Chapter Text
Midoriya’s consciousness slowly bled into him. His senses being returned to him one by one. His head felt like cotton and his body felt tingly.
He could feel the bandages wrapped around his left arm, right leg, stomach, and head. It made him feel stiff and uncomfortable.
Midoriya opened his eyes carefully, trying to not burn his eyes out. He felt like everything was moving.
He could faintly hear talking but could hardly focus as his eyes shifted quickly from side to side.
Midoriya just slowly closed his eyes to get better control of his senses. ‘What is the last thing I remember?’ Midoriya thought as a beep slowed and talking ceased.
‘Ok.. The weighted endurance… The blue light… Ashido… Aizawa fighting… Aizawa getting stabbed.. Mi- AIZAWA! Is he alright!! Oh my god he got hurt omg the bloodomgomgomgomg-’
“-riya! Midoriya!” Midoriya felt like a blanket was pulled off his head. He could breathe and it didn’t feel hot or stuffy.
Midoriya took in a deep breath that his lungs were not prepared for, throwing him into a (rather violent) coughing fit.
Turning to lean off the side of the bed, he felt a gentle hand press into his back. Unfortunately, this only served to set him off more.
Tensing, Midoriya threw himself forward off the side of the bed. Blankets tangled around his legs, not letting him get as far as he wanted and he fell into a crumpled pile on the floor as he still coughed.
A small “Shit..” was heard above him before there was a figure crouched right in front of Midoriya.
“Alright Midoriya. Take a small breath and look at me. I’m not gonna hurt you. No one here is gonna hurt you.” The figure ‘..Present Mic..?’ said.
At that, midoriya took notice of the others in the room. Aizawa, Recovery Girl, Present Mic, and Midnight all watched in worry.
“I- no! Let me- I- Aizawa, he-”
“Is right there little listener. He’s okay. I need you to calm down okay?”
He felt his whole body felt as if a string holding him up was suddenly released. He laid his head back into the cold tile of the floor as all his fear flowed out of him like a waterfall.
“We’re gonna pull you back into the bed, okay? Is it alright for me to touch you?” Present Mic asked.
Midoriya held his hand up in a sort of gimme-a-second kind of motion as he closed his eyes.
The staff looked to him with worry and amusement from his (rather out of character rudeness) gesture.
Midoriya’s mind was too muddled to really feel embarrassed.
He quietly mumbled “what the fuuuuck…” as he sat up and took a couple breaths.
The other staff members had a couple chuckles as they watched this very dazed student get placed into a bed.
“You back to the living, little listener?” Present Mic said, softly.
“As alive as I can get, I guess” Midoriya mumbled. Present Mic just chuckled lightly.
“You’re quite..un-you when you wake up, aren’t ya?” Despite obviously being a joke, Midoriya still felt shame and embarrassment creep into his throat and eyes.
“Y-yeah… s-sorry.” Midoriya whispered looking away. His face changed into a slightly pinker tone, though still a lot paler.
Present Mic could feel the glares of other staff in the back of his head. Quickly back-tracking, he responded “It’s alright little listener! No one is making fun of you!”
Midoriya couldn’t really believe that, but decided to drop it.
“I-it’s fine. I know you didn’t mean it like that…” Based on the teacher’s slight furrow of his brow, it’s obvious he didn’t believe it either. “W-what d-did you need?”
“Well, little listener! I have some questions to ask you about what happened. Is that alright, little listener?”
“I- uh- y-yeah th-that’s fine…” His nervousness bleeding into his words, stumbling and stuttering over most of his words.
The staff obviously noticed the nervousness, and Midnight spoke up next.
“Don’t force yourself, Midoriya. It’s perfectly fine if you don’t want to.” Her silky voice helped ground Midoriya before he replied.
“No, no. I-it’s not that! I was just t-thinking about t-the i-incident!” Midoriya’s voice shook slightly while talking and it was enough to worry the staff members more.
Aizawa spoke slowly and quietly.
“Problem child, you don’t need to talk about the incident if you feel uncomfortable. That is why we’re asking for your permission.” Midoriya took a second to process the words.
He was given a choice? But last time- no. No thinking about it.
Midoriya’s eyes widened ever so slightly before he looked at his lap.
Aizawa had seen the flickers of confusion before realization and a small amount of amazement bled into Midoriya’s eyes before looking down. It was enough to let the small pang of confusion and hurt ring through his heart.
“Problem child-” Midoriya had a small flinch to that title that made all the staff turn and cold-stare at Aizawa.
“Midoriya.” His name being called snapped Midoriya into attention, staring at his homeroom teacher in morbid surprise. It hurt everyone a lot more than that simple gesture should have.
“Midoriya,” Aizawa called again. “You have a choice. No one will force you. You are in control here. No one can tell you what to do.”
The words took a little longer to set in than before. When they did, Midoriya’s eyes widened before slowly dripping tears. It didn’t even look like it registered to him.
His head slowly lowered until his curls covered his eyes. The tears still dripped and dried on his cheeks.
“A-a c-choice..?” Midoriya's voice sounded so detached and void of emotion.
All the staff felt a piece of their heart get pulled for this sad, deprived little boy.
“Oh, kid…” Aizawa muttered, before sliding out of his bed (to the protest of all the other adults) and walking and sitting next to Midoriya.
“Midoriya. Look at me. It’s okay. You get a choice.” Midoriya’s eyes immediately shifted into Aizawa’s eyes. Aizawa could see the vulnerability and distrust but also hope in the dreadfully blank eyes.
Aizawa slowly reached over and put his hand on Midoriya’s shoulder.
Aizawa slowly and gently pulled Midoriya into a hug, giving him the time and room to pull away if he wanted to.
A slight shudder ran through Midoriya’s body before he leaned into Aizawa’s chest. His eyes still dripping tears and wide open as he finally felt the weight of the attack sink in.
Quickly pulling a hand around Aizawa’s back and the other over his mouth, Midoriya let out a gut wrenching sob that was barely muffled by his hand.
Aizawa’s arms slowly tightened around Midoriya whispering things like ‘it’s okay’ ‘you have a choice’ ‘it's okay to cry’
Aizawa slowly raised his gaze and met the eye of Hizashi. His brows pulled close together and his signature grin was not found anywhere and was replaced with a tight frown.
Flipping his gaze to Midnight, the concern and worry fuming off her (Literally, it’s a quirk side effect, letting her emotions be smelled) and the pure guiltiness and sadness radiating off her posture.
Aizawa slowly closed his eyes and let the small, emotionally deprived 16 year-old bawl into his chest.