Maybe We'll fix Each Other

Chapter 15

It had been a few days since the incident with her friends, and Eri was a bit nervous to ask Aizawa a question. She peered around the corner into the kitchen, seeing Aizawa focused on his laptop as he worked.

She sent a quick glance over at Dabi, who was currently sprawled upside down on the couch trying to toss pencils into a cup across the floor. He had repeatedly complained of being bored, but Aizawa stated he had to work on some cases before Present Mic came to watch Dabi for the day. Dabi had then cursed him out and complained about being treated like a dog before flopping onto the couch and muttering angrily to himself. After a while, he'd settled into this new position and tried to entertain himself.

Eri gave a little smile, amused by his griping. But she had an idea of how to help him be not bored!

Eri straightened up and smoothed out her little shirt before prancing over to Aizawa's side.

He didn't look over, so she cleared her throat and tried to peek over the edge of the table at his computer screen.

Dabi turned his head curiously to watch her, face slightly red from being upside down for so long.

At her sound and pushing forward, Aizawa let out a sigh and closed the laptop lid, finally looking over at her. "Yes, Eri?" he asked tiredly, absently reaching over to grab his coffee mug and take a sip.

"When are Jirou and Mic coming?" she asked.

Aizawa glanced at his watch. "Any minute now," he replied.

Eri grinned and gave a nod. "Great! I want Dabi to come!"

Eraser's coffee cup froze as he lifted it for another sip, then he slowly lowered it back to the table and flicked his eyes over to the man in question.

Dabi gave a grunt as he sat up and swung his legs back around to the floor, lifting a hand to flatten his hair back down. He quirked an eyebrow at Eraser but didn't say anything.

Aizawa sighed and looked back at Eri. "Eri, I can't allow that. While I've finally managed to get approval to let Dabi around campus with supervision, I don't have clearance to let him off campus," he answered seriously.

Eri furrowed her brow and tilted her head to the side.

Eraser put a gentle hand on her head. "That means no, Eri. He can't go with you."

Eri deflated and cast her eyes to the ground dejectedly.

"It's fine, kid," Dabi spoke up, drawing her eyes over to him. "I don't like shopping anyway. Plus, I think your friends—" Dabi cut himself off. "Just, don't worry about it. I'm fine here."

As she opened her mouth to reply, a knock sounded at the door. Aizawa slid his laptop into its case and got up to answer it.

While he greeted Present Mic and Jirou, Eri hurried over to Dabi's side.

"You'll be okay alone?" she asked gently.

Dabi smirked fondly and reached up to ruffle her hair. "Yeah, kid. I'll be fine. Have fun with your friends for me, okay?" he answered.

Eri smiled. She wished she could bring him with her. She knew staying cooped up in here was driving him up a wall, but he still was being so nice and encouraging her in every little way. He really was a good brother.

"You ready, Eri?" Jirou called from the doorway. Eri joined her at the door and gave her a smile.

After waving goodbye to Dabi, Present Mic, and Aizawa, the pair set out to join Kirishima and Kaminari outside. Jirou had asked Aizawa if she could treat Eri to another shopping day, since Eri had had so much fun with them last time. Eri had been over the moon at the idea, and Aizawa easily agreed. As much as he sighed about his students, Eri could tell he was very fond of them.