Inko stared at the bathroom door for a long moment after it slammed shut. For probably the hundredth time that night, or morning, she chewed her lip worriedly.

That had gone about as horribly as it possibly could have.

She slowly turned back to her husband, who was still staring after Tenko, his mouth slightly agape as if he'd been about to speak. He looked completely shocked, and behind that, crushed. He stayed completely still and silent, and she didn't know what to say or do, so she waited and turned back to the door again. She could hear quiet sounds of crying from behind it.

She had known Tenko would be upset, of course, but she hadn't realized how poorly it would go. The pure rage and hurt in her little boys eyes might haunt her forever, especially knowing she was partially to blame.

When Hisashi had gotten the urgent call from Dr. Garaki a few hours prior and Hisashi had told Inko he needed to leave and why, Inko hadn't reacted well at first. She'd been worried and scared and hesitant to let him go at all. She'd always been terrified of Hisashi's secret career in villany and the prospect of losing him to the heroes.

But she'd known she'd have to do this since he told her about his secret before they even got married, and despite her fears, she was prepared to have to let him go and deal with the miserable worry until he hopefully got back safe and sound.

However, they both agreed on the spot that Tenko would be another story.

The boy would be stubborn about this. He'd gotten it into his head that he had to be a villain and help Hisashi. And while Hisashi had finally given his consent on the matter, and Inko hesitantly gave in as well, even beginning to train him, he was no where near ready. He was fifteen and had hardly been training for two years.

They were both worried for his safety and the entire villain Tenko idea in general. There was no way they'd take the risk of him getting involved with the fight between Hisashi and All Might, especially being that it happened so much sooner then expected.

But they knew Tenko wouldn't accept that. The second he knew, he'd be determined to either go with Hisashi, or somehow keep Hisashi from going. Even if they convinced him to stay, it wouldn't be without a fight that would complicate things, and he would only stress and worry as much if not more than Inko would the whole time Hisashi was gone.

They both agreed the best solution would be to not tell him, at least not until Hisashi was already gone the next morning. Inko would try, though, to use the excuse that his legal job had called him away for a work trip, which is what they would be obviously telling Izuku.

Now, though, she could obviously see that wasn't the best plan. Now she could see how Tenko reached the assumptions he did. Now she regretted it. But now it was too late.

She looked back as Hisashi groaned and fell back on the couch, burying his face in his hands. He heaved a heavy sigh as she lowered down next to him.

He glanced at her then ran his hands down his face. "What have I done?"

"I think you mean we, dear," Inko muttered, not meeting his eyes.

They went quiet, nothing but the hum of the air conditioner. The muffled saddening sounds behind the door had quieted. Who knew what was happening in there.

Inko was tempted to knock on the door, or just open it up. Plead for Tenko to come out. For him to talk to them, to let them explain.

But she knew that wasn't what anyone needed right now.

There was a buzz, and Hisashi pulled out his phone. He let out a mix of a sigh and a groan as he read the message, rubbing his temples.

Inko rested a hand on his arm. "You should go."

Hisashi looked at her, a bit incredulously, and glanced at the bathroom door. "But Tenko…"

"Let me talk to him," Inko said. "I know it feels wrong to leave like this, but you have to go."

Hisashi stared hard at the floor, his jaw and fists clenched.

Inko waited, watched him, then looked away. In a whisper, she spoke again. "The best we can do is hope you'll have a chance to fix it later."

Hisashi still didn't move for a long minute. But eventually, finally, he hung his head, closed his eyes and sighed. Then he looked at her.

She smiled at him, tried to muster up all the assurance and conviction she had and push it through her eyes. It wasn't much, she had plenty of doubts herself, but she had to hope. She had to stay positive. She had to try.

Hisashi watched her for a long minute, before finally closing his eyes and nodding. "Ok."

Inko nodded in response and stood. Reluctantly, Hisashi stood up after her.

It only took a few minutes for them to load Hisashi's bags into his car. As he exited the bedroom with the last one, he looked hesitantly at the bathroom door.

"Do you think…?" He started, but he didn't finish. Inko looked at the still closed, still silent door as well, and knew what he meant.

She stared for another second, then looked back at him, taking the bag and smiling encouragingly. "No harm in trying."

Hisashi looked at her, then at the door nervously, then at her again, before finally walking forward. Inko watched him hesitate with his fist raised to the door for just a second, before taking a deep breath, and knocking.

"Tenko?"

She was a few feet away, but she didn't hear any response. It was silent.

Too silent?

To ease her own worries, she stepped closer, and closer, until she was just up against the door like Hisashi. She could hear breathing, if ragged and uneven, on the other side.

She let out a breath of her own in relief and stepped back again as Hisashi called out once more. "Hey, bud? Um, I just… I'm heading out now."

It stayed silent, aside from maybe a small hitch in the breathing behind the door. Hisashi glanced at her with an unreadable expression.

"You- you good in there? You wanna come out and talk or anything before I go?"

Nothing.

Inko gripped the bag tightly. It was painful watching this, painful watching from the sidelines, but this wasn't her time.

Hisashi stared at the ground for a minute, seemingly focused on the sounds of the breathing behind the door.

Then he took a deep, shaky breath. "I'm sorry, ok? I made a mistake, and I'm sorry, just-"

Hisashi leaned against the door, paused, took a breath. He opened his mouth, ready to keep going, but froze. He held his breath, didn't move.

Inko knew her eyes were watering now, and she practically held her breath too. She couldn't even hear Tenko's breathing anymore, as if even his had caught in anticipation.

Finally Hisashi let the breath out, shakily. And afterwards came a watery plea. "Please don't hate me."

Inko felt like her heart shattered as she wiped her eyes and sniffed.

No, Hisashi, no.

She silently pleaded for Tenko to say something, to respond somehow. Even just one word. Just one sound. Anything.

She waited. Hisashi waited. They silently waited. But it remained just that. Silent. Several minutes passed before Inko gave in first. She'd have to wait and try and talk to Tenko later after he'd calmed down some.

She softly tugged Hisashi's arm away, and after a little hesitation at first, Hisashi defeatedly followed. Slumped and despaired, he followed Inko out to the car in the cool, dark, early morning air. There was no sign of the sun rising yet.

She set the last bag in the trunk, closed it, and turned back to her husband, who had his eyes on the ground.

She sighed heavily. Reached down, held both of his hands.

He looked up at her dejectedly, and she smiled as warmly as she could, despite what she knew was wet eyes and a red face.

"He doesn't hate you, Hisashi."

He looked back down, and said nothing.

She stared at him, at his white messy curls tossing just slightly in the wind, at his deep red eyes more lost and scared then she'd seen them in a long time.

She reached up and wrapped him in a hug. After only a seconds hesitation, he pulled her close, squeezing tight.

They held each other for what could have been hours, but what would never be long enough. Finally, Inko was the first to pull back, scrubbing at her tear-tracked face.

He chuckled sadly. "You're a mess."

She looked up at him with a playful pout. Then spotted his own glossy eyes and smiled sadly. "That makes two of us."

He smiled back.

They stared at each other for a long moment, green and red entranced in each other.

Then, Hisashi bent down and kissed her, long and hard. She held his face, and kissed back. It was a warm feeling, one she knew well. One she wanted to feel forever, and always had. She never wanted it to leave.

But it did. Eventually, he pulled away and looked down at her with a small, sad smile, a single tear trailing down his cheek. She knew she had more than just that on her own.

"I'll be back," he said quietly.

She whispered in return, "I know."

"No matter how long, I promise I'll be back."

"I'll be here, waiting."

After that, he slowly, painfully, pulled away from her. He slid into the car, and without another word between them, she watched as he drove away.

It was the first time in years she'd seen him cry.

She could only pray it wouldn't be the last.