Izuku had his eyes glued to the windows. The reflective sheets of glass were so large, unlike the ones in the car and hospital; and definitely bigger than any of the non-existent windows back at the bar. There were large trees everywhere! He couldn't remember the last time he had seen so much greenery.
He was standing in a hallway in one of the buildings. Everything was so clean and tidy. Aizawa was somewhere behind him talking to another person, but he was just enjoying the view.
The other adults around him noticed his attraction to the outside and let him be while they spoke amongst themselves (likely about rules regarding Izuku but he didn't care). The sky seemed to be much bluer lately, or maybe that was just him; the clouds seemed fluffier too.
Small parakeets flew past the window as well as an occasional crane, making the view that much more lively.
Birds weren't the only lifeforms he could see, from the third story he could see students occasionally walk the paths in groups. Their conversation couldn't be heard through the thick glass, but he could see their positivity coming off them in waves. The uniform was cool, Izuku believed. With its sheik light grey color and green outlines, he thought they made each student look incredibly professional.
A pretty blue butterfly flew past the window.
The building Izuku was staying in was reserved for guests and teachers. Principle Nezu is one of the many capable adults staying within the concrete walls. Most of the teachers though would rather live off campus rather than being in one area every day. That would be the same for Aizawa if he wasn't now in charge of taking care of Izuku. The tired teacher had an apartment close by just so he wouldn't have to stay in the building, but things change after all.
"Heyyyyy there little listener" A cheery voice spoke. A hand was placed on his shoulder making Izuku jump.
He could hear his heart beating in his ears. Physical contact was a no. Not from strangers that he couldn't trust.
He couldn't turn around, hell he couldn't even move. The blood running through his veins went cold and his ears were ringing. His breathing was shaky, almost as if he was trying to breathe as quietly as possible. The room was getting darker. Were the walls were moving too? They were creaking, grating, moving, shifting. There was so much sound, yet he felt as though a pin drop would echo throughout the room.
"Damnit Mic!" a distorted voice licked the side of the walls. What happened to the window?
Something wasn't right. His lungs felt heavy and stiff, making his breath somehow labored and cold. Shivers clawed their way under his skin, stemming from his shoulder. How many fingers were actually touching him? One, two, three, four… five? Was he going to die? Tomura was going to kill him. He was actually going to kill him. It was his fault for running away. He should've listened more. He should've enjoyed Tomura's softer side more. He- he- he-
A strong force turned him around from where the window once was.
"Midoriya, you're safe! You're out of that prison! He can't get to you here!"
He- he- he- can't get me here… I'm safe. I'm free. I'm okay.
The window's light reappeared slowly, like the sun coming out from behind the clouds. He could see the room again, not just some ink black prison. No one was touching his shoulder anymore. He wasn't even sure if there was one in the first place. Maybe it was all his imagination. His head felt fuzzy.
"M-Mr. Nezu, right?" His voice was shakier than he thought. The white mouse-? Dog-? Bear-? Animal, stood before him. He was much shorter than Izuku first thought. A large pink scar was prominent across the skin near his beady right eye. It uncomfortably reminded him of Tomura.
Looking down, Izuku could see the formalwear the principal was sporting. A small black waistcoat and pants with a red tie. Even further down, Izuku could see orange-ish/khaki lace up sneakers that hid his cat-like tail. The soles were rather large on his small feet. Izuku liked the style.
"Are you alright?" The group of adults all had their eyes on him. The closest person to him was Mr. Nezu, but to be fair, he couldn't make out much behind him besides the concerned look on Aizawa's face. His head was still fuzzy.
"Yeah, I-" Was he okay? He just wanted- what did he want? He couldn't sleep and when he could, nightmares were always one step behind him. He just wanted his mind to stop spinning, even if for a moment.
"Do you want some tea?'
Izuku nodded his head. He didn't trust his voice to do the job. Tea, that was just what he needed. A warm, calming cup of tea.
"Why don't you leave your luggage here for Aizawa to bring to your room, and we'll just go to the kitchen-"
"NO!" He slapped a hand over his mouth and tightened the grasp on his bag. "I-I mean… I don't really feel comfortable with… I just-"
"It's quite alright, I understand. The kitchen is this way." Nezu raised a paw in the direction of the kitchen. "What type of tea would you like?"
"Oh, um… whatever you have most of is fine." Izuku followed close by. Surprisingly Nezu walked rather quickly, despite his small legs.
"Stuff and nonsense. Please think of it as a welcome gift. I have this lovely tea which I think you will love." Izuku smiled. Nezu was very obviously a fan of tea.
The principal opened a cabinet beneath the countertop. Its placement was clearly for easy accessibility. The front half of his body was moved into the cabinet like some sort of comedy stick as he rummaged around. The back half of his body moved side to side in a cartoonish manor.
"Ah, here it is! Imperial Golden Tips." He held it with both hands as if to show it off like some kind of trophy.
The tin was an emerald green color with a large black stripe circling the top of the container. Decorative gold lines wrapped were wrapping around the green box like lace. Near the top of it, a gold oval held a blacked out picture of a teapot pouring, and a teacup. It had quite the regal look to it.
"Are you sure, Principal Nezu? This looks really expensive. I don't know if I can drink this." He waved his hands in from of him franticly.
"Do you always speak stuff and nonsense? I promise, it's quite alright. I've been meaning to make some of this delightful tea for some time."
"I see. Well if that's the case, then please feel free to make some."
Nezu rummaged through another cabinet for a pot. Once he found one, he walked in the opposite direction to the sink.
"Oh, I can get that for you." He extended a hand to the principal.
"Why thank you Midoriya, that's very kind of you."
"Well it's just in my nature to help people. Although recently I haven't been the one doing all the helping." He scratched the back of his neck with a nervous smile.
"That is a noble attribute to have, considering what you've been through." Nezu passed the metal teapot to the surprised greenette.
He placed it under the running faucet, water began filling "It doesn't matter that I'm quirkless?"
"Why would it matter?"
"I-" Why would it matter? "I suppose it doesn't." He picked up the filled teapot, put the loose leaves in their spot within the pot, and put it on the warming stove.
"Are you used to people telling you your quirklesness is the source of your issues?" Nezu squirmed his way on top of the marble countertop and took a seat on the cold surface.
"Well it's just… It's always been the source of my issues for the few things I can remember."
"If you don't mind me asking, how much can you remember? Before you were taken, that is."
The water slowly heated up, not yet close enough to boiling to remove.
"Really, not much. I can remember bits and pieces of my late childhood, especially the parts with Tomura."
"You call him Tomura rather than Shigaraki, is there a reason for that?"
How about being forced into that unwanted closeness for three years? If he even slipped up accidentally with the name, he would be punished violently. "It's a… habit."
"Just remember that you aren't forced to call him that anymore." Nezu was strangely on the ball with his advice. It was almost suspiciously accurate, as if he had some personal feelings in this mess.
"I-I'm sorry if this comes out rude but… how did you get your scar." Izuku leaned next to Mr. Nezu, but still keeping his distance.
Nezu took in a sigh. "It is not something I talk about often, but the gist of it is that I also was abused." He took hold of Izuku's hands, making sure the greenette saw what he was doing as to avoid any panic. "Let me give you some advice. Your scars tell stories, but you are not obligated to share them, just as I am not obligated to share mine."
The teapot began whistling which successfully saved Izuku from giving an out of place response. While the greenette took the pot off of the stove and turned off the nob, Nezu plopped two teacups on the counter. The red circle faded to black as it cooled.
He put a hand to the lid, securing it from falling off, and began pouring into the newly placed cups. The flavored water made a sloshing noise. The color deepened as more filled the white porcelain.
"Would you like to add anything to your tea?" Izuku asked, handing the teacup to Nezu.
"Not with this tea. Its taste succeeds any flavor that could be added." Nezu gives a soft blow to the steam wafting off the liquid. He takes a sip. "Somehow it gets better every time I try some. How is yours?"
Izuku looks down at the cup he held with both hands. The warmth spread into his palms like he's holding the sun, or making fire. It's strange. It's almost as if steam wasn't the only thing wafting from the shiny liquid.
The still tea reflected Izuku like a mirror. He could only guess the taste. It looked less watered down than other teas. The color was dark brownish with a gold tint that could be coming from the lights. It smelled nice as well. Most teas focused mainly on the smell rather than the taste which led to a bland mixture. Well, there was only one way to find out.
Izuku removed one hand and looped the other under the handle. He put the cup up to his lips and poured some of the aromatic tea into his mouth.
"Wow. It's really good." He smiled as the warmth that resonated in his palms, moved throughout his body.
"If there's one thing I'm an expert with, its tea. Do you like the taste? How about the smell?"
"I thought that the tea was going to be one of those 'smell only' kinds because of how potent its scent is. But when I tasted it, the smell only added to its charms. Usually teas like to showcase a strong smell to compensate for their lack of flavor, but this one blends them so well that they seem like one in the same. I can't remember any teas that I've tried that caused this reaction, so it must be of good quality, right? I've never had this tea before and the box looks like expensive, are you sure you're okay with me drinking this? I won't be offended if you were just being thoughtful. It's a nice gesture, really, but-"
"You're quite the mumbler. Is it that your thoughts go too fast for you, that you have to mumble them?"
Izuku blushed. Why does he always do stuff that makes him look like a weirdo?
"No need to feel embarrassed. It's something that makes you, you." Nezu was such a kind man. He always knew what to say to make him feel better, and he even knew how to pull him from his swirling thoughts.