Due to some last minute inspiration, I decided to write a fic for one of my favorite fathers in denial this fine Father's Day. I hope you all enjoy it!

Warning: If you are not caught up with current events of the manga (as in Post-Paranormal Liberation War Arc), there will be some spoilers.

I do not own My Hero Academia.

Shouta ducked just in time to avoid the kick. He didn't hesitate to pivot on his left foot and lash out with his right. A thud and gasp broke the silence of the gym, and his assailant was sent flying across the mat. Ectoplasm was sprawled out on the ground and clutched at his chest. It took a few seconds for the other hero to catch his breath. He walked over to his colleague, extending a hand out to him.

"Sorry," he muttered.

Ectoplasm merely chuckled before grabbing the offered hand and rising back to his feet.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. That's why we're here, isn't it? It certainly looks like you're getting used to fighting with your prosthetic. I'm sure you'll be out on patrols after a few more weeks of training."

Shouta unconsciously tapped the metal foot against the mat. He rubbed his eye and shifted his weight to his left leg. His shoulders sagged.

"You don't have to keep sparring with me. We've been at this for nearly a month now. I know you have—"

"I want to, Aizawa," Ectoplasm interrupted. He gripped Shouta's arm, getting the younger hero to meet his gaze. "I wouldn't have offered if I didn't. I know how difficult of a transition this is for you and I'm going to help you as much as I can. We need Eraserhead more than ever right now."

Ding!

The two teachers whipped their heads toward the source of the sound. A flash came out of one of the duffle bags sitting against the back wall. Shifting his hand to Shouta's back, Ectoplasm led him to the back of the gym and urged him to get some water. Shouta wiped the sweat from his brow before checking his phone, not surprised when he didn't have any new notifications; however, his eyebrows did rise when he saw the time.

How the hell has it already been three hours? Ashido and Sero should be calling any second. I need to get to the train station and escort them back to the dorms. Hizashi and Ishiyama may have picked the others up already, but they would've let me know….

"I suppose that's enough for today." Ectoplasm's voice brought him out of his thoughts. He was grinning at his phone. After a couple taps on the screen, he tucked it away in his pocket. "Your students should be coming back to campus soon, right? We can meet again after Shinsou's lessons tomorrow."

"Thank you," he said, slinging his duffle bag over his shoulder and picking up his water bottle.

He barely heard Ectoplasm chuckle under his breath.

"Have a good evening, Aizawa."

The sun was starting to set as he exited the gym. He made his way to Heights Alliance as quick as his tired body would allow, bounding up the steps to the door. He checked his phone again. His brow furrowed when he still hadn't gotten any word from his colleagues or students. He opened the door and stopped dead in his tracks.

Complete silence and darkness filled the common area.

What the hell? I know Todoroki, Jirou, Shouji, and Shinsou have been here all weekend. More should've arrived back to the dorms. What's—

He only took a couple more steps into the room before it flooded with light. He cringed and covered his eye. A nearly deafening roar erupted around him.

"SURPRISE!"

He blinked, his jaw slowly dropping at the sight of his entire class in the common area. The room was spotless: not a single piece of furniture out of place and no books or scattered papers in sight. His eye couldn't help but wander to the windows where a large banner was hanging.

Happy Father's Day!

Plates of cookies and cakes were set out on one of the coffee tables along with a couple of nicely wrapped presents. A basket sat in the middle filled with enough coffee and jelly packets to last him at least a month. He shifted his gaze back to the students. Hitoshi stood at the front of the group, holding a smiling Eri in his arms. She started wriggling in his grip, so he quickly set her down and she ran up to him. Automatically, he crouched down, but barely managed to catch her in time when she flung her arms around his neck.

"Happy Father's Day, Aizawa-san!"

He hesitated for the briefest moment before returning the embrace.

Father's Day….

"Thank you, Eri."

"I helped Bakugou and Kirishima with dinner!" she said, letting him go and bouncing on the balls of her feet. "We made lots of food!"

Eijirou stepped out of the crowd and put a hand on the top of her head.

"Speaking of dinner, do you want to help us finish up? It's almost ready!"

The young girl nodded enthusiastically and followed him and Katsuki back into the kitchen. He straightened up and scanned over his remaining students. He could practically see the tension in a few of them. A couple even stopped smiling.

"What's the meaning of this?" he asked.

The genuine curiosity in his tone sliced through the tension, and he was once again met with a crowd of grinning teenagers. Momo and Tenya stepped forward and bowed. The latter rose and was the first to speak.

"It's been an eventful year, Aizawa-sensei, especially for you. We wanted to show you our appreciation for everything you've done. There didn't seem to be a better day to do so than today!"

He blinked at the class representative, momentarily too stunned to speak.

"But I—"

"Bakugou and Kirishima made plenty of food," Momo said, cutting him off, "and Satou's been baking all afternoon."

Mina was the next to pipe in.

"Cementoss made sure we all got back to the dorms in time! Mic-sensei helped us set up and even brought us some movies to watch! He also may have let himself into your apartment and took all our assignments to grade himself."

"He seemed eager to do it." He glanced to Hitoshi and was surprised at the soft smile gracing the boy's face. "We thought you needed an evening where you didn't have to worry about being a hero or a teacher, and he agreed completely."

Shouta blinked again. He cleared his throat and found his voice.

"You all didn't have to…." He trailed off when Momo's smile faded.

"As Iida said, it's been an eventful year, and you've remained strong and have been there for us more than anyone. It didn't matter if you were tired and didn't have the energy. You've never once stopped being our hero. Sensei, will you please relax for an evening and let us celebrate you?"

He nearly cringed at the exhaustion seeping into her gaze. He looked over his class again, unable to deny the pang in his chest any longer at the fact that one was still absent.

These kids have experienced more in the last year alone than some pros do in their entire career. They've seen a war. They've seen the heroes lose.

He swallowed despite the lump forming in his throat.

They've seen one of their own teachers die….

It really has been one hell of a year for all of us.

"Please, sensei?" she asked again.

Maybe they do need this. Maybe they just need a little time to be kids…to not worry about their schoolwork or training…or anything else going on in the world. Just for one evening.

He ran a hand through his hair and took a deep breath.

…maybe I need this, too.

He finally nodded.

"All right."

Momo's smiled returned even brighter than before. He thought he heard a few audible sighs of relief. He was quickly herded into the kitchen and a steaming bowl of curry was thrust in his hands. He inwardly grinned as his students joined him at the tables and the usual roar of the dorms slowly started back up.

It was going to be a long evening, but he knew he wouldn't regret a thing.

Well, there it is! Since we're not going to see any Ectoplasm and Aizawa bonding over their injuries in the manga, I decided to include some here because I can. Anyways, I sincerely hope you all enjoyed the fic and found a little joy despite the recent manga events! I've got quite a few projects in the works right now, so you'll see me around!

Until next time,

alightintheshadows