Chapter Text
“Aw geez, look who woke up on the wrong side of the bed- again!” Came an overly enthusiastic voice from beside himself. It was too early in the morning to even be up, let alone dealing with the literal human embodiment of sunshine.
Shota glanced up from the kettle he was boiling to shoot a weak glare to his long time friend. While the look had no real malice behind it, he knew it would convey his mood just fine- annoyance.
His bones and joints had already started aching the moment he woke up, especially his elbow. Moving his arm too fast would cause him to grit his teeth and hold back a groan. His chronic pain had been getting worse, especially after the USJ attack where his body had essentially been broken apart and then put back together again, only it could never truly be normal again.
The other teachers at UA seemed to be aware of this, especially Nemuri and Hizashi, though nothing could truly escape them when it came to Shota.
He often caught the pitying glances from other teachers when he moved a bit slower than usual, or his joints creaked a little too loudly. Sometimes when he stood up he let out a soft huff that didn’t go unnoticed.
He hated it.
And here he was, trying to make a coffee single handed while leaning against the counter, his other arm curled up against his chest for warmth. The cold bought out a deep, nasty ache in that elbow he wanted to avoid.
There was a certain pair of bright green eyes glancing him up and down skeptically. Shota could already predict what was about to happen in the next five seconds- Hizashi would drop the Present Mic persona for a moment and try to take over making the coffee for him, under the guise that he was going to make himself one anyway, so why not make one for his friend too?
As he predicted, it was exactly what happened.
“Ah Sho,” Hizashi sighed as he grabbed his own Put Your Hands Up Radio mug from the cupboard. “Let me- I’m making mine anyway! You should go sit and I’ll bring it your way.”
Boy, did Shota hate the pity. He appreciated his friend and the fact that he wanted to help, but he really did not like feeling like he was… Weak…. Or useless. He had worked his arse off as a student to be able to make a change, to help people despite his quirk not being “strong” or “flashy”.
He had worked hard to become the underground, yet deeply respected (and feared) Pro Hero: EraserHead. To think now his co-workers and friends thought he couldn’t even make his own coffee in the morning made him grimace.
“No.”
Shota was firm as he flicked his friend’s hand away from his mug. “I can make my own coffee.”
Hizashi frowned, a brow raising slightly at his friend. He was a chronic people pleaser, this man would stop at nothing to help someone. “Well- yeah. I know you can, but-“
“I said I can make it myself.” Shota snapped out, a little more bite to his tone than he initially intended, causing a flinch from Hizashi, who glanced away.
A tingle of guilt stirred in him, causing Shota to let out a sigh. “But if you’d like to pass me the sugar…?”
It was common knowledge around the UA staff that the two men had a rather obvious weakness for each other. Especially when it came to Shota- the man was known as a hardarse. He had a sour mood more often than not and no one dared to push it, except for one certain loud, blonde man. Shota would soften just ever so slightly in his presence, and there never seemed to be any true anger in his usual grouchy tone when he spoke to him.
Really, anybody with an ounce of observation skills who spent any amount of time around the two would be able to spot it, but this was a fact that Shota was blissfully unaware of, despite Nemuri’s attempts to get the ball rolling between the two that seemingly went through one of Shota’s ears and out the other. A silly joke she had been playing with them all these years, he had decided.
Hizashi happily jumped to action, grabbing the sugar jar from its home and placing it in front of the other man, who gave him the smallest hint of a smile as thanks.
They made eye contact for a brief moment, then Hizashi hurriedly turned away, busting himself with making his own drink as he began to sputter and ramble on about his morning commute to work.
A familiar, fond warmth grew in Shota’s chest as he listened, gently stirring his coffee.
—
His students were, as usual, a bunch of hellions. As much as they could annoy him, he wouldn’t have it any other way. Sometimes the challenge was enjoyable, even with the chronic aches in his bones. He was very fond of them, more so than perhaps any other class before, though he would never admit that.
As lunch time approached, the pain killers he had taken were starting to wear off and his mood was starting to sour more and more with the growing pain in his joints.
As if his students could sense it, they seemed to miraculously be on better behaviour for their class just before lunch, so to thank them, he let them out of class a whole 30 seconds early.
He could totally be a soft, lenient teacher sometimes. Hizashi would have a field day with that.
He gathered up his sleeping bag and a handful of papers that awaited grading and shuffled out of the classroom, turning to make his way to the staff room, but not before stopping outside of the class Hizashi had been teaching. A common practice for him, and from there, the two would make their ways to the staff room.
Sometimes though, on particularly taxing days, Shota wouldn’t be waiting for Hizashi outside the classroom. Instead, Hizashi knew he would be waiting somewhere just a tad higher up.
They walked to the staff room, Hizashi recalling his latest classes, how he was proud of certain students and how he wished he had just a bit more time in each class. Shota just listened, though he was trying to not think about the way his knee begged for a break.
Shota knew that Hizashi had noticed- the man usually could give professional speed-walkers a run- well, speed-walk, for their money. Yet, beside him, the man was practically dragging his feet.
They reached the staff room, which was rather empty considering the time of day, and Shota claimed his favourite couch with a groan as he melted into the old, worn cushions. It was tucked away at the back of the room, away from the desks and main communal area of the room.
He reached into one of his pouches, pulling out his painkillers, quickly downing the needed dosage before stuffing the bottle back where it belonged, leaned back into the couch and closed his eyes.
Moments later, he felt the couch sink beside him, the sound of two mugs being placed down onto the wooden table in front of him reaching his ears.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
“How are you feeling today, Sho?” Hizashi’s voice broke the silence after a little while.
Shota opened his mouth to reply, though he was cut off before he could get a word out.
“And don’t just say tired!”
Hmmph. Shota finally cracked an eye open to look at Hizashi, a tiny pout on his lip, only if just for comedic effect.
“You know what I mean, man. You look- well. You look like shit today, ya dig?” There was concern in the other man’s tone, Shota knew that he wasn’t being insulting, not that his appearance ever really looked anything but mildly shitty on a regular basis.
But, damn, his totally hilarious pout went unnoticed.
“Just… a bit sore.” He sighed out, no use to lie to the other. He would call him out in a second if he even tried, and he knew Hizashi clearly already knew the answer to the question. He just needed the confirmation.
“A bit?” A quirked eyebrow and skeptical tone came from Hizashi, causing Shota to sigh, again.
“Yeah, a bit.” He’d had worse.
There was nothing but silence from his friend for a little while, contemplation on his face as he squinted at Shota.
Shota just sat there awkwardly, finally picking up the coffee the other man had bought him and took a sip, relaxing a little as the warm drink soothed him.
“Your… pain has been getting worse lately.” Came from Hizashi finally. “You’re going to the doc, right?”
Shota nodded, fishing out his prescription pill bottle to show the other man.
“That’s it? Just pain killers?” Hizashi frowned deeply, reading the label on the bottle.
“Yep.” Shota sighed, stuffing the bottle back in his pouch and nursing his warm coffee. “There’s not really much else they can do. The damage was done, this is the outcome, the consequences.”
There was silence from his friend again for a moment, before he felt his friend’s head lean against his shoulder with a deep sigh.
Hizashi wasn’t shy of physical affection with his friends- Shota had learned this many, many years ago. Memories of their trio sitting together, basically piled atop each other, Shota usually being the receiver of this, Hizashi and Oboro so casual in their affection. Back then, he would pout and act indignant, though deep down, he never truly minded.
Once their favourite cloud had faded away, he never once denied the affection from his remaining friend.
“I wish there was something I could do.” Finally came from Hizashi, quietly. “It sucks to see you like this, man. I know it must suck for you too, but knowing there is nothing I can do?” He trailed off, and Shota just nodded, leaning his own head back against Hizashi.
“I know.”
There was silence between them for the rest of lunch, the only noises being the faint huffs of breath as Shota took the opportunity for a quick nap. He was comfy, after all, and Hizashi wasn’t looking like he was going to move either.
—
After being woken by a rather smug looking Nemuri, Shota and Hizashi finally separated and went their seperate ways. Lunch was over, and while Shota had a few free periods, Hizashi had another class to teach before he was free for the day, leaving Shota alone on his favourite comfortable couch with a pile of papers to grade and a very coy Nemuri now plopping down into the chair next to him, leaning forward with a smirk.
He purposefully ignored her for as long as he could until she finally broke the silence.
“You two are just the damn cutest!”
Shota sighed, looking up from the papers he had pretended to be looking at to frown at her.
Nemuri was clearly used to his tight lipped ways, and took this as an opportunity to keep speaking.
“Reminds me of our own time here, you lot were so little and so stinkin’ cute back then, I could have just gobbled you three up!”
Shota continued to frown, simply raising a brow at her, unimpressed. Sometimes, he could never understand how she talked so freely about their cloud. “You know that you’re only-“
“Only a year older, yes yes! I know. I wish you weren’t such a sourpuss sometimes.” She lamented for a moment before continuing on.
“Anyway, love. You’ve been looking… rather worse for ware, lately- not that the sexy, rugged look doesn’t suit you or anything, but, it is starting to worry my poor little heart.” She put an arm against her forehead, feigning distraught.
“I am aware.” Shota sighed. “I’ve already heard it from Hizashi- I know.”
“You’ve heard it from Zashi? Geez. I must have read his entire manifest then!” She laughed, turning serious again, her voice lowered. “He’s worried about you, Sho, we both are.”
Another sigh. “I know.”
He didn’t really know what to say. There was nothing really he could do- he was seeing his doctor, albeit reluctantly, taking his pain killers and trying to catch enough Z’s for his body to mend itself, but it never was quite enough.
“You need to let people in- you need to let someone help you, Sho.” Nemuri encouraged, her eyes boring into him.
“Sometimes, it’s okay to let someone look after you, you don’t have to be the one saving everyone, all the time.”
A lecture, one that he’d heard before. He looked away, glancing to the door Hizashi had left through it too long ago, then back to his friend. “I do.”
Nemuri raised a brow at him and frowned, clearly unimpressed with his response. She should expect this from him by now, really. “What, you let ‘Zashi pass you sugar? Come on.” She breathed out a laugh and shook her head.
Nemuri got up from her chair to leave, pausing to tap his chest with a single finger.
“You need to open up that dark, stone-cold, tiny little heart of yours. Let him in.”
Shota blinked, clearly looking taken aback as he practically gawked at her. She turned and kept walking, waving a hand over her shoulder with a chuckle.
“I’m sure you know how much of a headstrong idiot you are, Sho, but sometimes you really are dense.”
—
His television flickered in the dark room, a faint hum of noise streaming out from it. Papers he had finished grading were piled on his coffee table, an empty mug seated beside them.
He was finally done for the night, he could finally relax. He was laying down on his couch, his joints aching. He knew a bath would desperately help his pain and it had been some time since he had taken his painkillers, but he had left them on the bench in the kitchen. He groaned at the thought of getting up to get them, or getting up to draw a bath for himself to sink into. He couldn’t bring himself to move from where he was cocooned in his blankets. They were warm, at least, and comfortable.
Maybe Nemuri wasn’t just talking complete nonsense. Maybe having someone else around could have it’s benefits… His thoughts drifted off, imagining Hizashi coming into the room, telling him he had run the bath for him, helping him up and to the bathroom, helping him strip off his clothes and-
He quickly shook his head, face burning at his own thoughts. Maybe the pain was making him loopy? He finally sat up, rubbing a hand along his face for a moment and glanced to his phone, shutting off his TV in the process.
He had a few missed messages, nothing new for him, really. Though one message stood out from the others.
Zashi: wat r u up 2 tomorro shobro!?
Shota stared at the message and frowned. It was a Thursday. The answer was obvious.
Sho: Teaching the hellions. What else would I be doing?
A logical response, he thought.
Zashi: no u dunce, after skool.
For a teacher, Hizashi’s texting style astounded Shota.
Zashi: it wil b Friday night.
He could never type fast enough for the man.
Sho: Nothing. As always. I will be looking forward to the sweet embrace of my bed. Like you should be doing after work.
Zashi: yea yea
Zashi: anyway
Zashi: i wyz thinkin we culd hang. i want takeout frm the place near urs.
Sho: You can’t just order it online, to your own home?
Shota would never understand the draw of leaving his own comfortable home, just for food. Hizashi was truly a mystery.
Zashi: nah i wanna come 2 urs. havent had movies night in aaaaages !!
Zashi: i can bring da food to urs u wont even have 2 leave the house
Sho: …. I suppose that will be fine.
Zashi: YAY!!!
Zashi: it will b hella dope ok
Zashi: u wont regrt
Sho: Just reading how you type makes me regret.
Zashi: SHO!!! u r so rude :(
Shota let out a soft snort, finally pushing himself up to sit properly. He grasped his phone tightly and grunted, clutching at his leg as it tended up, pain shooting through his body.
Sho: tsd//:.’
Zashi: ????
Zashi: u good bro?
Zashi: oi!!!
Zashi: i kno u type slo but hey????
Zashi: dats it i call u smh
Shota startled as the phone in his hand started to ring. He was surprised it hadn’t crushed in his grip at how tight he had been holding it.
He answered the call when he saw it was Hizashi, letting out a slightly pained breath as he spoke.
“Yes, Zashi?”
“Are you good? You sent like- a keyboard smash, man. You don’t do that. Is there like a villain in your house? Are you being kidnapped? Is this the real Shota!?”
The voice on the other end of the line rambled on and Shota grit his teeth, shifting on the couch slightly to try to elevate his leg, only letting out a pained grunt in the process. He really shouldn’t have lay on the couch for so long.
Hizashi’s rambling stopped at the grunt, his voice softening. “Really, Sho, are you good?”
“I’m… okay. Just a bit sore.” He gritted out, trying to sound a little more convincing than he was sure he really sounded.
“Just a bit sore?” Hizashi repeated. “Do you need any help? I can come round? I don’t mind, you know it’s really not that far-“
“No- ‘Zashi. I’m fine. I just left my tablets on the bench in the kitchen, and I - stupidly- stayed on the couch too long.”
Hizashi was quiet, Shota could almost hear his frown through the phone.
“I’m going to get them, and then go to bed. Okay, ‘Zashi? I’m getting up now, it’s not far.”
He was a little amused at the fact that he had to give his own mini pep talk about himself, to his friend, but he knew it would sooth Hizashi’s worries. The blonde man would come over in an instant if Shota let him, even just to bring him pills from another room.
Sometimes, Shota realised, he didn’t deserve such a friend.
He pushed himself up from the couch, grimacing, his body at least had stopped tensing up enough and he hobbled to the kitchen, not saying much as he grit his way though the pain.
Once he had downed his painkillers, he finally spoke. “There. I made it to the kitchen just fine, and I had my tablets.”
“Good, good.” Came from the phone, though Hizashi seemed almost sad. “I’m glad.. Have you had dinner?”
“Yes.”
“Jelly pouches don’t count, Sho.”
“I’ll have you know, I had “real” food.” He drawled, making his way slowly down the hallway to his bedroom. He would shower in the morning, for now, he was too exhausted to bother. “I had leftovers from last night.”
“Wow… It’s like I don’t even know you!” Hizashi laughed, his tone turning serious again. “Really though, you need to look after yourself, Sho.”
“I do.”
A sigh from the other end of the phone line, words clearly left unsaid.
Shota flopped onto his bed, already dressed in his sleepware (a shirt, and underware) from earlier.
“I’m in my bed now.” He murmured into the phone.
“Good. Sleep well, okay Sho? I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah,” Shota yawned, his body slowly shutting down into sleep mode. His friend’s voice so soothing to him as his pain killers kicked in. “Goodnight, Zashi.”
“Goodnight, Sho.” A small pause. “Sweet dreams.”
His phone made a small beep as the call ended and he just managed to plug it into the charger before he finally drifted off to sleep.