Puppet Master

I Don't Belong Here

*beep beep beep beep bee-* *SLAM*

Eijiro groaned. He pulled his arm off of his alarm clock. Eijiro sat up slowly. He opened his eyes. Almost subconsciously, he looked over to the right side of the room expecting to see Izuku already making his bed. But he wasn't there. Eijiro closed his eyes, remembering the events of the night. He took a shuddering breath.

I need to do better... Do better.

He got out of bed and got dressed. Akio wagged his tail playfully. Eijiro sighed and left his room. "I'm taking Akio out to use the bathroom," he informed his mother as he passed through the dining room. "Okay, dear." She sounded tired. They all were. It had been a long night and a very heartbreaking one. Eijiro stared blankly at the grass while his dog trotted happily around the backyard.

They were all painfully aware of the absence of Izuku at the table. Eijiro didn't feel like eating but he did so as not to make his parents worry more.

He wondered absentmindedly if this is how Izuku felt when he didn't eat. If this empty feeling was the same. Or was it the fear. The trauma Eijiro so wonderfully reminded his brother of right after he had woken from a nightmare.

"Have a good day, dear," Mom kissed him on the forehead. Eijiro nodded. "You too..." He left the house with Akio. Eijiro felt so numb as he walked to school. So many things were running through his head.

So many regrets...

"KIRI!!!"

Eijiro looked up from his fixed position on the sidewalk. Mina ran up and swung her arm around him. "MORNING!"

"Morning, Mina." He tried to sound happy but obviously failed. The others caught up. "Is Izuku not coming today?" Furuya questioned. Eijiro took a deep breath. Izuku said he would be here but Eijiro honestly doubted it. He minus well get this over with.

"About Izuku..."

"Is everything alright, Kiri?" Mori asked. Eijiro shook his head. "L- last night some things happened a- and Izuku, well, he will be staying at another place for the next few days but he will be back just... when he comes back, I- Izuku might not be the same, um, mentally." He avoided the worried stares. "Sort of like how he was when he first came to live with us but possibly worse... Sorry..."

...

...

...

"Okay!" Mina spun around and turned to the others. "Goal of today: we all make get well cards for 'Zuku!"

Eijiro looked up. "He isn't hurt." Well, he is, but that isn't the point. Mina winked at him. "Wounds can be invisible, too, Kiri." She turned back to their friends. "Cards of encouragement then! Alright?" They all nodded. "Alright!"

Eijiro trailed behind the group a bit as they entered the school. He really did not feel up to today.

_______________________________

Shiro stood from where he had oh so discreetly bent down to 'tie his shoe while the group of Kirishima and the freak's friends were talking.

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'- when he comes back, I- Izuku might not be the same, um, mentally.'

-----

Shiro watched the group enter the school. Shiro pulled out his phone. He hesitated a bit but eventually sent Izuku. He was pocketing his phone when someone slapped his back harshly. Shiro lifted his head sharply.

"Hey, dude!"

"Ito," he greeted his... friend. The boy smirked. "What? Not happy to see me? We haven't hung in a while since you started getting all chummy with Freak-Face and his puppy." Shiro scowled. "Don't..."