*The dinner is almost ready, but Izuku feels a sudden, sharp wave of dizziness. The adrenaline of the reunion is fading, replaced by a throbbing pain in his chest and arms. He needs to be alone. Now.*
Izuku : *his voice slightly strained* Dad... Mom... if you don't mind, I’d like to go to my room for a moment. I need to unpack a few things and... rest before dinner.
William : *narrowing his eyes, concerned* Are you alright, my sunshine? You look pale.
Izuku : *forcing a small smile* I'm fine, Dad. Just a long day. Teleporting always takes a bit out of me.
Clara : *kindly* Of course, dear. Michael, show your brother to the room next to yours. We prepared it just for him.
Michael : *shrugs, walking toward the stairs* Fine. Follow me, "Hero."
*Izuku follows Michael up the stairs. Every step feels like lead. As soon as they reach the door, Michael stops and looks at him with a suspicious glare.*
Michael : You’re hiding something. I can smell the rot and the pain from here. Don't think you can fool me just because you fooled the old man.
Izuku : *not looking him in the eyes* Everyone in this house is hiding something, Michael. Let me have my turn.
*Michael huffs and walks away toward his own room. Izuku enters his new bedroom and immediately locks the door. He leans against it, his breathing ragged. He slowly pulls off his UA blazer and unbuttons his shirt.*
*He looks at himself in the mirror. His body is a map of horrors. Beneath the purple streaks of Funtime Foxy, there are deeper, uglier marks. Scars from where he was broken, stitched back together, and abused during those missing years. Marks of death that shouldn't belong on a teenager.*
Izuku : *whispering to his reflection, his voice trembling* Stay hidden... just a little longer. They can't see this. Not yet.
*He grabs a fresh set of bandages from his bag and begins to tightly wrap his torso and arms, hiding the evidence of the violence he endured. He hides the marks of his "death" and the scars of the violations he suffered.*
Izuku : *closing his eyes as he pulls the bandages tight* I have to be the sunshine... for him. I can't let him see the monster they turned me into.
*Outside the door, a faint scratching sound is heard. It’s the yellow bunny, his uncle Vincent, flickering in and out of reality.*
Vincent : *his voice a distorted whisper through the wood* You can't hide from the truth forever, nephew. The skin remembers... even if the mind tries to forget.
Izuku : *clenching his fists* Go away, Uncle. I’m not ready.
ns216.73.216.175da2
and then Add to home screen.