Izuku's Three

why why why

"Why did you do it?" Aizawa asked, sitting in a chair with his elbows on his knees as he leaned forward. His gaze was calculating. As if Izuku was a mystery waiting to be solved. 

The teenager's mind was fuzzy, the aftermath of the medicines pumped into his bloodstream to clear his mind and calm his nerves was causing him to feel numb. It was uncanny and weird to see such a strong willed and intelligent student strung up on high dosage medicines to keep him safe and diluted. 

Afterall, it was a safety hazard to keep the dosage small after finding out all it did was make him oddly aggressive. Almost as if working in reverse, the lower dosage increased his anxiety and assertiveness. As well as caused him to practically fight tooth and nail to leave the hospital room high and in a daze. 

Which would have only led to catastrophe and injuries. 

Izuku blinked slowly, his gaze owlish yet unseeing. 

Aizawa noticed the particular way Izuku was laying relaxed in the bed, not moving a muscle or stiff in the slightest. It was unnerving to see the mumbling student who could never sit still for long periods of time so breathless. 

Aizawa's brows furrowed before looking down in his palm. It held a skeleton key that was oddly shaped. He ran the tips of his fingers across the dents, noting how old the small object was. 

He turned it around, finding no clue as to where the teen originally came across it. 

When Recovery Girl had taken off Izuku's jacket before doing a diagnostic exam and bloodwork, the key had slipped from a pocket and met the ground with a harsh clink. 

It was the only thing on Izuku's person. Not even a phone was near Izuku, making Aizawa believe the object was something of importance to the teenager. 

"It burns." A scratchy voice came, rough like nails on a chalkboard. The sentence surprised Aizawa into looking up. 

The teen was looking at the key with a blank stare. 

Recovering quickly, Aizawa leaned forward. He quickly found Midoriya's eyes still locked on the key as it moved. "What burns?" He asked softly. His gruff voice felt out of place while attempting to be calm for the teen.

Midoriya's shoulder jolted, shaking the kid's gaze from the key. His body fell slightly to the left, leading the teen to lean precariously over the edge of the bed. 

"Hey, hey, hey." Aizawa quickly spoke, rushing to make sure the teen didn't topple over the bed. He set the key on the counter beside the bed before efficiently helping the teen shift into a more comfortable position. It was silent for a moment as Aizawa returned to his seat only to pick it up and move it closer to the bed. 

He watched Midoriya's unblinking gaze, the faraway look on his face and slack jaw. It looked almost like…

Aizawa found himself looking down at a subtle bit of movement from the teen's hand. A couple fingers were twitching. The hero grabbed it softly, noting the muscles were spasming and not moving of their own accord. He took the cold digits in his own and began rubbing them, attempting to warm them. 

Was all of Midoriya this cold? 

"Kid," Aizawa signed. "A few of your teachers and I have been seeing how odd you've been acting lately…" He waited for his words to sink in. The teen's eyes flickered to his for a moment. "We want you to know that UA isn't just a school to become a hero, but also learn to handle your quirk and health. Balance is important for heroics." He said, deepening his gaze. Memories flooded his kind of the years of loss therapy after Oboro died.

That's how he had found out that UA had Coping and Mental Health classes set up off campus for graduates who are mourning. 

Aizawa tried a different approach. "How's your family been?" He asked, knowing the concerns of Inko. She had previously contacted the school when Izuku first came to the dorms, asking for them to keep an eye on Izuku who was acting more paranoid than usual. 

Of course, then Nezu had to attend protocol and background check the teen. He had done so begrudgingly since the Commission had had a stick up their butt about the "traitor." Midoriya was easily cleared. 

But something else was clearly wrong… Aizawa confirmed. 

Midoriya blinked slowly, turning his head to his teacher, still out of it.  He loved his lips a couple times, mouthing something incomprehensible. It took a few more seconds for him to use his voice. "Sick." 

Aizawa blanched. Inko hadn't said anything? He made a mental reminder to check in on her later. 

"Are you sick?" He tried to ask a direct question.

It took a few moments of waiting for him to understand that no further commentary would be answered on this specific topic. 

Aizawa turned his gaze back to the key on the side table. He picked it up with his free hand, still using his other hand to continue rubbing the teen's. He held it up. 

"Is this important to you, Izuku?" He spoke calmly, twisting the key between his fingers to show off both sides in a spin. 

"No." He breathed, suddenly looking thoughtful yet guarded. 

Aizawa sighed again, finding himself getting nowhere. "Why do you have it?" 

Green eyes suddenly turned watery. And then the teen had tears streaming down his cheek. 

Aizawa found himself sighing. He knew he wasn't going to be able to receive answers. Or at least, he wouldn't receive accurate ones. He rubbed the kid's hand, finding himself drawing shapes on the cold skin. He gulped, suddenly feeling a flashback of standing next to a friend who had died in a villain attack a few years ago. 

His movements slowed. "Midoriya–" 

"I hate to interrupt, but Aizawa…" Recovery Girl spoke up, her eyes harsh and searching. Aizawa looked at her with an odd expression. "I need to speak with you about something." She finished, glancing at her patient that was lolling into a sleep on his bed, dried tear stains prominent. 

Aizawa took the action as a sign, and gently set down the sleeping teen's hand back on the bed. He sadly watched the rise and fall of the student's chest, feeling an innate sadness rocking his core.