The officer from the front desk lead them to a visitation room. She looked at the couple, and frowned sadly.
"I'm sorry this is happening to your family," she said sympathetically. Her amber brown eyes were weighed with grief. "My father killed a woman when I was a child," she said in a low and private voice. "It's not the same, but I think I can imagine how you two are feeling,"
Toshi looked to her and nodded. "I'm sorry about that, Miss..." he furrowed his brows, realizing he'd never caught her name.
"Kiyoko. Mei Kiyoko," she looked up to Toshi and smiled, then looked to the door in front of them. "Due to the nature of the crime, I'll have to be in there with you." she said in her most professional voice. She'd clearly just joined the force, probably fresh from training. Toshi nodded and turned to Hizashi, who was looking at his feet.
They entered the room, following Mei closely. It was sealed halfway through the room with glass, with small holes in the glass for easier speaking. Aizawa was on the other side of the glass, his eyes lit when he saw he saw his husbands. Hizashi almost slid and fell on the tiled floor as he bolted to Aizawa.
"Shota!" he called as he slammed his hands against the glass.
Aizawa flinched and started crying. His eyes were redder than usual, his cheeks, too. He'd already cried earlier.
"Hizashi-" he choked out. "Toshi, oh God," he buried his face in his hands and sniffled.
"Shota, Shota," Hizashi wanted to reach over and stroke his Shota's hair. He wanted to hold him. It'd been so long since he'd seen his Shota so hurt and scared. "I'm here, baby, I'm here,"
All Toshi could do was stand and try to control his own breathing. He watched as the two tried to get as close to each other as they could. Mei frowned and looked to Toshi with sympathetic eyes.
"I- I didn't do it-" Aizawa said through breathless sobs. "Hizashi, you know that, you do-"
"I know, Shota, I do,"
"Please, please don't let them take our babies away,"
"I promise, Shota,"
Toshi walked closer and took the empty seat next to where Hizashi was standing. He wondered if Aizawa even realized he was there.
"We won't," Toshi assured quietly.
"I love you," Aizawa said in an almost whisper.
"I love you, too." Toshi said, pressing a hand to the glass.
"I promise whoever did this... I promise they'll rot in here," Hizashi said. "I'll find them, and I'll make sure they pay for this!" he was lost in his own rage now. He was seething; his Shota was in here and not whoever pinned this horrid act on his Shota.
"Hizashi..."
"I promise." he said.
Aizawa sat back into his chair and looked at the clock behind them.
"It's six," he stated.
"It is." Toshi confirmed.
"You two have to work today, you should go home and get the kids ready," Aizawa said.
Hizashi was quiet, but Toshi nodded.
"You're right," Toshi agreed quietly. "We'll be back after work, okay?"
Aizawa nodded and stood. "Make sure my students stay safe, too. You know how reckless they can be,"
Toshi smiled. "We can try," he joked lightly. "We'll see you later, okay? We love you."
"I love you," Hizashi said.
"I love you, too." Aizawa said as he ran his fingers through his hair.
Mei led them out. Toshi thanked her, and the two left.
The drive was quiet.
When they got home, Shoto and Eri were already awake and dressed for school. Shinsou was dressed and cooking some waffles. Eri bounced and ran to her dads, hugging them both.
"Pa, Da, what happened??" she asked as she pulled her face from their legs.
Hizashi looked away, and Toshi ruffled her hair.
"We'll tell you over breakfast, okay?" Toshi said. Eri nodded.
"Shin made waffles."
"I can smell that!" Toshi said as he lifted the little girl into the air. "Shinsou takes such good care of you, hm?"
Shinsou looked over from the kitchen and chuckled as Eri agreed loudly.
Shoto winced as he walked to the kitchen counter and picked up an apple and a knife. He watched Eri talk excitedly to Toshi as he chopped the apple.
Shoto hadn't been able to sleep that night. He'd seen the broadcast. He knew why Aizawa was missing. He hadn't told Eri or Shinsou.
"Breakfast is ready," Shinsou announced as he plated the waffles. Shoto slid the apples onto Eri's plate. Once they'd all situated with their plates, Shinsou looked up at Toshi.
"So, what happened? Where's dad?"
Toshi froze and looked at Shinsou. His face settled into a frown before he spoke.
"He was arrested,"
Eri reacted first.
"Why??" she sounded sad. It hurt Toshi's heart.
"Charged with the murder of a seven year old girl," Shoto spoke before thinking.
Eri started to tear up.
Shoto realized he fucked up.
"He... He couldn't have," Shinsou said quietly.
"I saw it on the news." Shoto said. He looked down. "There... There was a video of him,"
"It wasn't him." Hizashi said bitterly. "He wouldn't do that,"
"I know." Shoto said, his eyes lowering.
"Shoto," Hizashi said, his tone gentler. "It's okay, you were just saying what you saw,"
Shoto nodded and looked to Eri, who was clung to Shinsou. Toshi stood and wrapped his arms around the two.
"I'm gonna get more information from the police and help investigate," Hizashi stated.
Toshi leaned up and furrowed his brows at Hizashi. "If you're investigating, I am too."
"No," Hizashi said firmly.
"No?" Toshi said.
Shoto audibly swallowed.
"You need to watch the kids while I'm working." Hizashi said, then stood and started gathering empty plates.
"Oh, yeah." Toshi said.
"Promise not to burn down the house?"
Toshi giggled.
"Promise."
