Chapter Text

Izuku paced back and forth as he gives nervous glances at the TV. The news is still on, still reporting on the USJ incident despite no new information released. Where is Shinsou? Is he ok? Is Aizawa ok? Thoughts swiveled through the boy's mind.

More time passed as Izuku nervously plays with his fingers. His hair was more frazzled and his hands clammy. Tsukauchi was strangely silent too, although Izuku understood to an extent.

The phone's ringing brought Izuku out of his thoughts. The boy jumped to his phone, hoping it was Shinsou or at least Tsukauchi-san, but was faced with an unknown number.

"H...hello?" Izuku squeaked quietly, unsure. "Hello, Midoriya!"

Izuku let out a sigh of relief, "Hello, Nezu sir." The boy shifted himself, sitting properly on the couch, hands still shaking. "I'm sure you know why I'm calling", the rat started, "I assure you that-"

"Is Shinsou ok? A-and Aizawa-san?"

A small cheep went through the call, "Yes, both of them are alright and in recovery. They are currently at Musutafu General Hospital. If you-"

Izuku wasted no time as he shot up, grabbing a thin jacket before rushing out the door. The call was cut, he would realize later, but at the time nothing else was more important than seeing his bestfriend safe.

The walk -run, more accurately- to the hospital went over Izuku's head as he heaved at the entrance. Man, I'm really out of shape. Izuku raised his head, eyes meeting the crowd of people.What's going on?

Izuku studied the people, and oh.

They were reporters.

Why are there reporters? Izuku took a deep breath, walking to the crowd and tried walking in. He felt his body being shoved here and there, the loud bustling of the crowd ringing in his ears. Frustration grew within, annoyance bubbling deep down.

"E-excuse me?" Izuku said, although no one paid him attention, "Please let me through-" he spluttered as he was shot out of the crowd into the team of workers trying to control the mob of people.

"Hey!" A voice cut through, "Aren't you Yume?"

Izuku cursed, slipping through the workers into the lobby of the hospital. Safe behind the glass doors, Izuku looked around. He walked up to the counter, flashing a smile to the person behind the desk. "Hello, may I know where Shinsou Hitoshi's room is?"

The person behind the counter returned the smile, nodding slightly before typing something into their computer. "Are you a family member?" Izuku blinked, "Uh. No?"

The person gave a sympathetic smile, "I'm sorry, I can't reveal that information."

Izuku pouted, "Please?"

The person shook their head, giving another sad smile at the boy, "Sorry kid. I can't do that unless the person calls to verify." Izuku lets out a defeated sigh, giving a small thank you before slumping down into one of the waiting chairs. The crowd of reporters outside was still loud, thankfully muffled by the heavy glass separating them.

Izuku leaned his head onto the uncomfortable hard chair. He could feel the beating of his heart in his head, pounding. A trembling breath was released as the boy closed his eyes. He could feel the tell-tale sign of hot tears rising behind his eyes, the halting of his breath before he took another deep breath, trying to push the feeling back. More shaky breaths were let out.

"Hey kid." Izuku shot up, making eye contact with-

"Tsukauchi-san", Izuku sighed out, relief washing over him, "Is- Do you- Can I--?"

"Shinsou-kun and Aizawa-kun are alright", the detective said, another relieved sigh escaping him, "I'll bring you to them, I know you're worried."

Izuku nodded enthusiastically, jumping up to follow behind his dad(?). "I'm sorry I couldn't contact you earlier", the man continued, "I had to handle all the other students' statements, and then I had to handle some of the investigation direction stuff."

Izuku opened his mouth to brush it off, but was easily cut off, "I should've made time to contact you," the man turns around, kneeling down and placing a warm hand onto Izuku's shoulder, thankfully his left one, "I'm sorry."

Izuku blinked a few times, a warm thunder churning in his stomach, "Y-you don't have to apologize!" he added quickly, "I totally understand how busy you would be and-"

Tsukauchi-san chuckled, "It's not fine kid. You're in my custody, and you're my kid. I shouldn't be worrying you."

Before Izuku could respond, the man stood back up again, walking off to where, presumably, Shinsou's and Aizawa's room were. The boy stood there, computing the words.

Not many people, especially not adults, have apologized to him like that.

Izuku followed behind the detective.

The door opened to a pale boy laying on the hospital bed, his purple hair slightly grimy. "I'll leave you alone", Izuku heard Tsukauchi-san say before he slipped off. The green haired boy walked into the room, watching as the unconscious body of Shinsou lay unmoving.

"Hey..." Izuku whispered, his voice unsteady in an instant, "...I uh- I'm glad you're safe." Izuku slowly sat down in the ratty plastic chair. "I thought you died."

The confession bristled through the air, Izuku himself was taken aback, "I don't think I could've handled that..."

A sigh escaped the boy as he leaned down to lay his head on the edge of the bed, "You're my best friend", a pause, before, "My only friend..."

The hot tears glazed his eyes again, small sniffles seemingly loud in the quiet and silent room, "Please wake up."