Work Text:
1.Flinching
Hizashi had been a teacher for a long time,and before that he had been a hero for an even longer amount of time.So it's hardly a surprise that he had picked up on a few skills over the years.One of these were observation,and he was really good at it, even better than Shouta.
He learned to sense even the most minuscule movements,despite his damaged hearing,he learned to observe a person's body language and words that they loved to use,and even how uncomfortable or stiff a person was.
All in all,he trained himself to notice things others often missed.
So when a certain green haired boy walked into his English class for their first lesson,wearing a bright smile that looked a little bit too forced,he could tell something was wrong.
Hizashi watched Midoriya as he sat down on his chair after lunch,muttering quietly to himself as he took out his notebooks for English.His shoulders were hunched and he was quietly paying attention to Bakugo's position in the room.
Why would the little listener be so concerned about Bakugo?Hizashi brushed it off though,teenagers had a lot of drama and he was sure it would get sorted out on its own,and if not then it'll be heard by Shouta.
Students filed in and soon enough,the whole class was filled with students and Hizashi started the lesson,deciding to store away his thoughts for after school.
“Good morning little listeners!Welcome to your first English lesson at U.A.”He introduced,rather enthusiastically for the early time.
He watched his students' reactions as he spoke.Most were excited,and some,namely Bakugo,were unbothered.
Hizashi decided to continue explaining about how their English lessons would work at U.A.During his introduction however,he noticed Bakugo stretching his arms out suddenly and he saw Midoriya flinch at some movements that went a bit too close to him.Which was to say,not close at all.The blondes desk was located in front of the green haired boy.
Something was obviously going on between him and Midoriya
So was this a learned habit?Why would Midoriya even think that Bakugo would hurt him?
Hizashi stopped his train of thought,maybe he was overthinking this?Not everyone had a bad childhood like Shouta and him.He was probably just self projecting. It was weird though,because he had never done that to other students he taught and he-He was getting distracted.
Hizashi continued his lesson,after the introduction,he began the first topic of the year.It was a simple one,on adverbs.These usually got confused with adjectives a lot later on in the year so he wanted a whole lesson to explain it thoroughly.
“So,listeners” he started and chuckled to himself when he saw a few getting startled.They probably weren't paying attention.
“Can anyone tell me the difference between an adverb and an adjective?”,Hizashi asked,wondering who the smarter kids were.
He saw a few listeners put their hands up,some were expected like Iida and Yaoyorozu,who got in through recommendations,but he saw a couple other kids put their hands up too,albeit a bit anxious to do so.But,as soon as his gaze landed on Midoriya,his eyebrows raised,the kids hand was up.
It was shaking and he was clearly nervous but nonetheless Hizashi felt a swell of pride in his chest at the small display of confidence.
He had thought that the kid would be too scared to put his hands up in class.Especially considering his obvious anxiety.
Deciding to help the kid's self esteem,he picked him and nodded in his direction.
He watched as midoriya startled and took a deep breath before starting to speak.
“U-uh sensei,an a-adjective describes a noun or pronoun, w-while an adverb modifies a verb,adjective, or ano-another adverb.”,Midoriya muttered.Not quietly but still in a rather soft and timid voice.
“CORRECT LITTLE LISTENER!” Hizashi pumped his fist up excitedly.
Midoriya flinched so hard he practically jumped out of his seat.The Class collectively laughed at his reaction,an amused smile sporting most of their faces.It wasn't in an unkind manner, just in a friendly sort of way.
The class soon ended and Hizashi collected his books while the students chattered between each other.
He walked out of the classroom promising to keep a closer eye on Midoriya.Something wasn't right with the little listener and he was determined to find out what.
2.Hiding injuries.
It was a Saturday and the class was having a movie night at the dorms.Shouta,being the sleep deprived caterpillar he was,sent Hizashi to supervise.
It wasn't like Hizashi had a problem with this.Class 1-A had a special place in all the teachers hearts and they all took care of the class when they could,especially after everything they had gone through.
Hizashi walked into the dorms,holding a stack of papers to grade and checked the time on his watch.
It was 8AM,so most of the students probably wouldn't be awake considering it was the weekend and they had gone through a tough training session on Friday.He heard a few students walking about though,most likely Bakugo and Midoriya.
Right on cue,the wonder duo appeared in front of him.
“Good morning,Mic-sensei!”Midoriya greeted,a smile sporting his freckled face.Bakugo stood beside him,surprisingly he was scowling like usual but instead his lips were upturned and he was standing with his hands in his pockets,slouched.
“Good morning Midoriya,Bakugo”He started,”So where are you listeners heading off too?”
"We're going to do our morning training, ‘s there a problem?”Bakugo answered.
Mic laughed,”Of course not kiddos.Just be careful,and if you get hurt go to Recovery Girl or me okay?”
Both the boys nodded their heads in approval of the rules,one in a slightly more aggressive manner than the other and Midoriya waved to him as they left.
Hizashi watched the boys as they left,they had grown so much in the few months at U.A.It seemed like they hadn't had a good history between each other when they first arrived. However as time passed,any if not all of the tension and aggression (coming from mainly bakugo) had dissipated.Leaving behind an old friendship that hadn't been seen in a very long time.
Mic then realized that he had been standing at the entrance of the dorms doing nothing for about a minute now.His face flushed,he probably looked like an idiot.
Hizashi walked over to a desk by the corner of the common room where Shouta usually marked his papers when he was in charge of supervising the class.
He placed his papers down and sat down on the old leather chair.He took out a red pen and sighed,preparing to start a long few hours set aside for marking.
Over the course of the next few hours the only sound heard was the soft scratching of a pen and pages flipping.There was also the occasionally weird sound that came from the dorm rooms,but those were not to be spoken of or mentioned…ever.
After about an hour or two,Hizashi started to hear some students waking up and moving around in their rooms,he paid them no mind and continued,it wasn't a distracting sound,and worked well as an ambience.
Then as if a switch had been pulled,students started to trickle out of their dorm rooms,.Hizashi winced in sympathy,they looked exhausted.The training that had been done yesterday had been a joint exercise between the 1-A and 1-B.
First came Iida,who didn't look too tired but was still walking in a worn out manner.
His back straightened immediately as his gaze fell on Hizashi.The kid then bowed in a way that definitely hurt,considering the bandages on his side.
“Good morning,Mic-sensei!”,Iida said in a strained voice.
Hizashi,being the ever observant hero he was,noticed the discomfort in the kid's features immediately and stood up quickly from the chair,ignoring the old furniture creaking, and rushed over to the kid and helped him stand straight up,a worried expression on his face.
‘Good Morning Iida.Are you alright kiddo?Your back seems pretty hurt,you really don't need to bow.”
Iida’s face instantly relaxed as the pressure put on his back previously disappeared.”Sorry,Sir.”
“Don't apologize,kid.”He placated”.So,since all of the class has been pretty roughed up after yesterday's training,why don't I make you all some breakfast?”Hizashi asked.
His eyes scanned Iida for his reaction to his suggestion.He saw the way that the boy's eyes lit up in relief.Clearly he was relieved that the class wouldn't have to strain their aching bodies making breakfast,but his face also showed apprehension at the prospect.
“Are you sure,Sir?I'm sure you're very busy currently,”Iida reasoned.
“Nonsense! Have a seat on the sofa and I'll cook up a tasty breakfast for your class,yeah?”Hizashi insisted,a smile dancing on his lips,the kid was very sweet,clearly he cared for his teachers.”Before I make anything though,does anyone in the class have any allergies?”
•───────•°•❀•°•───────•
Soon enough more and more students started to appear in the common room,in a similar state that Iida was in,if not more battered.Hizashi made a mental note to tell Shouta to take it easy on the kids.
Hizashi knew first hand how much heroes needed training before they were sent out on the field.Both of them always kept Oboro's death as a reminder to train their students correctly,but a break every once in a while to keep the students sane wouldn't hurt them.
All the students were awake and slouching on the couches around the common room,talking to their friends or scrolling on their phones.
Some of them were confused about Mic’s appearance,but it was soon all cleared up after Iida explained that he was staying to supervise the movie night.His arms chopping in the familiar robotic motion the whole class knew and loved.
“Morning listeners!Since Shouta put you all through a deathly training session yesterday..I made you all some breakfast!” Hizashi informed the class and took pride in seeing the familiar relieved smiles on their faces.Some were well hidden while others beamed.
The eighteen kids all sat around the table and started to eat the food that Hizashi had prepped for them.
“Mic-Sensei, this food is really good! What's your secret?” Ashido beamed after taking a bite,her face lighting up in delight.
Hizashi smiled softly at the praise,”Thanks Ashido.But some secrets have to be kept hidden or else the food won't be special anymore would it?”He chuckled mischievously.
Ashido groaned,”Aww man that means blasty can't make any of this for us!”She put her hands in front of her face and sighed.”Goodbye delicious food.”
The students were watching on with amused expressions on their faces,a calm atmosphere in the dorms as they all ate the food greedily, savoring it while they could.
Then all the peace was stopped,starting with the door to the dorms opening and the chatter of Class 1-A’s resident problem children.
The entire rooms eyes watch Midoriya and Bakugo walk into the room,the latter scowling angrily,his default expression.
“It really isn't that bad Kacchan!”,Izuku insisted,while walking next to Bakugo.
“Deku you broke your damn-”,Bakugo abruptly stopped speaking when he noticed the whole class and Hizashi watching them.”Oi,mind your own fucking business damn extras!”He spat,lacking its usual bite.
Midoriya elbowed him,”Kacchan!Mic-Sensei is right there!Do you have a death wish?”
“Well you clearly do if you don't go to the old hag with that nas-”Bakugo was then again cut off when Midoriya shoved his hand in front of his mouth,muffling his voice.
“We’ll be going now,sorry for bothering you!”Midoriya hastily apologized and ran up the stairs to their dorms,dragging Bakugo with him.
Hizashi cleared his throat awkwardly after witnessing…whatever that was.
“So like,that was weird right?”Kaminari asked.
Nobody answered.
•───────•°•❀•°•───────•
Hours quickly passed as the students occupied themselves in playing video games and chatting. Most of them decided to take the day off to rest and have fun.While Hizashi
spent his time grading and making lesson plans.
Without even noticing the long passage of time.He was called over to the lounge where the students were deciding on what to watch.
Everyone was there,even the ones that Hizashi had initially thought would come,like Bakugo,who was sitting on the middle sofa between Midoriya and Kirishima.
“Sensei!We need your help,like desperately!”Kaminari popped up in front of him and asked.Startling Hizashi,Jesus Shouta was teaching them too well.
“Sure little listener,what is it?”Hizashi replied.
“We need you to decide what Musical we're going to watch!”Ashido said suddenly,Also somehow sneaking up on him,these kids are becoming a bit too good at stealth for his liking.Hizashi sighed,no wonder Shouta always complained about getting Grey hairs from his class.
“What are the options?”
“Currently it's between Heather's,Hamilton and Be More Chill.”
“Well,I'm coming clean.” Hizashi relented.Ashido's face perked up in interest.
“...”
“I've been a Heathers fan since my highschool days”
The class exploded with surprise and comments on his musical of choice.Ashido pumped her hand up in victory.
“See Denks.This is why we always listen to me!!”She exclaimed,pointing at Kaminari.
The boy in question pouted and said,”Hamilton is better though.”
Todoroki inserted the Heather's CD in the Television and sat back down in complete silence and the class collectively gave the opening of the musical their utmost attention.
The musical progressed and some students were singing and Hizashi joined in for some songs too,But around halfway through the musical he noticed Midoriya pulling his arm closer to his chest,looking like he was in pain.
His gaze lingered on the kid for a couple of minutes,watching him shuffling his arm until it was in a comfortable position and relaxed,attention focusing back on the musical.
Hizashi made another mental note,about the kid hiding injuries.That was probably what Bakugo was talking about earlier.
He would bring it up but it seemed like Bakugo had it covered.
Adding another concern to Hizashi's ever growing list of concerns for the kid,he decided to bring it up at a later date.After all, It was currently his favorite song playing and of course he was going to join in singing JD's part from Dead Girl Walking (reprise).
3.Scars
Hizashi was having a fairly normal day,this should have been the first red flag.It was U.A,normal didn't exist.
He was just about to head back to the teachers dorms,being done with his classes for the day.When the familiar sound of his ringtone filled the air around him.Standing,he spent a full minute listening to his ringtone when he realized that someone was calling him.
Quickly picking his phone out of his pockets,Hizashi answered the call.
“Hello,this is Hizashi Yamada speaking”
There was silence coming from the other side of the call and he strained his ears to hear if the person was saying anything. Then all of a sudden a loud bang sound came from the other side of the call and an old but familiar voice came through his phone's speaker.
“Ah,Yamada-kun,”Recovery Girl's voice said.
“Heya Chiyo.Is there a problem by the infirmary you need help with?”Hizashi responded,feeling a lot calmer now knowing it was just Recovery girl.
“Well I suppose I do need your help, I'm sure you know that Aizawa isn't here right now”
“Yeah,he's on a mission with the detective”
“Right well you see Midoriya's here because of a quirk accident from foundational heroics this morning sporting some pretty nasty bruises.Do you mind if you could stay here and help him for an hour or so while I'm busy?”
“Of course not!I'll be there in a moment,tell the little listener I said hi”
“right,right deary”
Hizashi hung up the call,a worried expression appearing on his face.He hoped the kid was okay,but since he was in Recovery Girls office he should be fine.Taking his time,there was no rush after all,he strolled to the U.A infirmary.His leather boots filled the silence as he walked.
Being the forgetful guy he was,Hizashi had forgotten to change out of his hero costume.So he was stuck with his hair up for the meantime,amazing.
A few silent moments passed in the infirmary until a creaking sound could be heard from the door and Hizashi quietly stepped in,not knowing if the kid was asleep or not.
“Ah yes,there you are.”
Hizashi turned around to see Chiyo standing by Midoriya’s bed.The kid was fast asleep,but as his gaze observed the kid,his eyes landed on some bruises and burn marks under the blanket he was sleeping under.
“Damn the little listener looks pretty beat up,will he be okay?”Hizashi whispered,concern lacing his tone.
“Yes yes he should make a swift recovery and be back to full health in around a couple day's time.But that's not exactly what I'm concerned about.”,Chiyo told him solemnly.
Hizashi was confused,why would she be worried about him?His injuries seemed to be getting better as she said,so what was the problem?Was there something that the teachers and Hizashi missed?
Chiyo cleared her throat awkwardly,”There are a lot scars on the boy’s body.”,she explained,”Some,of course were caused by his quirk,which makes sense considering the state that his quirk put him in when he first started at U.A,but some scars are old and based on the condition of the tissue around it,looked painful.”
After speaking she shook her head and the clock in the room suddenly became apparent to her.
”My,would you look at the time,I'm afraid I'll be going now,take care of the boy,hun.i’ll be back in around an hour's time.”
And with those final words she briskly stood up from her chair,bag in hand and walked out the infirmary.
Without Recovery Girl’s familiar presence, the infirmary did seem more empty than usual.Hizashi decided to take a seat next to Midoriya’s bed and take out his phone to play whatever game seemed interesting.
Around 20 minutes in,Hizashi heard the boy stirring awake.
“M-Mic-sensei?” Midoriya stammered,confusion evident in his face.
“Good morning little listener!”Hizashi replied,a smile dancing on his lips at the kid's appearance.(He looked oddly similar to a lost puppy).
“What happened?," the kid asked.
“Well I'm not sure of the details kiddo but apparently a quirk accident occurred during heroics today,you got some pretty bad bruises from it so you have to take the day off.”
“oh.”Midoriya stated flatly,and Hizashi could see the gears turning in his head,registering the information.”
Yet again silence filled the infirmary,not an uncomfortable silence but slightly awkward nonetheless,Hizashi felt compelled to say something.At that moment,he remembered the scars that Chiyo had pointed out.
Hizashi decided to wait a short while though,for the Listeners sake.He needed time to process everything that had happened.
“Hey kiddo?”He started,seeing Midoriya’s head perking up in curiosity.”Recovery Girl brought this up with me earlier”
Hizashi observed the kid's reaction to this,it appeared as if anxiety was written on his face.”I'm not sure how or why you have them but Recovery Girl told me you had scars all around your body.’
If it was possible,the boy curled further in on himself and was shaking in nervousness, his speech came out stuttered and unsure.”I-I had A-a bad t-time in mid-middle school.”
Hizashi’s eyebrows furrowed in concern,mulling over the possibilities that the sentence entailed.
“Kiddo,were you bullied?”He asked,in the most comforting and open voice he could muster.Did Midoriya really get bullied in middle school?Why would he?Midoriya had an amazing (if a bit destructive) quirk and surely the teachers would stop any attempts of bullying in his school.
Also,Hadn't Bakugo go to the same Middle school as him?Why didn't the kid stop Midoriya from getting bullied?
“I don't th-think it was bullying” The boy whispered.”They were my friends, they were just-just teaching me my place.”
Now that was concerning.Teaching him his place?Hizashi noticed all the red flags coming up from that sentence alone.He was definitely going to have to bring this up with Shouta later.
But how to get the kid to realize that his ‘friends’ were wrong,that was proving to be a challenge.
“Midoriya,that doesn't sound like very friendly behavior to me.”Hizashi settled on.”How did they teach-teach you exactly?”Hizashi knew that deep in the kids mind he knew that those kids were wrong.
“I mean the-they would laugh and hit me when I said something dumb…that-that sounds worse than I was I swear!”
“Midor-Izuku,kiddo,look at me.”
Hizashi needed to get his point across that those boys were wrong.
“Those boys were not your friends hunny.”He murmured softly to that kid.Midoriya wasn't looking too well,he realized with a start that he probably thought that those boys were his friends even after all this time.
“but they weren't that bad,I-I kind of deserved it.”Midoriya muttered,mostly to himself,though Hizashi could make out the words.He froze,this was going to be a bigger problem to fix than he first thought.Hisashi knew that he definitely needed to ask Nezu to set up some sessions with Hound dog for the kid.
For now though, he needed to address this himself.”Midoriya, why would you des-”
He was abruptly cut off by the infirmary door sliding open and Recovery Girls voice echoing in the room,followed by another voice.
“Yagi-If you keep ignoring my advice about your health,you're going to end up dead before you see Midoriya reach his graduation.”
She stopped talking as she entered the infirmary.Taking one look around she spotted the two and walked over.
“Thank you,Hizashi-san.”Her eyes looked at Midoriya in concern.”Are you alright dear?”,she asked worriedly.
“Y-yeah,I'm fine.”,Midoriya said,refusing to look her in the eye.
Hizashi wanted to interrupt but was quickly ushered out the room.Once again adding to his growing list of concerns for the green haired boy.
+1
Hizashi woke up to a light pat on the head and Shouta staring at him,an unimpressed look on his face.
He stretched and got up,still dazed by his previous slumber.Rubbing his eyes,he could make out the Heights Alliance Common rooms.Suddenly he remembered why he was there in the first place.
Class 1-A had been having another sleepover and Shouta,being the anti-social man he was,dragged Hizashi along with him.Shouta smacked him on the head,”Get up zashi,it's already 8.”He said,impatiently.Hizashi laughed,”Didn't take you for much of a morning person Sho.”
Shouta groaned, but sported a small smile.”C'mon,let's go back to our dorms to change,then we'll come back to these hellions.Hopefully they can take care of themselves for that long.”He stuck his hand out for him to grab.
“Yeah,yeah.”Hizashi took hold of his hand and stood up,careful of some of the students sleeping on the floor,covered in blankets and pillows.
He tip-toed over to his husband and scanned the room.It was messy and unorganized,but should be cleaned by the time that they would come back.Hopefully no microwaves would be destroyed again.
The couple quietly strolled out of the building to the teachers dorms.The campus was silent,only disrupted by the birds chirping and the light wind ruffling the leaves.
They entered their apartment,hearing soft meows as they entered,Bastard and Toffee clawed at their shoes.
“Aww,Shouta look!Our cats really missed us.”,Hizashi cooed.
Shouta rolled his eyes,”Not a chance,they probably just want breakfast”,He gruffly stated.
Going through their morning routine as usual,the two ate breakfast and showered,Shouta having to listen to Mic's obnoxious singing to some American song while eating breakfast.
Soon they were both changed and,after feeding the cats,heading off to the 1-A dorms.They walked to the entrance and cringed at the loud voices inside.
They looked over at each other,"Teenagers.” Both Aizawa and Yamada said in sync.Hizashi laughed and Shouta smiled.But the cute moment was short-lived and they realized that the screaming had not stopped.
Quickly opening the door they took in the situation,it seemed that the problem was,unsurprisingly,one Bakugo Katsuki.
“What the fuck?Where are the eggs,the milk,the bread?!Do we have anything?!”The explosive boy stormed.
It appeared that Midoriya was trying to comfort the boy,keyword being Trying.
“Kacchan,we can just go shopping today!It's really okay!!”He placated,hands waving around the blond.
“Tch,I'll come with you then,Zuku.”Bakugo relented,”When's Hobo-sensei and Mic-sensei coming back?”
“I'm not sure,probably soon though!”Midoriya smiled,propping himself up onto one of the chairs in the kitchen.
Hizashi observed the scene with bafflement.Since when did Bakugo call Midoriya,Zuku?
It seemed as if Shouta was also confused,just to a lesser degree.Hizashi could see the barely concealed fondness in his husband's eyes.The man clearly loved his class,though he somehow always denied the ‘dadzawa’ claims from Hizashi and some of the class,mainly one pink haired girl (Ashido).
“Well,I don't think that calling your teacher a “Hobo” is appropriate,Bakugo.”Shouta stated,deadpan.
The blond took them in and scoffed,rolling his eyes (he really did that alot) he addressed them,”Mornin’ sensei's.”
Midoriya greeted them as well and looked at Bakugo,clearly expecting him to say something else.
Bakugo groaned,”The kitchen is out of groceries,could we go shopping today.If you don't mind.”
Hizashi grinned at the two students,”Sure little listeners,when do you want to go?”He asked.Enjoying the look of pure exhaustion on his husband's face at having to go somewhere this early in the morning.
“Now is fine,sensei!”The kid reassured.
“Just call me Yamada,kiddo.Since we're not in class,”Hizashi said,it was slightly too formal for the setting.They were only just going shopping after all.
“O-okay.C’mon Kacchan,let's go.”
“Yeah yeah,Izu.I’m coming.”
The four soon took off to the supermarket near the school.After Shouta scanned his card at the entrance they walked on the pavement,next to the road.The two boys stood in front of them,chattering over meaningless things.
Hizashi didn't know that Midoriya and Bakugo were this good friends.They always seemed to have a strong rivalry between each other,leaving no space for friendship.
“Say little listeners,I never thought you two were such good friends.”He voiced his thoughts.
The two boys smiled at him,one more concealed than the other.”Our mothers have actually been friends for a really long time,so we've been friends since we were born.”Midoriya admitted,softly.
Bakugo grunted,”Friends,is a bit of a stretch,dont’cha think.”Midoriya elbowed him.”Oi!What the hell was that for!?”
“For saying we're not friends when we are!”
Hizashi watched the kids bicker between each other.He looked over to Shouta who looked like he was regretting every decision he had ever made until this point in his life.
“I don't know why the universe wants to destroy my sanity before I turn fifty.”Shouta murmured to himself,he sighed,”Anyway,kids,we're here.”
The two boys’ heads perked up to see that they had arrived at the store.It was strangely in sync,almost like..cats.
Shaking that thought out of his head.Hizashi spoke,"Alright kiddos,here's the plan,we'll enter the shop and while you two get the groceries,Aizawa and I will go get some of our own stuff.The store isn't too big so I'm sure we're safe for any villains,sounds good?”
Everyone nodded and agreed to the plan and they entered.
Hizashi and Shouta wandered over to the pets section together to buy some cat food and a few toys.He picked up a green scratching post.
“Oh,Sho look at this!Bastard would love it,instead of scratching the sofa.”
Shouta gruffly stated,”Good point,if I have to pry the monster out of the sofa again I might have to resort to other methods.”
Hizashi pointedly ignored whatever the ‘other methods’ his husband was talking about and showed him around the isle.Slowly filling up their small basket and checking price tags.Soon they were done buying enough things for the cats (Guess they really do spoil them,huh?)
and the couple went to meet up with the kids.
Shouta carried the basket as they navigated through the store until they reached the fruit section where-Where Midoriya looked like he was on the verge of tears and Bakugo was shouting angrily at two boys.
Hizashi acted quickly and went to stop whatever was going on when he felt Shoutas hand on his hip,stopping him.Looking over at him,Shouta was shaking his head at him.
“Bakugo has been working on controlling his anger,whoever those boys are,they probably deserve it.”Shouta whispered to him,uncertain but opting to stay quiet.
He was unsure but relented,crouching back to observe the situation,ready to step in if it actually got bad.
“You really haven't changed at all,haven't you deku.”The strange boy,who probably knew the two in middle school,spat venomously at Midoriya's face.Hizashi wondered if they were friends.Their interaction didn't seem very friendly.
“Well it seems like you idiots haven't changed at all either!”Bakugo retorted.
“Wow,Katsuki.Now you're friends with the freak?”
It was at this point where Hizashi decided to see how Midoriya was doing,and he regretted it almost instantly.The kid's face had been glazed over in a cold,blank expression.The usually cheerful and kind boy,who always wore his emotions on his sleeve was gone,replaced by someone different.An old,resurfaced pain lying underneath,how being shone.
As a hero who had been on the field for a while now,he knew that look anywhere.He had seen on countless children's face's,specifically children who had been through extremely traumatizing situations Children who thought they weren't ever going to get saved,who accepted their reality and embraced it with the open arms of a thorn bush.Children who still believed that there was so much good in the world,even after everything they had gone through.
Hizashi knew that Midoriya and Bakugo had a history together.He knew that Midoriya was bullied,he knew he had scars,so,so,many scars.
Hizashi knew that whoever those boys were,they certainly weren't good and he didn't become a hero for nothing.Rising up,he was prepared to intervene when suddenly,Midoriya’s face hardened and his fists clenched at his side.
“Listen.”The kid started,determination and anger swirling in his eyes.The other boys’ heads instantly snapped in his direction.
Midoriya jabbed a finger out in the boy's direction.”I don't give a damn about what you two think of me now,nor am I going to let you ruin our shopping trip.I've changed since Middle school,I'm not just that weak,pathetic quirkless kid,you can just push around anymore!I have friends now!Friends who support me,and teachers who care!”
Hizashi was at a loss for words as he listened to the green haired boy passionately speak.It seemed like everyone else didn't know what to say either.Shouta’s mouth was hanging open and Bakugo looked stunned,the same could be said about the other two.
“I've grown into someone better,someone who I can be proud of and someone who can help others and it seems like the same can't be said for you two.”
At this the kid took in a sharp breath,”So please for once in your life just fuck off and leave my family and I alone.”
And with that Midoriya grabbed Bakugo's hand and tugged him away from the two,trudging to their direction.
“Holy shit..”,Hizashi heard Shouta mutter and turned to him.”Yeah Sho,if a day comes where the little listener is truly angry,I fear what will happen to the world.”
Shouta snorted in response.The couple stood up and dusted off the grime from their clothes.
Hizashi's eyes drifted to the kids,who were approaching them.Midoriya’s face was grim and looked vaguely saddened,while Bakugo looked rather guilty,for what reason Hizashi did not know.
“Hey..”,Midoriya started,eyes anxiously looking everywhere but the two.
Hizashi didn't exactly know how to respond,he wanted to help Midoriya and Bakugo but he just didn't know how.
Thankfully,Shouta covered for him by crouching down slightly and resting a firm hand on Midoriya's shoulder reassuringly,red eyes softening at the sight of his problem children.
“It's alright,problem child.You don't have to tell us what happened,just know that if you ever need help,we're here for you.Don't be afraid to speak up if something’s wrong,okay?”,he said in a soft tone that Hizashi knew was specially reserved to his kids.
Midoriyas’s hands clenched at his side and he shut his eyes darted between them uncertainly before staring down at the floor.”T-thank you sensei”,he stammered.
“It's no problem at all kid.”,Aizawa softly stated before standing back up and glancing at Hizashi.”Now unless we plan on staying here the whole day,I do believe that we ought to be checking out.”
That seemed to snap everyone out of their awkward haze as Bakugo,who was quiet during the whole affair,scoffed suddenly and carefully tossed his items into their trolley.
Going to stand next to Midoriya again,he grabbed his arm and tugged him forward towards the counter.Following the two,Hizashi briskly grabbed the trolley and walked with it,Shouta at his side.
•───────•°•❀•°•───────•
The rest of the trip went smoothly after that,Hizashi thought as he laid awake in bed,the clock on the wall reading somewhere around one o’ clock.The night air was cold and nipped at his skin,coming from an open window in the room Next to him lay Shouta,who for once was actually asleep due to his patrol being cancelled.He was snoring,not too loudly,yet audible enough for Hizashi to hear.
Finally relenting and accepting to give up sleep for the night,Hizashi sighed softly and gently pried the covers of his bed off of him so as not to make too much noise.
He stood up,cold air causing shivers to rack his body, and checked over his shoulder to make sure that Shouta was asleep-worries dissipating as he gazed at the rhythmic rise and fall of his husband's chest.
Hizashi soundlessly walked to the kitchen,flipping on the light as he entered,his eyes quickly shut closed in distaste for the sudden change in brightness.
A second later he could see the kitchen properly and felt a sudden burst of energy,most likely what was keeping him awake.Walking over to the counter Hizashi quietly opened various drawers,in search of the ingredients for a cup of chamomile tea.
The sound of a kettle boiling water filled the apartment in the minutes following,soon accompanied by some shuffling and clinking as Hizashi stirred his mug with a spoon,the metal edges clanging against his ceramic mug,an old present from Nemuri.It had a picture of two cats on it and the text,”It's meow or never.” printed on it.
Hizashi wordlessly sighed at the awful pun.
It was not long until his tea was ready and he had just sat down on his couch when a knock had sounded on his door,the sound echoing across the house,disrupting the peaceful,lonely silence of the night.
Rolling his eyes,to nobody but himself.Hizashi placed his mug on the coffee table and got up,treading over to the door and opening it without much thought in his tired haze.Only briefly wondering who in the world could be knocking at Shouta and his door at one in the morning.
Feeling slightly curious,he opened the door only to be greeted by an unusual sight,one that he would have never guessed to be standing outside his door in the early morning.
There in front of his shocked,yet slightly concerned eyes,was one shaking Midoriya Izuku.
The boy didn't look to be in a good condition at all,thankfully,though, Hizashi couldn't distinguish any physical damage.Nonetheless,Midoriya’s face was pale and glazed over in an uneven nervous expression.His hands were clutched at his chest,clenched so tightly in a way that was sure to hurt,although in this state Midoriya probably didn't even feel it.
Hizashi knew something was wrong,the kid looked torn and disoriented and…and he didn't become a hero for nothing,he didn't become a teacher for nothing.
Resting his hands gently on the kid's shoulders,he whispered,”Midoriya?What happened kiddo?”
Hizashi knew that he had to treat this situation gently,he couldn't risk the kid getting spooked and running off.At the same time though,he needed to find out what was wrong.
Midoriya's lips trembled,”I-i uhm-I..”,he stuttered,trying to say something.
Realizing that the listener was still rather disoriented,Hizashi led him into the apartment,going to prepare a cup of tea to soothe the boy's nerves,hopefully helping him talk.
“Hey kiddo”,he whispered once Midoriya was sitting down on the couch.The boy seemed to be faring a little better.The hot mug was in his hands and seemed to be calming him down.Hizashi wasn't quite sure how to assess this situation,he was in the dark over what had happened to the kid,or if he was okay at all.Perhaps it would be best to start there?
Hizashi moved his hands over the boys in a silent,comforting gesture.
“Mido-Izuku?Hey kid,look at me.”,he said softly.
The boy's head hesitantly peeked up to stare at him nervously.
“Are you okay?”
This was the tipping point as Midoriya instantly burst into tears.Sobs racked the child's body,genuine emotion laid out on display.
Hizashi froze momentarily,before quickly engulfing the boy in a tight hug.He could feel the kid's body trembling in his arms.
“I-Im sorry to b-bother you sensei”,the hurting boy choked out between sobs.Hizashi's arms only tightened around the kid's body,not enough to hurt him but merely to show comfort.”No-not all at sunshine.You're not a bother in the slightest.”,he affirmed.
They laid there for a while,whether it was minutes or seconds remained unclear.Hizashi slowly released his grip around the child's body as he felt the boy slowly calm down and his heartbeat relax.
He leaned back onto the coach,grateful for its soft,comforting pillows.
Hizashi observed the younger boy as he fiddled with his hands and took deep breaths,wiping away his tears.He placed a warm hand on Midoriya’s arm and felt his eyes focus on him.
“Do you want to talk about what happened,Izuku?You don't have to if you're not comfortable,and we can just-”He started but was surprisingly cut-off.
“No!”Midoriya exclaimed,eyes panicked before settling into a guilty tilt and his face flushing red at his apparent interruption of his teacher.”I mean,n-no I want to tell you something,I-I've been meaning to tell you about w-what happened yesterday.
Hizashi frowned,”Hey-no kiddo,I understand that something probably happened before U.A.Bit just because Aizawa and I were there doesn't mean we need to know.”
He stated,ruffling the kids' hair.
“And besides,you totally showed them up with that speech of yours,listener",Hizashi theatrically whispered,a teasing grin on his face.
“It's o-okay sensei.I uhm,I want to tell you about u-uh ev-everything ”Midoriya whispered quietly.Hizashi nodded at him,signaling to continue tucking in closer to the listener in support and pulling a woollen blanket over them to combat the cold air.
“It all started when I was four... “
Many hugs were given that day,and many tears were shed.Secrets that izuku once thought were better off forgotten were shared and that day,a boy learned how to be loved.