Chapter Text
After an embarrassingly long time, Shouta managed to get a very entoxicated Hizashi to stumble out of the bar they were in and outside under the streetlight. The blonde was drunk, that was pretty obvious. Shouta had drunk his fair share of drinks too but he was mostly sure he could see straight enough to walk them both home.
Shouta had an arm around his boyfriend's waist, making Hizashi drunkenly return the touch, wrapping an arm around and holding into Shouta's shoulder. His head was leaning against Shoutas shoulder, his untied long hair tickling his neck.
"Come on, this way Mic"
Shouta grumbled as he practically dragged Hizashi along, his steps somewhat stumbled. Hizashi mumbles something in response but doesn't complain. Even in his drunken state, he trusts shouta to take him home. He would think that was kind of sweet if it wasn't so pathetic.
Hes discovered Hizashi gets rather funny when he's drunk. if he's tispy or even a fair amount of drinks in, he doesn't shut up, he's loud and social, maybe a little too social. But the moment the poor dude has one drink too much, he just switches off, finds shouta, clings to him and goes basically non-verbal until he has to take him home. Not that Shouta minds, it's far too entertaining to watch his pathetic boyfriend overestimate his achohol tolerance and face the consequences.
The silence is a nice bonus too
"You feeling alright?" He muttered, looking at the sad display on his shoulder. Shouta gets nothing more then a muffled "m'fine" and he decides that's good enough. As long as he doesn't throw up on him, atleast their both in civilian clothing if he did.
As they get to a busy road, shouta stops and awkwardly leans over Hizashi to press the road crossing button on the traffic light.
That awkward movement makes him turn and he gets a glimpse into the alleyway to the side of them. Usually shouta wouldn't care, but in the corner of his eye he see.. something? Like a heap on the floor? Right in the centre of the road.
Shouta does a double take, Hizashi seems to notice and sloppily looks with a mumble. It looks like a figure. It could just be a homeless person, sad but ordinary. Only thing this figure in the dead centre of the alleyway, on the road and kinda half dipped into a gross mystery liquid like oil or something.
"What ya m'lookin' at?" Hizashi slurred, trying to squint and see without his glasses.
Shouta doesn't respond because he'd just realised what that is. Its someone just like he thought, someone crumbled on the floor and not moving. He can't see their face or hair from the angle they're laying.
One other slightly important thing, they're wearing a UA uniform.
Oh Shit
"Is that a-?" Hizashi must've recognised it too, even in his drunken state and without glasses. It was impressive, but Shouta didn't exactly have the time to dwell on that.
Shit
"Shit"
Shouta let's go of the blonde and rushing into the alley. Leaving Hizashi to stumble before recovering and attempting to follow. Ignoring the street light that just turned green, causing cars to stop for nothing.
It only take a couple of steps to confirm that it was definitely a UA uniform, and definitely a minor wearing said uniform. The kid's crumpled on their side, like they'd collapsed or been thrown. Their bag was still with them, abandoned a couple of feet away.
Shouta dropped to his knees infront of the kid, geting a good look at the kid. Behind him he heard Hizashi following, cursing something in English.
The kid was male judging by his uniform, he had short purple hair that was ruffled and knotted. His uniform was loose and half done up, like there had been an attempt to undo it or hastily put back on. The boy's clothing was also wet beneath him, probably from the puddle of fucking sewerage the kid had been unluck enough to fall into.
Though what caught both of the men's attention was the massive black eye and bleeding lip. There were other minor nicks and cuts on his face, and Shouta couldn't see what was under his uniform- but he sure as hell could guess.
He seemed familiar, but Shouta didn't recognise the boy, he wasn't one of his students and must've been from general studies, maybe business. He probably a first year, considering his size
"What.. what the fuck- the shit happened to 'im?" The sight of one of his own students must've sobered Hizashi up enough to start swearing. His hands hovering above the limp form after dropping to his knees on the other side of shouta. not caring he was on the side where the sewerage leaked from, staining his knees.
Shouta merely grunted in return, placing a hand on his neck. He was freezing to the touch, he would have been our here for hours. The kid was still breathing, but his pulse going faster then a damn rabbit.
"M-mgh.."
The boy moaned faintly at his touch, his voice was croaky and hoarse from dehydration. Shouta paused whilst Hizashi kept drunkenly trying to remember first aid protocol. Shouta glanced at Hizashi, who was clearly trying to help but with how pissed drunk he was Shouta really didn't want him near the kid. He caught hizashi"s hand before it touched the boy's side and he finally looked up as Shouta spoke.
"look though his bag, find anything useful" he commanded and Hizashi didn't complain, shuffling to reach for the bag discarded on the floor.
By now Shouta should've moved him into a more comfortable position but he didn't want to dip more of him into the muck beneath him. Plus he was already on his side, it looked like he'd collapsed sorta in the recovery position.
He compromised, and gently he scooped the boy off the dirty floor as he sat cross legged, holding the kid into his lap. Holding him this close reminded Shouta of how fucking cold the boy was, shouta held him a little closer to his chest subconsciously to warm the poor fella up.
The kid's eyes were open just slightly, but from what eye was visible Shouta could see it was unfocused. Judging by the face the kid was groaning, he deducted the kid was conscious, even juuuuust barely, but he likely wasn't aware of much more then physical touch. Shouta's hero mind was already running though all his options.
Probably a Concussion? Was he drugged by something? or just simply his exhaustion from whatever the hell happened is keeping him like this? Was it an from injury or bloodloss? Whatever was wrong with him, the kid was refusing to fall unconscious, he moaned at every touch. his heart rate told Shouta he was still scared shitless.
And what the hell happened to him in the first place? That was anyone's guess. An assault, that much was obvious. Was it a villain? Was it personal or maybe even a domestic assault? But who the hell wod leave their kid out in the street? Was the kid running away? forced to the ground? What if it was sexual? Was it a fight? Did the boy fight back? Did he start the fight? If so who-
"S-shhinso Hitoshi"
Hizashi's voice snapped shouta out of his thoughts. It took a second to realise what his partner said and he looked up to see Hizashi holding a UA student ID up.
"What?" He muttered, not really hearing Hizashi the first time.
"says 'kid's name is Shins-so Hitoshi" Hizashi repeated, clearly trying his absolute best not to sound slurred at all. "..'e's a first year in general studies"
"That's the boy from the sports festival"
shouta stated as he looked form the kid in his arms to Hizashi. That's why he looked familiar, the boy with the brainwash quirk. Shinso Hitoshi. God he looked nothing like how he did at the festival, Shouta subconsciously gripped him a little tighter.
"The one who lost to Mydorida-"
Hizashi didn't have time to reply before Shinso practically whined. He must've been slowly coming to from all the touching and warmth. Shouta could see the moment his awareness came crashing back to him and he started to instinctively panic. He stirred, his eyes now properly open as he tired to push himself away with uselessly shaky arms.
"Woah woah woah, hold your horses kiddo" hizashi attempted to reach for Shinso, but Shouta simply glared at him to back off. Hizashi got the message and faltered back a bit.
Shinso was too weak to do much, and he must've quickly realised it was useless as he flopped back down into Shouta chest, probably realising it was was warm. His shivering hands clenched around nothing before one loosely gripped shouta's shirt. He kinda shoved his face into Shoutas shirt, body still shaking from cold or fear.
"Hitoshi? You with me kid?" Shouta tried his first name, sort of testing how it sounded on his tongue. he didn't want the boy to slip unconscious because he was warm now after fighting to stay awake for god knows how long.
He didn't reply, not even an attempt. Shouta wasnt going to force the kid but he needed to get something out of him.
"Hey Shino? Come on, say something kid. It's Eraserhead" he coaxed lightly, tapping his less bruised check. Shouta was almost never was this soft, but even he knew you have to be delicate to a victim like this. You've got no idea what headspace their in.
He sighed as the clearly exhausted and half concious Shinso decided to just cling to his teacher more. Whining again.
Shouta couldn't really blame him, he'd been assaulted and left outside in the cold, fighting to stay awake for hours whilst in pain- and now he was comfortably in the warm arms of an adult. Shouta wouldn't let go either, he probably pass out the minute he could.
"Hizashi call an ambulance" Shouta decided he wouldn't wait anymore. And as much as he didn't want to entrust a drank man to call, he was a bit preoccupied with Shinso. Hizashi fumbled and pulled his phone out, but Shinso seemed to have a different idea.
At the mention of an ambulance, Shinso hand shot up and grabbed Shouta's collar, suddenly deciding to talk now. His voice was raspy and rather desperate for a kid Shouta saw as indifferent.
"N-no no-! p-please no!" He plead like he wasn't beaten black and blue, and Shouta was surprised by the boy's sudden protest. He could tell the movment hurt him too from the hiss he tried to bite back.
"Hey, hey Shinso whats-" Shouta tried to still him, his hand holding the back of his head.
"P-please!!" He only got louder, the idea of going to hospital was clearly distressing. Shouta could do nothing but watch as he started to cry. "Eraser i-i I can't... i-i Won't- cus t-they'll-"
Shouta was taken aback by this kid's fear, sure kid's can be scared of the hospital, be rarely teenagers to this extent. victims can be afraid, that's not uncommon, but it's always for a reason. Shouta and Hizashi shared look of concern and surprise as he quickly turned to comfort mode.
"Easy there, easy kid." He tried gently, look down at the kid's crumpled face, his eyes told Aizawa this wasn't a normal childish fear, there was something deeper here. Shouta could tell it stung to cry out of that black eye. "I've got ya"
"I.. 'm sorry i-" Shinso tried to apologise, but his head was clearly moving faster then his mouth could. He kept mumbling, but shouta couldn't make put much as he devolved into mumbles and sniffles.
"Hey, hey kid" Shouta cut him off before he would keep rambling. The boy was distressed and panicking, his fear shooting from one to one hundred in a matter of seconds. Shouta had to tread lightly Here.
"It's alright, just.. slow down a bit" he coaxed, tilting his head into his chest like heroes are supposed to comfort little kids. Shouta found most tactics for calming child work on distressed teens too, only you don't baby them.
"What do you need then shinso? Do you want us to call your parents first? Maybe family or a friend?" He suggested. Shouta knew they had to get the kid to a hospital, he wasn't going to allow Shinso to cry his way out of the medical attention he needed. But he also wouldn't drag him there kicking and screaming.
"NO!.. n-no please no"
Well that answers that. Shinso basically screeched, quick and fast as soon as he realised what Shouta was asking. He seemed even more scared. Was that where the fear came from? His guardians? He sighed, Shinso wasn't in the headspace to negotiate and just needed comfort. Shouta didn't want to think about what kind of victims also behaved like this.
He gently tucked Shinso's face away a little before he looked back up to Hizashi, who'd been patiently watching with pity and sympathy. He could likely sense he wasn't exactly in the right state to be of much help, and shouta was thankful he knew to keep off.
He signed in JSL to Hizashi with his free hand, not wanting the kid to hear.
'Call ambulance anyway'
'Okay'
Hizashi stood and walked deeper into the alleyway until he could turn a corner and was out of sight, phone in hand. Shouta was glad he got the message to keep it away from the kid, he could always trust his partner to pick up on anything he needed him to.
Back to Shinso, Shouta could feel him finally warm up a bit. He was still shivering, and that sewerage had definitely seeped into both his and shoutas pants now but it was am improvement, and his boyfriend's good at getting stains out.
Now that shinso had gone quiet again, the alleyway filled with the silence Shouta was so familiar with- minus the sniffling and hics.
He paused as he looked down at the sad display in his lap. It was jarring how different he looked right now, Shinso the rude and blunt boy reduced to a crying, begging mess.
Shouta didn't want to break the silence, and he didn't want to admit he couldn't look Shinso in the eyes right now even if he tried.
He doesn't want to admit that he's starting to put the pieces together in his head.
So instead, his eyes travelled down. His eyes traced the thick purple bruise on his neck, and old stains on his uniform from pen ink to the new stains of dirt and speckles of blood that dribbled down from his nose and mouth.
Speaking of his unform, only two of the buttons were actually done up, Shouta didn't look inside out of respect, But he hadn't noticed how exposed Shinso was this whole time. He didn't like the idea of him laying like this for hours outside, shedding him of all his dignity.
Shouta silently reached down and re-buttoned his shirt one by one, Trying to give back what little dignity this boy had left whilst he tried not to assume what implications it held.
"M'sorry" He heard Shinso mumbled, not looking up at him.
"You've got nothing to apologise for" Shouta grumbled before adding "Until you started the fight or didn't fight back"
"Wasn’t a fight" Shouta felt the kid shift a little as he responded, his voice was still weaker then normal, and raspy from just crying.
"Then are you going to tell me what happened? Because I'm assuming the worst here kid"
"..." of course, the brat suddenly didn't feel like talking.
At least it was quiet again, his hero mode was already re-running his thoughts.
Concussion or drugged? shinso seemed coherent enough so probably not. Bloodloss? He's bleeding underneath his uniform and may be bleeding internally, so it's definitely weaken him. Exhaustion? Definitely. Shouta wanted this kid asleep as soon as it was safe to.
Shouta didn't really want to think about what had happened, considering what he's pieced together from Shinsos fearful reaction, his very sudden reactions, the different personality, the shirt..
He'd seen this one thousand times before.
Shouta had seen worse, he's fought people who have done far worse, he's saved victims from far worse situation and have seen firsthand things that would make a grown man unable to sleep or eat for weeks.
The only difference is that he can detach himself from those memories, say its a part of his job and never see those people again. But this? Shinso's a student at his school. sure, it's one that he doesn't teach, but he's still going to see him after this is over.
He's going to pass Shinso by in the halls, he's going to see him in the cafeteria or library, he might even have to substitute his class one day.
And he's passed shinso in the halls before, he's seen him eating alone in the cafeteria or reading in the library, he's substituted in his class once before.
And now he's not sure he can look him in the eyes after this, as a teacher or hero. All because of the actions of someone else.
Shouta isn't sure what's got him so worked up over this kid.
It's just an educated guess.
Its not like he knows what happened.
It's just a student he doesn't even teach.
It's probably the kids fault anyway.
But he watched Shinso sniffle again, smooshing himself further into shouta's 'put your hands up radio' jacket he just... can't detach himself.
"Sho?" Shouta jumped a little, he'd kinda forgotten Hizashi entirely. He looked up to see Hizashi crouched infront of the pair.
"Ambulance is close by, they won't be long now" the blonde continued, his head tilted at Shouta like a dog.
"You've got that look on your face"
his boyfriend muttered far too quietly for the voice hero himself. His breath still stunk of achohol and he hoped Shinso didn't smell it. Hizashi reached for Shinso again and Shouta didn't stop him this time.
He watched as Hizashi Gently ran his hands though the boy's hair until the ambulance finally arrived, making an attempt to soothe Shinso with words the whole time. The pity in his voice clear.
Shouta's gaze didn't leave Shinso until he finally heard sirens