A Silent Kind of Strength

Chapter 35

Mic left soon after his decision, heading towards his announcers booth and setting in motion the next steps for the tournament. Hitoshi handed him a spare uniform top and long sleeved jacket. He smiled at his friend's thoughtfulness even as he mourned the death of his nice undershirt. He had saved up a bit from his job and bought that one as a birthday gift to himself. It had been made from really good sports material, though the synthetic fiber was probably why it had melted to his skin so badly.

He stood and waited for a second to make sure he wasn't going to have any nasty surprises like falling over or fainting. After he was sure he was in the clear he nodded. And started walking to the door. Shinso handed him a water bottle as they made their way out of the room, their teacher shadow (guard) following them. He took a swig then, realizing just how parched he was, a couple of quick gulps. He stopped there not wanting to make himself sick. Mei held out his hearing aids for him and he took them with a mumbled thanks, before pausing in the middle of the hall.

He turned towards Hitoshi and gave his friend a considering look. Then spun back to the pinkette and handed the devices back. "Hold on to these please?" He turned to look over his shoulder at an exasperated brainwasher. "Really Zu?"

"Todoroki."

"Oh come on! I'm sorry ok? I swear I'll make it up to him!" But Izuku wasn't listening. He had started walking again, smirking in a surprisingly Hitoshi way. If he had his ears in he would have heard Aizawa's amused chuckle as he patted the purple teen on the shoulder before giving a light push to get the complaining teen moving again. To Izuku's credit he also left his support gear with Mei.

When they reached the exit from the tunnels their two escorts left, Aizawa headed towards the booth where his husband was busy rounding up stray spectators, letting them know the small break was coming to an end. After a short signed conversation they decided there was no real point to one of them walking all the way around to the other exit. They could share the one they were waiting at. Walking half of the circumference of the giant stadium was too much effort.

Izuku started a loose round of stretching. Too sore and tired to do a real yoga routine, but stiff enough from his nap he knew he needed to work some of the tension from his muscles. After another minute or so the yellow light above the arch in front of them flickered on and the two of them started preparing to head out. The green teen gently folded his right arm so his elbow was pointing towards the ceiling and his palm was pressed gently to the fresh, extremely sore, scarring between his shoulder blades. He reached up with his other hand and gently tugged on his elbow and leaned towards his left. Being careful not to push fragile skin too far. He did the same with the other arm before the light turned green.

They stepped forwards together, neither really caring to listen to see who was announced first. As Izuku walked he continued to stretch his arms. This time with them reaching across his chest, locked into place and pulled taught by an opposing elbow. As they stepped into the sun he saw Hitoshi flinch and clap his hands over his ears. He was suddenly very glad he couldn't hear the roar of the crowd. He wasn't sure what they were saying but he could FEEL the volume.

He frowned and signed to his friend. "You ok?" He nodded and slowly removed his hands from their guard position. "Yeah… they're just… really excited to see you…"

A pale nose crinkled in confusion, making freckles wrinkle cutely. "Me?!" He saw his friend's mischievous smirk and felt a surge or foreboding. "Yeah you. You should wave to your fans!" Tanned cheeks paled a bit. "Oh no! I couldn't! No way!" But then Shinso was grabbing his wrist and hoisting his hand into the air in a clumsy wave. And Izuku felt the wave of vibrations as the audience responded.