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[ Name ] checked the clock again, though it had only been a few minutes since the last time he did. Sighing exasperatedly, he leaned his head against the white wall, feet starting to ache from how long he’s been standing. Aizawa had spoken to [ Name ] telling him to come to his classroom after his hero training. His teacher reassured him he wasn’t in any trouble, but he also didn’t explain what he wanted to discuss, so the reassurance did little to calm his nerves.
Wondering what was taking Aizawa so long, [ Name ] was about to check the time again when the former appeared down the hallway—another person walking beside him. It was unmistakably Shinsou, the newest edition to Class 2-A alongside [ Name ]. The two were accepted into the hero course not long before the second year started; Shinsou was first, [ Name ] following just after. He hasn’t spoken to him much outside of group training, but he also wasn’t completely in the dark about him, either. He remembered watching Shinsou in the Sports Festival, his presence was intimidating as well as his quirk, although he felt it unfair the bad reputation it garnered. He knew what that was like.
Aizawa strolled up to [ Name ] giving him a tired once-over before sliding the door open to the classroom. “Shinsou, [ Last Name ]. Take a seat.”
The students gave each other a glance, both questioning each other’s presence before following Aizawa’s orders. The two sat one desk apart; [ Name ] fiddling with his hands, Shinsou having his crossed lazily on the desktop. Waiting with bated breath, their minds wandered aimlessly on what Aizawa could possibly need to talk about with the two of them.
Sitting gracelessly on his chair, Aizawa studied them for a couple seconds before starting. “We need to discuss a problem between you two.”
Problem? There wasn’t a problem, none that [ Name ] was aware about, at least. Shinsou and him didn’t speak to each other unless the situation called for it, they rarely even looked at one another. The most [ Name ] ever saw the lilac-haired boy was when he ventured out into the kitchen for a late-night drink, which now that he realized was almost every night. Was that what the problem was, as absurd as that sounds.
“Problem?” Shinsou voiced.
“Yes,” Aizawa said. “Both of your inability to sleep.”
[ Name ] furrowed his eyebrows. Uh, what?
“Must I repeat myself, [ Last Name ]?”
[ Name ] realized he had said that out loud. “No, sir,” he muttered, lowering his gaze.
“Shinsou.”
Said boy—who [ Name ] noticed had been smirking at him being reprimanded—went still, face rid of any previous amusement.
“Don’t think I haven’t noticed you staying up more than usual,” Aizawa continued scolding. “I know you’re new to this class and feel the need to catch up with your peers, but that doesn’t mean you should be disregarding your health in exchange.”
[ Name ] looked up to see Shinsou cross his arms with a frown, upset to have been chastised. Aizawa’s gaze turned to him next—he clenched his jaw to keep from flinching.
“[ Last Name ], your quirk has slackened off lately. Your movements have become predictable and lazy, as well. You know more than I that you need to sleep in order for your quirk to improve. I understand it’s difficult, but it’s a requirement.”
He hasn’t been as slick as [ Name ] thought he had. It’s true he’s been sleeping less than usual, the nightmares as of late have been getting worse and he was too ashamed to ask someone in their class if they could sleep with him. Plus, he was still fairly new, so he wasn’t well acquainted with his peers yet.
Aizawa stood moving around to the front of his teacher-desk to lean against it, hands in pockets. “I’m assigning the two of you to sleep together.”
Both boys whipped their heads towards their teacher, faces flushed pink. “What!?”
The tired adult pinched the bridge of his nose. “You teenagers and your minds. I’m assigning the two of you to help each other sleep,” he reworded. “I’ll give you a month, if I see no improvements then, I’ll schedule appointments for both of you to see the guidance counselor. Am I clear?”
“Yes, Mr. Aizawa,” they said synchronously.
“Good, you two can leave now.” Aizawa climbed into his yellow sleeping bag, promptly plopping onto the floor in a tired heap.
Making their way out of the classroom, [ Name ] and Shinsou started their walk to the dorms in silence. [ Name ] continued to fidget with his fingers while Shinsou rubbed his neck awkwardly. The two barely knew each other and Aizawa just expected them to be okay with sleeping in the same bed? It was ridiculous—beyond ridiculous. But, even so, the thought of someone being there while he slept comforted Inei. Maybe it wouldn’t be too bad.
“We can sleep in my room tonight,” Shinsou suddenly suggested.
“Sure,” [ Name ] nodded.
“Real chatty of you.”
[ Name ] breathed a small chuckle. “I’m not really one for talking.”
Shinsou smirked. “I’ve noticed. That was really articulate of you back there. “Uh, what?”” he mocked.
The [ hair color ]-haired boy huffed, though an amused smile played faintly on his lips. “I was caught off guard, alright? I mean, I’m sure you wouldn’t have guessed what Mr. Aizawa was gonna say, either.”
“I guess not,” Shinsou shrugged. “I’m not surprised he reprimanded us for not sleeping well. Have you seen your eyebags?”
[ Name ] scoffed. “You’re one to talk. Avril Lavigne wants her eyeliner back.”
Both chuckled, throwing remarks back and forth about each other’s lack of sleep. [ Name ] honestly wouldn’t have guessed that Shinsou and him would get along so well, he supposed being dead-tired twenty-four seven was as good a conversation starter as any.
“So what time do you wanna meet?” [ Name ] asked once they were inside the dormitory.
“Any is fine with me, I’m sure I’ll be up.”
“Twelve o’clock, then?”
“Sure.”
“Now look who’s stealing my line,” [ Name ] smirked.
Shinsou rolled his eyes, smirking as well. “Whatever, I’ll see you later, then.”
Waving him goodbye, [ Name ] watched as he left, his heart beating unusually fast. He still wasn’t exactly looking forward to sleeping, but knowing that he wouldn’t be doing it alone made him feel the best he’s felt in a while.
Wait… oh, shit.
He forgot to ask what room Shinsou’s dorm was.