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"I want you all to write this down." Aizawa turns to the chalkboard, jotting down his phone number for the class to see. The students gave him quizzical looks and wait for Aizawa to say anything else. Putting the chalk down, Aizawa turns back to face them. "After so many villain attacks and complex situations, I can't have you brats in danger without my knowledge. So, I'm giving you my number in case of emergencies. Any problems you're facing, big or small, call me. I'm here if you ever need someone." He pauses, looking at each and every individual student. "Write this number down, please and save it under a random name for safety."
Yaoyorozu raises her hand as all the students take out their phones and save the number.
"Yes, Yaoyorozu?" Aizawa addresses her calmly.
"Sir, with all due respect, you're a pro-hero. Surely you must be getting many emergency calls, how will you know it's a student calling for help?"
Aizawa hums. "Good question...well, I could always have your calls come to me in a certain ringtone, that way, I could distinguish between the different calls."
"EYE OF THE TIGER!" Denki yells out with a smile. Some students laugh and others try to hide it, Bakugou just sighs and Iida shakes his head, amused.
"...Good enough." Aizawa sighs. Those brats, they're really starting to turn him soft.
"Hell yeah!" Denki cheers, Mina giving him a high five.
Ever since that class, Aizawa made sure to keep his phone on max volume -unless he was out on patrol, then it would be on vibrate at most. The class called for a multitude of reasons, big or small, just like he asked. They never dared to use the number for anything silly or something of any waste, they kept responsibility over that the most. They know how strict Aizawa is and hero work is no joke. Just because they have their number, doesn't mean they should abuse it.
Aizawa considered for a while on just having them all pass his class for managing this responsibly and calling it a day.
"Midoriya, everything okay?" Aizawa answers his phone during his afternoon break.
"Hey sensei...um...I'm sorry for calling -you're probably busy but I...I could use some help."
"Are you safe?" Aizawa tenses.
"I'm currently in an empty hallway but I...my thoughts are loud."
"Talk to me. I'm here, problem child." Aizawa leans back in his chair. "Where are your friends?"
"Told them I needed to grab something...I shouldn't lie to them, huh?"
"They would understand."
"...I guess..."
"Talk to me," Aizawa repeats.
Aizawa ended up answering all of Midoriya's theories about him and his quirk. If it could let the boy know that he isn't annoying anyone, he'll gladly listen to all his theories of others.
"Sensei?" Jirou calls.
"It's me. You alright, Jirou?"
"I...there's something...um,"
"Take your time..."
"I...was wondering, have you ever considered a different career path? Aside from hero work, I mean?"
Aizawa takes a moment to think. "Personally, not really. I've always been stuck on hero work being my career. Being a teacher came after and it just fit. Mostly because I wanted to be sure that the future is in the good hands of good heroes."
"I see..."
"...There's no shame in wanting to be something else."
"No! It's not..." Jirou sighs. "I want to be a hero but...a part of me wants to be a musician...but then there are days where I decide to just have it as a hobby."
"Ah...alright." Aizawa pauses. "Why don't you be both?"
"B-both?"
"Mhm. I have two jobs, what's wrong with you having the same? I'll admit, I'm not an expert. I have a friend with a similar situation as you and it's close to a musician. If you want, I can introduce you?"
"...Yeah...yeah, that would be great." She pauses. Aizawa knows she wants to say more and he waits. "If I wanted to be both...do you really think I can?"
"Jirou, if a homeless-looking, cat obsessed, probably needs to reconsider his sleep schedule, and lives off of jelly packets can be a hero and a teacher, you sure as hell can do even better than me."
It earns him a laugh. He'd call it a win. He makes a mental note to talk to Hizashi afterward to help Jirou think things through more.
"Denki." Aizawa greets him over the phone. "You alright?"
"Sensei um...I was wondering if... never mind, this was stupid, sorry I called."
"Denki." Aizawa's tone is firm and Denki stops himself from hanging up. "What's wrong?"
"...I wanted to ask if you could explain the homework to me...? I- I didn't want to be a b-bother to any of my friends and well...but we have that test and I really want to pass but I can't find a study method...um, you did say small or big problems -but you don't have to, this is probably a waste of your time, I'll just-"
"Where are you?"
"-solve it m-...what?"
"Where are you?"
"I-in my dorm? Studying?"
"Be there in ten."
"Wha-"
"You're not bothering anyone, Denki. I'll help you and I'll keep helping you. But I promise that if you asked your friends, they would help you too."
Denki doesn't say anything for a while, Aizawa hears him fumbling and trying to find something to say. "...W-I...thank you." He finally says, voice cracking.
"Of course. Just let me grab a few things."
Denki was diagnosed with ADHD shortly after. Aizawa and the rest of the class helped him study and learn using different methods and the teachers were all informed.
Aizawa was already out and heading to the dorms when Yaoyorozu calls him crying and stuttering, unable to get a word through.
When he reaches her, he finds her on the bed, knees to her chest as she sobs into the phone, wearing the biggest hoodie that she probably found.
"Yaoyorozu, what happened?" Aizawa stands by her bed.
"I-I didn't do...I was just," She sobs.
"Okay, okay." Aizawa squats slightly. "...Can I touch you?"
"Y-yea..." She manages.
Aizawa places a hand on her shoulder. "You're alright. I need you to take a deep breath in...there you go, and out."
It takes a couple of minutes but eventually, her breathing is composed and she's able to speak in full sentences.
"Alright?" He asks, now seated in front of her.
She nods and wipes her nose.
"Okay...can you tell me what's wrong, now?"
"Mhm," She nods again. "Um...I-I was at the campus a few - a few minutes ago and as I headed -as I was making my way back," She sniffles. Aizawa keeps rubbing her shoulder in comfort. "There were these...these guys, I don't know from what class but they..." Oh hell, Aizawa is already planning on expelling someone. "They kept saying...inappropriate things -catcalls. It's nothing new! I mean, I hear those things a lot but..." Her voice cracks.
Yup. Aizawa is committing several felonies now.
"Yaoyorozu listen to me. What these boys did is disgusting and cruel. I'm sorry you've had to hear those things growing up, no one should have to go through that. I promise you, I'll make sure it doesn't happen again. At least not in U.A."
"I-It's, well...I didn't want to bother you but they really scared me today and-"
"Momo," Aizawa addresses her firmly. "I'll deal with this. I promise you won't walk these halls with people like that again. I'm very sorry it happened at all."
Momo sniffles. "Th-thank you sensei, really...even when -even if it's just here...thank you." Her eyes tear up again.
"Of course. And please, come to be if it ever happens again, alright?"
She nods before pausing and taking a moment to think..."C-Can I have a hug, please?"
"If you're comfortable." He opens his arms and Momo leans in.
He rubs her back as she cries a little longer. Momo fully understands why Denki and Mina are 100% serious about the whole Dadzawa thing.
The next day, immediately, the boys were given a suspension with the promise that if they don't change their ways, they'd be expelled. And Midnight added lessons of respecting women to their punishment.
Big or small, Aizawa is always there for his students. Someone has to keep them out of trouble. But, as the idea of his class calling him whenever they needed help, Aizawa's thoughts drifted off to his other student, Hitoshi Shinsou.
Ever since he started training that boy, he noticed troubling things through his behavior and excuses.
"Where did you get that from?" Aizawa fixes his gaze on a bruise around Hitoshi's wrist.
"...My foster mother's food slightly caught on fire, she tried pulling me away before I got hurt."
"Are you both okay?"
Hitoshi nods. "My foster father brought a b- fire extinguisher."
Aizawa frowns slightly at the slight stutter. "Alright...be careful."
"Maybe we should take a break."
"I'm fine," Hitoshi pushes. "I just got a little dizzy. I'm fine." He gets back into a fighting position.
Aizawa sighs and vows to immediately stop if anything happened.
"What is that?" Aizawa steps forward, hand about to reach the collar of Hitoshi's shirt.
"Nothing." Hitoshi places a hand over the collar, covering the bruise Aizawa is sure he saw.
"Shinsou, that bruise is not from training."
"My foster sibling accidentally got a little rough. I'm fine."
Aizawa searched through Hitoshi's files after that session and found out Hitoshi doesn't have any foster siblings or a foster mother. Just a foster father.
He didn't hesitate to hand Hitoshi a piece of paper carrying his phone number after their next training session where Aizawa kept eyeing a bruise on Hitoshi's arm.
"Take this."
Hitoshi looked up from where he was picking up his own capture weapon. He furrowed his brows at the paper. "What is it?"
"My number. I gave it to my students in case of emergencies, and I think it's about time I give it to you too."
"Oh...no, sensei, it's- there's no need."
"Just take it...it'll make me feel better knowing you have it."
Hitoshi hesitated before grabbing the slip of paper and opening it, reading the number written.
"If you need me, I'll be there. Any problem at all, don't hesitate to call me."
Hitoshi didn't say anything, just nodded before he and Aizawa parted ways.
He will forever regret not calling Hitoshi instead of waiting for a call to reach him.
It's during class. Aizawa's on a chair next to Denki as the whole class takes a test. Ever since Denki called him that one time, they slowly started finding ways for Denki to study and learn in a way that helps him. During this test, Aizawa sits beside him to read the questions carefully and clearly. None of the other students were bothered by the out-loud reading.
"...Can you say it slower, please?"
"Of course," Aizawa says. "In a hostage situation," He starts, slowing down his reading in order for Denki to understand: "where a hostage is held-"
The Eye of The Tiger plays from his phone on the teacher's desk. It rings loudly in the silent room. No one laughs, they all freeze. Some look around the class, wondering who could be calling Aizawa. The man himself checks over his students and makes note that all of them are.
They're the only ones with the ringtone set for them...except Hitoshi Shinsou. The one student not here today, in general. He got a message from Midnight just this morning that Hitoshi is not at school today.
Aizawa swears his heart stops. Apparently, Hitoshi had been called in for a fever. But if he's calling from home now...
"Hagakure," She was the closest to the desk, "Please answer the phone, put it on speaker."
"Yes, sir." She stood up and went to check the phone: "...It reads Hitoshi Shinsou?"
The class starts to mumble slightly, some giving confused glances towards Aizawa, others worried.
"Answer it," Aizawa says firmly. He swears he can hear his own heartbeat.
She does and puts it on speaker, placing it on the desk. Aizawa stands and heads to the phone as it takes the call and speaks from where he is.
"Hey kid, shouldn't you be at school today?"
"Hi, yes, I'd like to order a pizza for delivery."
Everyone paused, Bakugou whispering 'what the fuck'.
"...Pizza?" Aizawa questions, reaching his desk, and placing his hands on the edge. " Kid, this is Eraserhead, you're calling the wrong number."
"No, I don't think so. A quick delivery, yes- the address? Sure, it's Musutafu, three streets down from Aldera Junior High, apartment 4, floor 7, room 66."
Hitoshi says the address in a hurry, desperately. Aizawa's eyes go wide slightly and he quickly grabs the nearest paper from his small pile of folders and a pencil, writing down the address.
The class mutters and worriedly stares at Aizawa and the phone, wondering what's going on.
"Hitoshi," Aizawa knows that using his first name is a small comfort. "Are you in any danger? Is someone hurting you or not allowing you to speak freely?"
The atmosphere of the class grows tense, the silence is loud.
"...Yes, that's right."
"Oh my God," Momo covers her mouth.
Tokoyami, Ojiro, and Izuku gasp. Denki, Mina, and Tsu's eyes go wide, and the rest start muttering to themselves. But Aizawa's never felt as much fear as this moment.
"Shit!" He whisper-yells before turning to Iida. "Iida! Run, get Present Mic! Have him call your phone so I can tell him where to find Shinsou. Now!"
Iida doesn't hesitate. He grabs his phone and quickly runs out of the classroom.
Aizawa sits down by his desk and continues gathering information.
"Okay Hitoshi, I understand. Help is on the way, I need you to stay calm for a couple minutes. Can you tell me how many people are in the house, including you?"
"W-Would a medium pepperoni pizza be enough for two people?"
"So there's one person with you, no other, right?"
Iida runs back into the classroom as Hitoshi responds. "Alright, yes."
As Aizawa writes down that piece of information, Iida places his phone down on the desk, speaker on. "Present Mic is on heading to the address with the police. I managed to recall it, he knows where to go."
"I'm on my way, Sho!" Present Mic's voice comes through from Iida's phone. "Keep me updated!"
Of course, Hizashi wouldn't hesitate on helping out on this. Aizawa has been fussing and worrying about Hitoshi for a while, and Hizashi was practically waiting to help in any way.
Aizawa quickly speaks to Hitoshi again. "Okay, you're doing brilliant, stay with me. Name of the order? Name of the other person with you?"
"T-the name on the card is Danzou Takada."
Aizawa writes that down and repeats it clearly for Hizashi. "Danzou Takada, alright, Hitoshi, is the person threatening you armed?"
"Mhm..."
The class starts to whisper in panic and some flap their hands with worry, unable to do anything in this situation. Aizawa could see some of them praying silently as he warns Hizashi of possible weapons. The held-back rushed panic from Hitoshi is clear as day, he had to calm him down if this were to work. "Hitoshi, listen to me. Breathe. Present Mic and the police are on their way -can you ask for extra pepperoni if he's armed with a gun?"
He hears Hitoshi take a deep breath. "Extra pepperoni sounds good, any other meat might be good too."
'Shit, shit, shit, shit -meat? Does he mean punches? This must be for the bruises. Gun or not, this man could physically hurt Hitoshi.' "Damn it, Hizashi, there's a gun and clear physical violence."
He could see Momo crying and being comforted by Jirou. Izuku's leg is going up and down in worry and Bakugou is gripping the table tightly.
"Is this person known to you?"
"Yes."
"Stranger? Villain? Parent? Friend?"
"The third one-! How long until they get here?" Hitoshi's voice is wobbly, he's starting to panic even more, rushing with his answers.
"Parent...?" Kirishima repeats in disbelief. Ururaka gasps and Satou is covering his face, whether he's crying or not, Aizawa can't tell.
"Hizashi, estimated time of arrival?" Even Aizawa is starting to rush this.
"Around seven minutes Shou!" Present Mic says from the other phone.
"Around seven minutes." He answers Hitoshi. "Uh...say peppers if there's somewhere safe or something you could use to defend yourself."
"No, no peppers, not one, they make me dizzy."
Dizzy...? "This person is aware of your quirk?"
"Yes."
The class was getting even more worried and upset. They knew that once someone knew what Hitoshi's quirk was, they were weary and he wouldn't have an easy way out. Todoroki is violently shaking in fear, Tsu and Aoyama trying to comfort him in any way.
"What does this person look like?" Aizawa knows it's the foster father but he needs to be 100% sure.
"About the extra meet? A sausage please."
"Foster father?"
"Yes."
Abuse. Remembering the bruises, everything comes together. He has to get Hitoshi out of there, now! Aizawa quickly opens his phone from the passcode but stays on the call. He inserts Hitoshi's address on the map and scans the building.
"Okay, just confirming for Present Mic, you're on the seventh floor?"
"Mhm."
"South-east corner?"
"Yes, a-and please remember the large -the large coke."
Coke?...Oh shit-
"Drugs?"
"Yes- I-" A voice starts yelling from where Hitoshi is. "-they're just really busy today-"
"THEN CALL SOMEWHERE ELSE!" The man, who Aizawa figured was the foster father yells. He saw some of his students flinch and Sero exclaiming 'Jesus!'.
"T-they're just ten minutes away-" Hitoshi tries to say.
"Fucking whatever."
The class tries to keep calm, comforting each other, silently praying, and muttering worries. Hitoshi needs to get out of there, now! Now!
"Shouta! We'll be at his door in under three minutes! Keep him on the phone!" Present Mic panics. They're so close.
Three minutes?! Oh hell no, he's not losing this kid, he has to keep talking to him, just a little longer. He has to give Hitoshi those three minutes! They're close, so close!
Getting worried, Aizawa steps in quickly, standing up from his seat... "NO! No, listen Hitoshi, Present Mic and the police should be at your door in under three minutes, I need you to stay with me until then."
"Oh sure, that sounds great." Hitoshi's voice wobbles, clearly indicating he's crying.
"Okay good, are you hurt? Bleeding anywhere?"
"Extra tomato sauce sounds nice."
"Jesus, he was being violent before this?" Aizawa grits his teeth.
"Yes."
"Is he still angry right now?"
"I don't want it to be too spicy," Hitoshi begs, letting out a choked sob.
"IT'S A PIZZA! NOT A GODDAMN BARBECUE! HURRY THE FUCK UP!"
"Jesus Christ, we're pulling up in front of his building, one minute! Keep him on the line!"
Aizawa can see his hands shaking as he hears Hitoshi sniffling on the other side of the call. He takes a deep breath. Losing it will not help Hitoshi. "Okay, Present Mic is pulling up in front of your building- do you think you can get the door?"
...
Muffled movement.
Aizawa's heart drops to his stomach. "...Hitoshi?"
"Nice try, freak!"
The class gasps and cries as Hitoshi's voice is muffled, probably covered by the foster father's hand. Aizawa's shaking increases and he grips the table until his hands go pale.
"Shouta..." Present Mic clearly heard a different voice from the other side, and the gasps and cries of the class are a hint enough.
Aizawa takes a deep breath before speaking to the foster father. "Takada, where is Hitoshi?"
"He's right here." He spits. "Say 'Hi' to your friend." He tells Hitoshi who lets out a loud sob.
"P-please..." He tries to beg the man to let him go.
"Don't! you dare try using your quirk on me, villain!"
Aizawa's eyes burn with unshed tears. The class hides their cries, most are muffled. They try not to disturb the call. They shake in utter fear at the situation. Hitoshi's plan worked but they were taking a minute too long. Just one, fucking minute.
"Okay," Aizawa continues. "Listen, Takada. The police are already on the way, so how this ends will be up to you." He grabs Iida's phone and texts Hizashi's number through it.
"This only ends one way, he knows how!"
Aizawa is going to kill this man. He sends the text as he replies, tone even. "No, that's not true."
'Tell me when we're set. Hitoshi is not using the door.'
He knows Hizashi will understand. He continues talking to Takada. "There's going to be a transcript of this call. Whether it shows that you're being cooperative and did the right thing or shows that you deserve to be taken away for the rest of your life is up to you."
"P-! Please," Hitoshi's voice is hoarse. Aizawa can tell that man's grip is on his neck now, and it just got tighter.
"Shut up!" He yells.
"Takada," Aizawa moves his attention from Hitoshi, speaking firmly. "What's going on? Talk to me." False comfort.
"He ruined it," Takada speaks, crying like the pathetic waste of space he is. "He always ruins everything, this freak of nature!"
Yup, Aizawa is committing several crimes soon. "Nothing is ruined. We can fix this." A notification sounds from Iida's phone, and Present Mic responds with a thumbs up. There's a twitch of a smile on Aizawa's face that gives the class hope. "But you have to let me help you," His voice goes soft, he hopes Hitoshi is listening clearly.
"How?" Takada asks.
Aizawa speaks clearly, slowly, and carefully. He needs Hitoshi to listen to this and understand. "A friend of mine always says that when God...closes a door." He emphasizes the last part. "He opens a window." He can see the realization on some of the faces of his students. "Sometimes, you have to take a leap...of faith." And with a held breath, Aizawa waits for anything.
It's silence for a few seconds..."AGH!" Takada cries and Aizawa hears rushing footsteps. "No!"
Hitoshi lets out a small yelp that fades and Aizawa knows he jumped. He smirks as Takada curses and tries to get somewhere but he hears a door crash open.
"GET ON THE GROUND!" Present Mic screams. He hears guns cocking from the police following. "On the ground, now!"
They hear muffled sounds and grunts before the phone is picked up again.
"Sho?" Present Mic speaks. "We got him. The kid's out! We're going to get him to the school for medical attention, immediately! Police report he's bleeding and injured badly, get a stretcher."
He hangs up.
The weight on Aizawa's shoulders is lifted but his heart is still beating wildly. He slumps back into his chair, head in his hands. He's slightly shaking, composure being a useful skill as a hero, but he can't say the same thing about his class.
They're in despair and they try to take deep breaths to calm themselves. Some sigh in relief that Present Mic is now there to help Hitoshi but they won't know if Hitoshi even makes it out -no, they can't think like that.
Aizawa needs to get out and wait outside for Present Mic's return. He has to inform Nezu and Recovery Girl. He inhales deeply and exhales loudly before lifting his head to meet the class.
"Okay...class dismissed. I want you all to head back to the dorms. Iida, apologies but can you please inform Principal Nezu of the issue? I need to let Recovery Girl know." Who knows how badly injured Hitoshi truly is? For fuck's sake, Hizashi said they needed a stretcher -he'll grab one while he's there.
"Of course, sir! You can count on me!" And again, he runs out.
"Yaoyorozu," He speaks softly to the teary-eyed girl. "I need you to send messages to the teachers, and inform them of the situation briefly. Tell them not to let out any student until Hitoshi is secure."
She nods in response, unable to give a verbal one.
Slowly, the class leaves together to the dorms, glancing back at Aizawa and his phone on the desk in worry.
"...S-Sensei..." Izuku speaks up, silent tears drying on his face. "Will -will Shinsou be -is he going to be okay?"
Aizawa doesn't know. "He will be. I'll make sure of it, problem child. Just get to the dorms. I'll let you know as soon as things are stable."
Izuku nods hesitantly and in a few more seconds, the class is empty.
Without wasting any more time, Aizawa shuffles down the hall and heads to Recovery Girl's office. His breathing getting labored and slowly out of control. The images of Hitoshi's bruises, the skin practically popping out from not being fed properly, the fear in his voice as he called Aizawa for help while being held in the same room -the same house- as an abuser...God, Aizawa should have done something sooner. He should have stepped in weeks earlier than this!
And now Hitoshi is hurt...badly. Bleeding and injured.
Hitoshi is hurt.
Hitoshi is hurt badly.
Hitoshi is bleeding.
He needs help.
He could die.
Oh God...
"Aizawa, are you alright?"
He blinks. His vision comes back to focus and he sees Nezu standing in front of him.
How long was he standing here?
Remembering that Nezu asked how he is, Aizawa only manages to stutter, unable to form any words.
"Take your time," Nezu reassures him.
"...H-...Hitoshi...Shinsou, he's...he's on his way here with Present Mic." He composes himself slowly.
"Oh, I'm aware. Please, don't waste any more time with me, get to the boy, I'll explain the situation to Recovery Girl."
With that, they both make their way to her office in a rush. The door almost flew off its hinges when Aizawa barges in, not sparing an apology or a glance towards a startled Recovery Girl. He grabs a stretcher from the back as quickly as he can whilst Nezu tells Recovery Girl of the situation and to get ready for a terribly injured student.
Aizawa doesn't know what happened, all he recalls is that one moment he was grabbing ahold of a stretcher, and the next, he was already near the entrance of the school building. Hizashi's familiar car drives in and the man himself rushes out of the driver's seat. Quickly, Aizawa reaches them at a safe distance just as Hizashi gently and carefully pulls Hitoshi out from the backseat.
...
He can't hear anything but static. His whole body goes numb but he feels his heartbeat -he swears it paused. Aizawa's eyes go wide and his jaw drops at the state Hitoshi is in.
He's bleeding terribly from a cut on his cheek, arm, and leg. There are bruises painting his skin. His lip was cut slightly and his face was tear-stained.
And he's passed out.
Hizashi runs to the stretcher and Aizawa jumps in to help put Hitoshi in a safe position on his back, being careful in case there's a sprained bone he's unaware of.
Hitoshi lets out a painful whine that reminds Aizawa of an injured animal. He feels nauseous and his eyes burn yet again but no tears show. As he and Hizashi push the stretcher back to Recovery Girl's office, Hitoshi's eyes open slowly, as if the lids were held down by rocks, Aizawa can immediately tell that his vision isn't clear and he's disoriented -possible concussion?
He probably just feels pain and can only hear static, but Aizawa tries. This boy with a bright future and a strong heart needs him. So he tries...
He leans down and speaks to his ear. "Hey, kid. You're alright, you're safe. Just rest. I'm so proud of you."
Hitoshi's eyes move slightly to where Aizawa stood, lingering on him for a moment, Aizawa swears he sees a glimmer of hope, before he closes them completely, finally resting.
Aizawa brushes a hand across Hitoshi's hair, smiling slightly.
He's okay.
He'll be okay.
Aizawa vows he'll do whatever the world throws at them as long as Hitoshi is okay.
A week.
Hitoshi is out and healing for a whole week.
Aizawa is about to spiral.
He relayed the situation to his students and told them that Hitoshi is safe and that Recovery Girl is taking care of him. They all cheered and cried. Soon, whenever Aizawa checks over them at the dorms, he sees them making 'get well soon' cards and hears them talking about 'making Hitoshi feel at home' suspiciously. He didn't put too much worry on that and focused on Hitoshi and his recovery.
The bruises are almost gone. He doesn't have much energy so Recovery Girl tends to him slowly. Thankfully, there are no sprained or broken bones. The bleeding stopped and his breathing isn't labored -apparently, he couldn't breathe properly when they brought him in which almost sent Aizawa into a panic attack.
For all thing's considered, Hitoshi is physically okay.
Danzou Takada's behind bars for good. That asshole has been doing more than just abusing Hitoshi and has had more than two strikes. With the evidence of the recorded call, the witness reports from Class 1-A, Hizashi, Recovery Girl, and Aizawa, and the pictures of Hitoshi's injuries -making sure not to get his full face for privacy reasons- Takada is secured behind bars with nothing to defend himself.
Now...they just wait.
And Aizawa wishes they would stop waiting.
A week.
Hitoshi is out and healing for a whole week.
Aizawa needs him awake as soon as possible.
On day eight, the class collectively comes to visit Hitoshi -Bakugou is dragged by Kirishima denying that he cares. Aizawa and Recovery Girl don't kick them out, although she thought that Izuku came here because he somehow broke another bone and was ready to scold him.
That manages to get a small laugh from the students and a twitch of a smile on Aizawa's face.
They're seated around the room, some staring at Hitoshi in worry. They whisper in conversations, sharing ideas (?) or nice stories. Aizawa is half listening but he doesn't focus so much. Distinctly, he thinks he hears them talk about 'Shinsou's dorm'...he's not getting into that now. He's leaving this for future Aizawa.
Someone knocks on the door and the class goes quiet.
"Hey, ShoutaAA!" Hizashi cries when he notices the nineteen other pairs of eyes looking his way. Aizawa looks at him deadpan. "...Woo boy! You scared me, listeners!" He greets them with a smile.
"Hi, Yamada-sensei!" Mina waves.
"Thank you for helping Shinsou!" Izuku says.
"Oh, it's nothing, kid!" Hizashi waves back. "I'm just glad he's safe. But!" He turns to face Aizawa who realizes he's in deep shit. "SOMEBODY hasn't been eating properly." He walks to Aizawa as the class gasps and turns to their teacher.
"Sensei, respectfully, that is unhealthy!" Iida stands.
"The hypocrisy!" Denki dramatically puts a hand on his chest.
"Quiet down please," Shouto says, straight-faced. "We don't want to bother Shinsou."
"He'll live," Bakugou says.
"...I can't tell if you were trying to make a joke or not?" Sero questions.
"FUCK OFF!"
"Enough." Aizawa says firmly.
"You're still in trouble," Hizashi levels him with a light glare before sighing and taking a seat on the empty chair next to him. "Listen Sho, I know you're worried about the little listener but he's okay! He'll wake up soon. And when he does, he'll help me scold you, you need to eat something." He lifts up a plastic bag of take-out.
Aizawa sighs. "I know..." He wants to rant about his worries and wants to scold himself for letting this reach this far, but he says nothing more and stares at Hitoshi in sullen silence.
"Come on, I got you your favorite sushi with some ramen," Hizashi says, placing the plastic bag on Aizawa's lap. "At least eat some of it."
"Please do, sensei," Momo speaks up. "It's for your own good."
"Yamada-sensei is right, Shinsou wouldn't want you to trouble your health and safety for him," Shouji adds.
"See?" Hizashi smiles.
"Alright, alright." Aizawa playfully rolls his eyes. But he eats. Not all of it but enough.
Hitoshi's eyes twitch. It causes a silent, tense atmosphere but nothing else happens. And they're back to waiting...
A hoarse groan muffled by the oxygen masks snaps Aizawa out of his thoughts an hour later. The students freeze where they are and look at Hitoshi with hope in their eyes, Aizawa grabs his hand and inwardly prays for him to finally wake up, and Hizashi places a comforting hand on his shoulder as he, too, waits for Hitoshi to wake.
His eyes blink slowly, opening bit by bit before closing shut, no doubt the lights causing a headache.
"Get the lights, Toru." Tokoyami kindly tells her as she is the closest to the lights. She does as told.
Hitoshi is letting out almost silent whines as he squirms where he lays, trying again to open his eyes. His breathing was hoarse and shaky. However, the second his eyes open properly, it's as if something registers and the heart monitor next to him beeps like crazy.
Hitoshi sees a white ceiling, lights have been closed and all that paints the room is the sun from the windows. That's all he registers before he feels the mask on his face, specifically on his mouth and nose. His eyes go wide, his hands are weakly clutching the sheets beneath him as he struggles to breathe. It's sudden. He distinctly hears a slow beeping sound quicken. Hands are on his shoulders, pushing him down gently.
Multiple voices.
So many. Too many.
The mask is removed from his face and Hitoshi slows...no one removed the mask before. At least, not when he's still at whatever foster house. They only remove it when he's leaving the house for school. But he's laying in bed...
It grounds him slightly. The lack of mask, the scratchy sheets under him, and the gentle hands on his shoulders.
The voices quiet down.
"You're okay, kid. I promise. You're safe." A voice says softly, a string of sweet nothings as a muffled voice seems to be telling the other voices to lower their volume.
Hitoshi is laying on a bed. He's staring up at a black blur as it slowly comes to focus through him composing his breathing. Inwardly, he takes everything in one by one; the white ceiling -he doesn't have a white ceiling at the foster house, the beeping sound so clear that it's a heart monitor. His memories are slowly catching up as the black blur focuses and Hitoshi sees a concerned yet relieved Aizawa.
...
Aizawa.
The call.
He called him.
He was brought to U.A.
Hitoshi is in U.A. ...
He's not imagining things, right?
"Se'nse...i...?" He croaks.
"It's me," Aizawa reassures him, combing through Hitoshi's hair to give some comfort. "It's me, kid. You're safe."
Hitoshi doesn't say anything for a moment, just blinking up at him with wide eyes, twitching as to lull him back to sleep.
"...Kid?" Aizawa questions, worried.
"..Oh..." It comes out as a hoarse whisper. "Oh, th-ank G'od." His eyes start to fill with tears. "Thank..." He takes a shaky breath. "Thank God." He lets out a painful whining sound before sobbing. His voice was hoarse and came out in wheezes and whispers.
"Shh, shh." Aizawa feels his heart break. "It's over. It's over, Hitoshi."
It just sends Hitoshi into more sobs, though they're ones of relief.
Hitoshi doesn't know how long he sobbed, his breathing getting slightly out of control. All he knows is that he's sure he heard others crying, Aizawa telling him that he needs to put the oxygen mask back on, and passing out again, exhausted. Physically and emotionally.
It's over.
He's safe.
It's finally fucking over.
Even as he falls into another sleep, he cries through it. A few small tears fell from his eyes and he was sure Aizawa is the one wiping them away.
He kept the promise Hitoshi didn't believe: He'll not leave his side. He's here for him.
Hitoshi just regrets not trusting that sooner. But he can't even blame himself. Too many broken promises, empty promises; he was never going to believe them. But...he can believe Aizawa. Aizawa wouldn't lie to him.
...
Yeah.
Aizawa wouldn't lie to him.
He's safe.
...Oh my God, he's safe.
He never believed in the 'home is a person' idea. But...
...He knows tears are falling from his eyes even as he half-sleeps.
He's safe.
It chants in his head. It's unreal. A dream.
And yet, the next time he wakes up and sees Aizawa correcting assignments right beside his bed, Hitoshi cries again and finds himself held in Aizawa's arms in a comforting embrace. In the embrace, he believes is home. He doesn't say it out loud. But a part of him thinks Aizawa understands.
Aizawa wouldn't say it out loud either but he does understand.
During another week under Recovery Girl's care, Hitoshi gets better. His wounds and bruises are healed. No internal injuries -which, thank fuck, Aizawa sighs- and throughout his stay under her strict orders, he eats.
He eats full meals. They're not big meals since he's malnourished but they're meals nonetheless. Aizawa tells Hizashi that Hitoshi looks more alive than ever before, healthier.
Hitoshi even manages a smile. If Aizawa was any weaker, he would have cried.
"What is all this?" Hitoshi asks when he wakes up surrounded by stuffed animals, cards, and one box of chocolates. He almost thinks it's Valentine's day.
"My class was there when you called." Aizawa begins explaining, knowing there's no point in sugarcoating. "They were worried. When I told them you were doing better, they decided to give you some gifts." He smirks at the next part. "Even though they tried hiding it, I know they've been working on these since the day after we brought you here."
Hitoshi's wide-eyed, staring at the gifts around him in shock.
...He didn't think anyone else would care.
He's pretty sure he ran out of tears but he does let out a shaky breath and his expression is a fought smile. While he does trust Aizawa, he's scared that these gifts are just ones of pity. No one could possibly care about him like this...right?
Aizawa's phone lets out a notification sound. He reads the message before looking up at Hitoshi, chuckling slightly. "My class is asking if they could see you...they wish to see how you're holding up."
Hitoshi's eyes go wide again and he his brain shuts down, restarts, and processes the information. He thinks it over...Aizawa wouldn't have allowed them if they wanted to hurt him. I mean, they did hear that terrifying phone call...they at least deserve some closure of sorts.
Hesitantly he nods and Aizawa smiles at him reassuringly before typing a response.
When he gets a response back, he huffs, amused. "They say that's good because they're already outside the door."
As if on queue, the door opens and the class shuffles inside. "SHINSOU!"
Hitoshi stares in shock as they all speak at once. He hears them all.
"Are you okay?!"
"How are you doing?"
"How are you feeling?"
"You're completely healed, I hope!"
"You're okay!"
"He's alive!"
"Thank God, you're alright."
The words soon turn to sweet wishes of nothings as Hitoshi is happily overwhelmed. He swallows the lump in his throat, a small shaky smile growing on his face uncontrollably.
Even as Aizawa tells them to quiet down and give him space to breathe, Hitoshi doesn't mind.
They don't know him! He doesn't know them! Just a few names, they know his. Just a few notes of information. Nothing big.
And yet...they care.
They care.
He doesn't cry.
But...he's never felt this cared for before.
No one ever cared. Why do these people care so much?
They don't know him...
"We're glad you're safe now, Shinsou!"
But he knows he should consider letting them know. Maybe...maybe the war is over.
He's safe.
He smiles.
He and Aizawa eventually find out that class 1-A gave and sorted Hitoshi a room in the Class 1-A dorms, claiming that they're not allowing Hitoshi to not be transferred already. They've had the dorm idea planned since the joined training between them and Class 1-B. Aizawa sighs and curses his life decisions as they cry at him and Nezu to 'TRANSFER THE PURPLE BOI ALREADY!'. Hitoshi is eternally thankful. He's never had a room of his own. A small mercy is that they left the decorating up to him, they just bought a couple of ideas.
He's 100% going to hang up the cat meme they gave him on the wall, though.