Chapter Text
It’s warm and soft when Hizashi starts to surface from a deep sleep. For a while he just lets himself float. It’s nice here. Then a presence makes itself known in Hizashi’s right hand. Extra warmth and a light pressure around his fingers. Next comes the sound of soft breathing coming from people other than himself. Shouta?
“Who?” Hizashi fights the darkness and manages to open his eyes the tiniest crack. It’s dark and suddenly busy. The hand that holds his own tightens swiftly and several whispers surround his small world.
“Zashi, can you hear me?”
“Pop?”
“Is he really awake this time? Should I get the little Queen?
“Wha…” they all sounded so worried. Why was that again?
“Fetch her.” Shouta, that was Shouta
The hand in Hizashi’s gave another firm squeeze, “Come on Pop.”
“Toshi?” Hizashi finally manages to open his eyes all the way. And with that single action a wave of memories flooded his head. But oddly enough…”Why don’t I hurt?”
Those warm Lilac eyes that had been staring at him fill with tears, “Oh Pop.” The hand slipped from Hizashi’s, and was replaced with arms around his torso and a head buried in his chest.
“Easy kiddo. I’m alright.” Hizashi tried to reassure his son
“Almost weren't.” Shouta comes to stand over the bed. His face is pale, the shadows under his eyes more prominent then they’ve been in a long while. Shouta’s lips are pulled into a deep frown, “Don’t do that again you idiot.”
“Do what exactly?” Hizashi gave a guilty little grin as the grip around his torso tightened, “I did a lot of dumb stuff yesterday.” he blinks, “It was yesterday right?”
“Yes. You’ve been out for just under 16 hours.” Shouta’s eyes narrowed, “We’re getting you a work partner for field missions.”
“That seems a bit much don’t ya…”
“Shut up Pop.” is the muffled interruption from the emotional teen buried in his chest
Hizashi looks between his distraught son and pissed off partner before sighing, “Right, buddy system, sounds great.”
A knock on the door has Shouta reaching over to a side table and picking up a mask that Hizashi recognized as Void. As he slipped it over his head the door opened and a young female voice declared with the confidence of All Might, “I’m here, everyone can relax now.”
When a familiar head of white hair came into view Hizashi felt mild discomfort crawl up his spine, “Jenna?” he turned to Shouta, “You brought me to Jenna?!”
“You sound like you’re not happy to see me.” Despite the pouting tone Jenna sports a wide smile with too many teeth
“Where is Shuichi?” Shouta asks, the voice modulator in his mask doing nothing to hide his suspicion
“With the boys upstairs. They’re trying to convince him to stay.”
“You can’t have him you pubescent pervert!” Hizashi snaps
“A fine way to talk to your savior.” without any warning Jenna takes hold of the blanket and wrenches it off the bed so hard that it flies across the room while dislodging Hitoshi from his embrace, “Let’s get a look at that leg.”
Hizashi realizes he’s in nothing but his boxers and a tank top and flushes, “Was it really necessary to do this?!”
“Well I have to examine the wound. Or, more accurately…” she reached down and pinched a new thin scar on the inside of Hizashi’s thigh, “...where it used to be.”
“Hey!” Hizashi slapped at the thin digits that had left a fresh red mark on his skin
“Hands off Jenna, unless it’s important.” Shouta half growled from behind his mask
“Yeah, yeah, I can only play with who you give me.” Jenna rolled her eyes before they took on a slightly more serious expression. This time when she reached out it was slow and clinical. Hizashi jumped when she touched his skin but she didn't pinch. Instead she prodded and stroked and finally patted it gently before leaning back with a beaming grin, “Well, if there was ever any doubt let it all drain away. You’re back to tip top shape!” Jenna extended her hand with a thumbs up gesture
“Then we won’t linger here.” Shouta said, “As soon as Hizashi is dressed we’ll slip out the back.”
“Sure, yeah, no problem.” the smile seemed to grow
“Shuichi is coming with us.” Shouta finished with finality
Jenna sighed and her shoulders slumped, “Fine. But can you get me another one like that? His skin is so...shiny.” Jenna shivered and her cheeks went pink
“I’ll see what I can do.” Shouta nodded slowly
“Yeah!” Jenna rushed for the door, “I’ll go fetch him for you. Call me if you need me again.”
“Dad...what is up with her?” Hitoshi looked mildly disturbed as he returned to his place on the bed next to Hizashi. This time he settled for simple proximity instead of latching onto Hizashi again.
“She enjoys looking at...well shaped men.” Shouta shrugged, “As far as I know it’s never progressed to any unwanted advances. But as you can imagine it puts most people off. I send the less bright muscle from Void here on a rotating schedule to keep her distracted.”
“That is the kindest way you could have described that fucking voyer.” Hizashi grumbled as he looked around the room, “The day I went to interview her she tried to peep on me during a bathroom break.” when he couldn't see what he was looking for he turned to Shouta, “Babe, where are my pants?”
“Ruined.” was the simple response. Shouta leaned down and reached under the bed to pull out a plastic bag from a local clothing shop, “You’ll be wearing civilian clothing until we can have you a new outfit made.”
“Stains were that bad huh?” a serious atmosphere descended on the room once more. Hizashi looked down at his bare toes, wiggling them just for something to do with his body, “I really didn't plan for it to go that way. If the Little Engine hadn't been there the fight would have been over in seconds.”
“Perhaps. But now we’ll never know and we’re cleaning up the mess.” Hizashi winced at the distorted voice that was lecturing him
“I hate that fucking mask.” he grumbled
“Trust me, I don’t like it either.” a short pause during which Hizashi can almost feel one of those special little smiles taking root on Shouta’s face, “It’s stuffy in here.”
Hitoshi snorted while Hizashi started going through the bag in his lap with a smirk.
“Hey Boss, this place isn't too bad.” Shuichi said as he entered the room without a knock. His wig was still in place but his clothing had been replaced with something a bit less fluorescent, “The guys here seem really happy. Maybe I could take a turn at…”
“NO!” was the trio of voices that interrupted that sentence
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Inko opened the door and beamed down at Hitoshi, “Toshi-kun, so good to see you. I’m guessing you’re here to see Izuku?”
“Yes ma’am. My Dad is still coming up the stairs. We brought some food.” Hitoshi offered his best smile to the warm woman as she let him inside
“Oh sweetie, you didn't have to do that.” Inko beamed, “But I sure do appreciate it. I’ll wait here for your Father. Go ahead inside, Izuku is in his room.”
“Thank you ma’am.” Hitoshi headed down the short hall where his friend’s room was and knocked lightly, “Izuku, it’s Toshi. Can I come in?”
“Toshi?” Izuku’s swift footsteps were audible for a moment before the door swung open. Aside from a few bruises and scrapes the teen looked fine, perhaps a bit tired on top of it all.
“You idiot!” Hitoshi snapped, pushing his way past his best friend to go sit on the edge of his bed, “How could you do that!? Do you know how worried I was! I thought you might have lost a limb or something! I mean, come on, the Hero Killer!?”
“I sent for backup.” Izuku defended himself in a softer tone than Hitoshi’s, “I just wanted to defend them until someone could come to help.”
“Fat lot of good that did from what I heard.” Hitoshi looks down at where the tips of his shoes drag against the carpet, “Who were the others?”
“Wait, how did you know it was me but not them too! Did no one tell you?” Izuku looked boggled
“No you idiot. The second I heard about it I knew you’d be involved. Who else would lack the self preservation?” Hitoshi shot him a smug smirk while Izuku’s face and neck turned bright red, “So, who were the others and are they alright?” he already knew who was there but if he showed that he knew too much there would be trouble. It seemed the Police were keeping the details to this whole thing as quiet as possible. Dad said it was to prevent some kind of fanatical following for the dead Villain.
Izuku shifted in his seat, “It was Todoroki and Ida. Todoroki got stabbed in his arm while trying to hold off the Hero Killer. Ida has a partially shattered shoulder and a few stab wounds as well.” Izuku gave a bitter smile, “I’m sure we all would have ended up much worse if not for…” his eyes go a bit crossed
“Izuku?”
“Void.” Hitoshi stiffened while Izuku turned his head to look out the window of his room, eyes obviously not seeing the street outside, “I used to think he was a myth on message boards. Some big conspiracy to try and tie the majority of random crime together. But then the evidence started piling up, Present Mic went public, and the rumors became real. Still, I never really bought that it was just one person doing all that. No way could just one person be in charge of something so big.” The silence that followed lasted so long that Hitoshi almost spoke. But then Izuku continued, “The things I’ve learned this year show me how naive that idea was.”
“Whoa, hey now.” Hitoshi stood and took a step forward so he could place a hand on his friend’s shoulder. When green eyes met lilac Hitoshi continued, “Naive is the last word I would use to describe you. Well intentioned, kind hearted, or impulsive all day long for sure though. Your ability to see the best in people is one of the main reasons we became friends. And it’s also one of the reasons you’ll make a great Hero one day. Hell, from the sounds of it you already are.” Hitoshi tightened his grip for a moment and let his smile grow, “This was just another learning experience Izuku. And we all know how well you do with those.”
The smile he gets in return feels half hearted. Hitoshi feels like there is something he’s missing here. It’s a feeling he’s been getting slightly more often these days when having serious conversations with his friend. But Hitoshi would have to be the biggest hypocrite in the world to go digging around just because there was something about his friend that bugged him a little bit. Izuku had let so many things go over their years of friendship. Things about Hitoshi’s parents, his home life, his old school, ect. Hitoshi knew that, if the time was ever right, Izuku would explain it. So for now they both pretend like everything is fine as the door opens and Inko pops her head in.
“Izuku! Mr. Aizawa brought you your favorite. Homemade Katsudon. He says his partner made it special just for you.”
“Michael-san?” Izuku’s eyes widened, “He didn't go out of his way did he?” he implored in a guilty sounding tone while standing and looking over at Hitoshi, “I know most days he can’t get up to much.”
“He has his good days. And he thinks you’re worth it dude.” Hitoshi offered a smile and tried not to laugh. To Izuku this was simply a thoughtful gesture. But to Dad and Pop it represented a bit more. If Izuku hadn't shown up Hitoshi would have one less parent around. Hitoshi would never be able to verbally thank his best friend for that. A hot meal was a good first step though.