By the time the boys got back to Shoji's house, they were completely out of breath. Mineta immediately dropped to his knees.
"Th-That just happened ..." Mineta stammered, tears threatening to spill. "H-He actually-" he cut himself off with a sob. "Why? Why did I have to be raised by such a fucked up family?" he asked, mostly to himself.
Shoji had no idea how to respond. He had never seen anything like that before. Hesitantly, he kneeled down next to the smaller boy and carefully pulled him into a hug. Mineta responded by gripping Shoji's shirt and sobbing into his chest. Shoji gently rubbed circles into his back, hoping to help calm him down. The octopus boi also took this as an opportunity to process what the hell just happened.
I knew he was abusive, but I didn't think he was capable of murder. Shoji thought. Then he thought about the condition Mineta was in when he found him in the first place. Those stab wounds were probably intended to kill. Yet he survived. The bastard probably grew frustrated and took his anger out on his wife. Then he tried to kill both of us because he thought we were dating. The thought of someone believing they were dating - even if it was a total asshole - made Shoji get that flustered feeling again. Why do I keep feeling like this? Agh! Why do I keep letting it distract me?! Focus! Get back to the point! Okay, he tried to kill us because he knows Mineta is gay and he thinks I'm gay, too. So definitely thinks it's wrong. We're gonna have to do something about this. But what?
Suddenly, Aizawa's words echoed in Shoji's head.
"If there is any trouble, alert me immediately."
"We should tell Aizawa," Shoji said. "He and the pros can go to your house and arrest your father. Once he's behind bars, you'll be safe."
Mineta wiped his eyes and nodded in agreement. "I'd like that more than anything. I just want him to leave me alone for good."
Shoji nodded in understanding. "Come in. Let's go inside and get you settled. Then we can call Aizawa."
Mineta nodded in agreement and the two of them stood up.
Mrs. Shoji was waiting for them. "You two are okay! Thank goodness!" she said as she immediately pulled the two boys into a hug.
"We're fine, Mom. We're completely unharmed," Shoji assured, returning the hug.
"Okay. That's good," Mrs. Shoji said. She turned to Mineta and saw the evidence of him crying. Her relieved smile disappeared. "What happened?"
"We'll explain later," Shoji said. "For now let's get him settled."
"All right then. Well, the guest room is currently being used as a storage room, so ... we should figure out where Minoru should stay first," Mrs. Shoji said.
Mineta opened his mouth to suggest sleeping in the living room, but then Shoji beat him to it.
"He can sleep in my room."
As soon as Shoji said it, he immediately felt his face turn red. Why? Why do I keep feeling like this?
Mrs. Shoji was a little surprised by this. But then she gave her son a somewhat teasing smile. "All right. I'll go get the air mattress. You boys can just take some time off your feet. Leave the rest to me."
Shoji felt his blush deepen. Why'd she smile at me like that? Does she know something I don't? It's like when Aizawa seemed like he was implying something. Damn my flusteredness! Why does it keep happening? Is it because I ...? No. That's crazy.
Shoji sighed to himself in annoyance and took a seat on the couch. Mineta sat down next to him, phone in hand. He started scrolling through his notifications.
"Wow. I got a ton of texts from Kaminari," Mineta said.
Shoji took a peek and saw exactly what he meant. Then he looked away so they could talk privately.
Pikachu: Hey!
Pikachu: How's it going?
Pikachu: Hello?
Pikachu: It's been a few hours at this point. You good?
Pikachu: I'm starting to get worried, bro.
Pikachu: Mineta?
Pikachu: Please answer
Pikachu: It's unlike you to ignore your phone like this. You okay?
Pikachu: I'm really getting worried here!
Pikachu: Please respond
Grape Boi: I'm here. I'm okay
Pikachu: Thank God! You had me worried there! How are you holding up?
Grape Boi: Well ... my dad found out
Pikachu: Oh shit! Are you okay?
Grape Boi: Well, I am now. Thanks to Shoji. He saved me and is providing me a place to stay
Pikachu: Oooooh, I see~ I'll leave you two alone then ;)
Grape Boi: KAMI FHAJCJDKFNSOSPAJ
Pikachu: Hahahahaha
Mineta rolled his eyes and shut his phone off. His cheeks were burning. Of COURSE Kaminari had to tease him about it. "So ... shall we tell Aizawa?" he asked.
Shoji nodded. "If you're ready."
Mineta returned the nod and called their teacher.
It didn't take long for him to respond. "What is it, Mineta? Did something happen?"
"Yeah. Shoji and I went back to my house to gather some supplies and-" he paused as he got choked up at the memory. "He-He's out for blood, sir. He tried to kill us both because he thought we were together. H-He killed my mom, too."
Aizawa was at a loss for words. It's bad enough that this man hurt one of his students. But attempted murder? No way was he going to let that fly. After processing what was just said, he found his voice again. "I'm sorry you two had to go through that. Thank you for telling me, though. Just try to get some rest. I'll gather some pros and we'll go investigate. Just try to take it easy for now, okay? Both of you. A lot has happened to you both over the past thirty-six hours."
"Yes, Sensei," Mineta and Shoji said in unison.
"Good night."
"Good night."
Mineta hung up and sighed. "I'm sorry for getting you roped into my family drama. You nearly got hurt - or worse - tonight."
"No need to apologize, Mineta. It's my job to help as a hero in training," Shoji assured.
Mineta smiled a little. "Thank you so much ... for everything."
"No problem."
Mineta yawned and rubbed his eyes as they grew heavy. He drowsily closed them. Shoji wrapped his arms around him and gently held him. Mineta got himself comfortable and fell asleep.
Rest well, Mineta. You've have a long night. Shoji thought. He smiled softly. I don't mean to sound like a creep, but he looks so cute when he sleeps. Okay, why do I keep having these thoughts? I feel so ... warm around him, but kinda nervous at the same time. The only logical explanation I can think of is-
He got cut off when his mom walked up to him.
"I overheard you talking to your teacher," she said. "The poor boy. I'm sorry that happened." She looked upset.
"It's gonna be okay, Mom. The pros will arrest him and then Mineta will be safe," Shoji assured. "The important thing is that we made it out alive."
Mrs. Shoji sighed, but nodded. "You're right. But I still can't help but worry. I could have lost you tonight."
"I appreciate your concern. But let's focus more on what did happen instead of what could have," Shoji said.
Mrs. Shoji gave a low hum and looked at Mineta snuggles up in her son's lap, fast asleep. She smiled at the sight. "You like him, don't you?" she asked.
Shoji's eyes widened at the question as his face turned red. "W-What makes you say that?"
"I've seen the way you look at him. The way you talk to him. You remind me of myself when I was crushing on your father," Mrs. Shoji explained with a light hearted chuckle.
Shoji thought about the moments he and Mineta had shared over the course of the past few weeks. Mineta really was a great guy to hang out with. The smaller male made Shoji feel a way no one else had. He felt an odd sense of happiness mixed with a fluttery sensation in his stomach.
Is this what it all means? DO I like him? The thought occurred to me, but I guess I just couldn't believe it.
Shoji hesitated a moment longer before nodding to his mom. "Yeah. I think I do."
Mrs. Mineta smiled a little more broadly. "I hope it works out between you two.
"Moooom," Shoji groaned as his blush deepened.
Mrs. Shoji laughed a little. "Why don't you go to bed? It's late and you've had a long night."
Shoji nodded and stood up, careful not to wake Mineta.
"Oh, and Mezo?"
"Yes, Mom?"
"The air mattress sprung a leak."
Shoji stiffened at this. A leaky air mattress meant one thing.
They were going to have to share a bed.
Did I just play the "there was only one bed" card? Yes, yes I did. Hope you enjoyed the chapter!