Maybe We'll fix Each Other

Chapter 43

It felt like Pandora's box had opened in the days following the hearing. Aizawa was spending nearly every hour of his day either in meetings or on the phone, working with Nighteye on their case or fielding PR questions for the public.

The news stations had been going wild with the controversy, playing up both the fact that the number two and three heroes were on opposite sides of the bench as well as the scandalous uncovering of Endeavor's family life.

It was enough to make Aizawa want to tear his hair out.

He couldn't even imagine what it must feel for Dabi, Keigo, and the Todoroki kids.

And that feeling, that not knowing, is what made Aizawa hesitate outside the door to his apartment with a box in his hand. He glanced down at it and tried to tamp down his frustration.

It made sense.

It did.

That didn't mean it didn't irritate him.

Aizawa took a deep breath and went through the door, being greeted on the other side by Eri. She stood up from where she'd been sprawled on the ground with her coloring books and dashed over to him.

"You're back!" she chirped. Aizawa couldn't help the little smile on his face as he reached down to fondly ruffle her hair.

"Hello, Eri," he said gently. "Did you have fun while I was gone?"

Eri nodded, but Aizawa's smile faltered at the concerned look she sent over her shoulder at Dabi on the couch.

She turned back with a slightly smaller smile. "Yeah, we had fun," she answered.

Aizawa frowned fully then, eyes looking over Dabi to see if he could tell what had happened. But from what he could tell Dabi wasn't even paying them any attention. He was blank-faced, scrolling on his phone.

Aizawa looked back at Eri and let himself smile at her again. "Well, I'm glad," he answered. "Why don't you pick up your coloring books? You can put them away in your room, then we can go by the 1A dorms to see your friends."

Eri perked up and gave a happy little nod before moving to collect her things.

As she disappeared into her room, Dabi spoke up with his eyes still glued to his phone screen.

"What?" he deadpanned. He then dropped his phone into his lap and lifted his gaze to Aizawa's.

"What's wrong?" Aizawa said with another frown, moving to stand in front of him.

Dabi snorted and looked away. He was hiding something. Aizawa could tell.

"Nothing," he answered. And then his eyes fell onto the box in Aizawa's hands. He leaned forward with a curious look. "What's that?"

He was avoiding the issue.

But he'd been pushed so much lately. Aizawa didn't want to add to that.

Aizawa grimaced and held the box up. "The conditions of the temporary agreement I was able to arrange with the court system," he replied. "I'd like to apologize in advance."

Dabi's curiosity turned to wariness.

Aizawa tossed him the box, which he caught easily. With a furrowed brow, Dabi slowly peeled open the lid.

Once he saw what was inside, Dabi closed his eyes and let out a measured huff through his nose. Aizawa stayed quiet as Dabi shook his head then opened his eyes again.

"Are you fucking serious?" Dabi asked. "I thought you said were in meetings about getting me fucking vigilante status not this fucking shit."

Aizawa rubbed his temple and sighed before dropping his hand back to his side. "It was the one condition they set while they review your case to decide whether they'll change your criminal status," he answered.