Chapter Text
Shouto jumped out of bed in a fighting stance half dazed and confused when he heard the loud screeching beeps go off. It took him a moment to realize that it was an alarm then another to put the three beeps in a row meant evacuation. He huffed out annoyed at the obnoxious noise, then forced himself to focus and forget about sleep. Someone could get hurt. He grabbed a jacket on his way out of his room remembering that the designated meeting point in emergencies was near the forest.
It felt chaotic. Everyone was rushing around half frantic or half asleep in their pajamas. Shouto kept an eye out making sure his classmates were taking this seriously and rushing towards the meeting point. It was loud from the screeching but also from his confused classmates asking if it was real or if they forgot about a drill exercise. It was still taken seriously and in moments they were all out and huddled in the forest.
Shouto felt himself jolt awake when he saw Aizawa’s face. This was not a drill he thought. Aizawa was in his pajamas and slippers but in full gear with his black coat and capture weapon wrapped around his neck messily. But it was the slightly worried look on his face that made the hairs on the back of Shoutos neck stand on end.
“The school is under attack.” He informed them bluntly “they started in the main building so everyone is being evacuated into safe zones. There is an emergency tunnel that’s going to take you to a safe zone. We have to be quick” Aizawa was in full hero mode short and concise, he continued “Nezu analyzed the attackers. He says they are nomu with excellent hearing, but they can’t see. So, once we start be qui-“ He was interrupted by a distraught Midoriya
“Sir!” he shouted looking around. Shouto flinched and looked around too. Midoriya was not one to interrupt in such a serious debriefs.
Aizawa snapped “no problem child. As I was sayi- “
Izuku raised his voice and screeched “Kacchan is not here!”
Shouto felt like his quirk malfunctioned and froze everyone solid. No one moved or talked. He felt dread in his gut. He should have made sure the whole class was with him! He felt so stupid. How could he miss the loudest classmate.
Aizawa seemed to freeze then rebooted back instantly and demanded “go to the woods and stay low and quiet.” He hissed the last part “I’ll go get him. Right now, you are not heroes you are children, and your only goal is to stay alive.” He snapped and turned to go back to the dorms.
Izuku bravely stepped forward and grabbed his teachers sleeve stopping him from running off in a desperate rush. He told their teacher “He overused his quirk and made a huge explosion. His body protects his hearing by blocking out loud noises. But when he overuses it…” Midoriya froze uncomfortably then added quietly “he’s deaf.”
Aizawa groaned “I’ll get the kid. Stay low and quiet.”
Shoto knew that Katsuki was hard of hearing after intense work outs. It was his body’s way of protecting itself. He remembered his own ears ringing from his classmate’s explosion in training. That afternoon felt like a lifetime ago. He really hoped Katsuki was okay as he made his way further into the forest.
He put his hand on Midoriya’s shoulder reassuringly and whispered “Aizawa’s got him” and hoping he was right.
The class silently waited and looked out into the darkness of the night hoping to catch a glimpse of their teacher and classmate. They heard distant bangs and the screeching alarms, but nothing else. It was a damp cold, but no one said anything as the minutes slowly ticked by.
Izuku let out a relieved squeak and Shouto with the rest of the class turned to see Aizawa carrying their explosive classmate. Shouto sighed glad he was right.
Aizawa ran up to them placing Katsuki on the floor. The boy looked dazed and upset. He growled and Aizawa stopped him with a look.
Shouto saw Katsuki sign ‘what’s going on’ with slightly shaky hand gestures. He had his regular frown on, but Shouto could tell he was shaken.
Aizawa went to respond but they all froze. The loud chaos of the alarms suddenly stopped. Shouto heard Aizawa curse under his breath. The loud atmosphere was dowsed out and only the cold silent night was left. Just the rustle of wind through the trees.
Aizawa raised his hands again talking to the whole class in sign ‘they must have figured out how to cut the noise. We need to be extremely silent,’ he gave a pointed look towards Katsuki ‘or we could get ourselves or someone else killed.’ He turned more to Katsuki addressing him directly ‘stay with me, but if I have to go stay with your classmates.’
Katsuki let out a frustrated noise and Aizawa squeezed his arm in warning before gesturing for them to go deeper into the woods.
Shouto was trying to watch his step. He tried to avoid stepping on any branches or dead leaves. It would make loud noise and put his classmates in danger.
As they made their way into the woods it started getting darker and Shouto could hear more twigs snapping under their feet.
Shouto looked up and noticed how tense Katsuki was. He wanted to comfort him somehow, but he was bad at comforting people on a regular basis. He didn’t want Katsuki to blow up if he did the wrong thing so he walked closer to him hoping his presence would somehow help.
Katsuki was slowing down and Shouto was getting worried. He slowed down as well to make sure Katsuki wasn’t left behind or at his vulnerable state at the back of the group. But the slowing down eventually turned to a stop.
Katsuki was looking ahead biting his lip which was slightly wabbling. Shouto hissed out getting Aizawa’s attention as he stood slightly behind Katsuki.
Aizawa motioned for everyone to keep going and walked back to Katsuki.
Shouto knew Aizawa messed up the second he reached out, but it was too late to stop him.
Katsuki was wound up and not paying attention when Aizawa touched his arm and Katsuki instinctively let off startled sparks. The crackles had everyone freeze at the noise then they heard loud stomps and breaking trees in the distance getting closer.
Aizawa cursed under his breath again and picked Katsuki up throwing him over his shoulder and rushing the students forward.
They all broke into a jog as the rustling and loud inhuman screeches roared behind them getting closer.
Shouto kept with the back of the group trying to keep tabs on all classmates to make sure they were safe. Not noticing Katsuki missing really startled him and now he felt like he needed to compensate by making sure everyone was okay.
They ran through the forest making more noise than before but silent enough that they seemed to have lost the nomu. They stopped at a clearing when the noises behind them seemed to turn towards another louder noise off in the distance.
Shouto could hear his classmates huffing tiredly. He could see the outlines of everyone, but it was too dark to see much. He saw Aizawa bring Katsuki over to him and he felt confused but waited for instructions.
Aizawa whispered so low Shouto had to focus to hear him.
“Keep your hands on him. He should be able to recognize your body temperature over anyone else. He’ll know it’s you. You can’t grab him suddenly so keep holding on no matter what.” He said as he brought Katsukis hand up and rested it in Shoutos.
Shouto nodded and gripped Katsukis hand. He squeezed it tighter when Katsuki tried to flinch away. He let his hand cool down enough for Katsuki to know its him and keep Katsukis hands from sweating but not enough to create ice. After a moment Katsuki gripped his hand back.
They walked for a while hand in hand. Shouto tried to lead Katsuki behind their classmates’ paths to keep from stepping on something and making any loud noises.
Katsuki was barefoot and was probably all scraped up from their trek, but there was nothing Shouto could do to help him there. It was odd holding his classmate’s hand but not bad. Shouto kind of felt more grounded helping someone then when he was trying to keep track of every classmate. Being in charge of one person let him focus.
He led Katsuki forward almost wishing this was a walk to their provisional classes where Katsuki would complain telling him to walk behind him.
They went deeper into the woods and stopped in a dark shadowed area. Shouto saw Aizawa mess with the ground shuffling around and pulling a trap door open.
As the students jumped into the hole Shouto saw them disappear into pitch black darkness. Katsukis hand gripped him tighter the more students jumped in.
Aizawa tried to gesture for them to go but Shouto nodded for the other students to go first.
Katsuki was practically vibrating now and Shouto couldn’t help but pull him into a hug as he forced them to step forward.
“He’s shaking” He whispered, but Aizawa just gestured for them to jump into the hole.
Shouto wrapped his arm around Katsuki tighter. It was the only thing he could do to reassure him and stepped closer.
Katsuki let out the smallest panicked whine and Shouto stiffened and looked back. There was no noise, but they should hurry just incase they heard them. Shouto swooped his arms under Katsukis legs pulling him up in a carry and jumping into the hole.
Katsukis grip tightened around Shouto, and his breath picked up. He started heaving. The class was quiet and Katsukis heaving was getting louder as he choked on his own breath.
Shouto could hear his classmates whispering around him, but he ignored the background noise and focused on the classmate clinging to him.
It was pretty disorienting. If Shouto wasn’t used to hiding in small dark places when he was a kid, he may have been unnerved being in the darkness. He hummed a quiet hum hoping Katsuki could feel his chest rumble.
Katsuki wasn’t calming down. He was choking on his breath and whining, shoving himself onto Shoutos chest. Shouto picked Katsuki up and walked back against a wall and sat down bringing Katsuki on his lap.
Shouto heard Aizawa whisper “the doors are sealed you can use your flame for light”
Shouto held out his fingers and let his flame go up. Aizawa crouched down with a sigh he slowly moved and ran his hand through the blondes’ fluffy locks. Then moved to take his hand and brought it to his chest taking a deep breath in then releasing it slowly.
Shouto smiled when Katsuki glared at Aizawa. Still heaving in panic yet he had the gall to glare at his teacher. He gently rubbed Katsukis back, hoping he was at least somewhat helping.
After a few moments of following his teachers’ breaths he calmed down then blushed and wiped his eyes before turning his head into Shoutos shoulder making an embarrassed noise.
Aizawa motioned to get everyone’s attention then signed ‘Shouto can use his flame to help but we can’t rely on it just in case the tunnels are compromised. These tunnels will lead us to safety. Let’s go.’
Aizawa held out his hand to Katsuki and pulled him up off Shoutos lap.
Shouto reluctantly took on his new role. He walked to the front of the group nodding at his friends letting the flame in his hand light the way. They walked down the dark hallways. Everyone was quietly following him as they made their way forward.
.
Shouto flinched at the sudden noise and saw shadows of some classmates literally jump in the air. There was a banging noise that didn’t seem too far. He turned and let his flame die out. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust. There was little almost reflector like lights to show the way to the exit like in an airplane. Enough to know there is a path but not much else. He heard the steps of people running in their direction.
“Everyone go. I’ll slow them down.” Aizawa announced picking Katsuki up and handing him to the nearest student “Midoriya. Keep your hands on him.” Aizawa yelled “Go!” when no one moved, and they started running down the hallway.
They ran as fast as they could. Shouto was at the front of the group so he couldn’t make sure everyone was following but he ignored the instincts to slow down and check. He held his hand out incase there was a wall or poll. Not that it would do much good they were running too fast. If he smacked into a poll, he would probably knock himself out. He hissed and figured at the front of the group he can at least try and make sure they don’t run into walls. Squinting his eyes trying to adjust to the barely lit corridors.
Just as he predicted they all came to an abrupt stop when they turned and ran into a wall. Shouto hissed at least they slowed down for the turn he grumbled to himself. Everyone was smacking into each other at the abrupt stop. It would have actually been really funny if it was a different setting.
“Fucking only Shouto!” he heard Katsuki hiss out.
“What’s going on?” he whispered.
“Kacchan is freaking out” Midoriya whispered back.
Shouto shuffled towards the noise he let the cold side of his quirk emit so that Katsuki could sense its him. His hand was out trying to feel around and follow the choked noise.
Shouto had to hold himself back from kicking out on instinct when a hand suddenly grabbed his ankle. When the hand didn’t drag him to hell like some scary movie he leaned down and grabbed the calloused hand and pulled the boy up.
“There is an exit over here” Shouto heard Kirishima whisper shout.
Shouto pulled Katsuki over to the exit. There was a square light above them and a ladder leading to it.
Katsuki insisted everyone go up before him. He was holding up a brave bravado. He was squeezing Shoutos hand too tight for Shouto to believe his brave act. Well, he was brave for pushing past his fear.
Katsuki reluctantly let go of Shouto and pushed him towards the stares glaring at him to go up.
Shouto went up and looked down into the hole and huffed out annoyed. Katsuki and Midoriya were having a stare contest.
“come on” he heard Kirishima whisper whine behind him looking into the hole.
There was a banging noise that echoed through the hallway and Midoriya just rushed up to Katsuki. He quickly wrapped his arms around his waist and jumped up getting both of them out of the underground passages.
Katsuki was clearly ruffled and pissy at being manhandled. Probably more so because it was Deku that grabbed him.
“Is anyone in this building?” they heard someone say from down the hallway
Shouto wanted to curse but bit his tongue and grabbed Katsukis arm. He saw everyone scramble around and Midoriya waved him over under the desk.
It wasn’t the best hiding spot, but the room was a basic office and didn’t have too many good hiding spots.
Shouto manhandled Katsuki under the table and squeezed himself under. They almost didn’t fit. Three big teens under a small desk, but they made it work. Katsuki was practically on Shoutos lap trying to avoid touching Midoriya out of spite.
The voices got closer and came into the room. They were casually walking through, clearly not expecting anyone to be in the room. It was good that they weren’t looking because they were barely hidden.
Once the steps faded everyone waited a moment before they cautiously got out of their hiding spots.
Iida whispered “there is a panic room in the teachers lounge. It was in the class president handbook. I can lead us”
Shouto signed to Katsuki ‘The tunnels are compromised so we can’t get out. There is a panic room in the teachers’ lounge where we can call the police.’
Katsuki nodded ‘lead the way.’
Shouto followed Iida down the hall keeping close to Katsuki just incase something happened but tried to act casually enough not to piss Katsuki off.
They snuck down the hall into the teachers lounge. Iida told Kirishima the code and a random mirror on the wall opened up revealing a secret room.
They heard footsteps approaching and jumped into the room as quickly and quietly as they could. It was like watching a silent movie everyone rushing and tripping on their own feet but holding their breath and tiptoeing at the same time.
Shouto got Katsukis attention before grabbing him by the hand and pulling him through into the panic room.
Once the door was sealed closed Shouto looked around making sure all his classmates were present then let out a breath of relief.
“The room is soundproof so we will be okay now” Iida informed them.
Chatter broke out and exclamations of relief. Already talking about the close calls like it didn’t just happen. Denki was talking about how he thought he was going to die when a branch snapped under his foot.
Iida jumped into class president mode and started giving out instructions to each classmate. Shouto looked around there was computers, phones, couches, a fridge, coffeemaker, and beds. Like a mini studio for many people. He turned and saw Katsuki just standing there in the middle of the room still tense and walked up to him.
He reached out taking his hand and directed him over to the bed in the corner of the room. Giving him the advantage of having a wall behind him and ability to see the whole room hoping it will help him feel safe and calm down.
He signed what Iida announced when he got off the phone ‘We got hold of Aizawa he’s alive. Backup already came and are arresting everyone. We will probably be here for an hour or so. ‘
Katsuki sagged in relief and leaned onto Shoutos shoulder watching the room.
“Shouto can you-” Iida stopped giving instructions and his eyes softened a bit
“I think I should stay here.” Shouto nodded towards the blond fluff of hair.
Iida nodded then turned to another classmate giving them different tasks.
A few students came up and tried to ask if Katsuki was okay, but they were just ignored. Time ticked by slowly. Shouto let his warm side emit hoping it would comfort Katsuki without crossing a line or triggering the blonde. Katsuki just leaned more into him.
He tensed when he heard a click tightening his arm around Katsukis waist ready to defend or attack if necessary. He held his tense posture for a moment before relief washed over him at the sight of their teacher and other pro heroes behind him.
Aizawa asked if anyone was injured and when he got no response, he walked over to Shouto and Katsuki and signed ‘everyone’s safe. You were very brave. Are you okay?’
Shouto felt Katsuki shutter then heard him let out a choked cry. Aizawa reached out and Katsuki fell into his chest. Shouto looked away not wanting to infringe on the scene.
President Mic looked over at the two concerned, but Aizawa responded before he could ask “they are just kids. It’s been a day. Being attacked when you are vulnerable is different then when you are in your hero gear looking for villains.”
Shouto felt the weight of everything that night. He felt like he was on high alert and didn’t even notice how scared he was until it was over, and he could relax.
He felt tears prick at his eyes and tried to blink them away. He looked around and saw that he wasn’t the only one. His classmates were huddled together tears running down their eyes. Some silent cries others blinking fast. Ashido threw herself into President Mics arms crying loudly “that was scarry!”
Her cries seemed to open the flood gates as the rest of the class started openly crying too.
The teachers came in and were comforting their students.
Shouto leaned against Aizawa who sat on the bed holding Katsuki on his lap and reassuring his class that they did good.
.
They eventually moved to the teachers’ dorms too exhausted to do anything but follow the teachers. They ran into the other classes but didn’t do much but nod in acknowledgement and give small, exhausted smiles. Aizawa just carried their sleeping blonde classmate who must have tired himself out from crying. Shouto clung to his teacher’s shirt and Midoriya leaned on Shoutos shoulder.
They made it to the teacher’s room and fell asleep quickly.
.
Shouto woke up and looked around confused then opened his eyes wider when he remembered what happened. He turned to see his classmates then looked back and saw Katsuki awake smiling softly.
Shouto smiled and let himself drift back to sleep. They were going to be okay.