Maybe We'll fix Each Other

Chapter 25

Aizawa couldn't keep his eyes from glancing at the clock on the wall as he forced his hands to unclench from the fists they were in. They had been going in circles for the past 20 minutes about the same thing.

"In both instances, Centipeder," Ryukyu interrupted the hero, a scowl set on her face. " Endeavor was the one doing the attacking. Dabi didn't initiate the altercation nor did he attack back!"

Centipeder threw up his arms. "Because he couldn't! He had the suppressors on! The suppressors that don't even work ! Why is that so hard to understand?! He's a villain with an uncontrolled quirk that we're letting roam free!"

"We are not letting him roam free," Aizawa said calmly, taking the chance to jump back in again. "Need I remind you that Dabi is heavily monitored and wearing a tracking anklet?"

Centipeder glared at him. "Who is watching him now, then, while you're here?"

Aizawa narrowed his eyes right back. "A trusted ally. We moved Dabi and Eri to an unspecified location to prevent Endeavor from doing anything rash. The fewer people who know the better."

"We are the team in charge of this investigation! WE should be allowed to know," came Centipeder's response.

Before Eraser could reply, Sir Nighteye spoke up. He had been surprisingly silent during the entire meeting, which once again was centered around Dabi and his quirk.

"If Aizawa has them in a safe location, he is allowed to keep that confidential," Nighteye said simply, leveling Centipeder with a steady look. "After all, with the corruption clearly seated in the Commission that has been revealed to us, it is difficult to say what information can be kept safe from them."

Aizawa's eyes widened slightly in surprise. He had not been counting on Nighteye's support in this.

Turning back to Aizawa, Nighteye continued. "We have obviously been here before, Eraser Head, discussing Dabi and restraining his quirk. You stand before us not only asking for no further escalation, but removal of the collar as well. What is going to keep Dabi from lashing out with his quirk?"

"I will," Aizawa said firmly. "Suppressors are unreliable. My quirk is guaranteed."

Nighteye leaned his chin on templed fingers. "You cannot be with him every waking moment. So I ask again. What is going to keep Dabi from doing damage with his quirk?"

Aizawa hesitated. Because as irritating as the point was, Nighteye wasn't wrong. He couldn't be there constantly. Hell, he wasn't even there now. But if Aizawa couldn't do it, then...He set his jaw in determination.

"Dabi will," he answered. "He's a good man trying to convince himself he isn't. If we keep treating him this way, that's all he'll ever believe. Dabi has control. With a quirk that powerful, he needs to. If he didn't, he would be dead by now."

Centipeder let out a series of indignant clicks, and Rock Lock looked wary at the reply. Ryukyu and Fat Gum looked hesitant. Nighteye? He didn't seem to react.

"I can see you are quite protective of him. You do recall that he is not one of your students, Aizawa," Nighteye said bluntly.

"No he isn't. But he would have been, if the world had been kinder to him," Aizawa replied, trying to keep the sadness from his voice. "The world needs to start being kinder to him."

It was a fact that sat heavy in his chest, knowing that if Endeavor had been a normal father then maybe Aizawa could have gotten to know Touya without the barbed wire and anger that controlled the man's heart. Maybe he could have found Touya support equipment before the boy felt the need to burn himself alive for his father.