'Your memories are fascinating... your memories are fascinating... your memories are fascinating.' The words echoed in Bakugo's mind until they finally made sense. 'That son of a bitch just read my memories?! That means—'
Before he could finish the thought, Bakugo's body had already moved. An explosion burst from his palms, propelling him like a rocket toward the old man.
Bakugo's right fist, wrapped in smoke and sparks, aimed straight for the man's wrinkled face, but at the last second, the old man dodged with an agility impossible for someone his age, as if he already knew what was coming.
Bakugo's eyes widened. 'How—'
BAM!
The last thing Bakugo felt was the old man's cane slamming into his head before everything went black.
***
The pain in his head dragged him back."Shit..." Bakugo opened his eyes slowly, his blurred vision gradually sharpening. He was in a dusty room, tied to a chair with ropes."What—"
Then, the memories of what had happened came flooding back.'That old man! He must have some mind-reading quirk. Shit, shit, SHIT!!!'
"Haa... haa... haa..."His chest tightened, and his breathing turned short and shallow. He could blow the ropes apart in an instant, but then what? 'What do I do?! What do I do?! I screwed up, I never should've come here! Why... why is it so hard to breathe?!'
"You're having a panic attack, brat," an aged voice said behind him.
Bakugo tensed up."YOU OLD BASTARD!" he shouted, twisting his head as much as the ropes allowed."You invaded my mind! I swear... I swear I'll—"
"Calm down, kid, you're letting your quirk mess with your mind," the old man said, slowly walking around until he stood in front of Bakugo, leaning on his cane.
"I'm not letting anything mess with me!" Bakugo hissed through gritted teeth."You practically mind-ra—"
"Hey, hey, you're making it sound way worse than it is," the old man retorted, raising an eyebrow.
"I am, huh?! Then start explaining, now, or else..."
"Or else?" the old man asked in a calm tone.
"... I'll kill you." Bakugo's words came out cold, each syllable dripping with lethal promise. His eyes gleamed with a wild intensity as sparks began to crackle from his hands, loud pops breaking the silence of the room.
The old man held Bakugo's gaze, unfazed, as the air seemed to vibrate with the imminent threat.
"..."
"..."
"That's not very heroic of you, brat," the old man finally said.
"Heroic?" Bakugo laughed, a low, cutting sound. "You think I give a damn about that right now? Start talking or I swear I'll burn this dump to the ground with you inside."
The old man sighed, tapping his cane on the dusty floor. "You're truly intimidating, you know that? Fine, I'll explain. I don't want to lose what little life I have left."
"STOP STALLING AND SPIT IT OUT!"
"Alright, alright..." He paused before continuing. "I didn't read all of your memories. That would take way too long, and as you noticed, the process isn't exactly gentle. What I did was look at your triggers."
"Triggers?" Bakugo frowned.
"They're like locked doors in your mind. When they open, they release everything you're trying to hide: pain, fear, anger, guilt. Old wounds that still burn, just waiting for a little push to come spilling out." The old man narrowed his eyes. "You have four of them, with one being much larger than the others. Your... death. But how is that possible if you're standing here, alive? I've seen many cases of hallucinations, and I'm sure you're not one of them."
A heavy silence fell over them. The old man's gaze hardened. "You shouldn't be here, should you?"
Bakugo opened his mouth, but the words caught in his throat. 'Is that all he saw?! Maybe it's not as bad as I thought...' His heart slowed slightly, the fury and desperation giving way to suspicion. "And what do you plan to do with that, old man?"
The old man smiled. "You know, I retired a few years ago. Swore I'd never treat anyone again. But I think I can make an exception for someone like you."
Bakugo clenched his fists. "Treat?"
"Yes. Isn't that why you came here? If I'm right, you're suffering from nightmares, physical reactions, and constant flashbacks. I can teach you how to ease the symptoms and control the impulses. I won't erase what happened, but I can show you how to live with it-"
"Hold on, you crazy old bastard. Why the hell would I let someone who invaded my mind... treat me?" Bakugo growled through gritted teeth. "And what do you get out of it, huh?!"
"Haah... okay, sorry about the mind invasion. You reach an age where you just stop caring about certain things. As for the reason..." He shrugged. "I already know what your triggers are. And let's be honest, you're not gonna be fully honest with another psychiatrist. That makes me the most qualified person to help you. Now, what do I get out of it? I want you to tell me what happens in the future."
"Ha! You've gotta be kidding me."
"No."
The two stared at each other in another tense silence.
"And if I say no? You gonna try and rip it out of my head?" Bakugo asked, ready to blow everything up.
"No." The old man didn't even blink. "If you refuse, I'll accept it. But then I won't help you, and you'll keep destroying yourself, piece by piece. I bet you want to change the future, don't you? But with your mind in this state, you'll freeze in your first real fight. Or worse, when you meet the one who killed you. Either way, you lose. Or die."
"..."
"So, what do you say?" the old man asked with a smile.
***
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or songs featured in this fic. Additionally, I do not claim ownership of any products or properties mentioned in this novel. This work is entirely fanfic.