absolution.

new page.

Nedzu and Tsukauchi leave after the former mentions for Tommy to go to the multi-level parking lot on the fourth floor when he's released ("How do you know when I'll — " "I have my ways!"), and that's when Aizawa strikes. "Tommy," he says, and the blond just sighs. He's not going to listen to this shit, because heroes in this world are assholes who don't do their jobs right, so if Aizawa spiels the same bullshit about vigilantism and how he's breaking the law and it's all wrong, Tommy is going to —

"I'm sorry."

Tommy blinks. "What?"

"I'm sorry," Aizawa repeats, and there's more weight to the word, meanings between the syllables that Tommy can't read. He looks straight ahead, meeting Tommy's eyes head on, and maybe that's purposeful so that the teen can read the honesty in them. "As a pro hero, I know the signs of abuse and trauma, and actively seek them among civilians and victims in order for proper recovery to take place. However, due to how I thought you'd react, I haven't taken proper action, and for that, I apologize.

"Furthermore, on behalf of the heroes that may have failed you enough to turn to vigilantism, I apologize for whatever actions they may have taken." Aizawa bows his head. "You do not have to forgive me or them. You do not have any obligation to do so. All I ask is a chance to prove that we are sufficient as heroes, and that we show you that we can be trusted."*

Tommy... considers it.

No one's ever been honest with him much, especially adults and authority. Sure, this world changed that just the slightest, but he still only trusts Izuku. He doesn't even have all of Tommy's trust yet.

This, though? Aizawa doesn't know the full story, maybe never will, but... it's a nice change. Maybe one that Tommy can handle.

Tommy huffs, turning his head away. "Nothin' to apologize for. 'S my choice." Then, "...Okay. I'll—believe you."

"Thank you." Aizawa stands from his bow, turning to leave. Like an afterthought, he takes something out of his pocket and hands it to him. Tommy blinks — it's a phone number.

"My contact info." Aizawa states, before finally leaving.

Tommy quietly sighs, rolling his shoulders that got tense as he holds the slip of paper. He reaches for his costume that they'd left, taking out a golden apple slice and popping it into his mouth.

This is a risk, giving trust out so freely like he has. But if this place — this world — is any different than the Dream SMP, even if by a little, then Tommy will allow himself to hope.

===

A few days later, when Tommy's fully healed ("I-It's like a miracle! What would've taken weeks to heal, has now shortened to days time! You're very lucky, young man..." As the doctor goes on a rant, something about quirk or mutation or enhanced healing or whatever, Tommy swallows a bit of the slice he was chewing on and nods along), he's discharged from the hospital. He barely listens to what the doctor says beforehand — condition is fine, blah blah blah, no medical equipment or medicine needed, blah blah blah, avoid too much strenuous movement, yeah yeah yeah. (He skillfully ignores the part wherein the doctor recommends therapy, and not the physical kind.)

Basically, Tommy's okay, and that's all that matters.

(...How was he even still here anyways? He's a vigilante for fucks sake, authorities should be on his ass. Then again, Aizawa didn't turn him in — either heroes are actually kind like that, which is highly unlikely, Aizawa is soft, the hospital lives under a rock and doesn't know who he is, or Nedzu pulled some strings.

"Thomas Mycroft," The doctor says once or twice during his tirade, and ah. So that's the cover name Nedzu chose.)

Tommy's wearing a long-sleeved shirt and some pants, eyepatch still on, his vigilante costume and weaponry in his inventory, when he leaves the place and goes up the multi-layered parking lot. There, partially visible, are two people waiting for him. Well, there's many people outside, but the two men in harshly contrasting colors stand out a lot. Tommy squints his eyes when one of them beckons him over — wait. Dark hair, heavy eyebags — Aizawa?