Chapter Text
The drive back to UA was silent. Too silent for Aizawa’s liking. He knew why Hizashi would be quiet, but Aizawa didn’t like how… stuffy the car felt. He needed something to at least distract him from what just happened. When the two arrived back to the campus, they both went straight to Nezu’s office. The principal looked at the two. He could sense that whatever happened at the visit, it was serious.
”Aizawa, Hizashi? How was the visit?” Nezu asked in his usual upbeat voice. He watched as the two seemed despondent in their own ways. He gave a small sigh before seeing Hizashi step up and answer.
”They wanted us to interview… or interrogate Kurogiri.” He said in a tired voice. Nezu wasn’t expecting that, but he didn’t know anything about this visit, so he didn’t really expect anything.
“Really? How did that go?” Nezu asked as he slightly leaned over his desk in curiosity. “I hope you were able to flesh out good information from that Nomu?”
Nezu squeaked in surprise as Aizawa responded to him. “He’s not a Nomu, he’s Shirokumo.”
The principal seemed at a loss for words. “Shirokumo..? As in, Oboro Shirokumo?”
Hizashi gave a slow nod before looking up and watching Aizawa leaving the office. “I’m sorry for cutting our time short Nezu-san. I have to go do something.”
Nezu didn’t have to let Hizashi fumble for an excuse to follow his friend. “You may go after Aizawa, Hizashi.”
The blonde gave a quick bow before going after his friend. Aizawa wasn’t too far off when Hizashi caught up to him. The blonde placed his hand on Aizawa’s shoulder, though the other was quick to pull away. Hizashi caught up to Aizawa’s side as the two sat down on a bench by the path. The two sat on the bench silently, staring at the path in front of them. Aizawa finally broke the silence.
”I can’t believe it.” He spoke quietly, almost as if he was scared to speak louder. “He was right there all along.”
Hizashi looked over to his friend with a solemn face. “I would’ve never guessed it either.”
Aizawa slowly took off the goggles hanging on his neck and stared at them for a long time. “Was it my fault?”
The blonde stared at the other with wide eyes. “No! You wouldn’t have known that at all! It could never be your fault Sho!”
The black haired fellow glanced to the side, a guilty look on his face. “I could’ve have stopped him from running… but then he would’ve never forgiven himself for that huh?”
Hizashi cracked a weak smile as he stared off into the trees past the path. “Shirokumo wasn’t one to let himself off the hook too easy.” He glanced back to Aizawa to see him still staring at his goggles.
”The worst part was that was meant to be me.” Aizawa finally broke, his voice cracking and tears streaming down.
”Why would you say that?” Hizashi tilted his head.
”I spoke with him more after you had left the room.” Aizawa said simply, trying hard not to become a sobbing mess.
Hizashi waited for him to speak more, but he guessed that Aizawa was getting too choked up at this point. The blonde slowly pulled the black-haired fellow into a tight hug. Aizawa froze for a second before hugging back tighter than ever. Hizashi had a few tears trickle down his face, though he could feel the other’s whole body shaking silently. He noticed Aizawa grabbing Hizashi’s jacket with shaking hands, seemingly trying to calm himself down and failing badly.
”It was meant to be me…” Aizawa said in a broken voice through his tears.
Hizashi shook his head as he looked eye to eye with the other. “You wouldn’t have known, you were still in 2-A! You were still a kid!”
”But I should’ve protected him at least. He was my partner in battle and our friend.” Aizawa insisted as he broke eye contact with the other. Hizashi could sense Aizawa’s fury slowly starting to bubble. “They’ve gone and tinkered with his brain like some sort of lab rat. They made his compassion for everyone only for Shigaraki. Don’t you think that’s messed up in some way?”
Hizashi sighed as he took off his shades. “It… it really is.”
Aizawa glanced at the blonde, sensing that Hizashi was holding in his true feelings. “You need to scream don’t you?”
”So bad.” He gave out a breathy laugh as he leaned back on the bench.
The other helped the blonde up and they went into the forest. After getting considerably deep into the greenery and acquiring some ear mufflers, Aizawa gave a small gesture for him to scream. Hizashi took the deepest breath in and let out the loudest scream he had ever given, using his Quirk even.
”Better?” The black-haired man asked with a bare noticeable smile.
”So much better.” Hizashi grinned weakly. “But that doesn’t change anything huh?”
Aizawa’s head sunk into his scarf as he glanced off to the side. “Nothing can change what has happened.”
The two stood in solemn silence before Hizashi slung an arm around Aizawa’s shoulder. “How about we go treat ourselves to a cat cafe bento? My treat?”
Aizawa gave a soft smirk before being guided by the blonde out of the forest.
///
That night, Aizawa couldn’t sleep. He was being plagued by horrible night terrors, worse than usual. He was half expecting to have bad ones after the meeting. He gave a small sigh as he slowly got out of bed. He would take a small patrol. Usually that helped him get tired enough. And anyways, an extra patrol wouldn’t be too bad right?
He grabbed his scarf and tied his hair up. He then jumped from his bedroom window and climbed to the roof. He stared over the roof for a while before hearing someone clearing their throat behind him. He whipped around and activated his Quirk.
”Only me Sho.” Hizashi chuckled softly as he watched his friend’s glowing red eyes turn back to normal. “Why ya up here?”
”I should be asking you that.” Aizawa huffed as he walked over to the blonde’s side and pulling his goggles down.
”Couldn’t sleep. Was kinda hoping to meet ya up here too.” Hizashi grinned sheepishly as he let out a small puff of smoke.
”Mm… smart of you.” Aizawa hummed as he leaned over the roof’s bannister.
”Have the night terrors gotten worse?” Hizashi asked hesitantly. He knew Aizawa didn’t like talking about it, but he still was rather curious.
”I wish I could say no.” He grumbled as he scratched the back of his neck. “Sometimes… sometimes I wonder if it would actually happen.”
Hizashi shook his head. “You’re the best teacher that I know Sho, there’s no need to worry!”
Aizawa gave a small scoff. “Easy for you to say. My bunch of wackos have no sense about how to stay alive.”
Hizashi playfully nudged him with his arm. “That’s why you’re there to protect them!”
Aizawa rolled his eyes but couldn’t help but smirk. The two then stared up at the stars for a good long while.
”Oboro would have loved to see the sky tonight wouldn’t he?” Hizashi mumbled.
”Yea… he would.”