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Endlessly, Katsuki was in pitch ebony. Fumbling in each move, not see any path. He was drowned by his own guilt and ego that he felt so pathetic. He was so lost without any way to go, whether it was backward or the opposite. He felt alone. He wanted to change, to be a better person yet he had no idea how. Regardless, the twilight he had always needed throughout this darkness finally appeared. A gentle hand was given to him and without hesitance, Katsuki grabbed it as tight as he could.
⊰᯽⊱┈──╌❊❊╌──┈⊰᯽⊱
Empty water can was thrown and it landed on a certain bi-colored student yet the male didn't react, not even budge or scold the person who threw it. Laughter erupted the area from the group of delinquents. A hiss left the person, who seemed to be the leader's lips and he pressed another coin into the vending machine. Another coke water can was bought and he drank it instantly empty, then attempted to get attention from the bi-colored latter by throwing it again yet he received none. He began to feel irked.
The ash-blond lad stepped past the latter, stopped in front of Shoto. The blind student halted his steps too once he noticed the male was in front of him.
"Hey, fucktard. Your body's nervous system ain't functioning too? That's sad," Katsuki snickered, leaning close to the blind male, nudged the student's forehead with his finger harshly. Shoto flinched from the non-expectant contact but he stayed nonchalant and quiet. His hand gripped tightly onto his cane and he tried to turn his direction to resume his walking but Katsuki immediately hold onto his shoulder. "You shouldn't have ignored me if you know well what's the consequences will be, half and half. This fucking cane, didn't I broke it? Ya get a new one? If I fucking broke it-"
Katsuki swung his leg and kicked the cane off Shoto's hand. It was yanked to the floor and Katsuki stepped on it, forbidding Shoto from taking it back. "It means I don't want you to fucking use it," the ash-blond spoke, receiving some more menacing laugh. "Dude, don't you remember he's like a puppet? No emotion whatsoever. Look," the delinquent aimed a punch on Shoto's cheek and the poor latter stumbled to the side, lips bruised from the hit but he still didn't react.
The bi-colored latter's eyes seemed to be empty, but it was filled with pain. Due to being mistreated like this. He had it enough at home, why does he need to face hell at school too? The last time he talked back to Katsuki, he ended up having his school books and learning equipment ruined. They were school supplies and his father scolded him for keep on wasting his money. They're very costly, after all.
"I'm...sorry," Shoto breathed out. Katsuki raised an eyebrow, smirking wide. He was satisfied to get this 'living statue' apologize to him. His ego was fed, obviously. "That's not enough. A fucking sorry ain't enough for ignoring the shit out of me!" Katsuki roared ear-splittingly, straight away made Shoto lowered his face even though he couldn't see. He self-trained himself to make his hearing sharper but Katsuki was threateningly trying to make him lose his hearing too with these constant yells.
"You think you're so fucking cute acting all scared? Fucking bastard," Katsuki gripped a handful of the latter's hair making the poor boy yelped in pain, hand pried Katsuki's hand to take it off but another punch landed on his torso, making him slightly bent forward and coughed. "Stop struggling or you'll receive worse," Katsuki's 'friend' hissed and he chuckled seeing Shoto's pained expression.
"D-Don't dirty my school uniform-" Shoto gasped out, begging with an almost crying look and Katsuki guffawed. "You don't get to order the stronger ones, dipshit,"
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Beatings after beatings. At home by his drunkard and hot-tempered father, at school being made fun from the delinquents. Shoto wasn't sure what was keeping him alive anymore. He lost every ounce of spirit and will to do anything. Was it a sin to being born blind? He became a nuisance, a burden no matter how hard he tried to be useful. Shoto was unable to get to a school, specialize in blind students due to his current life state. He was hardly even able to eat every day.
"You're useless! A disgrace! I want to kill you so fucking bad for so long but I can't! Cops will get in my fucking business. Just when are you going to do suicide already, didn't I made your life shitty enough?!"
Shoto was waiting for a light. To guide him to the life he wanted, for him to really see how beautiful the world truly is. He was still holding onto his mother's words that the world will show the greatest kindness to the strongest people. Shoto was strengthening himself every day for that. To be strong, to be able to face every pain his mental and physical state need to through. Nonetheless, he wasn't sure how long can he really endure every of this. His tendency to keep breathing every day was getting thinner. Holding only onto his mother's gentle words that started to fade each year.
Having desk scrambled with death threats, stuck by humiliating notes on his back, being thrown flour and egg, even a bin of trash. Shoto couldn't see nor notice he was being bullied at times, the other students made him a laughing stock.
At least...he was making people happy, right?
Weakly grasping on such belief, Shoto was already out of tears to comfort his lonely self.
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"How dare you returned fucking late again! My clothes that you were supposed to clean are still in the basin, what the fuck?!" A slap sound echoed accompanied by continuous curses. "Are you even trying to make yourself less useless? I let you fucking sleep here instead of on the street, I gave you food to eat every day yet you're still not grateful?!"
Shoto wanted this hell to end so badly. He was willing to do everything. Begging on his knees, climb the highest mountains every day. Anything. Anything to end his misery. And suicide sounded like the best option to end it all. His father would be the happiest man, his bully too. Everyone would be truly happy if he ended up dead for real. A kick, a slap, a punch, sometimes a belt was used. Any methods that could ease his father's temperament.
But he could not see his father as a devil. He could not see anyone as one. He simply thought it was his fault to be born with such a great flaw.
Little did Shoto know, someone was watching his father furiously beating him from far.
And after that moment, the next upcoming days went odd for Shoto.
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Truly odd. No mockery, no sinister laugh, no teases, and most importantly, no Katsuki's voice nor annoyed yell was heard. Shoto was a bit limping in his every step, his whole body ached from the bruises and wounds he received last night. Perhaps, they were giving Shoto a break due to how awful he looked. Shoto wanted to believe that. The last time he thought the day was going peacefully a huge surprise happened. They forced Shoto to do stupid dare, even a disgusting act as kissing every single of their shoes to not get beaten. They lied, of course. Shoto still got beaten and being thrown dog feces.
Then again they never cared about Shoto's physical state. Still bullied the poor blind latter even when he was already in beaten appearance.
Shoto grabbed his sling bag and cane, headed to his home since the school have ended. He planned to do so rather quickly to not stumble upon anyone unpleasant. But things didn't go as he wanted when the cane was stopped as it hit a person's shoe. Shoto was startled, dropped the cane on the floor and panic crept on himself.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'll be c-careful in my ways next time," he quickly said. 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘦. 𝘖𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺. It was so painful to take a single step anywhere, he didn't want to increase this painfulness. Or else...he wouldn't be able to do chores well and his father will get infuriated again. Shoto kneeled on the floor, hand reaching for his dropped cane but someone's hand had already taken it, leaving the bi-colored male anxious when he couldn't feel his cane anywhere.
Though out of blue, the cane was nudged to his hand. Shoto was taken aback by this doing, reluctantly took it back in his hands. Someone really helped him. Someone showed him kindness, the tenderness he thought had long died for him to attain. He couldn't believe this. His heart was filled with odd tingliness. "Thank you," Shoto spoke out. The words that he often said whenever Katsuki decided to stop beating him for the day. It sounded woeful but Shoto felt relieved the most at that moment. When the pain against his skin finally stopped.
The silence was what Shoto get so the latter assumed the person must have left. But then again, he didn't hear any leaving footsteps. Before Shoto could utter more words, he was suddenly being lifted in the unknown's arms. A small squeak left his lips as he didn't know how he should react.
The person began walking ahead while Shoto blinked, still dumbfounded at what kind of a situation he was in. But this warmth, this scent was too pleasant. Too solacing for him to refuse. He may sound selfish, but he wanted to be on this hold forever.
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Shoto finally knew who was that mysterious person, who kindly carried him home. After his water bottle fell from his grip and rolled to the street. And when Shoto went over, bent, and tried to seek for it, he heard a loud horn and found out he was in the middle of the street. He expected a big impact throwing him flying but someone's arms wrapped around his waist, pulled him backward.
"Stupid motherfucker, what were you thinking?! Thought you're supposed to be smart enough to know you're on the fucking street!" A loud scold rang into Shoto's eardrums. The male's eyes widened once he realized who it was, quickly pushed the male away and breathed unevenly. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he said repeatedly. Shoto ran to the street again and crouched to get his water bottle, rather anxiously. Katsuki who watched sighed heavily and grabbed it for the male, handed it to him. "Here,"
Shoto didn't take it. "I'm sorry for troubling you. Y-You can just put it back, I'll take it myself,"
Guilt crept into Katsuki's self. He ruined this poor boy. He wanted to see more through the nonchalant and stoic mask of Shoto, but he had overdone. He knew that. He knew that better than anyone since he bullied Shoto the most.
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It had been recently. Previously, Shoto found out the unknown man was Katsuki all along due to his similar scent and warmth when Katsuki hold on to his waist. That sounded weird, Shoto was aware of that. He never said that out loud to Katsuki either. He was incredibly suspicious of Katsuki's behavior. Why was he acting so kind all of sudden? Was he planning another cruel trick? However, Shoto never dared to ask. He was afraid he'll receive another beating. He was afraid to be humiliated again.
"There are more fucking bruises on your face. Why didn't you treat them?"
Shoto gently, slowly trailed his finger across his face. A soft hiss left his lips once he was in contact with the wounded parts. He wondered if this is right. This felt oddly wrong but at the same time, Shoto loved this. He never even had a friend. And Katsuki was behaving as if he was Shoto's friend. "I can't see them," Shoto mumbled.
"Bullshit. You still can 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 them to know where it hurts," Katsuki scoffed, not buying Shoto's words. "It was your damned old man is it?" the ash-blond added which made Shoto instantly winced. How did Katsuki know that? Was that it? Was that the intention Katsuki behaved this way?
"Stop that,"
Katsuki flickered, confused. "What?"
"Stop giving your pity. I don't need it," Shoto declared, turned to a different route to avoid Katsuki but the ash-blond blocked his way. "Hey, the fuck is wrong with you?!"
"Do anything you want. Mock me, beat me, but I don't want you to feel sorry just because I'm facing the worst thing at home," Shoto may have taken Katsuki's current action for granted, but he didn't care. He finally experienced what it was like to have a friend but he didn't care. He now despised every of this. Pity wasn't what he was hungry for. He desired a truly kind heart. A truly sincere heart.
Katsuki was speechless. He assumed the male would just easily forgive him since, well, that's the only way to stop getting bullied every day. This challenged his pride. A person whom he bullied the hell out of every day dared to refuse his help, which comes out so rare like this. Still, Katsuki found out his way was wrong. He was still at fault for Shoto's pain. Therefore, he needed to get forgiveness from Shoto no matter what.
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"I won't forgive you even if you follow me everywhere," Shoto remarked, accelerated his steps forward while Katsuki didn't budge, kept on following him from behind, and clicked his tongue. "You won't say shit of what I'm supposed to do either so I'm going to fucking annoy you,"
Shoto growled in resentment, delayed his steps, and held Katsuki's face with his hands. Katsuki was surprised. He thought he would receive a punch or any pain he gave Shoto in return so he stayed put, thinking it was the way for him to seek Shoto's forgiveness.
Nevertheless, he only received soft touches. Shoto's hands brushed against his eyelids, his nose, his lips, his cheeks, and collarbone. Katsuki was bewildered by what Shoto was trying to do. "So your face feels like this. I bet it'll be as ugly as your voice," Shoto snorted, pulled off his hands and Katsuki furrowed his brows. He wanted to say another word but Shoto's hands fell on his spiky locks this time, caressing Katsuki's hair as if the male was patting him.
"What a weird shape. Is this what people call mohawk?"
Katsuki snarled. "No, it's fucking not! I'm being born like this!"
A hum left Shoto's lips and he pulled his hands away. "Now that you don't want to bully me, do you have a new victim?" Shoto asked which made Katsuki froze. He rubbed his nape awkwardly, ashamed to admit he had bullied someone else.
"If you proved to me you've actually changed...maybe I can reconsider forgiving you,"
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"This dude really can't see a shit, look," and the adult waved his hands in front of Shoto to the left and right while Shoto stood still, hugging his walking cane. He was just walking home, but these two adults, who seemed to be drunk started to disturb him in this alley.
Shoto didn't know this alley was supposed to be this dangerous. He couldn't see, he don't know how to differentiate between dark and bright. What he knew was this was the path with most fewer people around and he thought it was safe for him to use.
"Aren't you one pretty boy? We got ourselves some good stuff, Yashiro!" the male exclaimed with a wide grin and Shoto began to become afraid. He quickly tried to run away but the man grabbed his arm. "Hey wait, we haven't do anything fun yet!"
Shoto was trembling to his very core, he wanted to tell them to stay away but no voice came out from his lips. He was too terrified. He was just reluctantly let these men do whatever they wanted on him but what he heard was a loud strike, growls of pain, and a thud as if someone collapsed on the floor.
The hand that grabbed on his own was yanked away and Shoto heard some more punches, kicks, and groans in pain. "He's my fucking friend so fuck off! I'LL DO WORSE IF I SAW YOU SHITHEADS AGAIN!"
Katsuki sighed afterward, eyeing Shoto for any injury. "This is what will happen if I don't follow you. You nearly got-"
"I never asked for your help. I rather being kidnapped than receive your help," Shoto murmured. He was saying this genuinely. But he was lying to himself as well. He was actually so delighted someone was willed to save him.
"This is why the society grows so fucking cold, people just couldn't say thanks anymore!" Katsuki exclaimed. Shoto ignored the male, walking ahead with the help of his cane and Katsuki was annoyed. "At least if you know you're facing trouble, don't fucking pretend like you can see and everything is fucking fine!" the ash-blond yelled which made Shoto halted, looking at him in rage.
"What do you know?" Shoto began, fists clenched tight. "It took me three years, I practiced for three years to do what used to be as easy as breathing! This is the only way I can feel that I'm not a useless person!
I'm not going to die today so you can leave,"
Katsuki was left there, stupefied, and noticed the mistakes he had done. He growled in annoyance, upset with himself to say shit without thinking.
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Katsuki did a foolish thing today. He was clueless about how to make Shoto forgive him, neither how to forgive himself for the disastrous shits he have done so he could only reckoned of this. He was wearing blindfolds, attempted to only go to the market with his blindfold fully on to experience what Shoto had to face. And it went so horribly wrong.
He crossed the street and earned honks and insults, he bumped into so many people and was even being beaten for doing this idiotic act. He inflicted so many troubles just from a short trip with a blindfold to the nearest market.
Finally exhausted, he got rid of the blindfold and ran to seek Shoto, saw the bi-colored latter was walking out from the school building. His face fell on Shoto's untied shoelaces and pulled the latter to a bench, made the latter sat.
"Are you an idiot? You can get hurt walking around like this," Katsuki grumbled, kneeled, and started to tie Shoto's shoes. Though, he couldn't hold himself from crying. He felt so horrendous. He finally got to feel what Shoto had to through but he knew this was just a bit of it. That was just a little of the hell Shoto went to every day. And he, ashamed of himself to make Shoto suffered that much.
"Are you crying?" Shoto asked, caught the movement of Katsuki's hitched breath.
"I'm...sorry. I'm so sorry. I was being such an asshole to you. I'm very sorry. For everything," Katsuki mumbled, continued his sobs as he leaned his face into Shoto's thighs. The bi-colored latter was a bit confused by what had happened to Katsuki but he could feel it. The sincerity of this ash-blond. So Shoto slightly smiled, a hand went to brush on Katsuki's head.
"I forgive you,"
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Shoto's house was reported on fire last night. Katsuki didn't know. He grew so panicked as soon as he found out about that and sought anywhere for Shoto's current location but no one knew. His location was ordered to be secret due to his past bullies. What Katsuki knew was Shoto had a new guardian, his father died from the fire and he moved place.
Shoto couldn't process any of this instantly. That night, he smelt a burning scent while he was asleep and heard his father screaming in agony. He quickly went over to tried to help but the greatly high temperature forbid him to move carelessly. Shoto's father had his clothes soaked in alcohol, thus, it was easily flammable and that resulted in him being burnt alive. Shoto wasn't sure what was the really the cause of this.
And by the time helps arrived, a man and more three people came to him and embraced him. Telling they were Shoto's brothers and sister. Everything happened too immediately. His siblings lived far away after being sold by their father and they finally found out Shoto's whereabout from this incident. He was told he got a donor. Someone was willing to be his donor and he will finally be capable to see.
Shoto was too happy. But at the same time, he doubt he really wanted this. He assumed this will be the best for him and as the first thing he want to see, he wanted it to be Katsuki. He couldn't. He had to move so far away and it was best for his safety to not tell anyone where he would live.
12 years passed by then.
Shoto grew famous throughout Japan and he's now living a comfortable life. He could gain money on his own, he had a family and most importantly, he can see. The whole nation too can see Shoto's beauty due to this bi-colored latter being a model. Going through modeling jobs was the least he thought he would be interested in, but he figured it wouldn't be a harm to try. Now he can see, everyone will be able to look at him in awe like how he was grateful to be able to see every day.
By the time Shoto was waiting for his new photographer to arrive, his eyes fell on the tall, broad shouldered man with crimson sharp hues and ash-blond spiky locks. Shoto thought the sight was breathtaking, he was really handsome. The man on his side where was his manager smiled. "This is your new photographer. He said he was quite of a huge fan of yours too. His name is
Katsuki Bakugo,"
Shoto's eyes broadened in shock. This man was his past bully? His first friend and the man he wanted to see so badly? He might not be the first man Shoto was able to see but he was certain of one thing. He was inevitable, felt the happiest to be able to see Katsuki Bakugo.
"It's been a while, halfie.
𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝗜 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂?"