Shoto sighed softly, looking up from the book he was reading.

"You can win!" Sero yelled behind Bakugo. The two semi-finalists were Bakugo unsurprisingly, and Mineta surprisingly. Guess since he couldn't get girls he spent most of his life in his room playing games.

It was late afternoon by now but their energy hadn't died down one bit. Both teams screaming and cheering for their respective classmates, silent betting on who was going to win. At first, everyone expected Bakugo to win when he started to rapidly climb the ranks, but Mineta's skill seemed unsurpassed.

While Shoto found it nice the class was hanging out, games weren't really his thing and he lost in his first round. To keep himself busy, because he certainly wasn't going to cheer he was reading Denki's book. He had been curious about it since he saw it in the kitchen. Honestly, it was a hard read and he had his phone beside him looking up the words he didn't know. A newfound respect for Denki was formed, but also it posed more questions.

Why did Denki hang around with Bakugo and act like an idiot if he read such great literature like this? Shoto wanted to have a nice logical discussion with Denki over books- but in his current state that wouldn't happen. Shoto slowly closed the book, turning his attention back to the game. He might as well watch the last bit.

In the final lap everyone was close, cheering and losing their minds like they did when the whole class ended up swimming. Bakugo and Mineta were actually tied… Until Denki sneezed.

That sneeze seemed so soft, like a kitten really. But sparks shot off of him like a small version of his area attack, shocking both Mineta and Bakugo, and most of the class that was surrounding them. Shoto was back on the couch, a safe distance away. Even from there he could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

Denki also shocked the TV, which sparked and made a loud popping sound before it turned off.

Silence filled the air, then slowly eyes turned to Denki. He wheyed softly, swaying side to side as he looked at everyone with his happy dopey face as if he just didn't ruin the game.

"Well… It's almost dinner anyways," Sato laughed, brushing back his puffed-up hair. He stood up, grinning widely. "We all need a break. We'll fix the TV and restart after we eat."

"Yeah, that sounds good," Momo said encouragingly. She reached over, patting Denki's shoulder. "Come on everyone." She stood up and helped Denki out of the blanket and removing the charger from his mouth, fondly brushing his fluffed hair back"Besides sitting around all day isn't the best."

"I was going to win!" Bakugo spat at Mineta, who quickly got up and ran away to hide behind Shoji. Shoji was much taller and surely able to protect him from the fuming hothead.

"Oh please, video games are where I excel! I was going to win, easy."

"I wouldn't pick a fight," Shoji warned Mineta. Luckily Bakugo seemed to be ignoring the challenge and heading for the kitchen to get to work. No one could cook as well as he could, and he was going to make a victory dinner for the clear win he was about to get.

Shoto rose from his seat, his eyes locked onto Denki. Did no one realize what Denki just did? He could use his quirk again, he was recharged yet still fried. Now that he was charged, did he just need to… restart? Sleep was the human equivalent of turning it off and on again. Were they going to get their classmate back soon?

"I can watch him while you guys cook," Shoto calmly stated as he walked over to Momo. "It's my turn to watch him anyways. Everyone has been working so hard. I'll keep him out of trouble."

"Thanks, you're a lifesaver!" She smiled brightly and gently guided Denki towards him. Denki yayed softly and hugged Shoto, heavily leaning against him. Shoto kept a calm expression, watching Denki with vague curiosity as most of the class headed to the kitchen to start making one huge dinner for all of them.

A hug he would normally reject, but a hug from a fried Denki just couldn't be shoved off. Not even Bakugo had the heart to do that this morning.

Shoto sighed, looking down at Denki. "Do you understand me?" He couldn't help but whisper. Denki lifted his head, yaying as he looked at Shoto.

Was that a yes?

"When Recovery Girl comes, you're going to be all better. Hang on a bit more, let's sit on the couch and wait, okay? We can read your book together." He didn't want to think less of Denki just because he was in this state. He didn't want to treat him differently either. "Everything's going to be alright."

Shoto pulled Denki over to the couch, having him sit down first. He needed to make sure to be careful with Denki in this fragile state, but not treat him any lesser. Would Denki remember this, after all? What would he think of his class's treatment?

Shoto sighed as he sat beside Denki, leaving a nice amount of space between them. He picked up Denki's book. "I was thinking we could talk about this, once you're better and all-'' Shoto fell silent as Denki floped over, using his lap as a personal pillow.

Shoto watched for a moment, before silently opening the book.

"Whatever you want, I'm here to keep you safe and comfortable. We're all here for you. I hope you know that."

"Yaaay~" Denki almost cooed. Shoto looked back down at Denki.

"It is rather nice, to have friends and all. I know we never really talked much before this, but I always respected you. Electric quirks are known for being unruly. When I saw you went out of your way to upgrade your costume to fight with your friends, I was impressed."

This was met with another happy yay from Denki. Shoto couldn't help but to smile. Maybe this was another hidden quirk of Denki's, the ability to make people smile. It was a big comfort.

"I don't know where you left off in this book, and I had to start from the beginning so I'm sorry if hearing all this again bores you," Shoto explained before he started to read. He whispered out loud the words, reading to Denki as they just relaxed together. It was a bit odd, Shoto knew he wasn't exactly one to get close to people but if Denki wanted this and there was nothing really wrong with Denki using his lap as a pillow, he should be able to relax like this once in a while.

It was nice, peaceful even. Also, reading this book seemed to be easier if he was reading to someone, maybe he just needed a sounding board to really get into this piece.

"Hey, dinner is almost done!" Toru called over, trying to suppress her laughter. "What are you two doing?"

"Reading," Shoto calmly explained. He reluctantly placed the book on the couch, face down. "Ready to eat?" He curiously asked as he looked down at Denki. The blond was contently laying there, looking pretty sleepy and fried, of course. "Let's eat, come on." He lightly pulled Denki up and guided him over to the kitchen. "Where is his plate?"

"Right here," Koda walked over carrying two plates. "I got yours too, I was going to bring it over to you. Bakugo made a lot of it so it's really good."

"I hope it's not deadly if it's made by him," Shoto coldly commented as he took the two plates. "Thank you, Koda. this way Denki," he instructed as he headed over to the actual table. He set the two plates down and pulled out the chair, having Denki sit down first before settling beside him. "Now eat," he tried to instruct gently while putting the fork in his hand.

Denki yayed, poking his food with the fork but not doing much more. Shoto calmly watched while he ate his own meal, trying not to smile. So hopeless, no wonder he was being hand-fed at lunch. Something about this experience was really eye-opening. They really needed to be thankful for everything they could do after giving it all in class. They could still stand, feed themselves and take care of their general needs. Denki, when he gave it his all lost it for a while. So who was actually trying their hardest?

"Fine, I'll help you." Shoto gently smiled. This is what friends did, right?

"All done," Shoto gently whispered as he wiped Denki's face off with a napkin. Everyone was finishing up with their dinners but staying at the table, laughing and joking around while watching Denki. Was this the longest they've ever hung around willingly without any class assignments or activity? It felt like it.

"He is looking better," Tokoyami noted calmly, pushing his empty plate away once his mini- Dark Shadow finished whatever he didn't want to eat. Technically Dark shadow didn't have to eat, but that didn't mean it couldn't. Shoto could remember Tokoyami explaining that to them curing their intensive training at the camp. "I mean, he doesn't look as bad as this morning at least."

"Maybe he really is getting better?" Sero offered. "He isn't swaying in his chair that much. Maybe we should just-"

"Hello hello!" A familiar voice called. Recovery Girl happily hummed as she hobbled her way into the main area, leaning heavily against her custom medical cane.

"You're here!" Momo got up from her seat in a moment, nearly spilling her cup in the excitement. "Thank goodness, we can really use your help!"

"Oh I know all about it," Recovery Girl hummed and made her way over to Denki. "I heard you all caused a big fuss in the lobby over this. I figured I'll come by instead of just calling because it seemed so important to this class. Now then, let me see the problem."

"This way Denki," Shoto instructed as he turned Denki to face Recovery Girl.

"He has been like this for too long," Bakugo yelled abruptly. "Ever since that fight or whatever he's been a total moron! I thought this drawback was only supposed to last an hour!"

"So angry," Recovery Girl hummed without even looking Bakugo's way. She used her cane to tilt Denki's head up, carefully examining him for a few moments. "There is nothing to worry about. I'm sure with an extra night of sleep he would have snapped right out of it. He just needed extra time to recover after his big fight, which your teacher was kind enough to send me the reports on. The Villain he fought off against was pretty strong."

"Whoa, really? Like, how strong?" Deku eagerly asked. "How strong is Kaminari getting?"

"After his quirk training he's getting very strong, but it has bigger drawbacks. Everything will be fine. Now, I would heal him but I'm extremely tired. All he needs is some sleep, really. Put him to bed and everything will be fine in the morning." Recovery Girl turned away from the class and started to slowly walk to the door. "May this be a good lesson for the entire class! Take care of your friends, protect them to the best of your ability. Always go Plus Ultra for them."

The class cheered as the respected nurse left… then their eyes went to Denki.

"So he just… needs more sleep?" Sero carefully said. "Well, that isn't too bad!"

"Yea yea, right." Kirishima happily added on. "If that's just what we need to do, let's do it."

"After the game?" Asui offered. "I mean, there's no big rush and I'm sure he'll like to see who wins too."

"Oh of course!" Mina Ashido laughed. "Let's go fix the TV and get it all set up then," she hopped up from her seat. "I need to see who actually wins. Shoji come help me," she said as she hurried into the living area. Shoji silently watched for a moment, then willingly followed.

Shoto smiled gently and looked to Denki, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Almost better, let's enjoy tonight then you have to return to us tomorrow, okay?" He whispered softly. Denki had to come back, it felt like there was some weird hole in their class now. They tried to fill it with Denki still, but he just wasn't itself and it was showing.

Shoto stood up, helping Denki to his feet.

"Can someone please take care of our plates? I want to get him settled back in his spot."

"I got it," Deku eagerly hurried over. "You go do anything you need. We'll join you in a bit."

Shoto nodded and with a hand on Denki's shoulder he easily guided his classmate back into the living area. Shoji had the TV tipped over and was using one of his hand arms to take a look at the circuits. Shoto guided Denki to sit down on the floor where the electric blanket remained.

Denki started to pick it up, so Shoto helped him get all wrapped up and comfortable. Denki honestly looked so happy cocooned like this. "Want me to stay here, or to sit on the couch like before?"

"Yay!" Denki leaned towards Shoto. Well, suppose that was an answer of sorts. Shoto sat down beside Denki, gently guiding him to lay down with Denki's head back on his lap. Everyone started to filter in after a bit and the TV was turned back on. Shoto kept his eyes on the screen as Bakugo sat down beside him, picking up the forgotten controller.

"What are you doing here, half and half?" Bakugo hissed.

"Denki needed a pillow, and he thinks I"m suitable enough," Shoto duly answered. He had been hoping Mineta would sit beside him instead of Bakugo, but luck was never on his side. "It's our job to keep him as comfortable and happy as possible."

"Whatever. If your leg falls asleep you better not move then." Bakugo scoffed and loaded up the game. "Mineta, get ready to have your ass beat!"

Shoto faintly smiled and looked down, idly brushing back Denki's hair from his face. Friends… It felt nice to have some. It felt nice to be useful to them, even in small ways like this. Shoto also knew what everyone was doing. They were avoiding bedtime out of fear and worry.

Would Denki actually be okay? In the morning they would have their friend back, or so Recovery Girl says. Would Denki remember all this, and what would he think if he did? There was a lot to be scared of, to worry about between now and then. There was no harm in avoiding it for a bit but it was going to happen no matter what. Even at this moment, Denki was looking tired, his eyes barely open as he watched the game on the screen, not even seeming to register the cheering class around them as the race started.

"Don't doze off," he whispered. Denki whispered yayed in response, stretching. His foot hit Mineta and his hand bumped into Bakugo's side, but the two seemed too focused on the game too mind, or maybe they just didn't dare say anything. It was odd to see everyone being so gentle around Denki. Maybe that was what was contributing to the odd feeling in the room.

"You can win Bakugo!"

"Last lap!"

"Show him up!"

"Mineta catch up to him, use the shortcut!"

"No shortcuts, that was the deal at the start!"

"Yaaaaaay!" Denki added in, raising both hands in his classic thumbs-up, starting to wiggle on the ground like a dancing worm. Shoto smiled, placing a protective hand on Denki to calm him back down. It was surprisingly efficient as Denki lowered his hands instantly and shushed again just in time for Bakugo to pass the finish line, causing the class to cheer loudly.

Bakugo brushed off the win like it was nothing, but Shoto could see the pride in his eyes as Mineta was utterly crushed.

In the excitement Denki got up, still wrapped up in the blanket he started to walk around, cheering and giving two thumbs up.

"Nice job-" Shoto tried to congratulate Bakugo but was cut off by Kirishima jumping onto the blond.

"I totally knew you would win, you never lose at anything! So manly!" Kirishima laughed. Denki yayed loudly, walking back over to the boys and trying to cheer with them.

"He's always so loud," Juro laughed softly. "Honestly, he's a bit of a hot mess no matter what 'mode' he's in."

"Yea he is, isn't he?" Sero chuckled. "I mean, I love the guy and all but…" Sero shrugged lazily and got up. "We spent the whole day watching him it seems."

General murmurs of agreement rang through the class. As much as they were concerned about Denki, no one could deny he was a bit of an idiot. But it was fine, Denki was strong enough to understand they didn't mean it in a mean way-

Denki cried loudly, tears freely flowing down his face. He just stood there in the center of them, crying loudly like a child in a full-on meltdown.

Did Denki really understand them all? Why was he so upset, surely Denki could understand- wait course not… Anything logical was a bit much for Denki in this state.

"Stop crying, you big baby!" Bakugo snapped.

"Can we get his room ready?" Shoto asked as he stood up, gently grabbing Denki and pulling him closer. "He's tired and needs sleep. We're kept him up long enough, I'm sure he'll sleep all night now."

"That's a good idea!" Iida said encouragingly. "I'll go clean his room now. Please bring him up in a few minutes!"

Hopefully, this all worked…

Putting Denki to bed was stressful. Not because he was fighting but for the worry that hung in the air, and everyone felt extremely guilty every time Denki sadly sniffled and rubbed at his eyes.

"Gentle now," Shoto reminded as Shoji lowered Denki into his bed. "With luck, he'll fall right asleep."

I'm sure he'll be fine," Deku cheerfully said. "The room is as safe as it could be and you said it yourself, he's pretty tired so he should sleep through the night. Sero said he's willing to tie Denki down, but I don't think that'll be necessary."

"I don't think so either," Shoto sighed and crossed his arms over his chest as he watched over Denki. The tired student was already starting to nod off. "It was almost comforting to see him cry. It shows he's getting more of his emotions back," he explained before he could concern Deku.

"Everything will be better in the morning," Deku softly spoke. "Come on, let him rest."

Shoto didn't particularly want to leave Denki after what happened the previous night, but he tried to assure himself everything would be alright in the morning. "Okay…"