Popped Knuckles, Dry Eyes, and Burnt Hands

25

I drove straight to Aizawa's afterwards. I didn't want to go home, I'd get treated like a child. I was lucky I'd grabbed some of my unused training clothes before leaving the school so I could wear them for pajamas. I parked in front of the building, and texted my parents saying I was going to stay the night with Fuyumi. I got out, grabbed my bag and locked the car. I hadn't texted either Aizawa or Mic because I was so out of it. My heart felt as though it were dragging on the ground as I made my way up the steps. I let my hair stay over my eyes as I lifted a weighted hand to knock on the door. The bag felt like it was holding a bunch of bricks but in reality there was only a black t-shirt and some pink sweat pants inside. There was some shuffling and mumbles coming from behind the door before the lock clicked.

"Hello," Aizawa stopped when he saw me, and he looked me up and down, "Hotaru?"

I knew I had to say something, "Can I stay the night?" My voice betrayed me as it came out in a broken whisper.

His eyebrows furrowed in concern, "Yeah, sure, I mean," He paused as he looked over his shoulder at Mic who looked just as concerned, "Are you ok?" He turned back to me.

"Yea," I was lying through gritted teeth. God, Why was I so stubborn?

"You don't have to lie to me," Aizawa whispered softly, reaching to push part of my hair behind my ear. He stopped, seeing I had a bruised cut on my cheek and his jaw visibly shifted, "Who did that?" His voice was low and angry, I had never heard him talk in that voice before. I looked at his face then at the ground quietly, not answering.

"Was it Todoroki?" He hissed, gently pulling me inside and shutting the door. I shook my head and looked over at Mic, trying to avoid eye contact, "It was Endeavor?" He got louder, his breathing became uncontrolled and it made me flinch. He closed his eyes for a moment and softened a little, but the bite didn't leave his eyes, "I'm sorry, come on let's get you cleaned up and figure out where you'll sleep."

He went to guide me to the back of the apartment, but I just wrapped my arms around his torso under his arms and held him there. He hesitated, but wrapped his arms around my shoulders. I started crying again, unable to really make myself do anything else, but he just held me. Mic joined in a few moments later and we had a small group hug as I cried until I couldn't anymore.

After I calmed down Aizawa quietly took me to the bathroom and gave me a clean towel; he told me where everything was and what was free game before he paused, "Hotaru..."

He was really close and I didn't feel like using my quirk so I leaned my head back to make eye contact, "Yes?" I asked softly.

He stared into my eyes with a gentle torn expression, glancing at the bruise on my cheek, "Please," he reached and ran his thumb over my cut carefully, "please end this. I can't sit back and watch it anymore."

My eyelids fluttered as I held back more tears, "Sho," he inhaled sharply, I guessed it was from the surprise nickname, "I..." my eyes jumped between his eyes and mouth, "I can't. He said he'll keep his promise as long as I don't talk back again." I whispered, looking away and bowing my head.

"You're so frustrating," He wrapped his arms around me and pressed his face in my hair, "You could do better. If anything I'm sure you could get all the scholarships in the world, and not have to deal with them anymore."

"I don't know," I trailed off, taking in the closeness I felt with him, "We'll see."

He let me shower and get comfortable while he figured out where I'd sleep. When I got out of the shower I dried my hair and stared in the mirror at the bruise. It wasn't huge so it could heal fast, but it just reminded me I'd have to come up with an excuse if dad saw it. I sighed, pulling on my black under-armor t-shirt and the baggy pink sweatpants.

"Alright," Aizawa stated as I walked into the living room, "you're sleeping in my room and I'm sleeping in here." He gestured towards the couch.

"Are you sure?" I inquired, walking over to him, "I don't mind sleeping on the couch."

"No," he raised a hand to stop me, "both I and Mic would rather chew nails than let you sleep on the couch right now. My bed's the most comfortable, and I'm the type to literally sleep anywhere available," he paused and looked at the floor, "Even the ground."

I laughed a little and patted his shoulder, "That's a little extra, but ok. I'll take the bed then." I smiled up at him and we held eye contact for a moment. I felt my heart swell at the thought of kissing him, but I got distracted by Ayame rubbing at my leg. Aizawa and I looked down and I giggled, leaning to pick her up, "Hey pretty girl."

I swayed with her in my arms before looking back at Aizawa, "Alright, I should sleep since we have school in the morning," I paused and set Ayame on the couch, "Good night."

"Goodnight." He smiled, taking his place on the couch. I waved at him shyly before heading to his room.

He wasn't wrong about his bed being the most comfortable. I sat on it and checked my phone as I brushed my hair out. No one had texted me and I hadn't received any notifications about anything else. I set my my alarm and stood, putting Aizawa's brush on his nightstand. I looked around at his room in the lamp light and smiled at how simple it was. He was a very practical individual, so I wasn't surprised that his room was just as practical. His bed mat was next to a desk/nightstand what held a computer and a little stand for something else I wasn't quiet sure of. Across the room there was a bookshelf and dresser that probably held his clothes because I couldn't see him using his closet to actually hang clothes in. He probably didn't own enough clothes to need a closet at that point. He had different little things laying about on top of the dresser like hair ties and a notepad from school with a pen clipped to it. I smiled and saw that it was blank so I took a moment to doodle him. I left it as a surprise for him to find before going to bed and shutting off the lamp.