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Shouta Aizawa walked into his classroom like any other day. No holidays were coming up instead of Father's Day but that was in a week.
His class was nevertheless the same, scampering to their respective seats after Shouta walked in the room. He heard some of their distant conversations from the hallway. A few of them were talking about plans with family.
Strangely, Bakugo seemed more tame than usual. He sat in his chair the right way with his hands on the desk and his eyes cast forward. The reason for this evaded him at the moment, but he didn't really mind. If the normally explosive blonde was more cooperative today, he'd take it.
Except the only one in the classroom who wasn't at attention to his arrival was Midoriya.
The greenette was hunched over on his desk with his arms cradling his chin. His green eyes stared down at the surface of his desk as if it had personally offended him. They were glassy and had a distant look to them that set off alarms in Shouta's head.
He brushed them off for now, maybe the kid just had a rough morning. Starting homeroom was a breeze and the day continued on like natural.
Shouta would be lying if he said he wasn't worried about Midoriya. The kid wasn't putting in the normal amount of effort that he normally did in his classes. What's more intriguing was that Bakugo wasn't bothering him at all. No petty remarks or rude accusations.
Weird.
The end of the day came and Shouta found himself sitting in the staff room doing paperwork just like he did everyday. His mind was now preoccupied with grading as it usually was when his class was in heroics training.
That was until All Might came in wearing his hero outfit but was completely deflated. Shouta would never get used to seeing the number one hero so sickly. He wore a thoughtful expression as he went to his desk and started paperwork of his own.
Shouta ignored it and went back to work. That was until, "Did Young Midoriya seem off to you today? Or was it just me?"
Now looking up, he saw All Might looking to him waiting for an answer. "I guess, but we all have off days. He'll be better by tomorrow."
That seemed to satisfy the other hero as he looked back down at his work and let the pen race across the papers, quickly noting how Aoyama used a glitter pen for his homework again.
Whatever.
He packed up for the day and went home. Hizashi was already there waiting for him and they both sat down for dinner. He briefly thought about how he should probably go out and get his father a gift for the upcoming holiday. Shouta's father loved cats as much as him, maybe he should get him another cat? But would Moa like that.
Moa was the cat that his parents have had since he was in high school, and he was honestly surprised that she was still alive, she's ancient. She wasn't overly aggressive, but who knew how an old cat would react to having a newer younger feline join the family.
Most animals needed to be introduced slowly to newcomers so that fights are less likely to break out.
Shouta guessed that could wait until later as he finished his food and got ready for patrol. It was a long night full of thugs and back alleyway scumbags, by the time he got home he collapsed in bed exhausted.
The next morning came and all he could think about was coffee. Their coffee maker was broken and needed to be fixed but neither of them could find the time to do anything about it.
So he drank the coffee from the maker at school. It wasn't the best in the world but it would work to keep the fatigue away.
As he walked down the hallway to his classroom he heard snit-bits of their conversations. Normal teenage things, plans for after school, things they saw on the internet, that sort of thing.
He opened to door and immediately noticed it.
Midoriya was not better.
Of anything, he was worse. There were dark circles under his eyes and his face was flushed. His outfit wasn't put together probably, either. His tie was more or less the same but he looked awful. Had he been crying?
Shouta was beginning to get the same red flags as yesterday. Maybe he should ask him if he was okay after class.
When the bell rang he waited for most of the class to leave but Ururaka got to him before he could and asked Midoriya if he was doing okay. Of course he said yes but it sounded too much like a lie to his ears. "Midoriya," He called and waited for the boy to turn. Ururaka stood there confused and Shouta waved her off. "Can I speak with you for a moment?"
Midoriya turned back to the girl with a tired smile, "I'll see you in class. Bye."
She left reluctantly with the rest of the class and the boy walked up to Shouta's desk with an awkward aura. "Yes, Sensei?"
"I wanted to know if you were okay?" He let some emotion into his voice. "You look exhausted and you weren't been paying attention in class yesterday. Is everything alright?"
Midoriya looked shocked for a moment before switching to a face of neutrality. "I'm okay, just had a rough night. That's all."
"Are you sure?"
"Yup!"
Shouta didn't really believe him. The fake smile that Midoriya then put on looked like there was more force in it than necessary. It made him wonder what was really going on.
Reluctantly, without anything he could do since he couldn't force the kid to talk, he shooed him off to his next class.
After his whole class was gone, Shouta stood from his desk and went to the staff room. Nemuri looked up from her desk and smiled to him as he sat down. "What's wrong? You look more tired than usual."
He sent her a halfhearted glare before sighing, "Can you keep an eye on Midoriya in your classes? He's been off since yesterday and it's gotten worse."
"Is something wrong? Is he okay?"
"I don't know, it could just be that he's tired but I don't want to risk it if there's actually something going on."
"Alright? I'll keep that in mind. It's strange for you to show this much concern for a student. You must really like him, Shouta," She teased.
He glared once more. "He's a Problem Child. But he's not acting himself and it shows. I'm a teacher, it's my job to be concerned when one of the most motivated students is slacking."
"Okay okay. I'll tell the others to keep an eye on him just in case. Better?"
"Yeah," He said as he made his way to the coffee machine for another cup.
Coffee always made days like this more bearable.
The day continued on with the normal paperwork and yapping of his colleagues. Just as she said she would, Nemuri told the other teachers to keep an eye on Midoriya and they all came back saying he looked distracted and gone for the whole day.
Teachers filtered in and out of the staff room, giving their own report on what happened in their class with the green headed boy.
"He just sat there looking at his paper but not really looking at it. It was like he wasn't even there. Dissociating, that's how I would describe him," Cementoss said.
"He stared out of the window the whole period. Usually he's the most enthusiastic about my class, so I asked him what was wrong and he said that he just had a rough night," Hizashi said.
"Midoriya almost fell asleep today. Looked like death. I made him promise to get some sleep tonight but I could tell he was lying, which that in itself is strange. He never lies," Ectoplasm told him. "I excused his missing homework assignment as long as he turned it in tomorrow."
Shouta kept all their reports in mind as he went home that night.
Was something really going on with his Problem child? If so what was it?
_
Izuku walked to the train station by himself.
He'd told Ururaka and Iida that he wanted to just be alone. They understood and respected his wishes, albeit worriedly. He could tell they were concerned about his behavior and didn't say anything, but in his mind it was justified.
The way the teachers were watching him that day made him uneasy. More than once they asked him if he was alright. Was he really that transparent?
It was getting annoying, though. He'd probably feel better if he didn't hear about Father's Day every day. Each year he bought a gift, just in case, but in the end he'd always wind up throwing it away.
This year he had bought a grey blanket. It was soft to the touch and light enough to fold into a small square and fit in his backpack. He didn't know why he carried it around all week, he just did. It happened every year, he always brought the gifts he buys with him, hoping for the person he wanted to give it to to come back.
Maybe he would come back?
Maybe he didn't leave him just for being Quirkless?
The blanket in his backpack felt heavier now, despite its light weight.
Each store front he passed had the same goddamn posters and flyers. He wanted to tear them down, scream, cry, do anything. He just wanted it to stop.
The same question kept haunting his mind over and over again. Why did he leave me?
Passerby gave him worried glances as he left the train station. Did he really look that awful? He saw his reflection in the glass of a store window. Dark circles rested under his eyes. He hadn't really slept the last two days. His hair was a mess, but what was new about that? His uniform wasn't put on correctly and he didn't even notice that morning.
Drawing out a long sigh he kept on his walk home. Mom hadn't been any different than him. She was usually worse when his dad's Birthday came around.
Father's Day is what did it for him, though.
It was less than a week away and people were beginning to talk about it in class, annoying him to no end.
Finally, he opened the door to their apartment and closed it with a click. He locked it while taking off his shoes and put on his indoor slippers. Walking into his room, he kicked the door shut and collapsed onto his bed.
He debated whether or not it would be worth it to tell the teachers why he's been so off, but decided not to. It wasn't their business to know that about his personal life and in his opinion he wasn't even that bad. He was fine. He could get through this, he always did.
Mom was apparently taking another night shift at the hospital and there wasn't any food in the kitchen worth eating so he just did whatever homework he was given (He might not have been looking at the material but that was his business) and went to bed with an empty stomach.
Nightmares plagued his dreams like they did every night of this anniversary week and he spent the night looking at his ceiling in anger and sorrow.
The next morning wasn't any better.
His mom was asleep in her room and couldn't make breakfast. He didn't want to wake her, she did so much for him already and she deserved the rest. So Izuku just left a note for her and went to school.
Forgetting his umbrella.
Rain poured down on his back and head like the tears he'd shed earlier that night and he wondered if this was his karma for being such a weak son that his father wouldn't even try to stay. Some would say that he couldn't control being born Quirkless and he would agree, but the thought that his dad still left him made him feel like it was his fault.
And despite how much she loved him, he knew that his mom partly blamed him too.
Izuku let the rain soak him to the bone, his hair stuck to his forehead and his clothes to his skin. The water trailed his face too as he kept his head down.
God he must've looked awful.
Anger filled his heart, just like it did every year. He was usually better at controlling it but now he was just starting to get pissed off. Screw him, who needs a dad!
Thoughts similar to that crossed his mind as he stepped through the gates to his school.
Everyone had their own ponchos and umbrellas to keep them from the rain, others used their backpacks, but not him. He was the only one who was completely soaked.
And he didn't care.
Quickly changing his shoes at the shoe locker and shaking out at least some of the water from his hair and blazer, he walked up the stairs and went to class.
"Woah, dude! You look like crap! What happened? Did you forget your umbrella?" Kirishima asked while sitting on Kacchan's desk talking to him. He ignored the subtle gesture from the blonde to the red head, the hand movement that said "stop" and ignored him in favor of sitting at his desk.
Ururaka saw him and started coming over. God, could he just die?
Kacchan saw her walk over and quickly shook his head at her, eyes wide with urgency and desperation. She looked at him with confusion and continued forward.
"Deku-kun? Are you okay? Did you go out in the storm without an umbrella? You're gonna catch a cold, you know?"
The blonde rolled his eyes in exasperation before turning back around.
Izuku wanted to hit something.
Preferably his father, but the point still stands.
Taking a deep breath, he turned to Ururaka with a plastered on smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm fine, Ururaka-san. It's just water. I'll dry."
Thankfully, she got the damn hint and went back to her own desk.
He sat there and waited for class to start.
The sooner he could get home, the better.
Aizawa-sensei walked in with his normal deadpan expression and his eyes immediately fell upon Izuku.
At that point he didn't even care anymore and kept his eyes forward. Water dripped onto his desk from his hair and his uniform still stuck to his skin. He pretended not to notice how his teacher would glance at him every so often during homeroom and waited for the bell to go off.
Once it did his clothes were damp and his hair still dripped. It didn't matter. Maybe if I suffer just a little bit, Dad would come home and Mom could be happy?
He bargained with himself as he got out of his seat.
Izuku took his time walking to the door, aware that eyes were on him.
"Midoriya."
Stopping where he was, he sighed and waited for everyone else to leave. Mina looked at him with worry, same with Ojiro.
Once everyone was gone he turned around to see his teachers gaze once more. The usual intimidating and blank stare held what almost looked like concern. But that had to be wrong; why would Aizawa care about him? He may have a Quirk now but he still didn't know how to control all that well, and Aizawa did say that he could be a liability in battle so why was he looking at him like that when he didn't even deserve-
"Midoriya, that doesn't mean I don't care about your well being."
Crap, did he say that out loud?
His teacher sighed and gestured for him to come closer. For what felt like the millionth time that week, he shuffled closer and looked down at the ground.
And was then surprised when he felt a soft towel touch the top of his head.
"I got you a towel before class before I walked in. Didn't want to embarrass you, though," Aizawa said.
He reached a hand up and touched the towel, his eyes still on the floor. Then started to dry his hair off.
"Thanks," He muttered.
"Is that why you've been upset? You don't think I should care about how my students are because I think that they might need more training?" Aizawa asked.
He looked up frantically, "No! No, that's not what I meant! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to speak out loud like that!"
"Problem child, just because I think you need to learn how to control your Quirk doesn't mean I haven't noticed you've been off. All your teachers are worried about you. You haven't been paying attention in class and your work hasn't been the best for the past few days. I'll ask again, is something going on at home?"
Izuku blinked.
Aizawa didn't know what it felt like. He probably had a full family with a dad. He wouldn't understand, even if he told him.
"I'm fine." He didn't believe him. "I just forgot my umbrella this morning and couldn't go back to get it. Nothing is going on at home." Still didn't believe him.
"If something is interfering with the way you're doing your work, then I expect you to try and fix it," Aizawa said.
He nodded and gave back the towel. "I have to get to class before I'm late. Bye."
Izuku didn't look back as he sped out the door to his next class. I'm fine. They don't need to ask me if I'm okay like I'm some kind of glass vase to be careful around. I'm not gonna break.
They just wouldn't understand.
Cementoss wasn't that pleased that he was late to class but let him off easy anyway. His mind began to drift off, daydreaming about him coming home that day to see his dad there waiting for him. They'd spend the week together and on Father's Day, they would all go out to dinner. He'd apologize for leaving Izuku and his mom for so long and they'd forgive him, albeit grudgingly.
His dad would teach him things that he'd never taught him before and tell him stories of what it was like to be overseas. His dad was coming home. He had to. Just this year?
"Midoriya? Are you paying attention?" Cementoss-sensei asked.
Izuku looked up startled. "Yes. Sorry."
People were starting to worry about him but he honestly couldn't care less. If one more person asked if he was okay or if he was alright he was going to rip his hair out. He's fine, he doesn't need to be treated like a wild animal. Why were they all worried about him?
He's fine, he doesn't need to be treated like glass!
His teacher looked at him in worry (stop it!) and continued on with the class.
Letting his thoughts drift he came to the conclusion that his dad may never come home, that he'd started a new life overseas that didn't involve him or his mother. Maybe he should accept this?
He couldn't.
Izuku looked up when he realized that he was standing in the back of his class, wearing his hero costume, and ready for hero training. Did he really drift off that much? He didn't even remember changing.
"Alright! Who's ready for today's exercise?!" All Might's voice rang out. He decided he could let some of his anger out with this.
_
"Do you have any idea about what might be wrong with Young Midoriya?" All Might asked as he sat down in the staff room. Shouta looked up from his computer, having already typed out an email to said boy's mother asking if something was wrong.
"That's what I'm trying to find out," He replied, and began typing again. "He said nothing was going on, but I'm sending an email to his mother just in case."
"Good idea," All Might coughed.
Shouta sent the email, hoping that it would be read soon, and packed up to go home. All Might stayed behind, saying he had some more paperwork to do. He didn't care but whatever.
He opened the door to his apartment with a sigh and went into the kitchen to find his husband cooking dinner. "Hey, Shou. You okay?"
"Why do I always get stuck with the problem children?"
That earned a low chuckle from the blonde as he kissed his cheek. "It'll be okay. I'm sure Midoriya-kun is fine. The little listener is a tough kid."
"I sent an email to his mom. Still waiting for a response."
"It'll come soon, I'm sure of it. For now, let's just eat dinner," Hizashi served them both and they are in comfortable silence.
Later that night Shouta found himself sitting at his desk while Hizashi slept in bed. The light from the screen lit up the desktop and the wall behind him as he scrolled through his computer. He didn't know why he was looking, it was late at night and no sensible person was awake, but he still wanted to check.
Surprisingly, there was an email sitting in his inbox waiting for him. It was from Midoriya's mother.
Aizawa Shouta,
I was aware Izuku was feeling off but I didn't know it was effecting his schoolwork. It happens every year this week, Father's Day is coming up and it gets hard for him, but he never tells me about how he feels. I beg that you be patient with him, he'll be better after the holiday.
I'm sorry if my son caused you any trouble.
-Inko Midoriya
As Shouta read through the email he couldn't help but get a strange feeling. She knew about his behavior but didn't think about how he was acting at school?
Did she even care?
What did his behavior have to do with the upcoming holida-
Oh.
Father's day.
It made more sense now, his actions.
With a deep sigh he closed his computer and sat in the darkness and contemplated. He didn't really know how to help in this situation other than being there for the kid. Comforting children wasn't his best forte.
What could he do to be there for him, though?
His mother said he'd be okay by the end of the week, but he couldn't just let this go. What kind of hero or teacher would he be if he just let his student suffer?
Hizashi groaned in his sleep as he rolled over to a more comfortable position and Shouta began to grow tired.
Joining his husband in bed, he decided to figure this out later in the morning and let himself drift further off into his own consciousness with the warmth of Hizashi's arms around him.
_
Katsuki sat in his seat starring straight ahead. His feet were placed firmly on the ground and his shirt was tucked in. The red tie that he usually kept in his pocket was tied around his neck properly, he didn't like the feeling on it, but when Father's Day came around this is what he had to do.
Of course any other week he would be making fun of the nerd sitting behind him, but he didn't fuck with the bastard when this holiday comes.
He'd done it once before back in the early years of elementary school and came home with a black eye and a new fear.
After that he realized how idiotic it was to make fun of Deku when he was like this. The nerd was late to class today and it put him on his nerves. He knew that everything would be fine as long as he left Deku alone and blended in with his classmates, but the extras were so damn pushy.
People were already talking about family plans and he wanted to cry. If Deku came in and heard all that he'd get even more upset.
They just wouldn't listen to him at all apparently, he tried warning Pink Cheeks but she ignored him, of course. Kirishima came up and leaned on his desk. "Woah, dude. Since when do you wear your uniform correctly? Something up?"
"Nothing. Just getting ready for class."
"Hey, do you know where Midoriya is? He's been acting off all week. He's usually never late."
Katsuki turned around and stared at the empty desk behind him. "I don't know. But he better get here soon before the bell rings."
"True. So what are you guys doing in your house for Father's day?" Katsuki internally groaned. "I have two moms so I don't really need to do anything for Father's day."
"My mom and I are going shopping today," Katsuki grumbled.
"Oh that's cool! What're you gonna get him?"
"I don't know yet-"
It was in that moment the Deku decided to open the door to the classroom and walk in. His head was down and he carried an aura of pure anger. Katsuki felt scared for a moment.
He waited for Kirishima to move out of the way before falling into his seat and pulling out his notebook. He began to write in it in silence, without mumbling.
Oh god.
"Oi, Midoriya! What kept you?" Kirishima tried talking to him.
Katsuki grabbed his friend's arm and shook his head when the boy looked back at him. Why couldn't they understand to just leave Deku alone this week? Was what he was trying to say so hard to understand? The red head looked at him in confusion before looking back at Deku.
"Dude, are you okay?" He asked.
Shouldn't have asked that.
He tensed when he heard a growl, and Kirishima repeated himself stupidly.
"I'm fine!" Deku shouted. Deku never shouted unless he was angry.
"Woah, dude."
"I swear, if anyone asks me if I'm okay again, I'm going to lose my goddamn mind!" He said angrily. Everyone was staring now.
Katsuki looked back in horror and expected the worst for Kirishima, but to his shock, and others relief, Deku sat back down and stared at his desk.
Kirishima backed off (thankfully) and went to his own seat, looking at the green haired nerd in worry.
_
As the day went on, Shouta noticed the stares directed towards the curly haired boy as he took notes furiously in a notebook.
He was still trying to come up with a way to talk to Midoriya without coming off as rude and it was proving more difficult that expected. Shouta saw his mood shift continuously throughout the day and become more unpredictable by the minute.
When lunch came he watched his student from the back of the room as he picked at his food before throwing it away.
Great, now he wasn't eating.
Every time he tried to work up the courage to talk to the kid, he ended up chickening out. Damn his lack of social skills.
Before he knew it, the day was over and his problem child was gone and out the door for the weekend before he could even stop him. His concern only grew after that.
_
Five more days until Father's Day
Shouta noticed his Problem child ignoring everyone, and as a few of his friends tried to include him in their conversation, he stayed stubbornly silent.
Bakugo avoided the green haired child like the plague but sent him pitying looks from across the room. He still lashed out angrily at his other classmates, but it seemed like Midoriya was off limits during this week. In a way, Shouta found that respectable. At least the blonde had common sense.
Hizashi tried talking to Midoriya in the hallway apparently, and all he got was an angered glare.
The kid was obviously not in the mood for a pep talk.
He was so caught up in trying to find a way to talk to him and figuring out what to say that he completely forgot to talk to him at all. Before he knew it, the last bell rang and Midoriya was out the door quicker than he could stop him.
Damnit.
_
Four more days until Father's Day
Shouta walked through the door to his classroom in the morning to see Midoriya hunched over his desk. Dark circles under his eyes said that he hadn't had a good nights rest. A scowl was present on his face and a radius around him that said "stay away".
His other students seemed to have noticed and tried their best to give him his space.
Midoriya was actively avoiding everyone now, including him. He was always the first one out the door and the last one to come in the classroom. It got on his nerves, but he couldn't say he didn't get it.
The day passed by and he found himself laying over his desk groaning.
"You okay, Shou?"
Hizashi would know what to do, right? He was good with people with his whole radio show biz. Should he ask him for advice?
"I need help," He grumbled.
"I did not just hear that from you. Are you sure you're feeling okay?" Hizashi asked concerned. Shouta lifted his head to see his husband next to him at his own desk looking at him with both concern and amusement. Fuck that.
"Yes, I'm fine, but the Problem child isn't, and I have no clue what to do about it," He shot back.
"Yeah, Midoriya seems to be getting worse. Everyone seems to have noticed. Even Bakugo hasn't said anything to him," Hizashi said as he lifted his mug of tea to take a sip with raised eyebrows.
"I think I should talk to him," Shouta said and ignored the way his husband choked on his drink. "I've been thinking of what to do, but keep coming up empty." Shouta's mind was still working on a solution as he spoke. The thought to send the kid to Hound Dog came to mind, but was immediately shot down. Midoriya wouldn't want to talk to a counselor about daddy issues.
"Shou, are you sure? Not trying to judge here, but you aren't exactly one with words," Hizashi said.
"I'm aware of that. I'm still trying to think of what to say to him," Shouta huffed.
"Well I already tried and it didn't get me anywhere," Hizashi sighed.
Shouta sat up straight and took a sip of coffee. "That's 'cause you're an idiot," He smirked behind his mug.
"Hey! Meanie," Hizashi punched his arm playfully.
"Your fault," Shouta stood up from his desk. "I'm going to go and look over All Might's class to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid, and also figure out a way to speak to a child."
_
Three more days until Father's Day
Izuku was... exhausted. He was so very tired and just wanted a nap. The constant movement of the train was tempting in lulling him to rest, but he knew if he fell asleep he would miss his stop. He could ask the person next to him to wake him up, but who's to say they wouldn't leave him behind and forget about him?
It was better not to risk it.
Aizawa-sensei kept watching him the entire day. It was kind of unnerving having so many eyes on him. The rush of the classes and the physical training after combined with his lack of sleep the past week was getting to him. It must've shown on his face.
He got home without much effort, other than trying not to fall dead on his feet while walking. The apartment was empty, so he could only assume that his mom was out at the market. Of course.
Izuku didn't even care anymore. Father's Day was on Friday. Why did he even bother about it? It's been years and he still hasn't shown, it wasn't like his dad was thinking about him. Why should he even care? The numbness came back.
The greenette absentmindedly finished his homework and by the time he was done his mom still wasn't home.
Guess he'd be making dinner tonight.
Simple miso soup and fish was fine. It didn't take too long to make as his body moved on autopilot, cooking and eating. The food tasted stale in his mouth. It didn't matter. Nothing ever did. He finished his mediocre food and he left an extra plate for his mom in the microwave for when she got home. It's safer to assume she hasn't eaten then not cook her anything and have her come home hungry.
Izuku went back into his room and collapsed onto his bed. His blanket felt too heavy but it was too cold to be without it. He couldn't move. He didn't want to move.
The light from his phone filled the darkness of his bedroom as he scrolled through social medias and entertainment apps. They filled the silence in the room and in his head as he waited for himself to get too tired to stay awake. A distraction. Anything to take his mind off his cripling thoughts.
He heard the door open and close behind him and footsteps down the hall. He sat up tensely. The sound of the microwave came from the kitchen, and he settled back down under his blankets.
She didn't even want to eat dinner with him.
A flash of anger flew through his heart, but was quickly put out. She must have been too caught up wherever she was to come home early.
Still, Izuku didn't get to sleep until three in the morning.
_
The day of Father's Day
Shouta kept watch over his students as he went through roll call, keeping watch over their expressions for any negative feelings. Uraraka looked giddier than usual. Most likely due to the plans she had with her family this weekend.
Most of the other's looked indifferent to the fact it was a holiday.
Of course, Todoroki was more snippy than he'd been the following week. Shouta didn't blame him. If his father was Endeavor, he'd probably be angry all the time as well. Well. Angrier.
And that left Midoriya, who was scowling so fiercly that it rivaled his own, and let out an air so thick that the people sitting around him could physically feel it, going by the looks on their faces, and that they were glancing over at the greenette every few minutes.
Even Bakugo was sweating nervously.
Midoriya didn't even say "present" when his name was called, just raised his hand and dropped it when Shouta moved on. It was a little jarring, but the rest of roll call went on smoothly. Shouta laid in his sleeping bag and thought of how he could approach the situation. He hadn't been able to think of anything all week, and just yesterday Midoriya crushed an entire building in the mock city during an excercise. No one was hurt, but the damage was astounding.
The boy was definitly not one to be triffled with when he was upset, that much was made obvious.
But this was getting way out of hand. Midoriya's self distructive nature was growing worse and worse. His emotions were consuming him slowly, and didn't seem to care at all. If he didn't put a stop to it, he knew the boy was only going to spiral further.
The problem was that he had no idea how to bring it up to him. "Hey Problem Child, your mom told me about your deadbeat dad, and with the upcoming holiday, I wanted to see how you were holding up." Yeah he doesn't think that would work. Why did he have to be so bad at talking to people about their personal issues?
He could wait for an opening and then just ask him why he was upset? Then he could help. But he's turned down everyone, including him, when asked what was wrong.
The voices of his students sounded through his thoughts, and he could hear them start talking about the weekend and the holiday, thinking that Shouta was asleep. He observed silently, noting Todoroki's scowl, Aoyama's grin, Bakugo's fear, and Midoriya's gritted teeth.
Eyes were on Uraraka as she explained for, probably the millionth time, what her and her parents were planning to do.
Shouta could see the exact moment that Midoriya was about to speak up, like it was slow motion. He could almost hear the snap of a string. Bared teeth, clenched fists, unshed tears.
The girl babbles on happily, not noticing Midoriya's growing frustration. "We don't have that much money to spend, but me and my mom are going to take my dad out to Tokyo to see the lights. We don't get to see them often since it's always so crowded down there, and the train tickets are expensive, but my dad is really excit-"
Midoriya stands abruptly, the scrape of his chair on the floor silencing Uraraka. "Can you please stop talking about Father's Day?! Gods, for just one day can everyone shut up about that stupid holiday!? It's not as though everyone can even celebrate it. So just shut up! No one cares!"
Uraraka's eyes were wide as saucers, tears beginning to prick the corners as she looked at the boy in hurt and confusion. Silence fell over the room, everyone's gaze on the normally quiet but polite boy, the boy who never yelled at Uraraka. Never yelled at anyone.
Shouta stared too. It was like a train wreck, the kind that you can't look away from, even though you desperately want to.
Midoriya looked just as shocked as everyone else.
Everyone watched as the green haired teen looks around at the faces staring, mouth falling open and shut multiple times as if he was trying to say something else, but no words were coming. Quickly though, he gathers his composure, tears just beginning to streak down his face, and looks down at the ground.
He grabs his bag and rushes out of the room, away from everyone's stares.
No one tries to stop him.
The door closes, and suddenly it was like a spell was broken. Uraraka blinks, her own tears beginning to streak down her cheeks, and her lip wobbles. "Deku-kun yelled. He never yells like that."
The people around her put their hands on her shoulder, assuring her that she did nothing wrong, and that Midoriya had been acting weird all week.
Shouta pulls himself from his place on the floor, stopping Iida who was about to leave the classroom to find Midoriya and bring him back. "Stay here, Iida. You're in charge, I won't be long."
The halls are near empty, classes were still in session, and hall monitors no where in sight.
His good hearing seemed to be coming in handy, as Midoriya couldn't have gone far, and there was the sound of muffled sobs from around the corner.
Sunlight filtered in through UA's large windows, and shone on the small huddled figure of his student. His backpack sat next to him and his knees were drawn up to his chest as he cried into his forearms. He didn't seem to take notice of Shouta's arrival, or if he did, he didn't seem to care.
Shouta once again found himself not knowing what to do. So he opted for doing nothing. Well, almost nothing.
He sat down on the boy's other side, and kept his gaze forward.
His mind thought up ways to comfort the lonely child, before the plans were thrown out because he didn't know how Midoriya would take them due to his behavior the whole week.
The boy seemed to get quieter and quieter as time dredged on, sobs becoming sniffles becoming shaking shoulders.
He hopes his silent presence is good enough comfort.
Little did he know, it was.
"I'm sorry," Came a meek and muffled voice from between Midoriya's arms.
Shouta doesn't say anything, just listens.
"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at Uraraka like that. I shouldn't have been so mean all week. I shouldn't have scared everyone like I did. I'm so so sorry," Midoriya confessed. "I just don't know what to do. Everyone keeps talking like I'm supposed to be grateful to a person I don't even know, and I get so angry."
The boy lifts his head a bit, red and puffy eyed with tear tracks still staining his cheeks. He doesn't look at Shouta, his gaze still on his wetted sleeves.
"I hate him so much," Midoriya continues. "I hate him, but I still wish he was here. I wish he was here so I didn't get so angry. I wish he was here so my mom would be happier. I hate him so much.
"I don't need him. I'm not five years old anymore. It's not like I'm gonna be sitting up every night asking my mom "when's daddy coming home?", you know? Who needs him. He wasn't there to teach me how to bandage my own scrapes, but I learned, didn't I? And I got pretty damn good at it, didn't I Aizawa-sensei?"
Shouta's brow furrowed and he looked down at his student, who was clenching the fabric of his uniform in a white knuckled grip. His mouth had a smile, but there was pain and anger in his eyes.
"Got through primary and middle school without him," Midoriya continued, "right? I learned how to analyze, I learned how to shave, I learned how to fight without him. I had fifteen great birthdays without him, he never even sent me a damn card. TO HELL WITH HIM!" Midoriya shouted, louder than he did when he fought. Louder than he did in the classroom. Renewed tears fell down his cheeks, and his eyes were pits of anger as he screwed them shut.
The hero thought he was done being surprised by Midoriya.
He was wrong.
Midoriya opened his eyes, fury still simmering. "I didn't need him then, I don't need him now."
"Midoriya-" He was promptly cut off.
"You know what, Aizawa-sensei? Ima get through high school without him, Ima be a hero without him, Ima find me an amazing partner, and Ima have a whole bunch of kids. I'll be a better father than he ever was. And I sure as hell wouldn't need him for that, because there isn't a damn thing he could ever teach me about how to love my kids!"
Shouta knew he was crying because his eyes were stinging like hell, but he couldn't find it in him to reach for his eye drops. Midoriya was looking up at him, and suddenly all the anger in his eyes vanished as he asked a question that made Shouta's heart break.
"How come he doesn't want me, Sensei?" Midoriya whispered.
His arms wrapped around Midoriya's small form, and he was reminded once more that this was a child. One who has been through more than any child should even have to go through. He pulled the boy close, feeling his shoulder begin to wet, but he didn't say anything as he ran his hand through the back of Midoriya's hair.
He doesn't know how long he holds Midoriya for, letting him cry as he whispers assurances, but he knew that before long, classes would end, and their privacy would be compromised.
So Shouta pulls out of the embrace, but grips his students shoulders, tiny and fragile. And says sternly, words coming to him easily after days of contemplation, "No child should ever have to question why their parent doesn't want them. And your father is a fool if he doesn't realize the amazing kid he walked out on. Any adult should be honored to have you as their child. Do you understand me?"
Midoriya's eyes are wide, brimmed with tears, cheeks puffy, and Shouta can see the tells of sleepless nights in the form of the bruises under his eyes. The kid looks exhausted.
His student nods slowly, not breaking eye contact with him. "Good."
He places a hand on Midoriya's head, ruffling his hair lightly, before quickly wiping his eyes and finally reaching for his eye drops.
Shouta's eyes are burning.
"Thank you," Midoriya whispered. His voice was hoarse from crying.
"Don't mention it, Problem Child."
Midoriya quietly reaches into his backpack, and pulls out a blanket. "Here." He slowly hands it to Shouta, who takes it, confused. Midoriya isn't looking at him, but at the ground in front of them. "I bought it for him. But he won't need it. So..." He trails off.
He doesn't know how he feels about this. He doesn't get many gifts from students, especially gifts on Father's day. He wasn't sure if Midoriya was giving it to him because he rejects his father has his actual father, and sees Shouta as a father figure now, or if he was just trying to get rid of the gift he bought because he didn't want it.
He was probably overthinking it.
Not knowing what to say, he nods to the boy thankfully.
"Come on kid, we should get back to class before the bell rings," Shouta huffs, pulling himself to his feet, and lifting his student up too.
"R-right."
When they got back, Iida was giving a lecture to the class about noticing the moods of others in the room, which made Midoriya go red from embarrassment when everyone turned to look at them.
The green haired boy walked to his desk and sat down as Shouta took Iida's spot at the podium. He consciously made the decision to act like nothing happened.
Later that day, he heard Midoriya apologizing to Uraraka, bowing low enough to make Shouta's own back hurt. The girl waved him off, and hugged him, giving her own apology for not noticing he was upset, and asking if he felt better. Which Midoriya responded with a hesitant yes.
Shouta went home with a new grey blanket, one that he wrapped himself in tightly on his couch with a hot cut of coffee, and took a nap with, a cat curled up on his stomach.
He'd thank Midoriya for the gift on Monday.
When everything was back to normal.
He was so signing that kid up for therapy.