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It was going to be fine. Hizashi was on one of his first missions as a sidekick, some villain with gigantification mutant quirk and no other hero nearby was fit to fight him. Hizashi’s quirk was their best bet. The biggest concern was that the villain was hiding in an old factory, posing a collapse risk. Still, Hizashi was excited to be on the first line and he was just using his throat spray when his phone pinged.
Shouchan
Be careful
Hizashi smiled down at his phone and sent thumbs up in response. Shouta always sent him the same message when Hizashi had a bigger mission than regular patrol and man, he really loved that side of his partner. But he was a pro now, yo! It was going to be fine.
Him and the rest of the team took their assigned positions and waited for the signal; once they received a go, Hizashi snuck up to the factory. He was lucky he was the same year as Shouta - years of practice with his now-boyfriend helped him polish his stealth skills. Most of the people were shocked when they discovered the Voice Hero could be so quiet but, as someone would say, you can't be a pro if you're a one trick pony.
Hizashi lifted himself on the platform and crouched down, inching to the ledge and taking in his surroundings. It was extremely quiet so far - too quiet. He dropped himself on the ground and crouched forward, keeping an eye on every sudden movement. Suddenly, a bucket dropped to his left and he immediately whirled, taking a fighting stance and assessing the situation.
Before him stood a monstrous man, 5 meters tall, more muscles than anything, his veins popping from the strain. His eyes were glinting red and he charged at the Voice Hero, who took a deep breath…
“YEEEAAAH!!”
The building shook precariously. The villain grimaced and was forced back from the sheer force of Hizashi's scream but otherwise didn't budge. On the contrary, the moment Hizashi stopped to take a breath, he lunged forward and reflexes born from years of sparring with one of the best underground heroes saved Hizashi from being turned into a bloody pulp. He managed to dodge at the last second and he swiftly turned to let out another scream. The villain, however, was interested in him. No, he took a swing and hit the floor, sending it and the whole building crumbling.
The last thing Hizashi remembered thinking before the ground swallowed him was oh shit.
—
Shouta didn't mean to get involved with Hizashi's mission. It was his time to shine as Mic and as concerned as Shouta was, he was also confident in his partner's abilities as a hero.
So when he received an emergency call for all the heroes in ten block radius from the location of Hizashi's mission, he launched himself into the air, not caring that he was further away and abandoning his patrol route. All rational thought flew out of the window and all he knew at the moment was that he needed to be there.
Arriving at the scene was like a blur. The only thought in his mind, as he jumped through the rooftops, was be ok. It'd be ok. Hizashi was going to be ok. Seeing the crumbled ruins of the warehouse, he stopped dead in the tracks just a couple paces from the building. Hizashi was nowhere in sight and there were emergency services everywhere, trying to lift the rubble. He could feel his blood freezing in his veins.
He quickly caught one of the EMTs.
“What happened,” he growled, flashing his hero card.
“Ah, Eraserhead, sir! Present Mic and the villain are under the rubble, the villain collapsed the flooring…”
But Shouta wasn't listening anymore. He was staring at the ruins, his heart pounding in his ears and he wasn't a pro hero Eraserhead anymore. No, he felt like a sixteen year old Shouta again, learning that his best friend was killed by a falling rubble just like this.
And just like that, everything went into motion again. He was aware of the sirens, of the shouting and he sprinted forward. He wouldn't allow another death of someone dear to him. He wasn't that sixteen year old anymore, he wouldn't be useless ever again.
He jumped forward, trying to catch the nearest piece of concrete with capture weapon but was stopped by another EMT.
“Sir, don't! We don't want to risk further damage.”
It made sense. Of course it made sense, the whole ground was a further collapse risk if debris wasn't removed carefully. But when he listened to further directions of the emergency services, explaining that they had everything covered, there was little left for him to do that wasn't straight up panicking.
A cloud forcing the children out of the way. Block of concrete falling down. Shirakumo's voice cheering him on as he fought Garvey.
He tried to keep his cool and let other heroes, more suited for this type of action, do their job. Time stopped as he paced back and forth, attuned with the surroundings enough to pick up any news that they found the Voice Hero. Like a mantra he repeated, he's fine, he's fine, Zashi is fine.
Eventually, someone announced they found someone and Shouta rushed forward, not caring about anything else. He got there in time to see unconscious Hizashi being lifted on the stretcher and he stared at the pale, bloodied face of his partner. The next moment he was aware, Hizashi was being put in an ambulance and he grabbed the closest paramedic. “I'm driving with him.”
“Sir, I can't-”
“I'm his partner.”
Shouta wasn't sure if it were the words or the tone suggesting that if anyone stopped him they would be beaten up but the paramedic nodded and allowed Shouta in the back of the ambulance. He dropped next to Hizashi, tenderly took his hand and brought it up to his lips.
“You're gonna be ok,” he whispered.
Tears dropped on Hizashi's knuckles and Shouta belatedly realised he'd been crying, for who knows how long. He sure as hell didn't and he didn't care. He clutched Hizashi's hand to his chest and repeated like a mantra you're fine in his head.
When they arrived, Hizashi was rushed to the emergency room and Shouta was left to pace the waiting room. He was barely aware of the surroundings, trying to keep memories at bay, memories of blood and cotton candy blue hair peeking from the rubble.
Blood under the rubble. Broken goggles.
His chest constricted and gasp escaped him as he sunk on one of the chairs and grabbed a fistful of his hair. He tugged harshly, trying to bring himself to reality. He couldn't help Oboro, not anymore but he could help Hizashi.
Except you couldn't help him either a tiny voice in his head whispered. You were just as useless as the last time and now the love of your life may die.
“...head, Eraserhead,” a voice came through his panic and he whipped his head to look at the nurse who was smiling kindly at him.
“Present Mic is in his room, you can go see him now. He's unconscious but we patched him up,” she reassured him and Shouta stood up and followed her to the room.
Hizashi seemed even more pale against the white hospital sheets and his head and left arm were bandaged up. Shouta read the clipboard at the end of the bed, noting with relief that all Hizashi suffered was a sprained wrist, cracked rib and minor head injury. He brought the chair next to the bed and sat down, gingerly taking Hizashi's uninjured hand in his.
“I'm sorry,” he whispered, tears gathering in his eyes again. “I'm sorry I'm so weak,” he sobbed, gripping the hand tightly. His whole body was wracked with suppressed sobs and he didn't even register movement until warm hand touched his cheek.
He whipped his head to see Hizashi smiling weakly at him.
“Hey,” Hizashi greeted him quietly.
“Hi,” he breathed out, one hand covering Hizashi's palm that was cradling his cheek. “I'm sorry, Hizashi.”
The man looked at him baffled.
“What?”
“I couldn't even help at the scene, I couldn't help you…”
“Babe,” Hizashi interrupted him. “How the hell were you supposed to help me miles away?” He finished saying it and then it hit him.
Oh.
“Love, you're not responsible for everything and everyone,” Hizashi whispered. “Least of all for my fuck up. But I'm here and I'm ok. I think. Am I ok? Feels shitty, not gonna lie.”
Shouta laughed wetly and nodded, still squeezing Hizashi's chest. “Minor head injury, cracked rib and sprained wrist but you'll live.”
“Won't get rid of me that easily,” Hizashi replied with a smile. “Love you,” he slurred before falling back asleep.
He was discharged the next day. Shouta insisted Hizashi used the wheelchair, to avoid aggrevating his injuries and was now wheeling him to their car.
“I can walk, you know,” Hizashi teased but he wasn't complaining. It felt nice to have all of Shouta's attention on him. Not that he was an inattentive partner but they were busy.
“Shush.”
They drove home, Hizashi talking about the mission before it went sideways and Shouta was reveling in hearing his boyfriend's voice. There was a time when he'd got no response.
No. Hizashi was here and alive, and needed his attention and affection.
Shaking himself from his thoughts, he parked the car and helped Hizashi upstairs. Despite only two flights of stairs, Hizashi was exhausted by the time they entered the flat and Shouta quickly settled him on the couch, blankets and pillows included.
“When's your patrol?” Hizashi asked as he burrowed in the nest made by Shouta.
“Hm… In three days,” he replied, making his way over to the kitchen to boil water for the tea.
Hizashi's brows furrowed. “What? You had it today, I just don't remember what time.”
“I had,” Shouta agreed. “And then I cancelled because you need me more.”
Hizashi pouted. “Sho…”
“Hizashi.”
The blond looked up at his boyfriend bewildered.
“I want to take care of you. Please let me.”
And well, who was Hizashi to deny such request?
“Thanks, babe.”
Shouta smiled in response and finished making the tea.
It was going to be fine.