Work Text:
Hitoshi sighed as he took off his vest. They'd just had weapons training, specifically guns, and unlike what most would expect it was utterly exhausting. The rebound of the weapons made Hitoshi's arm dully ache with soreness and, despite the noise cancelling earmuffs it was very loud. It made the young man's already existing migrane infinitely worse. He was ready to get the hell out of the building and head out to find some peace and comfort in the best way - cats.
He dressed quickly in his civilian clothes and went out, weaving through the various people walking among the streets of Musutafu. He broke away from the flow of the crowd and entered a smaller, residential street, where rested a little cosy shop by the name 'Catfe'. It was a charming small hole-in-the-wall place. With the walls painted light beige and lime green and worn wooden tables with comfortable plush chairs. The walls had shelving, for the cats to climb up on and several cat trees were placed around the room. One corner had various pillows and cat toys strewn about so if guests wished, they'd be able to sit down on the floor and play with the cats closer to their own level. Hitoshi absolutely loved the place.
He opened the door, making the bell over it chime and was met with the bright smile of his friend - the barista, who in the officer-in-training's opinion made the absolute best coffee anyone had ever tried - Midoriya Izuku.
"Welcome, Shinsou-kun!" Midoriya greeted, forest green eyes practically sparkling. Midoriya was cute. That was a simple fact. With his dyed green, long, curly hair, tied up in a loose ponytail at his nape, soft, rounder features and the splattering of freckles all over his cheeks.
"Hey, Midoriya." Shinsou responded.
"Are you having the usual?" the shorter man asked.
"Please and thank you." the tired young man said and went to bury himself under several cats, much to the amusement of the other.
At first, when Shinsou had stumbled across the cafe, he hadn't particularly liked Midoriya. He hadn't hated him per se, but he'd just moved to Musutafu and he really didn't trust the optimistic, sociable kind of person that Midoriya was. You see, back in his hometown Hitoshi wasn't treated particularly well, he'd grown up bullied by his peers and shunned by most adults. Hitoshi's parents had been criminals, not that he really remembered much of them, and in a small town where everyone pretty much knows everyone news spreads fast. His parents had actually been arrested when he'd been only 4 or so years old and the boy had been taken in and raised by his uncle Aizawa Shouta - the town sheriff and detective and his husband. Not that people actually cared about that. He was still the villain spawn. So Hitoshi was perfectly aware of his trust issues thank you very much and back then, he'd partially perceived Midoriya as a threat.
But Midoriya had been insistent enough and yet not pushy. The two had started talking and Hitoshi had started opening up, bit by bit. It turned out that they actually got along pretty smoothly, probably because of Izuku's sociable nature (even though he would deny any such claims) and even had a few interests in common. For example they were both avid superhero comic fans and wanted to help people. Hitoshi learned that Izuku was working in the cafe and a few other freelance jobs, such as programming and web design in order to earn enough money to study medicine in university, he also learned about some of Izuku's adorable little habits like muttering under his breath when he's thinking about something too deeply and playing with his hair or rubbing his neck when nervous. Before he'd realized it he had gotten attached to the barista.
That was when Hitoshi started observing more closely. When he saw how often Izuku would turn up with bruises, poorly covered with makeup or clothing or his eyes red-rimmed from crying he started getting worried. Of course, anytime he asked he'd get an obvious excuse along the lines of 'I fell down the stairs' or 'I wasn't looking where I was walking and slammed into a pole.' accompanied by a strained smile and if he tried to push it he'd only get Izuku to shut down.
Then there was other worrying things. Things he'd heard from Izuku's coworker and friend Uraraka Ochako, who loved to gossip a bit too much for Hitoshi's liking. He'd learned that the green-haired menace's mother had left him alone as soon as he'd started secondary school to go live with some rich man in another city, who apparently wasn't comfortable with her having a son and soon she'd cut all contact with Izuku. He also now knew Midoriya lived with his boyfriend from secondary school (that honestly hurt a little bit) and wondered why Izuku had never mentioned anything about said boyfriend, despite them being friends.
He also noticed the little things - how the shorter man would flinch whenever somebody moved too fast or raised their voice and would then proceed to nervously laugh it off. Then there were the momentary shifts in mood when he looked just do tired and sad. Or when he'd take a phone call and return looking like he was on the verge of a panic attack.
The worst was the day when Hitoshi met said boyfriend, whose name he learned was Bakugou Katsuki. He was a tall and muscular platinum blonde with a mean expression brown, almost red looking eyes narrowed in anger. The man had cursed like a sailor and dragged a cowering Midoriya after him. Hitoshi was about to intervene when Izuku had stopped him so he could only watch the brute do whatever he pleased. The picture, taking shape in front of Hitoshi's eyes was anything but pretty.
That night Shinsou had called up his uncle on advice on what to do. Aizawa had explained that sadly, until Midoriya had felt ready to do anything about it the officer-in-training could only show that he was there for him and be supportive. Without Midoriya reporting the bastard himself they could legally do nothing. Hitoshi had never felt so useless.
The following day the barista had shown up to work with a black eye, a split lip and a limp. Hitoshi had given him his number and instructed him to call if anything happened. Midoriya had cried.
It'd been several weeks since that day and Hitoshi was just trying his best to help his friend.
It was several days later when Shinsou was woken up by a phone call at 1:23 in the morning. At first he didn't want to answer it but when he saw the caller ID he woke up fully.
Izuku was frantic on the other line, mumbling and clearly bawling his eyes out. He managed to get an address out and Hitoshi ran as fast as he could manage still keeping on the phone with his friend all the while. When Hitoshi reached the address he entered to find Izuku crying, curled up next to the wall and Bakugo collapsed nearby on the floor, bleeding from the head. There was a broken beer bottle next to him. The tall 20 year old checked for pulse to find the man only unconscious and proceeded to calm his distraught friend and phone emergency services.
At the hospital he learned that Izuku had a broken leg, several bruised ribs and bruises around his neck from attempted strangulation. Bakugou on the other hand only suffered a minor concussion and some cuts from the bottle Izuku had hit him with to free himself. Hitoshi was absolutely pissed.
He managed to convince Midoriya to press charges.
Bakugo got 25 years in prison on the account of domestic violence, assault and attempted second degree murder.
After that Izuku moved in with Hitoshi.
Several years later they were happily engaged. Hitoshi had graduated from the Police Academy and was now actively working in the force. Izuku, having finally received the much needed therapy and support had started his medical studies, planning to be a pediatrician. Life, after so many hardships was now looking up for him, too.