HELLO! Another early update, hope this is allowing distraction for people!
Pushing my quirk had always ended in a little down time, that was normal. But I'd gone beyond that. All Might hadn't been kidding about the brain bleed, and Recovery Girl gave me a proper scolding when she came to visit. I could have easily died. I apologised for worrying them, but still didn't apologise for my actions. I'd gotten Dad out of there with a chance of survival. That was worth it.
Despite it being worthwhile, the side-effects are still annoying. Dizziness creeps up every so often over the course of the day. Recovery Girl warns it could persist for weeks, and I only woke up this morning. It's already wearing on my patience. She wasn't willing to rush that healing as she didn't want to risk any complications. But it's not like I can argue, so I simply endure. My eyes blur, my head spinning, and the air gets thin. Occasionally ringing appears in my ears, sometimes my fingers tingle too. Very dramatic. Very annoying. The second time I pass out is when I try to shower–long story short, I do not enjoy being picked up by nurses when butt naked.
Nemuri stays with me for the rest of the day. It's heading to about 8pm by now, and Dad still hasn't woken. Nem's keeping me busy with some card games. Whenever my eyes wander to his sleeping form, she starts another conversation. I appreciate the effort, and it works for the most part, but it does start to feel like she's also distracting herself. I can't blame her. The worrying inevitable is getting harder to ignore. But then I remind myself it's only been a day. Logic… stop abandoning me.
While we're at it. What the hell do I call him from now on? Dad. It feels right, sure. But… Is it something he would want all the time? Is switching between that and Shouta, okay? I have no idea. I'll have to ask him, no one else will know what to say. Dad. Shouta. The words run round my skull till I'm sure they'll be making indents.
Nemuri lounges on the pillows and sips her tea. "Alex, I'm not sure I said it before, but you were incredibly brave on the field."
I lower my cards. Everyone had been so busy scolding me that no one had actually praised me. I didn't need it, the beeping monitor signalling Shouta being alive was a prize in itself. But still, her praise warms my cheeks. "Thanks. I just… tried to survive."
"You're welcome my dear. Praise where it's due, y'know? And… Well, you clearly have some connection to this Shigaraki guy, you look like someone's slapped you across the face whenever he's mentioned and I…" She frowns and lowers her mug. "I know you don't want the past to define you. I know you consider those street days better forgotten. But… Why did he want to hurt you, Alex? Really?"
Dark rooms. Small lights flickering. No windows. No air. A damp floor and cold walls, old iron digging into wrists and chains clunking lazily as I barely move. Stale water, mouldy bread. A wiry voice whispering to me of greatness, of the bigger picture, of potential that he will make the most of. Power. My power. His power. I blink hard and lock those images behind the big red door, the one with all the shiny locks on it that didn't rattle for five years. When had it opened? Shouta kept it locked tight and he didn't even know it existed.
Nem tilts her head. "Alex?"
I bite my lip and let my cards fall against the mattress. "I don't know."
It was true. Shigaraki had already tortured me so much, I had no real idea why he wanted to continue. Had he really figured out my connection to Dad before the attack on the arena? Was it just a means of taking down a pro?
My lips quiver. "Plenty shit went down between us when I was a kid and he was a teenager. Nothing lewd or anything, but… shit went down." I sniff and tug on a frayed thread. "He messed me up, I ran away. Hizashi has m-more details but… Can't I just leave it at that?"
"Hizashi knows?"
"I asked him to stay quiet."
She glares. "Why?"
"Because until now I had no reason to suspect Shigaraki would be anywhere near my life ever again." I swallow hard and shrug. "Don't be mad at him. He only did as I asked."
"I guess so." She sighs and carries on the game. "Just keep in mind we're on your side Alex, we only want to know information that could help save you."
"I can–"
"You can look after yourself, but you don't have to." She interjects and makes her play.
I continue the game and wrestle with words in my mind. Arguing doesn't help. I can deal with this if it ever reared its ugly head again. They don't need to worry about me.
I pick up my cards. "Thanks Nem."
"No problem sweetheart."
Movement in the other bed makes me jolt. Dad's head moves slightly to the right, towards our voices. I scramble off my bed, dragging my IV round to his. Nemuri puts a chair behind me as my knees shake, and I sit down. A few minutes pass with more movement and a few confused groans.
"I'll get a nurse and doctor." Nem squeezes my undamaged shoulder and clicks her way out of the room.
I lean forward. "It's okay Da-Shouta, you're safe. You're in the hospital."
"Alex…" he mumbles, apparently not quite registering my words. He shifts again, arms resisting the restrictions of his casts. "Alex…"
"I'm here Shouta."
He grows agitated, heart rate picking up and breathing growing erratic. His head tosses to and fro and my name escapes a couple more times, panicked and confused. Coughing grips him, and a little blood seeps through the bandaging near his eye. He'll do himself an injury. I haul myself up onto the bed with my good arm, perch beside him and give him a careful hug. The struggling slows.
He draws shaken but deeper breaths. "A-Alex?"
"Yeah." I sniff and put my head to his chest. "I'm here. I'm fine."
The doctors make me sit back, and the nurses fuss. Nem stays with me. Eventually they agree his face wrappings could come off, though he has to keep one of the eye-patches on. As they unwrap him I cling to Nemuri's hand, glad to know I'm not the only one shaking. His bed is propped up and Nem helps him with a little food and drink. I just watch and stay quiet. Conversation murmurs between them softly, I can't quite make it out–seems my hearing is a bit messed up too. His good eye remains focused on the bed before him, not shifting in my direction once. I just wait, refusing to jump to conclusions. My paranoia tells me he's angry. My self-loathing tells me he's disappointed. My logical mind tells me he's probably blaming himself like the time I got shot. For once, I let logic win. Partly due to exhaustion, and partly due to hope.
But then I'm moved back to my wheelchair by Nemuri and taken away.
I say nothing, I just grip the arm rests and put my tongue between my teeth. We head to the hospital roof, and whilst the fresh air is lovely, my heart still feels filled with lead. Why was I removed from the room? Could he not stand to even look at me? Logic wanes under the weight of paranoia and self-loathing.
Nemuri wheels me towards the edge so I can enjoy the view of the city at night. Beautiful, but it's not answers.
She locks the chair in place and kneels in front of me. "He wanted a couple minutes alone with All Might to be filled in on the situation. I thought you might like the fresh air."
"Why couldn't I help fill him in?"
"He…" she clicks her tongue. "You're both as bad as each other, y'know that?"
"Sure do. Now why couldn't I help?"
"Because he wanted to know how badly he failed you without you softening the blow."
I blink and she waits. I roll it round my mind and find logic had been proven right. He was an idiot. I put my head in one hand and wave the other for her to carry on.
She continues. "All Might will put him right, and calm him down. Then hopefully you two can talk without that guilt sitting between you. But whilst we're on the subject of stupid self-imposed guilt trips, are you still blaming yourself for him being injured?"
I keep my head against my hand. "I never did."
"No?"
"I blame myself for not preventing it a bit more, but I know I ain't actually accountable for the damage the villains did. I'm not that bad."
"Well… That's something." Her heels click against the concrete roof, wandering to the barrier. "I'd have never believed it, not in a million years. But Shouta really is devoted to you, Alex."
I jolt and stare at her pretty red shoes.
Did she know I said 'Dad' in the arena? Is she just playing nice?
When I don't respond, she walks back over to me. "I'm serious. I've never seen him so wrapped up in another person, you really are his daughter.
My heart is going to burst.
She traces lines along my medical gown's sleeve. "Do you… Feel free to refuse answering, of course but… Do you ever think of him as your Father?"
I sniff into choked laughter. "Y'really think he considers me that?"
"Of course. Don't tell him I told you, but it only takes one or two too many beers for him to admit it. I'm sure you knew his feelings on some level. Even with all that teenage angst." She chuckles as she holds me. "You're trembling. Are you cold, sweetheart?"
"N-No but… Dammit, I was so stupid Nem."
"What do you mean?" Fingers thread through my hair, stroking softly as I take deep breaths and seek a non-shaking voice.
I almost find it. "I said it in the USJ. All the v-villains will have heard it."
"Said what?"
"Dad." I cling to her tighter. "After so much careful hiding… I fucked it up."
"Was that when your power surge happened?" She keeps stroking my hair, but I loosen my grip to look up at her. Her expression is expectant, but I have no clue. She frowns. "Your classmates said you ran towards Shouta, yelled something, and then there was this huge surge away from you. It threw all kinds of enemies off their feet. Was that not you?"
"I…" I try to think back.
The fear, the panic, the want to save him. It built in my head to the point of bursting and then white flashed over my vision. I look at my hands. A power surge had never happened to me before, had it? Not when I was alone on the streets or even when I got shot. I… I don't think it's happened before. Maybe. Unless that was how I threw Shigaraki before I escaped? Was… Was it actually me?
I sigh and put my head in my hands, a pressure building behind my eyes. "I don't know. It all happened so fast." I swallow but nausea is flooding my system.
"Could it be that this Shigaraki guy unlocked that power?"
I sit upright and grip the chair. "Fuck no."
Shigaraki does not define me. It's my power. Not his. Not his. No. I can't accept that he unlocked anything. All he does is destroy. No. Not now, not ever.
"Alex I'm not suggesting you owe him–"
"No!" I gasp, the lights on the horizon swimming. "No if the surge was me then f-fuck it being Shigaraki's influence. If that po-power came out of me, it came from my mind." I waver, body swaying as my head throbs. "He doesn't get to cla-claim th… that. Not… Now… Now..."
Shit. Warmth runs along my top lip. My breathing becomes laboured and I nearly topple forward till she gets hold of me.
"Alex? Shit." She sits me back. "Oh god."
We rush back inside, and she slams an alarm button as soon as we get there. At least I assume that's the loud ringing filling my head as it hangs back over the chair. Blood runs down my throat, I cough and it sputters everywhere. But I can't move. My arms dangle as we rush along, vague lights flickering past my eyes as they roll back. My head. Ow.
I blink, and the world darkens.
"Alex stay awake! Doctor! GET ME A FUCKING DOCTOR!"
Purple. It's everywhere. Where's up and down gone? I'm tossed all around the place, body burning all over but mainly on my back. No. Please no. Not another brand, not again. I got away, I escaped, there was no way they got hold of me at the USJ. Or no… had I ever escaped? The hospital, I woke in the hospital. I saw my friends. Didn't I? They know about Shouta being my Dad, the world might know too. That happened. That was real. Right? The world is a purple mass of confusion. My head throbs and I curl in on myself, feeling like the purple mess was kicking me all over.
Nomu. Finish the job. Nomu. Finish the job.
No. NO. Dad! Red takes over the purple, pressure builds in my chest, screams burn in my throat. I close my eyes but it's still there; Shouta's face bloodied and broken, the Nomu endlessly smiling, endlessly strong. No. Stop this. Break me if you have to Shigaraki, but leave him alone. He doesn't deserve this. Take me. Hurt me. Leave my Dad alone!
Silly little girl. This power is too much for you, too great for such a small mind. We shall let it grow within you. Swell in that little body until it is ready to be harvested.
I clamp my hands over my ears. What are these words? I don't know these words. Stop it. Stop speaking to me like that, like you own me. Who are you? I see a face with no eyes and a grin behind a mask. What? This makes no sense. Laughter. It spills into my ears, saturating my mind till it feels like it's infecting my whole body. Shit it's everywhere. Stop this. All for one. All for what? What's all for one? What all? What one?
Red fizzles back to purple, and that fades black.
I'm falling. I can't stop falling. Someone catch me? Please? I'll do anything, I'll be better, I'll do better. Please. This rat can still learn, she can get better and make it worthwhile.
Alex this isn't your responsibility!
But you are Mister. Eraserhead. Mr Aizawa. Shouta. Dad. You're my responsibility like I'm yours. Right? Give and take. Isn't that what a family is? Someone said that. Did you say that Dad? I can't remember. I clutch my throat, it feels like my heart is trying to crawl free as the black mess suddenly surges around me, crushing my mind and bones. Dad.
Dad help me.
Do you need me like I need you?
SHOUTA POV
Shouta sits up in his bed, tired eyes not leaving her for a moment. Having woken to the sound of her voice, he'd hoped she was stable. Not yet. Nemuri had been so panicked, so distraught and covered in blood. Alex always seemed to want to paint the town red. He smirked at his own terrible joke, knowing Alex would roll her eyes and Nemuri would scold his coldness. But it was just to try and stop the damn ache. Since he woke, since he found out what had been real against what had been powered by his fevered dreams, an ache persisted in his chest. It had nothing to do with his injuries. Not the broken bones, internal bleeding or whatever else had happened. The painkillers dealt with those problems, but they didn't touch the pain making his eyes itch. She had been so close. So at hand and yet so in danger. Too many enemies, not his style of fight, back up took too long; the list of excuses was extensive but hollow. He knew the truth. That was what burned at the base of the ache, what made his teeth grind together and his mind reel at what might have happened. The truth was, he had failed to protect her.
Dad.
She called him Dad, screamed it out in sheer terror as his body was dismantled by that blue beast. The word he had always wanted to hear from her without knowing it. But he had wanted it. Desperately. The world of villains knew their secret now, and soon the rest of the world would as well. No doubt the media would have a field day. Eraserhead as a parent? Pah. What an idea. How can a man so cold and reclusive be any kind of good for a child? Doubts would fill the headlines for a couple days. The Villains… well he wasn't sure how they would react. But none of that mattered in the moment, or even as he sat in his hospital bed, watching her fog the oxygen mask with every small gasp. Keep breathing kid. Please. He kept expecting the fog to clear. For the beeping to go into a long dull note. For the world to finally make him pay for his failings.
Occasionally her eyes fluttered, her hands twitched and her lips moved. Dreams with any luck, rather than nightmares. He was sure he would be having his own for a long time to come. Be it his own pain or hers, both would haunt him. Did she know he had long considered her his daughter? He hadn't said it. She hadn't said Dad. They were both as stunted as each other in those areas. Both hopeless idiots. He smirked and looked down at the casts on his arms. When he could, he'd hold her so tightly, but for now the memories would do. She was there. She was fine.
But she had clearly known that villain.
Shouta swallowed hard and sat back to let the latest nurse take his vitals and fuss about. He stared at the ceiling, watching how the light flickered every five or so seconds. Shigaraki. Who the hell was Shigaraki to Alex? The portal guy had thrown her into the fray, put her right next to the creep. There was history there. The villain had wanted to really hurt Alex. Made the dissolve effect of his power creep so slowly over her arm and shoulder, and then her throat. Shouta shivered. Had they been even a few minutes later to Recovery Girl's aid, Alex would have been gone. Between the brain bleed at the throat damage, she had been on the brink. They both had.
He guessed he might recognise the look of the scarring that would inevitably be on his elbow. His theory was that it would match the marks on her back. He had only seen them briefly, but he had never forgotten. Who could? But if he was right, how would he ask her? The subject burned his tongue, but worsened the ache. He always knew her past would be messy, of course it was. But to think that she might have been at that maniac's mercy–he couldn't stand it.
Had that been why she was so panicky lately? The fear of this Shigaraki coming back into her life? But she can't have known. Thirteen said she was just as shocked as anyone. Alex hadn't expected the attack any more than anyone else. So why had she been so afraid? Or had she started to appreciate the threat the media posed? Did she suspect she might be found by those villains from her past?
Shouta watched her hands clasp at the blankets, eyes rolling back as the dream took a strange turn. Soon she relaxed again, and the cycle continued. He had taught her to be wary of the media. Had she only felt their threat as that alarm went off? As she realised how readily her image would be out there in the public eye soon? Shouta sighed, theorising would get him nowhere. He had to talk to her. He had to understand.
Unless she wouldn't want his help anymore.
The ache sharpened. He winced. He had failed, and she had seen. Would her faith in him be as broken as his bones? Would she have to look elsewhere to feel safe? He thought back on all the times he had helped her after a nightmare, when he'd held her after training went too far and she had a setback. He was there for her, dependable, strong. Not broken. Looking back at the fight the ache in his chest deepened with shame stinging at the end. She had defended him so determinedly. So tirelessly. The Nomu creature had loomed, snarled, made Shouta feel totally powerless. He guessed he was dead then and there, nothing else to it. Then it stopped. She held it back, like the amazing hero she was. But still… it was meant to be the other way around. Wasn't it? Or was his ego simply being bruised at the same time? The ache dimmed. She had acted admirably, even if foolishly. That counted for a lot. Despite that… Despite the sense of pride he felt in her heroism, the pain remained even if only an echo.
He looked at the casts again. There was no way she wouldn't doubt him. He could do little else but doubt himself.
He sat back and watched the flickering light. "Fuck."
ALEX POV
So it turns out a brain bleed is no joke. When I wake up it's a day later, which I only know from the calendar on the wall being helpfully circled. I have no idea what time it is. I try to find a clock, but instead find Shouta watching me from his bed a mere metre away. Oh. Hi. I try and speak, but my tongue's struggling to function, barely a mumble escaping as my oxygen mask fogs up. At least it isn't a tube. I try and remove it, but my limbs are like lead. Nothing moves, I seem to even struggle with blinking.
"Stay still, kid." He speaks softly, watching me close from between fresh bandages on his face. He presses a button and looks to the door.
I try to see who comes in, but it's like my mind got stuck on lag. The doctors and nurses are just blurs of white and blue, their heads pink smudges with brown or blonde blobs for their hair. I close my eyes and breathe deeply, trying to remember what the hell happened before I passed out. I was talking to Nem. Right? On the… roof?
Something creaks next to me and a cast covered hand leans on my mattress. Shouta sits in the chair by my bed, raking his tired eyes over me. I have no idea what he's looking for. Does he find it? It's only then that I realise he's dressed as normal, in a jumpsuit with capture weapon ready. Is he going back to work already?
He sighs. "You really did a number on yourself, hm?"
I try to speak, but he just shakes his head.
"Keep still and stay quiet, you're in a fragile state as it is, so you definitely don't have the strength for sassing me right now."
I frown.
He snorts. "Well you shouldn't, at least. You gave Nem quite the scare yesterday, she only left a couple hours ago so she could get ready for teaching today. Your classmates came round, and they all freaked out in turn. You had to make noisy friends, hm?"
I give a cheeky smile.
His smirk sobers. "I've talked to most of them, and All Might, and Thirteen… You did an amazing job, Alex. You saved a lot of lives, I reckon. Especially mine."
I swallow hard, shivering.
"Well done for stepping up, for not losing your cool and simply reacting once forced to be involved but… You should have ran long before you reached the point you did."
I grip the sheets as my eyes warm.
He sighs. "Don't get worked up. I'm just saying."
I mouth the word 'sorry'.
"Apology appreciated, even if not entirely believed." He smiles softly. "I know you were protecting me, and I know logically that in the moment your own condition wasn't on your mind, but if All Might hadn't turned up when he did... The other kids might have gotten involved."
I hadn't thought of that. It hadn't crossed my mind for a second.
He continues. "They could have gotten seriously hurt. You inspire people, Alex. This time you got away with it, but next time that might not happen. So many of the class said they wished they'd helped more. Endeavour's kid looked ready to turn back time and maul the villains himself."
Todoroki was a hard guy to read.
"All I'm saying is… Keep your team in mind when on the field. I knew Thirteen would stay with you, I had confidence she would have you all under control and in mind. You don't know that about your class, in fact you know pretty well that it isn't the case, especially for Midoryia. He's as bad as you. But…"
A couple tears have escaped despite my best efforts.
"I saw the footage myself. You were exemplary. Whilst I hate that you had to do it, I'm fucking proud of everything you managed in that arena. Those villains got one hell of a wake up call."
The tears flow freely and I laugh breathlessly. With a shaken hand, I slowly reach and put my hand on top of his cast.
He puts his head against it. "Another thing I saw on the footage, it seems our secret is out."
"S...S-Sorry." I sniff and he nods, peering up through his hair. "Slipped... o-out."
"It would have gotten out soon anyway, we were kidding ourselves to think otherwise. Just be prepared for a media field day now." He rests his chin on my hand. "No doubt the reporters will lament your terrible option of a parent."
I roll my eyes and we share a smirk. Despite the jokes, the penny drops in my mind; I guess I don't need to worry about the pictures anymore. Shigaraki has already found me. Dammit. I keep myself calm, breathing slow and deep. There's no need to worry, I'm well protected here, and he has to be licking his wounds still.
Shouta sighs. "Not only is it new information, but it's clearly information we've been withholding. The vultures love that kinda shit especially."
I blink slow, feeling dizzy for a second. Dad waits, letting me take a few deep breaths. Of what I can see around the remaining bandaging, he looks a lot better. His eyes have a light back in them–at least as much as they ever had. One eye has some swelling under it though. The right one. I point and frown. My tongue feels so heavy, I can only talk a little. Either I'm on a lot of drugs, or that second episode has set me back a bit.
He nods. "I have some permanent damage. But I can still work, and I can still teach. And I'm alive. Thanks to you."
I reckon I'm the same colour as Mina.
"So personally I see it as a small price to pay… All Might isn't so sure." He clicks his tongue. "You got him real worked up the other day, y'know."
I bite my lip.
"Not gonna say sorry for that one?"
I purse my lips.
"Nah, you don't want me to think you're taking back what you said." It's good to know Shouta knows me this well, but that also means he'll be able to guess that I'm still intending on dealing with Shigaraki however I can. His eyes narrow. "Shigaraki isn't yours to deal with, Alex. He's a villain, and the pros will stop him."
The idea of Shigaraki getting anywhere near anyone else is sickening. I swallow hard and keep my eyes open after I blinked too slow. It's so easy to recall Shouta's elbow disintegrating under Shigaraki's touch, to remember the smell his quirk leaves behind.
I nod to the elbow in question.
"It's doing all right. Your throat was in much worse shape. He intended to kill you." Dad's teeth click together, dark eyes tracing the bandaging. Every swallow sends flickers of pain to the back of my mind, be they real or not. "You knew him from before, right?"
I nod. I don't want this all in the open. I wanted it quietly forgotten like everything else. But it was time, Shigaraki was clearly involved. No point hiding. Dammit, we had a happy life. We were making progress. We were gonna change things. And now Shigaraki was gonna ruin that.
"All right just breathe easy." Shouta murmurs, eyes glancing to the many machines monitoring me. "I won't pry right now. But eventually you're gonna have to spill, Alex. I wanna know what this guy's done to you."
Small space. Locked doors. Branding. Marking. Claiming. His property. His toy.
My heart-rate rises. Shit. Lying here, unable to even speak for more than a couple words, or move my hand more than a couple inches, I'm totally vulnerable. Entirely.
Shouta looks at the monitor. I shake my head and close my eyes, shuddering at the images that flash there. No windows. Old chains. Rusted shackles wearing wounds into my wrists. No. Being so injured, so weak and kept in place, there's nothing to distract. The memories flood into place. Small rooms. Damp floors. Broken springs on a rusty old bed. A door left open, but then Shigaraki stands there staring. Always staring. Fuck. It wasn't meant to be in my head anymore. I'd moved forward. Moved on. But there he is, still fucking staring! Stop fucking staring!
"Alex?"
I can't respond. My breathing's gone haywire and my eyes are blurry. Is this to do with the brain bleed? Or am I just literally blind with panic? Before I can figure it out though, a numbness washes over me. I think I've been sedated.
Shouta watches with anxious eyes as I slip under.
Dammit…
Why couldn't the past stay forgotten?
Whilst everyone else trained and prepared for the Sports Festival, I mainly slept. The damage to my brain and body was intensive, and as Recovery Girl didn't want to risk her quirk messing with things, my head injuries are left to heal naturally. My throat is given a little help though, and my shoulder and arm. The bandaging is off in a few days for those. Even so, thanks to the head damage, I lay in bed and slept. Like a damn sloth. I hate it. By the time I can walk around without immediately toppling over due to dizziness, I feel insanely weakened. Regardless, I demand to be allowed back to class as soon as possible. If I couldn't train, I could at least still learn theory. Wheelchairs come in handy.
Once it has been two weeks, I can walk to classes, but I still have to take my time. I'd only been totally immobile for a week, and then minimal movement for another after that, but still my legs ache after only a few trips between classes. Looking back, I have no idea if I ever recalled being this weak. Not even after Shigaraki's handiwork on my back when I was a child. Still, I study hard and help my classmates with their training regimes–mainly in notes and looking over footage. But at least I can help somehow.
As another day comes to a close, Shouta asks me to wait in the classroom as he has something to talk to Hizashi about. I assume Present Mic will be presenting the Sports Festival, but I have to wonder if he's trying to rope Dad into precedings. Showing face after the attack was the whole point. Eraserhead being a presenter so soon would make a big statement. I wonder if Shouta has figured that yet.
As Shouta leaves and the door closes behind him, I realise I'm not alone in the classroom. Todoroki remains, doing homework. He's so quiet, I often lose track of where the guy is. The sun has started to wane in the sky, and orange casts over the white part of his hair. Almost makes it even with the red. I lounge slightly and yawn.
His pen clicks. "How is your head feeling?"
"Uh… Fine." I sit up, seeing him packing his things. "You feeling prepared for the festival?"
"Of course. I'll be doing more training once I'm home, hence getting the written homework done here first."
"Noisy house?"
"In a manner of speaking." He nods and put his bag on his shoulder. "Are you waiting for Mr Aizawa?"
"Yeah, he won't be long. Normally I'd wait in the teacher's lounge but as moving about isn't easy right now, I'm to stay put." I shrug and smile. "Not that I mind, it's waiting either way."
"Do you have to wait for him often? Mr Aizawa seems the punctual type."
"Even the punctual type has meetings that run over." I chuckle and he nods, perching on the desk next to me. It seems like he should be heading home quickly, his training waiting. But he also doesn't seem keen to leave, so I make conversation. "Is there anyone in the festival you're nervous about facing?"
"Not really."
I blink. "No? Not even Bakugo?"
"He has power, but is easily rattled. My ice will deal with his frantic nature easily, I think. If we have to go into head to head. That's only a rumour at this point."
I nod and clasp my hands. Conversation with him felt like half the things never left his mouth. Like he had a script all prepared and he was editing as he spoke. Was that just with his classmates or something he had to do at home? I doubt Endeavour likes outspoken kids. Then again, I shouldn't assume.
Todoroki hitches his bag strap back onto his shoulder as it slips. "I'd been slightly nervous when you were still in the running."
"Heh, why?" I snort. "Because I might tell you off again?"
"You have power and control, a dangerous combination." He watches me closely and I feel my cheeks burn. He tilts his head. "I suppose I have something to thank the villains for."
I laugh and shake my head. Of all the things to crack a joke about. One corner of his mouth twitches, but when he looks to the clock his jaw tightens.
I drum my fingers on my desk. "If you're just being nice and lingering so I'm not on my own, don't let me hold you up."
"No. It was more for my benefit, sorry. Far more selfish."
I jolt at the frown creasing his brow. Genuine guilt lay in his eyes now.
I shake my head again. "No need to be sorry. I can understand wanting to linger somewhere you prefer being. I won't pry, but I can say that I understand not wanting to be too near your Dad."
He blinks. "Why? Have you had the displeasure of meeting him?"
The words are strange, but the lack of edge makes them downright surreal. It wasn't even anger, it was apathetic loathing. That's a harsh thing coming from a son towards a Dad. Guess I was right about Endeavour being a bit of a prick.
I nod. "Kinda. Encountered him a couple times whilst I was on the street."
The frown persists. "I hope he didn't hurt you."
I put my head on one hand. "Like I'd give him the chance."
Again, one corner of his mouth twitches. "Glad to hear it. When did you meet him?"
"I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He accused me of stealing, I snuffed out his beard and ran."
Todoroki's eyes go wide for a moment and his lips purse against laughter. He looks down and clears his throat, hand gripping his bag a little tighter when his shoulders shudder. Such a tightly wound guy. At least I'd given him something to laugh about.
I keep going, the second time wasn't funny but I'm pretty convinced Todokoroki' enjoying an excuse to stay longer. "Second time I was just in a crowd that a low-down villain was threatening. I'd been about to split when the pros got involved, and I didn't want anyone seeing my power. It always seemed to attract the wrong kind of attention."
"Good move." His grip loosens. Something strange happens to his expression then, his eyes cast to the side like he was toying with a decision. Ultimately he made his mind up though, the moment there were footsteps heading along the corridor. "I should get going. Will you be attending the festival to watch?"
"Yeah, I'll likely be in the presenting box with Present Mic. It'll be a secure spot but with a good view."
Todoroki nods before making for the door. The footsteps were still a fair way off.
He pauses and looks back. "Could I ask you something, Alex?"
"Sure."
"If you don't want to answer, I understand."
"If I don't want to answer I doubt I'll care if you do." I smirk and he gives a breath out that was almost a laugh. Almost.
"What's Mr Aizawa like as a parent?"
I tilt my head. "I dunno… never had one before. Can you specify?"
He flinches and nods, blushing slightly before once again clearing his throat. Maybe he was going down with a cold. "Is he encouraging, or does he push you to your limits? Does he uh… spend time with you? Or just leave you to your own business?"
"I'd say encouraging, but when he can tell I'm slacking he'll give a little push. Nothing extreme, but only stern enough to wake me up. And uh… Well we hang out, if that's what you mean. Watch movies and stuff. Is that uh… Is that what you wanted to know?"
"Yeah. Thanks." He nods and leaves, the door barely sliding closed after him before Shouta has a hand in the way and is opening it again.
He looks down the corridor for a second before raising a brow at me. "The hell did you do to Todoroki?"
I held up my hands. "Nothing!"
Sports Festival incoming! Hope you're all doing okay! Thanks to all those that have faved followed and reviewed so far :) love hearing from readers! Shoutouts below! See you soon!
Note: occasionally yes my timeline may differ slightly to the show, I sometimes keep it the same, but a few times I'm tweaking it to a couple weeks between things rather than... days. Because... to me, as a writer, it just makes a little more sense for there to have been a couple weeks between a huge attack like USJ and the Sports Festival.
SHOUTOUTS:
PureParadise: Thanks for taking the time to review! Really appreciated! Haha yeah it was the big moment I wanted where she just blurts it out, logic being thrown out the window in the process. Hope you enjoyed the chapter, and Shouta's reflections on the word as well ^-^
Jerzu: Glad to have given you a surprise with the update then, haha! Don't apologise, you've already left me a couple reviews anyway, its always a joy to hear from people but you're not obligated haha. So thank you once again for taking the time! And yes, the secret is out and about! Dun dun duuun. Lol! I guess you'll have to stay tuned to see how the media react, but as you can see, Shouta is expecting to be dragged through the mud anyway. Poor guy. Hope you enjoyed the update!
