Chapter Text
Kirishima didn’t see Midoriya downstairs for dinner in the end.
Nor for breakfast the next morning, for that matter.
When Midoriya showed up tired to class, Kirishima just quietly pulled out his phone. He watched Midoriya shuffle over to his own desk, eyes staring to the floor.
*Manly Rock is active in chat*
MR: deku did you even sleep man?
*Deku is active in chat*
D: Yeah.
MR: sure u did
MR: did u eat anything? breakfast or dinner?
D: Yeah.
MR: yk u dont need to lie abt this stuff here.
MR: did you actually eat?
Kirishima could sense some hesitancy on the other side of the chat; he noticed the way Midoriya was biting his nails across the room. Probably one of his anxious habits?
D: I forgot?
MR: are u asking or telling me that
D: Idk.
MR: dude yk u gotta eat. we have hero training tdy
D: I’ve functioned on less, I’m fine.
MR: stop saying ur fine its not reassuring
MR: js dont miss lunch okay?
But Midoriya had already put his phone away, Kirishima finally realized.
Unfortunately, when he looked over to see Midoriya’s phone was down, Kirishima also saw the bandages showing underneath Midoriya sleeves.
Which would make sense.
Except Midoriya wasn’t wearing bandages the other day when Kirishima first saw the cuts.
Because, as of the other day, the scars weren’t fresh. Therefore the cuts didn’t need bandages.
So, logically, Midoriya didn’t need the bandages unless he had done it recently.
Oh.
MR: ur bandages are showing btw
MR: @Deku
MR: Your sleeves are rolled up n showing your bandages.
Midoriya must have muted all notifications except for direct mentions in his chat, because when Kirishima @‘ed him, only then did he finally check his phone.
Kirishima watched the muddle of anxiety and guilt form in Midoriya’s eyes as he brought his arms to his lap, lightly tugging down his sleeves.
MR: just a relapse, huh?
Kirishima regretted the wording the second he’d hit “send”. Too smug. But Deku had already read it.
D: I’m sorry
D: I’m sorry I didn’t think I’d do it again
MR: im not mad, ok?
MR: i js dont want u doing that stuff
MR: but ik u cnat js stop
MR: cant*
D: I just got anxious
Midoriya had a lot of visual tells when he was anxious.
Like right now, for example: he’d gone from biting his nails to nearly rocking in his seat, far too deep in thought to really notice.
A few classmates had looked Midoriya’s way, confused by his mannerisms, but excusing it as “just Deku” behavior.
But, shit, Krishima didn’t want to make Midoriya function off of anxiety for the next hour and a half.
*[MR has sent 3 images]*
MR: js calm down, and look at these cat pics <3
At his desk, Midoriya gave a small, breathy laugh, despite himself.
D: I love cats lol..
MR: yeah u seem like more of a cat guy- personally i love dogs but cats r cute too lol
D: Hah they are.
MR: looks i js dont want you to freak out over this
MR: nbdy else saw ur wrists, and only ik
D: I know, I'm sorry, it just scares me that somebody will find out.
MR: i get it
MR: well, no, i dont get it, but i know ur worried
D: Aizawa-sensei is coming in.
MR: ah ok ill ttyl then :]
D: Bye
MR: bye ^^
- - - -
Aizawa prided himself on being perceptive.
He was a pro hero, of course he was perceptive. So he really thought his students would know better, than to think he’d miss signs.
Anxious fidgeting on test day was a sure sign of a student who was less confident in their future grade. Meanwhile, smirks, upon turning over the test, were often either attempted cheaters or good students who knew that their studying had paid off.
Signs were everywhere, and Aizawa knew his students’ typical demeanors enough to recognize said signs.
But today wasn’t a test day, nor was it a day that Class 1A had quizzes in any of their classes.
And while Aizawa wanted to excuse Midoriya’s knee bouncing as his usual, persistent anxiety, the kid didn’t volunteer once.
He didn’t mumble, he didn’t raise his hand, he didn’t really speak at all. His eyes hung heavy with deep eye bags underneath; his smile was lacking.
And nor did Aizawa miss the glances Kirishima kept sparing Midoriya.
They’re teen heroes, Aizawa sighed, there’s always something up with them.
He decided to give it a day. If Midoriya was just as.. different the next day, then Aizawa would step in. No need in prying into behavior that could easily be the result of lack of sleep– which would explain his appearance too– or simply from receiving a bad grade.
Midoriya did tend to get pretty affected by that sort of stuff.
So Aizawa tried to ignore it.
But it’s hard to teach a class though, when your gut is screaming at you, that something is wrong.
Nobody else really seemed to notice though, spare Uraraka’s concerned smiles towards Midoriya, and Kirishima’s flickering looks.
Aizawa saw it, Aizawa continued teaching.
Aizawa held onto his patience.. until he couldn’t.
It wasn’t until the bell rang, and the students rushed to gather their papers, books, and bags.
When Midoriya pulled on his own backpack; the motion caused his sleeve to fall back, just enough.
But when that uniform’s sleeve material fell back, Aizawa's patience, to wait another day for his talk with Midoriya, had dissipated.
Midoriya was already out of the door though, and Aizawa would only draw attention if he ran after a kid in the hallway.
Midoriya’s behavior, his anxiety, his silence that day–
Aizawa hoped it wasn't what it had been last time.
Two months prior, Midoriya had gotten hurt in a training exercise.
For whatever reason that damn Problem Child had come up with at the time–
For whatever reason, he’d hidden that injury from Recovery Girl for three days.
Aizawa only ever found out because one of the kid’s classmates had called Midoriya out for having a wrap around his rib/stomach area, with no apparent or recent cause of injury.
Aside from their training.
To Aizawa, the scenario matched what appeared to be happening again now. Or at least it seemed to match.
Except, Midoriya hadn’t been in training since last Thursday, which was going on four days ago, and the class hadn’t done anything strenuous that day either, so something was amiss.
But, Midoriya would have had a good reason to hide an injury, if he’d sustained it outside of training.
Last time it’d been a sprained rib.
Thought you would have learned by now, kid.
But some part of Aizawa..
Some small part, was terrified.
Terrified that the wraps on Midoriya’s wrists were similar to the themed bandaids that Aizawa used to wear over his own.
Aizawa stroked his thumb over his lined, scarred wrist. That was a long time ago.
But he ignored that terror.
Midoriya had been cleared by Hound Dog as stable in that area, a while back. Around the beginning of the school year.
Aizawa shook his head, bringing his mind back to the present.
All it was, was Midoriya hiding another injury in the sake of being all “I’m fine” or whatever shit that kid pulled.
At least, Aizawa could only hope that that was it.
Whatever had happened, it didn’t sit right with Aizawa.
His main relief was that Kirishima seemed to know about whatever was going on with Midoriya, and Kirishima wouldn’t let his friend remain in pain when he could get help.
Aizawa sent Yamada (who had Class 1A next is mmm ) a warning text to keep a look out for any unusual behavior from Midoriya, Kirishima, or any other students who might be in on the loop.
Yamada (who was marked as Present Mic in his messages) replied quickly enough, with a “Sure! Everything okay?”
EH: Yes, everything is fine until further notice.
PM: Kay then, I’ll tell you at lunch if anything’s up :)
EH: Go teach your class
EH: And thank you
PM: Love you toooo
PM: Byee
Aizawa shook his head fondly, putting away his phone while he started on grading the homework. The first paper turned in was Iida’s, per usual, and the last was Denki’s, also per usual.
This should be fun..
~1400 words <3