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”You were friends with Kurogiri.. am I right?”
There was a visible flinch from the other, and yet he didn’t give a response. He refused to give that sick freak the satisfaction of tormenting him with his best friend.
”Yeah.. I remember that voice quirk of yours. The three of you were always together.. It’s a powerful quirk..”
Mic gritted his teeth, furrowing his brows as he had to use every ounce of strength not to scream into this man’s ear and burst his brains. He wanted him to shut up. He wanted him to mind his own damn business. He wanted him to suffer for his revolting experiments. And yet, they needed him *alive*. He had information. He might just be able to bring their friend back..
He tried to keep a clear mind as he continued hurrying down the seemingly never ending hallway, remembering the words of his partner. He was counting on him right now. Of course, this stupid scientist wouldn’t stop talking. And what he said next, made the DJ’s blood run cold.
”Back then.. I actually really wanted to get my hands on erasure instead.. yes.. what a shame..”
The old man was grinning. Grinning and cackling to himself. Mic felt his heart drop and his eyes tremble, his throat choking for words. He couldn’t say anything. He felt so disgusted and.. terrified. There was not a hint of remorse in this man’s words. All he cared about was his work. He just admitted to stalking the three of them as children.. he knew about Shota. He knew all three of their quirks. He was planning on abducting Aizawa in their school years.. wasn’t he? His boyfriend.. his husband.. his love of his life. If Shirakumo hadn’t…. he would’ve really taken Shota.
It made him sick what he did to Oboro.. he would’ve never rathered either him or his partner to be taken.. and still, it felt so overwhelmingly revolting to think instead young Aizawa.. with that shy lack of confidence, but still such determination and kindness.. could’ve been turned into a monster instead.. All because of his quirk that ironically, Shota thought was worthless, when in fact it was useful to that sick bastard.
Hizashi suddenly found himself jolting up from his bed in a sweat, sitting up and grabbing a handful of blonde hair into his hands. He heaved, not able to stop thinking about that moment. Just knowing they were being watched as kids, that there was a possibility he could’ve lost Shota.. that he could’ve been the one experimented on past recognition.. it scared him too much.
Hastily, Mic spun his head towards his husband laying beside him, sleeping heavily with one arm loosely draped over his partners lap, and his mouth hung open slightly, likely snoring. It was good to see him asleep.. it’d been harsh in the hospital, both physically and mentally for poor Aizawa.
Just seeing Eraser laying there calmly eased Hizashi. He slowly settled back down, laying on his side and wrapping his arms around the other desperately. He couldn’t help but squeeze him into his chest, never wanting to be away from him.. He hadn’t even told him what the doctor said. He didn’t know if he should. Things had been so stressful lately.. he hadn’t wanted to make Shota worry about even more, he had enough going on right now. So, he tried his best not to wake him, he needed the rest.
Mic sighed heavily, staring at the dim outline of Aizawa’s face in the dark. Shakily, he brought his hand up and cupped his cheek, rubbing just underneath the white bandage over his eye. He felt tears edging his eyes for some odd reason. Was he holding this in..? Probably.. It was a bad habit of his to hide those feelings.. He was just.. so, so worried for Shota. He was terrified to lose him. He couldn’t stand the thought of it.
He didn’t realize how tightly he was squeezing Aizawa until feeling him shift in his arms, only to close his mouth to likely grumble out. Hizashi wasn’t wearing his hearing aids, but he felt the vibration in his cheek to indicate he was making some grumpy noises.
”Aw crap-“
The DJ slurred out, realizing too now just how much he was shaking, which really didn’t help in keeping Shota asleep. He rolled over briefly and grabbed his hearing aids from the side table, knowing he’d need them now that his husband was unfortunately stirring. Mic quickly wiped his face with his arm and returned to hugging Aizawa as if nothing ever happened.
”Mmmnn..? What.. Hizashi..?”
Aizawa mumbled half asleep as he felt Mic squeezing him a little too much for it to be normal. Though.. strangely he was quick to stop.. Shota squinted his eye confused and yawned, before irritatedly looking back at the clock. It was late.. really late.
”Oh- sorry, Sho- it’s nothin’.. you need to get your sleep.”
Hizashi waved his hand around before gently taking and rubbing Erasers cheek, brushing the hair from his face lovingly. He just felt such guilt for disturbing him. He’d been extra grumpy lately.. and very, very drained, for obvious reasons. And yet.. Shota was silent for a moment. Sure he grumbled out a little, but he didn’t scold Hizashi. No.. he could tell it wasn’t nothing. Mic was shaking.. he had his hearing aids in.. which meant he was awake a little before Shota woke up. He had a good feeling why.
”Zashi.. don’t..”
The other groaned, and placed his hand over his husbands hand to sneak his fingers around his. Aizawa was exhausted yes.. he was sore, but Hizashi would always, always be his top priority.
”You’re good at hiding.. but you can’t from me.. So.. why are you up..?”
Shota asked sternly and yet it was laced with worry. Being sleepy, he had no patience for Mic writing off whatever this was. He narrowed his eye. Hizashi looked off to the side and bit his lip anxiously, feeling Aizawa curling his other arm around his waist and rubbing into his back. He knew he couldn’t lie to him of all people. And he really shouldn’t test him right now.
”Well.. uh.. it’s no biggie anymore.. I just- I was thinking about some things about..”
The blonde fidgeted with his partners dark hair, shifting his legs around like he couldn’t sit still.
”About the war..?”
Shota finished for him, simply guessing. He knew he was correct when Mic looked down.
”Look- I’m fine Zashi..”
Aizawa insisted. It was a constant worry that’d been going on between them.. ever since Hizashi had found his partner bleeding out with two drastic injuries he’d been worried sick about him. It was a huge change. It was the first night after Shota was in the hospital for weeks, and he was still healing.. He missed him. He was so scared.. Worst of all, he knew Aizawa was scared too. They were both trying to be strong for each other.. for Shinso and Eri.. but it was hard.
”I know- I know- you always pull through..”
Mic sighed. He hated bringing up his worries. He was supposed to be supporting Shota during this..
”It’s not about that, though.. it’s somethin’ else..”
He continued, making Aizawa tilt his head. If this wasn’t about his eye and or leg, then what else..? Kurogiri maybe-?
“I spoke with that doctor guy..”
Hizashi mumbled.
”You.. told me about that already..”
Eraser grew impatient, his strokes into the others back wavered as he waited anxiously. Mic started pressing his hand harsher into Shota’s cheek.
”Yeah- Well I left out somethin’ he told me.. I didn’t have a good time to bring it up. Didn’t think I ever would- but it’s been eatin’ me up.”
The DJ trembled, thinking of just how sick it was. How he was sneering as he said it..
”What..?”
Aizawa pressed. Both curiously and worryingly. The pressure into his cheek bothered him, but instead he squeezed Mics hand back and put his nose against his forehead comfortingly. Hizashi was quiet. He didn’t want to burden him with this.. it was late, he had enough to worry about.
“Hizashi- what did he say..?”
Shota growled by accident. Mics lips tremored.
”He.. he said- he was after you- all along-“
Eraser blinked in confusion, his tired brain slowly processing what Mic meant.
”What does that mean..?”
Hizashi swallowed hard.
“He- he was after *your* quirk.. the whole time he wanted it instead of what he got.. Shota- if that accident didn’t happen, he wasn’t after Shirakumo….”
Hizashi whimpered.
”He was stalking us- he knew about your erasure when we were just kids-!”
He spilled, gripping Shota tightly in his arms. Aizawa was just.. stunned. He froze in shock with a widened eye. His heart sinking. He knew the doctor took Shirakumo because he was easily available.. he was better than nothing. But.. he still knew about them in greater detail-? He knew all about his quirk-? How..? Was he really planning to take him as a kid for his quirk..? Was his quirk that valuable-? Shota felt frightened at the thought of what could’ve been. If Oboro hadn’t been offered to that doctor instead, would he even be here right now-? Would he be a monster? Would Shirakumo still be here..?
”S-Sho?”
Hizashi fretted when Aizawa didn’t reply. Oh no- did he stress him too much-? He knew he should’ve waited. Two in the morning on Shota’s first night back home wasn’t the best timing..
“I’m sorry- I’m so sorry Sho-“
The DJ sunk down in guilt, only to feel Shota clutching his hand rather tightly. Really tightly.
”Ow- Shota-“
Mic flinched, worry consuming him that he overwhelmed his husband.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner..-?”
Aizawa finally spoke, loosening his grip. He didn’t mean to hurt his partner.. His voice sounded more saddened than anything.. and yet he was trembling on his words. It was just.. disturbing to think he was being watched. Studied. All for his quirk that he used to think was useless, when really, it was helpful. Even the number one hero said so. He could’ve been Kurogiri instead. As horrifying as it was, it hurt Mic kept this from him.
“I- I just didn’t wanna worry you more.. you were strugglin’ already- you were real stressed and I didn’t think you needed that right now-“
Hizashi sighed, feeling pretty stupid because from bottling it up, he ended up bursting at a bad time anyway. Both of them averted their eyes from each other. Shota let out a long, heavy sigh, which almost became a yawn, before he suddenly pulled Hizashi closer to him.
“Next time.. just tell me. You can’t be taking care of me if you’re not even letting me take care of you.”
Shota grunted. It always angered him when Mic didn’t let him help. How was he supposed to help him when he was struggling himself? This reaction shocked Hizashi.. He slowly leaned into his partner and nuzzled his cheek into his, breathing out.
“I’m still here.. I’m not easy to take down you know..”
Aizawa cooed stubbornly, yet his voice was soft as he gently took Hizashi’s hand and rubbed the ring on his finger, then, he reached underneath his own shirt and pulled out his necklace. He knew he shouldn’t be sleeping with it on, but he just adored it too much. He showed Mic the ring linked onto the chain he wore instead, so he could always wear it close to him without risk of it being damaged in battle.
“Just pick a better time than waking me up at 2am..”
Eraser added with a salty remark, making the blonde giggle weakly.
“Yeah.. sorry.”
He sighed, relaxing just having Aizawa in his arms.. he was right.. he was still here.. Mic gazed at the ring around his neck quietly, then looked back up at Shota. How was he so calm..? But, when he caught the look in his eye, he could sense his unease. He’d always been able to read him when nobody else could.
“You just told me not to hide my feelin’s.”
Hizashi argued lightly, rubbing his husbands cheek with his thumb. Shota groaned and turned his head away.
“You’re scared.. I can’t be.. I can’t get hung up on what could’ve happened- it didn’t happen so that’s all that matters..”
He hissed, tiredly rolling onto his other side with a small whimper, finding it hard to get comfortable. Hizashi narrowed his eyes at his stubborn emo and frowned, Shota was avoiding his feelings again..
“Aren’t you even a little scared-?”
Mic asked while reaching out and rubbing Aizawa’s shoulder. He yelped when he spun his head around and pushed his hand away, only to shout at him. It was strange seeing Eraser be so.. aggressive with him.
“Of course I’m f#cking scared-! I could’ve ended up like *him*- we were just kids- it’s disturbing- and you tell me now of all times! I can’t focus on that when I have bigger things to worry about. So what matters now is that I’m here- I wasn’t taken..”
Shota snapped, breathing out heavily as he turned back away from Hizashi and hugged himself with trembling arms. Mic stared in shock. He didn’t expect to get yelled at.. but he understood.. His partner was already grumpy, he was drained, and he sprung this on him in the middle of the night. He shouldn’t have pushed him to express his feelings.
“…Sorry…”
Hizashi whimpered quietly.
“Didn’t mean to stress you out…”
He added, slowly hugging Eraser to see if he was in a cuddly mood. Luckily, Shota allowed being spooned, and let out a heavy sigh while taking his time to calm down.
”I know.. I’m sorry. Thank you for telling me. I.. I am scared too.. I just need you to realize I’m okay.. I can’t focus on the what ifs..”
Aizawa murmured, nestling back into his hubby. He then placed his hand over top one of Hizashi’s, and clasped it closely. He’d never be able to stay mad at him. He knew his husband was just worried.
“You can be scared but don’t hang onto it.. I’m here now, right? I’m never leaving your side..”
Mic sighed in relief. He.. really needed to hear that. Hizashi gripped tighter and leaned in to kiss his cheek.
“Yeah.. I love you so much, Sho.. I’m so glad you’re okay..”
He hummed, feeling better now that he was snapped out of his thoughts. It was in the past.. what’s done was done, even if it scared him, it was such a relief to have Shota in his arms. Safe.
“Mmmhhm.. love you too, Zashi.. I’m okay, so let me sleep now..”
Aizawa yawned out crankily, making Hizashi giggle and nuzzle some more into the other. Shota acted grumpy, but he was glad his husband was better.. he was glad he was here to care so much about him and to comfort him. He was such a sweetheart..
“Okay okay.. you need your rest I get it. But can you at least look at me one last time before you pass out and start snorin’?”
Mic teased, giggling when Shota grumbled. Such a salty cat. Really he secretly missed that cute laughter from Mic..
“Mmm.. fiiine.. but I’m not rolling back over..”
Aizawa complained, finding it difficult to roll with his leg, besides, spooning was nice.. So, he turned his head around and glared at the other. Hizashi beamed seeing that calm look return to Erasers gaze.
”Thank you, Shot-“
But when he went to flirtatiously call his name, Aizawa suddenly grabbed his chin and pulled him over to connect their lips for a long, sweet kiss. They both missed getting to be affectionate while Shota was in the hospital. Mic melted and curled around Aizawa some more, before the sleepier of the two finally pulled away and plopped back into his pillow.
”There.. now can I sleep..?”
He grinned subtly, and the blonde quickly nodded with a mushy expression.
“Yeeahh.. all good now~”
Mic giggled, and rested back into the bed with Shota cozy in his arms. He reached for one hearing aid and slipped it out.
”I love you so much..”
He sighed, not able to help but repeat it. At first he thought Eraser already passed out by the silence, but his smile returned when he was pulled by both arms to get in closer.
“Love you lots too, dork..”
Shota yawned, slurring his words as he slumped into his husbands arms. It was really cozy.. Hizashi grinned seeing the two of them calm once more, and slipped out his other hearing aid. After placing them on the nightstand, Mic nestled his face cozily in the nook of the others neck, making Aizawa’s cheek vibrate. He’d memorize this kind of vibration.. it was a little chuckle.
With his hand tangling into Aizawas black curly hair, his face warm in his neck, and their hands intertwined against Aizawa’s chest, they were both able to rest peacefully. Both loving and cuddling each other.
That is until well- in the morning, when Hizashi blurted something in his drowsy state while rubbing his partners leg as he sometimes did.
“OH MY GOD SHOTA YOUR LEGS GONE-“
”I K N O W-“