(Don’t worry, I feel the exact same way in a ton of my RPs…)
Midoryia nodded, transparent blood trickling down from his temple but most of the ghostly blood soaking his shirt over his heart. “I’m not really hurt. Here.” He took Shoto’s hands and placed it over his heart, none of the blood coming off on Shoto’s hands or allowing him to feel it. Todoroki would just feel the soft dryness of Izuku’s shirt. “I can see the mental and emotional damage someone has in the form of these wounds.”
Shoto let out a breath that he hadn't realized he was holding when, instead of hot, sticky blood, his hand met with dry cotton. He held it there for a moment, in part because Midoriya's steady, persistent heartbeat was reassuring with the massive bloodstain that wasn't actually there, and in part because when had his heart started pounding so fast? When he drew his hand away, he took a deep breath. "That's… that explains why you stare sometimes, then," he said, then hesitated. "Would it be rude to ask what kind of wounds I have?"
Midoryia took Todoroki’s hand again and pulled him up and towards the bathroom of Todoroki’s room, turning on the light and pushing Shoto in front of the mirror. “It’s not rude because they’re your wounds… I think you have a right to know.” They both stood in front of the mirror, looking at their own wounds, a resigned look on Izuku’s face as he examined his own injuries.
Shoto gaped at his reflection. It was no wonder Midoriya was staring at him. He looked like a train wreck, and even that was putting it mildly. Gingerly, he touched the areas where he was "hurt," though he knew he wouldn't actually feel anything. God, he looked like he'd been mugged. Where had all of this come from? It couldn't have just been his father, right? Things weren't what most would call healthy, sure, but there was no way the situation was this bad… "Maybe that counselor had a point…" he muttered, not realizing the words had escaped his mouth as he ran his finger over a bleeding cut just to the right of his nose.
Izuku glanced at Shoto and said dryly, “That’s Ms. Cece’s job. Have you been ignoring her?” He sighed and instinctively reached out and hugged the red and white haired boy. “I’m sorry… I know what it’s like having that many and it’s… it’s not a good feeling…”
Shoto stiffened at first, not expecting the hug, but relaxed into it after a second. "…Yeah." Really, it was a response to Midoriya's question and his statement. He'd been pointedly ignoring their rather…eccentric counselor since their first appointment. He didn't get the impression that she took her job very seriously, and she almost seemed to mock him the last couple of times. After the incident with the song, his opinion of her had plummeted pretty low. His father had forbidden him from seeing anyone before, saying that he was strong enough that he didn't need anyone to help him work out his problems. In hindsight, that probably should have been a red flag. Either way, Shoto had never been to a counselor before and couldn't really be sure what they were like, but Ms. Cece certainly wasn't what came to mind when he thought of a mental health professional.
“I know she seems like she’s not really qualified but she has the degree and she’s already been helping several of the others. She’s even been working on Tamaki. Apparently he used to be way worse than he is now… She’s even made progress with Bakugo of all people!” Izuku squeezed Shoto a tiny bit before letting go and placing a hand on his shoulder. “I know she’s off putting but give her a chance. And if you think you’d be better with a different counselor, ask her if she could transfer you. But try to listen to her and talk to her. A lot of professionals are a bit eccentric, because they have to deal with many different patients.”
Shoto frowned. He supposed that made sense, but the thought of talking to Cece was still not too appealing. "Honestly, it doesn't feel like she takes things seriously," he said. "Once, she called me down and played some song–I think it was called… 'Daddy Issues'? It felt like she was mocking me."
Midoryia grimaced. “I heard the story from our tutor, Ms. Yua…. Apparently it was because you weren’t paying attention to your problems and Ms. Cece is not one to mince words, so she was trying to call your attention to the fact you have problems. Mainly in the form of a flaming pile of trash….” Midoryia crossed his arms and looked up at Todoroki, seemingly trying to figure out what he should do next to convince Shoto that Ms. Cece wasn’t someone to ignore, as annoying, blunt, and eccentric she was…
Shoto huffed at the "flaming pile of trash" comment. It certainly wasn't new and was commonly muttered under his siblings' breaths, but it was still amusing, especially coming from someone like Midoriya. Still, he had a point. Shoto hadn't even realized that things were nearly as bad as they were until now. Hell, some small part of him still didn't totally believe that was the case. "You aren't wrong there. I guess I just…didn't think it was a big deal, compared to training and schoolwork." Shoto failed to notice that perhaps there was a problem there, too. He brought a hand up to his chin. "Do you think it would go better if I was more open with her?" In honesty, he didn't particularly want to open up to the counselor, but he was starting to think that it might be the best course of action.
Izuku nodded. “It would be for the best. And eventually you can go see a therapist outside of the school if you really don’t like Ms. Cece after actually cooperating with her.” His eyes were slowly fading their glow, and the images of their wounds slowly melted away.
(sdlkanv I got pretty busy for a while there, but I'm back now)
Shoto sighed. It seemed like this was the best course of action, though he doubted his father would allow him to see anyone outside school. He'd probably be mad to know that Shoto was opening up with anyone about this in the first place. All the more reason to do it, though. As long as he doesn't find out. "I can try," he said. Trusting Ms. Cece with something like this wasn't going to be easy, but it looked like it would be necessary.
(It’s fine! I’ll still be here, for the most part!)
Midoryia half smiled, looking a bit sad. “Anyways, do you want me to leave now that we’re done with the homework?” He fidgeted with his All Might hoodie, not sure what he was supposed to do.
