Axis (old)

Chapter 16

TW!: Brief mention of suicide.

Izuku avoided mirrors lately. He didn't like to see his own tired reflection.

His head screamed at him as his jumbled memories made him want to collapse in sadness.

Imsorrywhatswrongwithyoustupiduselessdekujustdietakeaswandiveofftheroofmomisgoneaizawawhatiftheycaretheydontcareeveryobehatesyouuselesspieceofshitdekujustdie.

He felt like his brain was going to explode. The thoughts slowed down to a hum only to shoot back up into a screaming symphony.

He tried to immerse himself in vigilante work, but he could only take so much.
His body was already beyond the point of exhaustion. He probably should have collapsed days ago. Running on autopilot. He hadn't eaten, slept, or done anything other that fight villains and avoid heroes for weeks.

His eyes grew heavy, as he finally collapsed in the back of an alley, half tucked behind a dumpster.
It was after a particularly intense knock to the head that he couldn't keep his eyes open anymore, and his tired limbs finally gave out.

Aizawa looked through the city again, a plain expression on his face. But his eyes showed how worried he was for the problem child.

And as if on cue, he saw a pair of red sneakers peeking out from behind a dumpster. He threw himself forward and scooped the boy up in his arms.

He started running as he pulled out his phone. "I found him. Seems to be bleeding slightly and took some trauma to the head. I'd say mild concussion. Tsukauchi I need you to call the hospital to prep a room in advance, I'm nearby and can get him there but try to have an ambulance meet me halfway. Call Hizashi for me and have him meet me at the hospital." Tsukauchi started to say something, but Aizawa ended the call.

The location ping was sent, and the ambulance was on its way. A room was opened and prepped at the hospital, and Yamada frantically loaded Eri into the car, and the cat whom she insisted on bringing.

He ran through the automatic doors 8 minutes later. (He definitely didn't break any traffic laws, but the drive is normally supposed to take 13 minutes. It consisted of him screaming "PRO HERO MOVE YOUR BUTTS!" All through the road.)

His hair was down, glasses hanging onto the top of his nose. He held Eri and the cat in either arm and just said, "Where are they?" Tiredly.

Izuku had an IV in his arm, and a tube delivering nutrients to the severely malnourished boy. His broken stitches were redone professionally, and his concussion was examined, determining nothing serious. His body was extremely exhausted, and required rest.

Hizashi quietly entered the room, holding Eri's hand, the small cat in his other arm. He kissed Shota on his forehead and sat down in the chair next to him, Eri and the cat snuggling into his lap. He smiled and grabbed Aizawa's hand, sitting in a comfortable silence, as they waited for the boy to wake up.

Izuku opened his eyes slowly. His eyelids felt heavy and the bright lights of the room didn't help. His eyes adjusted to the light, and he slowly sat up, looking around the hospital room.

He saw the two men, asleep with a small girl and kitten comfortably settled into their laps.

His senses flared. The harsh smell of the chemicals filling his nostrils. His eyes darted around the pristine room scanning for exit points. They closed in on a window. In a moment of pure desperation he lept up from the bed and ran to the window. Pulling open the lock and pushing open the shudders.

Aizawa and Yamada were now awake frantically holding the teen back, pulling him into the room.

His usually masked face was filled with panic and pure fear, showing once again he was just a child after all. Small tears threatened to spill out of his eyes, blurring his vision. The window was now closed his back heaving up and down with his shaky breaths.

Then Aizawa did something unexpected. He hugged him.

The tears now rolled down his cheeks as he silently sobbed into the hero's back. Aizawa didn't move. He just let him cry, feeling the tears dampen the back of his shirt.

Eri was holding the kitten in her arm as she held Yamada's finger tightly.

Three small words left her lips. "It'll be okay." She smiled looking up at the boy who slowly let go of Aizawa.

His eyes widened as he looked down at her and proceeded to lay back down on the hospital bed, the kitten comfortably settling into the crook of his arm.

For once in his life, Izuku settled into a peaceful sleep.

Next part will be the finale before I rewrite this story. If you enjoyed this so far I'm glad, but the next version will be longer and have a more solid plot now that I've had time to work through this. Less plot holes, character changes and development, and entire plot changes if I see fit. Thank you so much for all the support and I hope you enjoy the next version even more. I will have the "finale" soon, and then pick up the rewrite after I finish my godforsaken exams this week.
-Author