- from more than villains. There are more who have targeted Nao than just villains and for the time being, I can't keep him safe." Shouto took the object, eyes shooting up to Dabi's once his own registered what he'd been handed.

It was his. There wasn't a doubt in Shouto's mind. It was undeniably his ring.

"Of course. I'll get it to him first thing when he wakes up in the morning." Shouto had to almost force the words out passed the lump in his throat. He'd do it without question, because he knew what the rings were for.

But now, the thought that this person could be impersonating him, who was dead by all accounts, who had been identified as one of the corpses back then... That this person could be parading around pretending to be him, and tricking or manipulating Naoki using something that was his... It wouldn't leave his mind. There was no way he could still be alive. It was his remains that were positively identified, his DNA was there, undeniably. But... Naoki had supposedly died then as well. Naoki was supposed to have been the other corpse and remains, yet he wasn't.

Would it even be... Fathomable? Possible? Conceivable that the entirety of that report and investigation and autopsy- the funeral with an empty casket and bag of dust put into a grave... Could all of it have been a lie? Or was there some kind of misunderstanding?

Or- Was this man the liar, the manipulator and using Naoki and all of them, using his death so disgustingly...

The thoughts never left Shouto's mind, but it showed in his demeanor, and was etched into his eyes as he accepted the ring and request.

At the accusations and questions and wariness in Shouto's eyes and more, Dabi's own reacted again, leaving Shouto even more confused and concerned. Dabi's burning turquoise flashed with guilt, flickered with betrayal and hurt at Shouto's reaction.

Why those emotions? Guilt... Betrayal... Both of those could go several ways... But hurt- pain... Those can only suggest one of two things... What... What do I believe here?

Whatever would have happened next was cut short when an agonised scream, followed by cries all too familiar wrung out in the house, Inko frantically leaving the living room to go to Izuku's room, motherly instincts kicking into gear.

"Don't!" Dabi called out, the woman stopping and concerned why he'd say such things.

"He's volatile enough All Might struggles to restrain him after these." Izuku explained when Dabi didn't, already moving towards the sounds.

"We should wait outside the door until he's calmed down. Let Dabi handle it." Izuku instructed as the three approached the room, seeing a blue glow fade in the seconds Dabi had been in there before they approached.

"Was that... Ki or?" Shouto asked, aware that the glow had been the blue flames.

His question went unanswered as the other two listened to the goings on in the room.

--

"You're safe. Shhhh... Shhh. Hey, remember to breathe. I know. Shhh... I'm right here. Calm down, little prince. That's it. You're not back there. No one's going to hurt you. No. Not him either. He's nowhere near here, I swear. I wouldn't let anyone, you know that. Shhhh... You're okay, little prince." There was obviously another side they couldn't hear well enough.

After a short pause, there was more, "Yeah. Its really me. No. No, I didn't. I'm not hurt. You didn't, remember, little prince, these weren't you. There you go. Hmm? You were at Izuku's, still are. They're just outside. You sure? Alright. O-Okay. I'm not- I won't leave. Hush. Shh." The three almost jumped when the almost whispers changed, voice now directed at them and significantly louder.

"He's calmed down. You guys should come in."

Izuku entered first, Shouto and Inko close behind.

"Sorry, Ma'am, for snapping at you before. Last time, when it had been simpler memories, he'd shot out a burst of flames when I'd grabbed him to calm him down... Luckily, I'm fairly used to my own Quirk, and it was small, just blackened the walls and sheets, not even burning anything... This... Is different... Not just memories. I'd rather others not get hurt if he's scared that bad." Dabi explained, his head dipped slightly for a few seconds.

They were on the floor, Naoki tightly held and clinging just as tightly to Dabi, against his chest, legs both out to one side. Dabi's arms were around Naoki, supporting his weight and obviously protectively, his own legs out in front of him.

"You're f-fine. Just surprised me is all."

"How did you calm him down so well? All Might said even he struggles to do anything after those..." Izuku asked, genuinely curious and concerned about Naoki as well.

"Something he naturally associates with comfort or someone he trusts. Mom and I use our Ice, since the bastard old man doesn't have it." Shouto answered, knowing gas much as far as he and Rei went. "But what about you?" He asked Dabi.

"Two things... These-" He held a hand up, showing the blue fire, disappearing almost as soon as it appeared, "And my burns... We've both got them, though his are healing and not numb from nerves burned beyond repair, so, his actually still hurt a lot. Mine... Not so much. And I am rather used to them anymore... Though they used to hurt just as much." Dabi explained.

"And I... Um... Sorry for going in to the house and your room without being asked..." Dabi worded out, Izuku realising his room was obviously All Might obsessed and feeling the heat rise to his cheeks at the implied embarrassment.

The room was a subtle amount less tense at the few escaped laughs and Izuku's embarrassment.

But it quieted down pretty quickly.

"I shouldn't stay too much longer. You three still have school obligations tomorrow and I need to finish with things at the apartment... They didn't take anything, but they did make a hell of a mess for such a small place, and so little there..." Dabi explained, Naoki visible stiffening at the implications in Dabi's words.

"Hey, don't worry too much, baby boy. I'll see you sooner than you'll realise. Promise me you'll take care of yourself and keep up with the snacking whenever you can, train well, study better and sleep as much as you can. Eat more than your classmates for sure. You're not gonna be alone, and neither will I. My neighbour is insisting I stay with her until my apartment is picked up and the door is replaced, so I'll have her mothering me." Dabi looked to the trio. "She's another one who Toriko picked up. Though she was in the last few years, and grew her wings pretty fast... But still stayed close- like... Next door to me close." Dabi waited for Naoki to slide off him before standing, helping Naoki to his feet afterwards.

"Let's... Move back to the front. I left the duffle bag outside when we all rushed in here, so..." Izuku suggested.

They all followed the green out, Inko, though, returned to the living room while the other four went to the front door again.

"D-Dabi?" Naoki caught Dabi's hand, stalling them for just a second. He pulled a necklace Shouto and Izuku recognised from earlier that evening from around his neck. They both had theirs, and hadn't noticed Naoki put his on.

"There were only three I could make... Shouto and Izumi each have one... So, this one is yours. It's-"

Dabi pulled away from the small, chaste kiss he'd given Naoki. "I know. I know what it is, and what it's for. How to use it and everything. It doesn't take a genius to put it together." Dabi lowered himself to lock his own eyes with Naoki's downcast ones. "Thank you." He finished when Naoki slid the necklace around Dabi's neck.

With another kiss, Dabi made to stand back up, stopping and remaining lowered when Naoki gripped the bottle, giving the glass a small kiss as well before hugging Dabi tightly.

"Then you better use it, you hear. If I find out you so much as coughed or sneezed while I was gone, I'll be hurt... You need to take care of yourself too, and let me take care of you when you need it... Please don't make me worry about you more by not telling me when you're not well or hurting... I love you."

"I'll do that for you, just you." Dabi brushed Naoki's cheeks free of the tears there, "Hey. I'll be fine, don't worry. Just do your best at camp and I'll see you before you know it." Dabi tried, seeing more tears instead.

He was running out of time, and seeing Naoki upset from more than the night terror had every fiber of his being screaming at him to stay and comfort and soothe Naoki, but he knew he couldn't. He had a task, and he either did it, or he'd lose Naoki again. He couldn't risk Naoki slipping again. Not when he could do something about it this time.

Naoki's reactions gave him the impression Naoki had an inkling of what Dabi was going to do, but hadn't fully grasped it all yet and it only made everything that much more painful for Dabi.

It killed him inside, to be the root of Naoki's tears- not good ones- again. God did he hate himself. He knew he had to do it, but it was killing him even thinking about it. What if Naoki didn't believe his reasonings or ended up hating him for his actions or wound up being told or convinced the wrong things... Still- none of that mattered much when the alternative was a three-way road of Naoki slipping back into Stasis, Naoki being killed- by anyone at this point, or Naoki dying instead of Stasis taking over.

It was risky, what he'd chosen to do, but the other option- the alternative- was by far worse than the risk.

"Hey, baby boy, you should go get some more sleep. If Shouto keeps you closer to his warm side, you'll sleep well. I gave Izuku a few things from home, so use them too, okay?" Dabi gave Shouto a quick glance as he felt Naoki give a final hug. He returned with a final kiss, a well hidden goodbye in it, not permanent, but just... Just until the task at hand was finally completed.

Shouto caught on, walking Naoki back inside taking the bag with him.

"I'll be in in just a second, Shouto, Naoki." Izuku called, slipping outside fully, closing the door behind him as his green eyes locked onto Dabi's.

"Dabi. I need to know. What are you doing? That was obviously more a goodbye than you let on. And I've got more than that to back my concerns if you need mor-"

"You're not wrong. All I'll say is... I'm getting it back." Dabi explained, blunt words confirming Izuku's suspicions.

"Then- for Naoki's sake if not your own- be careful." Izuku gave his response, eyes stern and resolute as he spoke.

Without waiting for a response, Izuku went back inside and Dabi left. Dabi looked at his phone, deleting everything he'd done since last cleaning it out, sliding it back into his pocket.

Three minutes to spare... I cut that too close...

The three managed to find a sleeping position that worked for them all, and the rest of the night was quiet and restful, even for Naoki. Naoki had pulled a few items from the bag, though. A blanket he'd wrapped himself in, and a hoodie he'd put on.

Shouto was on his back, Izuku to his left side, on his own side with Shouto's left arm around Izuku's back and side. Naoki was nestled between them, over top Shouto's fire-side and somewhat leaned against Izuku, who had his free arm over Naoki to keep him securely in place, palm resting on Shouto's abdomen. Both Izuku and Shouto again thinking on just how small the raven was even compared to them both, and both having their desires to protect him rekindled by different circumstances, but with the same goal all the same.