Need You (ShinDeku)

Ch. 117 - Morals

A/N: okay this chapter is a bit strange. I feel like I usually have one or two focus points for each chapter but this one kind of bounces around on three and it's a tad shorter than usual. Hopefully it's still enjoyable.
Have fun reading!

Midoriya POV

"Thank you for last night. For your patience. I know you were with me for a while, and I appreciate you not leaving," I end off in a whisper, head lowered. It's a good thing I've more than run out of tears for the next while. "I think I would have been in a much worse place if you had."

I step forward and pull him into a hug without waiting for a response. Growing up with my mom taught me the importance of hugs. There was always a hug before I left for school or she left for work, except on the mornings she had to leave before I woke up, and when either of us were sad or happy or just wanted comfort, those were occasions for hugs too. Getting to know Hizashi over the past few weeks, and seeing how he interacted with Shota outside of professional settings, I got the idea that he and my mom would have agreed on her philosophy that hugs heal the heart.

I think he tries to hold himself back for me, because although they're just guardians, Hizashi tends to wear his heart on his sleeve when it comes to personal relationships. I get the feeling that it means a lot to him to be able to adopt in any capacity, to have what he feels is a real family despite their jobs, and I feel bad that him and Shota couldn't have had a normal child instead of having a messed up teen dumped on them.

The least I can do is make use of the way my mother brought me up and hopefully provide him with a little comfort.

Regardless of where my intentions stem from, he seems receptive. After a moment of surprise his arms wrap around me and I can nearly feel the way he looks at Shota with big eyes over the top of my head.

"You worried me-" he says after a moment, "-and to be clear I'm not upset at you, but Jesus, kiddo."

"I'm sorry," I laugh, "I pulled through because of you though."

I don't miss the way he briefly squeezes me tighter.

"Well I'll always be here for ya. So will Sho. Next time—let's hope there isn't one, but if there is—give me a heads up if it's been over 48 hours since you've slept?" He says it jokingly but I'm sure he does mean it.

"I slept." I fire back, but I really don't have it in me to back it up. I'm sure nobody in the room would be particularly impressed if I'd said I got, maybe four-ish hours over the course of three nights.

"Sure," he concedes with a smile as I pull back. "Let's get some sustenance in you and then get you back to bed."

And that was exactly what happened. We all sat around the coffee table in the living room like some sort of pseudo family preparing for dinner, except it was nearing midnight and I was the only one eating.

After that they ushered me and Hitoshi back to bed, like we were some sort of package deal, closing the door once I was tucked in and Hitoshi was settling in beside me. Okay wow, new level of embarrassment unlocked. I thought I was getting used to it but nobody's going to question that Hitoshi's just going to sleep with me, not even offering him a spare futon? What did he tell them while I was passed out?

No no, I'm overthinking. It's not like I've got a boyfriend over, sleeping in my bed. But they both know I like him! I'm going to give myself heart problems at this rate.

I fell asleep remarkably quickly, despite the nagging thoughts that seemed to swarm my brain and the fact that I had just a bit ago slept for an entire day. For the first time in days, my brain decided it was comfortable enough to let go without outside help, allowing me into the realm of unconscious.