Chapter Text
It wasn’t difficult to get in contact with his caretaker. She was Shinsou’s guardian after all, and he was on the case.
He took the bus to her place of work, using the time to run through a few weak arguments.
He really doubted this would go well.
When he got to the office, he flagged down the first person he saw, showing off his hero card and asking for directions.
In the end, he didn’t even need to do that. As he turned to follow the directions, he saw her with head down, leaving the building.
He caught her just outside, reaching to grab her before stopping himself and rounding in front of her, cutting her off.
“You have to let him try for UA.”
The woman sighed, stepping back, “Oh God.”
“You can’t take that from him. Hasn’t the kid been through enough?”
“His father-”
“Foster father.”
“-should’ve never promised him that. It was unreasonable then, but it’s impossible now.”
“It’s not impossible.”
“It is. He doesn’t have good enough grades to get tuition waved, and I know hero schools aren’t cheap.”
“If it's just money-”
“I wasn’t done.” She snapped, pulling the strap of her bag further onto her shoulder. “Shinsou doesn’t have many options. I cannot guarantee a placement in any prefecture nearby, let alone that prefecture. I’m not even entirely sure I can keep him in this country. He doesn’t have options, even if I allowed him to try, he wouldn’t be able to go. No parent would pay for that.”
“I’ll pay.”
She scoffed, “You didn’t promise him anything did you?”
“Would that be so terrible?”
She jammed a finger towards him, “That kid cannot handle anymore false hope.”
“Who says it has to be false?”
She scoffed rolling her eyes, “I just told you-”
“How hard can it possibly be to place him with a good family?”
Her mouth slammed shut, her eyes narrowing, “Excuse me?”
“I’m almost positive there are families in that area open to fostering.”
“There aren’t any families willing to foster him .”
Shouta let out a sharp breath, “That can’t be true.”
She clicked her tongue, “You don’t even know this boy.” He clenched his jaw, “He’d need a permanent placement, and he is not a good kid. He’s not afraid to use his quirk, he’s a teenager, he has a history of violence and terrible grades, and every family that was willing to overlook all that has sent him back.”
Shouta took a breath, forcing himself not to react.
Still, he clenched and unclenched his fist in his pocket.
“I have tried those families.” She huffed after he didn’t respond. “I’ve tried, and I know for a fact that there were good families there that he still got himself sent away from. He doesn’t have options, and he certainly has not earned the chance to try and make it as a hero.”
“He wouldn’t just try.”
The woman scoffed, rolling her eyes and turning to leave.
“There has to be somewhere you can send him. Somewhere nearby, somewhere not out of the country.”
She sighed, “Don’t you think-”
“I know there are programs. Group homes, temporary placements.”
“Did you not hear me when I said permanent placement?”
“You just said you wouldn’t be able to place him.” Her eyes narrowed, and her lips pinched together, but when she didn’t argue, he went on. “If its already that complicated, whats one more thing? All I’m asking is to let him take the test. If he doesn’t make it, then you look good for even letting him try.”
She scoffed, “And if he does make it?”
“I thought it was pointless.”
“He’s good at making things harder for me.”
“I’m just asking for time. There’s got to be somewhere he can go, just until March. And if he makes it, then you’ll be able to tell parents they’ll be housing a future hero.”
She didn’t say anything for a long moment, running her tongue over her teeth before stepping towards him. “You don’t know this kid.” She said, her voice startlingly quiet. “He’s not worth this.”
“Not worth it?”
“That family was his best chance.”
He clenched his jaw, “You can't seriously believe that family was the best for him.”
“That’s a good family.” She said, her voice firm. “That was a good family, for both kids, I don't believe for one second that Shinsou is blameless.”
“Are you saying he deserved it?”
She closed her eyes, “I’m saying we don’t know what happened in that house.”
“They pushed him out a window.” He snapped, “They beat him almost to death, and you're taking their side?”
“Do you know his quirk?”
He stepped forward, pushing into her space, “He is a kid.”
“He isn’t just a kid,” she snapped, “He knows exactly what he’s doing, and he's out of control. I’ve tried to offer him kindness, I’ve really tried to help him, I have given him more than enough chances. You can’t help kids like him.”
“And if you’re wrong?”
“I know him much better than you.” She sighed, shaking her head.
“That’s not what I asked.”
She tilted her head back, letting out a long sigh, “And what's your plan if he does make it and still no one will take him?”
“Surely a delinquent turned hero is a desirable trait.”
“A villain pretending to be a hero isn’t.”
His jaw shifted, “Do you really believe that?”
“Doesn’t matter what I believe, what matters is what the parents think.” The woman raised an eyebrow, “Like I said, he’s used his quirk on family members before.”
“If these are the kinds of families-”
“He used it on a boy.” She interrupted, “A brother from one of his old houses.” She paused, letting that hang in the air, turning her head to add, “I met that boy when I was assessing the family. He was nice.”
“Shinsou’s a boy too,” Shouta dropped his chin, “Are you really willing to give up on him completely?”
The woman sighed, but instead of a snarky comment she said, “There’s one place he can go, but it's not cheap.”
He narrowed his eyes, “Are you trying to get a bribe from a hero?”
“No.” She said simply, “just stating facts. You want him somewhere close I assume, and the only place I can think of won’t be cheap. He’s been there before so they might be willing to take him, but he’s too old for the government to cover it. Think of it more as a sponsorship.”
He sighed, pulling out his hero cards, “Fine, but if I find out any of that money ends up in someone else's pocket-”
“Please. I'm not stupid.” She waved a hand, grabbing the card, “I guess we'll be in contact then.”
“I guess we will.”
She huffed, turning around, not offering a goodbye.
Shouta turned too, heading in the opposite direction of her and the training station. Not too long later he turned into an alleyway, pulling himself to the roof of a nearby building, immediately shaking his arms out and starting to pace.
He needed a shower after that conversation.
He needed to punch something.
Instead, he reached for his phone.
“Sho?”
“I need you here.”
"Okay? tonight, or now?"
“As soon as you can, I-” He sighed, running a hand through his hair, “We need to talk, and this fucking woman-” He groaned, not even able to find the words.
“Okay, alright. Should I find someone to cover this class?”
He shook his head, stopping suddenly and pressing his fingers into his eyes. “No, finish the class, I just-”
“Sho?”
“I don’t even need to go back to the hospital.” He pressed fingers into his eyes, “So really I don’t need you here.”
“Where are you?”
“She hates Shinsou.”
“Who?”
“His caretaker.”
“The woman who’s supposed to take care of him?”
“Yeah.” He sighed, “I need- I know we talked about it being too much too soon, but I need you to meet him.”
“Okay.”
“Also, I just spent a lot of money.”
“Alright.” Hizashi huffed, pausing before again saying, “Alright. Did you, did you manage to convince her?”
He grimaced, “I think so?”
“You think?”
“Well, she said she wouldn’t be able to place him, but I think I convinced her to put him somewhere closer.”
“Did she say she’d let him be a hero?”
He sighed, pressing fingers into his eyes, “No, not exactly.”
“We’ll-” Hizashi paused, “Shit, I’m so sorry, but I do have to get back in there. Am I just- I’m not meeting him today am I?”
“No,” He paused, “Yeah, no. That’s- yeah. I should talk to him first, I don’t want to overwhelm him. We need permission for you to see him anyway.”
“Is that a no?”
“Not meeting today.” He answered firmly, “And you- you don’t have to leave early, I just-”
“I get it Sho’” Hizashi assured, “If you need me to leave earlier just text me. I’ll be there.”
Shouta nodded, swallowing the anger, “Thank you.”
He stayed on the roof even after they hung up, pacing the area.
He wanted to see Shinsou again.
He wouldn’t go, of course, he wouldn’t. Shinsou said no, and he was determined to show him that Shouta would listen.
He wanted to be a hero.
He was starting to see why he believed he was a villain.
He wanted to see Shinsou because now he had things to say. She was an idiot, everyone who ever made him believe he was a villain was an idiot.
He needed Shinsou’s side of the story, he needed to understand.
Shouta needed Shinsou to understand.
He swallowed the anger again, throwing out his scarf and pulling himself towards his apartment.
That’d all have to wait.
He had time. Shinsou wasn’t leaving the hospital anytime soon.
He had time.
----------
Shouta showed up the next day with an agenda.
“I want you to meet someone.” He announced almost the moment he walked in. Shinsou tilted his head, meeting his eyes. “He's my husband, that's why I want you to meet him, he's helped me help you, and he's also a hero.”
Shinsou lowered the book, his eyes never leaving.
“You've met him before.”
Shouta waited for that to make something click, but Shinsou kept staring like he was waiting for more.
“It doesn't have to be today, or tommorow, but I'd like for you to meet him.”
Shinsou's eyes shifted to the door as he reached for the phone.
Who is he?
Shouta hesitated for a moment, sliding his phone back into his pocket, “Present Mic.”
Shinsou's eyes widened, just a fraction, just for a moment.
And then his chin dipped, and his attention snapped forward, his eyes hard.
It happened so suddenly.
“Shinsou?”
“No.” He croaked, his voice scratchy and not at all familiar.
“Shinsou.”
“No.” He said again, his face twisting.
“Okay.” Shouta agreed, holding his hands up and taking a small step forward, “I said I’d listen, I’m listening. I won’t force you.”
Shinsou’s eyes snapped to him then, still hard, still tense.
Shouta’s been on the receiving end of this look before.
“How’s your throat?”
Shinsou didn’t move, the only real sign he was alive at all was his heavy breathing.
“You just spoke.” Shouta pushed, “Are you alright? Do you want water, anything?”
Shinsou snarled, and Shouta stepped back.
“I’m going to go get you some water,” He decided, “and depending on how you're feeling, maybe take a break from this conversation. But I do want to talk about this more.”
Shinsou turned then, staring at the wall.
“If after we talk about it, the answer is still no then I’ll respect that.” He promised, “But I do want to talk about it.”
Shinsou didn’t react, keeping his eyes locked where they were.
“Alright.” Shouta offered, taking a step back, “I’ll be right back.”
He did more than just get Cheshire water.
He talked to a nurse and got both someone to check on him, and a jug of water in case it happened again. Shinsou barely cooperated with the nurse, and he straight up wouldn’t drink water.
Not even when the nurse mentioned it might affect his quirk use.
The nurse left, saying he looked fine but that he definitely should be drinking more water.
He didn’t listen.
He’d known Cheshire was stubborn. Once he made a decision, that was that.
He wasn’t sure he could convince him to drink water and meet Hizashi tomorrow.
“Shinsou.” Shouta said eventually when it was clear he wouldn’t budge. “Drink some water.”
Shinsou rolled his eyes, and Shouta stood up, grabbing the cup and holding it out.
“What exactly are you hoping to achieve here?”
Shinsou didn’t look at him, or the cup.
“Are you doing this because you’re mad at me?” Shinsou’s eyes drifted then, staring at him out of the corner of his vision. “You may not be in pain now, but you certainly will be later.”
Shinsou snorted, looking forward again.
“I know you can handle pain, but have you considered that this is exactly what your foster father wanted?”
The tension in Shinsou’s face fell then, and Shouta tilted his head.
“He wanted to hurt you, he wanted you in pain.” He reminded, “And I saw you fighting it then, even after everything you weren’t backing down.”
Shinsou’s eyes drifted towards him then, his eyes narrowing.
“You won you know? He’s in jail, and he will be going to prison. The only satisfaction he can get now is knowing he hurt you.” Shouta paused, moving the cup closer, “Are you going to allow him that?”
They stared at each other for a long moment, but eventually, Shinsou huffed, lifting his hand to flip him off before taking the cup.
Well, that was easier than he was expecting.
He filled the cup up again when Shinsou was done, setting it aside and taking his seat again.
“Can we talk about my husband now?”
Shinsou scrunched his now but grabbed his phone.
He knows who I am?
Shouta nodded, “He helped me find you.”
Shinsou turned his head, scowling at the blanket.
“What is it you’re afraid of?”
Shinsou’s mouth twisted.
I’m not afraid of anything.
Shouta raised an eyebrow, “Then what's stopping you?”
Shinsou turned his head, turning the phone and pressing it face down.
“You know he doesn’t remember anything, right?”
Shinsou huffed, nodding, and Shouta went back to being silent.
He tried to put himself in Shinsou’s shoes, he tried to trace the problem to its root.
“Did something go wrong?” He asked after a long wait.
Shinsou’s jaw shifted, his eyes dropping to the phone in front of him.
Shouta leaned forward then, “Shinsou?” Purple eyes shifted, watching him out of the corner, “I’ll believe you. I know he’s my husband, but I’ll believe you.”
Shinsou shook his head, staring at the wall. “Please,” He said, his voice soft and painful, “No.”
Shouta’s heart dropped.
This was the likely outcome. You can’t win them all.
“Alright.”
He wouldn’t push, not if it was hurting Shinsou that much.
“Drink some water.” He ordered, preparing for another argument.
There wasn’t one.
-----------
That night, before he left, Shinsou asked him to bring Kojima back.
It was a hell of a thing to organize. Whoever he was staying with weren’t available to bring him, at least not the next day. He talked with Konya though, bribed him with a few more Present Mic autographs, and in the end, there was a bit of time they were able to organize for Konya to bring him over.
It was kind of a big deal, and yet, the two boys just sort of sat there, staring at each other.
“Why don’t we give them some time alone?” He decided eventually, turning to Konya.
Konya stood up, “Sure! We can wait right outside.”
“Does that sound alright with you two?” Shinsou nodded first, then Kojima, and Shouta stood up, “We’ll be right outside. If you need anything, text me.”
He waited for Konya to step out first, pulling the door shut behind them. Shouta crossed the hallway, leaning against the wall, his jaw shifting when Konya stood next to him.
“So,” Konya tried, “How do you know Present Mic.”
“We’re heroes.”
“Sure,” He said with a loose smile, “But it’s not like you know every hero, right? So how’d you meet?”
“I fought him.”
“Oh.” The man blurted, “Is that normal?”
“It was at the time.”
He hummed, “Who won?”
“Me.”
“Really?”
Shouta turned his head, narrowing his eyes, “Yes.”
“I wasn’t trying to imply you couldn’t.” The man clarified immediately, “He’s just- you know, he’s a pretty highly ranked hero, and I haven’t heard of you before.”
Shouta sighed, looking forward again.
“Why were you fighting?”
He pressed fingers into his eyes, “Do you drink coffee?”
“Um, yeah. Sometimes.”
“You want one?”
“No, I’m-”
“Would you mind getting me one?” He asked, tilting his head.
The man stood there a moment with his mouth open, before shutting it and nodding, “Uh, yeah. I guess. Decaf?”
“No.”
He was silent again, before taking a step back, “Um, alright. Yeah. I’ll- I’ll be right back.” He waited an extra few seconds, turning when it was clear Shouta wasn’t going to say anything else.
He kept an eye on the time and poked his head in when the time was running out. Shinsou asked for a bit more time, they wouldn’t get much time together, but he hoped it was long enough for Shinsou to say whatever it was he wanted to say.
“This thing was hard to find,” The man huffed when he finally returned. He held it out for Shouta as he turned his wrist to check the time, nearly spilling the drink. Shouta grabbed it before he could, and the man frowned.
“Damm, that went by so fast.”
He reached for the door handle, but Shouta grabbed his arm,. The man paused furrowing his eyebrows, “What?” Shouta ignored the question though, knocking a few times before gesturing for him to enter.
He hesitated a moment, before pushing open the door, “I’m sorry, but we have to go. I have to get Haruto home.”
Shouta followed behind him, watching as the corner of Shinsou’s mouth tilted downward a fraction before gesturing for Kojima to follow him.
“Goodbye Shinsou,” The caretaker said, “It was lovely meeting you.”
Shinsou gave a pained sort of smile, and Shouta leaned forward, “Bye Kojima.”
The boy turned, giving him a shy little wave then turning and waving to Shinsou.
Shinsou waved back.
Shouta kept his head forward, but tilted his head a fraction, watching Shinsou the best he could out of the corner of his eye. He was fidgeting with his phone, staring down at his blankets.
Then he stopped, and started typing.
Why do you want me to meet him so badly?
“My husband?” He clarified, dropping his chin when Shinsou nodded.
He wasn’t entirely sure.
He cared for both of them, that was partly it, and Hizashi deserved to be here just as much as Shouta did, but it wasn’t just about Hizashi.
He wanted Shinsou to meet Hizashi too.
“He helped me help you.” He started with, “When you called me, I called him because I couldn’t find you on my own. I sat down with him and went over those recordings because he’s better at understanding people than I am. He’s the talker. I’m not good at this part of hero work, I’m just-” He sighed, “replicating what I’ve seen him do.”
Shinsou didn’t look up, didn’t move.
“He was a foster kid too.”
That got his attention.
“When he was born, his cries deafened his parents and some of the doctors. Turns out they weren’t ready to have a kid like that.” Shinsou’s eyes fell back to his phone. “He’s had villains go for his throat, and he’s had some close calls. He knows what it’s like to have a quirk that makes you afraid to speak even a whisper.”
The bandage around his throat bobbed, but for the first time today, he didn’t look angry, so he pushed.
“I can’t understand what you’re going through, not really. I don’t think anyone can.” He admitted, “But he could get pretty damn close.”
“I want that for you.” He offered, his voice low, “You deserve that.”
Shinsou’s eyes slid over to him, his head turning a fraction. He didn’t move any further though, so eventually, Shouta stepped back, letting out a long sigh, “Besides, he wants to meet you, and I sort of live to please him.”
Shinsou blinked a few times, dropping his eyes back to his phone.
He can’t remember.
Shouta looked up, his eyebrows raised, and Shinsou’s eyes dropped back to the phone.
I won’t give his memories back.
Shouta nodded, “No one’s asking you to.”
Shinsou’s face scrunched ever so slightly.
“You don’t have to do anything.” Shouta assured, “You can ignore him if you really want, and he’ll follow the same rules I do. If you want him to leave, he’ll leave.”
Shinsou looked away again, staring at the wall for a few long moments before typing something again.
I don’t want to talk about what happened with him.
Shouta nodded, “Easy.”
Shinsou stared at the phone, not typing anything.
Shouta almost pushed. He almost said more, pushed for more.
Shinsou started typing before Shouta had the chance to open his mouth.
Okay.
“Okay?” Shouta read aloud meeting Shinsou’s eyes, his chest oddly light. Shinsou nodded and Shouta let out a soft huff.
“Thank you.” He said earnestly, chancing a step forward. “I know that I’m asking a lot.”
Shinsou dropped his eyes, offering a nod.
“He’ll love you.” He tried to assure, but Shinsou’s face twisted.
“Is tomorrow okay?”
Shinsou thought about it for a while, but in the end, he did nod.
“Thank you.” He said again, “Seriously. Thank you.”
Shinsou turned his head, hiding his face.
Shouta didn’t push any further.
-----------
Hizashi took the next day off.
He didn’t think it was possible, both because Hizashi was usually good at these sorts of things and because Shouta had been a mess, but Hizashi was probably more nervous to meet Shinsou than Shouta had been.
It was still a toss-up between Shinsou and Hizashi.
The music on the drive there was more upbeat than usual, and Hizashi tapped both to the beat with his heel and the rhythm with his thumb.
Shouta didn’t touch the volume.
Kaba was leaving as they arrived, her face lighting up as they approached.
“Right on time,” She laughed, tilting her head, “Both of you today?”
Shouta nodded, and Hizashi smiled, “I’m Yamada Hizashi.”
She nodded, “Kaba Sora”
“How is he?” Shouta asked, and she waved a hand.
“You know I can’t really answer that. Ask him yourself.” She gestured down the hall with her head, “I do have work to do, but I’m sure we’ll get a chance to chat later.”
Shouta nodded, “I’m sure we will.”
“Nice meeting you Yamada.”
She turned then, and immediately Hizashi was signing, “And you were jealous of Konya.”
Shouta rolled his eyes, “Wasn’t jealous.” He signed, pushing the door open before Hizashi could argue any further.
Shinsou’s head snapped towards them as they pushed the door open, and Shouta stepped to the side, giving Hizashi room to slide in. For a long minute, it was quiet, Shinsou scanning Hizashi and Hizashi allowing it to happen.
“I’m Yamada Hizashi.” He introduced eventually, gesturing to Shouta with his head, “I know Sho’s told you a bit about me.”
Shinsou watched him carefully like he was prey and Hizashi was the predator.
It wasn’t a look Shouta had ever seen from him before.
“You can call me Yamada, or Mic.”
Shinsou’s eyes drifted to Shouta for a brief moment before snapping back to Hizashi.
“I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Shinsou narrowed his eyes, pushing himself to sit up a little straighter.
“Like what?” He asked, his voice hoarse and Shouta winced.
“Shinsou-” He started, but Hizashi grabbed his wrist.
Shouta tilted his head, watching Hizashi out the side of his vision.
“Well, Sho’ told me you were pretty stubborn, and smart, and kind.” Shinsou scrunched his nose. “I heard you like art, and apparently you have a little brother.”
“He’s not technically my brother.” Shinsou managed, sounding out of breath by the end of it.
Hizashi shrugged, “Family is like that sometimes.”
Shinsou tilted his head, “Did he tell you my quirk?”
“Yes.”
Shinsou narrowed his eyes, and Hizashi let go of Shouta’s wrist, stepping forward.
“I’m not afraid of you Shinsou,” Hizashi said with a soft voice.
“Maybe you should be.”
“Shinsou. I don't want you hurting yourself.” Hizashi tried, “I’m going to keep answering whether you speak or not. I’m a pretty open book.”
Shinsou stared at Hizashi for a long moment, tilting his head eventually and grabbing the phone.
How much does he know?
“Almost everything.” He answered honestly, “He was helping me find you, so everything I know about Cheshire, he knows.” Shinsou’s eyes drifted back to Hizashi, “He’s also a part of your case now, so he knows whats going on there.”
Shinsou huffed, turning his head.
“I trust him.” Shouta insisted, “I know that doesn’t mean much to you, but I wouldn’t have asked him for help if I didn’t.”
Shinsou stared at the wall, his jaw shifting.
Hizashi glanced at Shouta, and Shouta shrugged.
“What kind of art do you do?” Hizashi asked, and Shinsou tilted his head.
“You can text me,” Shouta offered, “I can read it aloud.”
He moved then as Shinsou typed something, holding out a cup for him. “Drink.” Shinsou rolled his eyes, but he listened, taking small sips as Shouta pulled out his phone.
“I mostly just sketch,” Shouta read allowed, and Hizashi nodded.
“What do you sketch?”
“People, animals.”
“The book that Kojima brought for you, was that your sketchbook?”
Shinsou’s eyes snapped up, but he nodded.
“I used to have something like that. I’d have my mom draw a person, because I always hated doing that part, and then I’d go over it and dress them up.” Hizashi tilted his head, smiling softly, “It started with just colors and stuff, but eventually I started actually drawing clothes, and adding little details.”
Shinsou watched him silently, not moving until Hizashi said, “I think I was about nine when I started. How old were you?”
“I don’t remember.” Shouta read, and Hizashi nodded.
“So a long time then?”
Shinsou nodded, writing, As long as I can remember.
“I bet you’re pretty good at it then.” Shinsou shook his head, and Hizashi smiled, “Do you ever make your own people or animals, or is it all inspired?”
Shinsou shrugged, and Shouta read, “Sometimes I make no one in particular.”
“That makes sense.” Hizashi agreed, tilting his head, and again, everyone fell quiet.
Shinsou was tense, but not nearly as tense as he had been when they’d first come in. Hizashi on the other hand, looked at ease, relaxed. He was leaned back, his posture relaxed.
Shouta knew for a fact that one was an act.
“Shinsou?” Hizashi spoke up, breaking the silence. Shinsou’s eyes floated towards him, and Hizashi leaned forward, “I'm sorry.”
The boy frowned, reaching for the phone again.
“For what?” Shouta read, searching Hizashi's face.
Hizashi frowned, “For whatever I did or didn't do.”
Shinsou turned away then, the corner of his mouth pulling in.
“I know I wasn't there with you guys on the rooftops or in the alleyways, and I know you don't know me or trust me the way you do Eraser,” Shinsou's mouth twisted, “I know you had no choice in me knowing what I know. I can’t take that back, Shouta can’t take that back, and I’m sorry for that.”
Shinsou’s eyes drifted to Hizashi again, “But I want you to know that everything Eraser has ever said to you, I agree with. You do not deserve to be arrested, even if you are a damn good vigilante.”
Shinsou turned away again, his breathing heavier than usual.
“I’m not making any calls here, whatever Sho’ asks of me, I will do. And the same goes for you.”
Shinsou didn’t move, his eyes locked on the wall.
Hizashi sighed, tilting his head and standing up.
“I’m going to go.” He signed.
Shouta moved then, “You don’t need to do that.”
“I’m clearly making him uncomfortable.”
“He does that.” Shouta signed, “Please, just, try. If he wants you to leave he’ll say so.”
Hizashi’s eyes slid to Shinsou again, and Shouta turned, finding Shinsou watching them.
“I’m hard of hearing,” Hizashi explained, slowly moving to sit down.
The silence lingered, and Shouta moved, taking his usual seat.
“So, Shinsou,” Hizashi started, clearing his throat, “Do you have a favorite color?”
-----------
Things moved quickly after that.
Shinsou had a lot of meetings with his caretaker, meetings Shouta wasn't allowed to be around for. He did however insist that no one interrogated Shinsou until after he had at least one session with Recovery Girl, and once Shouta shared that he’d met Recovery Girl once before, Shinsou was of course stubborn about the whole thing.
But in the end, Shinsou accepted the help, and overall, the whole thing wasn’t all that chaotic. Chiyo came by, gave her warnings, and then sapped so much of Shinsou’s energy that he was asleep for the next six hours.
Then, of course, there was no real reason to protect him from the police.
Out of everything he’s had to manage with Shinsou in the hospital, the police interrogation was by far the one he was most stressed about.
But that one too went by easily.
It could’ve been the fact that Shinsou couldn’t talk, or that the police had heard this story four other times from four other people, but no one questioned anything.
Shinsou was nothing more than a victim.
After all the officers left, Shinsou was quiet, or less talkative than he had managed the last few days. And when he left that night, Shinsou had fallen asleep.
He’s glad he did. Other than with Recovery Girls' help, Shinsou had swung quite wildly from sleeping whenever possible to hardly sleeping at all, at least when it came to the hours Shouta was there. So it brought him some peace of mind, knowing he was at least sleeping a little.
He left as silently as he could, taking a second to force the door to close quietly before turning to find Detective Tsukauchi leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. Black eyes met black, and Tsukauchi frowned.
Shouta scanned the hallway as he stepped forward, stopping in front of Tsukauchi without a word.
“I've been following the cases you've taken.” Tsukauchi said simply when Shouta stopped in front of him.
“Why?”
Tsukauchi dropped his chin, leveling him a glare.
Shouta pressed his lips together, turning his head.
“I'm going to ask you a question.” Tsukauchi said instead of answering the question.
“Tsukauchi.”
“Shouta” He hissed, and he met Tsukauchi’s eyes again, “Do you know where Cheshire is right now?”
Shouta took a deep breath.
No.
He didn’t.
He didn’t because that boy in there was Shinsou Hitoshi.
He didn’t because he hadn’t found the hood.
He didn’t because the last time he saw Cheshire, he was walking away from him on a roof.
“No.”
Tsukauchi’s head fell, and Shouta’s jaw shifted. It was silent for a long minute, neither moving. Shouta didn’t dare interrupt whatever it was that Tsukauchi was thinking, especially not when he raised his head to stare at Shinsou’s door.
“How old is he?” He asked, and Shouta’s heart raced. Tsukauchi huffed, tilting his head as he clarified, “The boy you're here for?”
Shouta dropped his chin, following Tsukauchi’s gaze, “Fifteen.”
Tsukauchi nodded, “How is he doing?”
“He’s alive.” Shouta answered honestly, “I think he’ll be alright.”
Tsukauchi nodded, going silent again as he turned to stare down the hallway.
Shouta’s mind raced, but he forced himself not to move, to just keep breathing.
“We're getting coffee.” Tsukauchi said as he turned to move.
“Okay.”
“You're buying.”
“Yeah.”
-----------
They didn’t go to the expensive place, it was too far, and the speed at which Tsukauchi wanted coffee apparently outweighed his need for the more expensive kind. They ended up at a shop that was realistically not too far, but the walk-in silence made it feel much longer.
Tsukauchi didn’t even speak to order, Shouta just bought him a drink and slid it across from him.
The detective kept opening his mouth like he was going to speak, and then his face would twist and his jaw would slam shut, and he’d either run a hand down his face, roll his neck, or take a loud sip of coffee.
Shouta on the other hand, still hadn’t touched his drink.
“Are you going to say something?” Shouta prompted when the silence became too much.
“What do you want me to say?” He huffed, running a hand down his face again, “I don't even-”
He cut himself off again, leaning forward to rest his head in his hands.
Shouta turned his head to stare out the window.
Tsukauchi knew.
That was the only explanation for the coffee, for the silence.
Tsukauchi knew.
“Was I telling the truth?” He asked eventually, “When I said I didn't know where he was.”
Tsukauchi sighed, “No.”
Shouta’s face twisted, “Right.”
“Alright.” Tsukauchi declared finally, “I've decided how we're going to do this.”
“Okay.” Shouta agreed leaning in.
“I'm going to say things that are factually true, and you're not going to get mad at me.”
“I'm not going to-”
“He is a criminal.” Tsukauchi interrupted, and Shouta’s jaw snapped shut. “Technically speaking, legally speaking, he is a villain.” Shouta's jaw shifted and Tsukauchi raised an eyebrow, “Not mad?”
“I didn't say anything.”
“No,” Tsukauchi scoffed, leaning forward, “I need you to say something actually, because I need to know you understand that.”
Shouta scoffed, “If we're saying facts, how about the fact that he's a kid.”
“You and I both know kids can do fucked up shit, for fucked up reasons.”
“He's not like that.”
“How do you know?” Tsukauchi pushed and Shouta leaned back. “You know his quirk right?”
Shouta dropped his chin, “Yes.”
“Then seriously, how can you know?” Tsukauchi huffed when Shouta didn’t answer. “His quirk is literally called brainwashing. How can you possibly know anything when it comes to him.”
He clenched and unclenched his jaw, “He gave me my memories back.”
Tsukauchi shook his head as he leaned back, his face twisting. “How do you know?”
“I was there.”
“No.” Tsukauchi pushed, “You think you were there, you think he gave you his memories back. You think you know.”
“It’s not at all like that.”
“Eraser.”
“Tsukauchi.”
“Aizawa.” He huffed, “His quirk registry is clearly outdated. We have no idea what it is he's really capable of.”
“Not that.” He insisted.
Tsukauchi leaned forward again, “How do you-”
“We've been documenting everything.” He finally admitted with a huff, “Hizashi and I have been documenting everything.”
Tsukauchi’s eyes narrowed, “What is everything?”
“I'd meet up with him, talk to him, and walk away with my memories. I'd walk away without him ever having used his quirk. I'd document the conversations, and we'd pour over everything.”
“How do you know he didn't use his quirk?”
Shouta took a deep breath, “We have audio recordings of it happening.”
“And how do you know he didn’t mess with those too?” Tsukauchi pushed.
“He can't.”
Tsukauchi shook his head, dropping his eyes, “We don't know what he can do.”
“You're paranoid.”
“You're not being paranoid enough.” He insisted.
“He didn’t know about the audio recordings.”
“That you know of.”
“No,” Shouta groaned, “Tsukauchi, he didn't know about them. Trust me.”
“How can you know that?”
“Because he lost his shit when I told him.”
Tsukauchi’s eyes snapped up again, “You told him?”
“I did a good job verifying everything,” He huffed, ignoring the question, “and you know that. He's a good kid.”
“Is he?”
“Yes.” He insisted.
“Then if it's so fucking simple why didn't you come to me.”
Shouta’s jaw shifted.
Tsukauchi dropped his chin when Shouta didn’t answer, staring at the cup in front of him. “If it's not a big plot, if that kid isn't manipulating you, then why didn't you come to me?”
Shouta watched Tsukauchi’s face twist as he reached for his cup to take a silent drink.
He watched him slam it back down with a new wave of anger.
“If he's really just a kid that needs help, then why not tell me?” Tsukauchi met his eyes again.
Shouta didn’t say anything, and the man's jaw shifted.
“Can’t answer that one?” He huffed, “You had answers for everything else.”
“It wasn't simple.” He tried.
“Explain it then.”
“I didn't trust him right away either.” He said, leaning back, “I was still testing the waters, seeing what was going on. I was worried you'd say it was a terrible idea.”
“Was it?”
“Depends on your definition.” Shouta sighed, “But with hindsight? No. Not a terrible idea.”
“And after?” Shouta tilted his head, and Tsukauchi continued, “After, when you did trust him, why didn’t you tell me then.”
“By that point, we weren’t really talking.”
“Because you pushed me away.” Shouta rolled his head as Tsukauchi shook his, “No, you put us in that situation. We were arguing because you weren’t telling me anything.”
“I told you about what happened to Hizashi.”
“After you’d been acting strange for weeks.”
“That’s why I was acting strange.” He insisted, “You didn’t even give me a chance to explain.”
“He’s a vigilante, with a mind quirk. Did you expect me to roll over just like that?” Tsukauchi narrowed his eyes, “You were the one who said he was working with villains. You said that.”
“Clearly I was wrong.”
“You get how that looks though right?” Tsukauchi pointed out, “You switched up on me instantly. You didn’t share any of this not trusting him with me. You said you trusted the source.”
“I trusted him as a source. Like I-”
“You didn’t say that to me.” Tsukauchi interrupted with a hiss, “You didn’t express any of this as it was happening.”
“Why should I have?”
“You told Mic.”
Shouta waved a hand, “He swore his life to me.”
“Please,” He scoffed, “we’ve been through so much more than marriage .”
“Tsukauchi.”
He looked away, turning to stare out the window, his eyes unmoving.
Shouta swallowed, turning to stare at the other tables.
“Are you going to arrest him?”
Tsukauchi scoffed, “Seriously?”
“I need to know.”
He tilted his head, letting out a long sigh, “I want to talk to him.”
“That's not-”
“I won't do anything, not even if he lies through it all, but I just-”
“He can't speak.” Shouta interrupted, turning his attention back to their table.
“What?”
“He's- injured, his vocal cords are healing.”
Tsukauchi’s eyes drifted over to Shouta, and he hesitated a moment before asking, “What exactly happened?”
“His foster father beat the shit out of him.”
“Jesus,” Tsukauchi swore. “How’d you find him?”
“I gave him a way to get in contact with me, in case of an emergency.”
Tsukauchi nodded, staring back at the window.
“Are you going to arrest him?” He asked again.
“Aizawa-”
“I need to know what you’re thinking.”
“Because you were kind enough to offer me the same?” He huffed, running a hand down his face.
Shouta pressed his lips tight, finally taking a sip of his now cold drink.
“I’m not going to do anything.” Tsukauchi eventually said, “I don’t have any real evidence that they’re the same person.”
Shouta leaned back finally relaxing his shoulders.
“Is that the only reason?”
Tsukauchi’s jaw shifted, glaring at Shouta out of the corner of his eye, “That’s what I’ll say if this ends up blowing up in our face.”
Shouta took a deep breath, “This won’t blow up in our face.”
“You’re now connected to both that boy and Cheshire. If he gets caught-”
“He won’t get caught.”
“You have no control over that,” Tsukauchi argued, “The investigation isn’t necessarily close, but he could-”
“He won’t get caught because I won’t let him continue as Cheshire.”
Tsukauchi turned fully then, “What?”
“He’s a kid.”
Tsukauchi raised an eyebrow, “You have that much control over him?”
“Not necessarily. Shouta frowned, “Not at all actually.”
“Do you have a plan then?”
“He applied to take the entrance exam at UA.” He shared, “I plan on encouraging that.”
“He wants to be a hero?”
Shouta nodded, “He wants to be a hero.”
Tsukauchi hummed, “Did you do that?”
“I honestly have no clue.” He admitted, “As far as I know, he has no idea I work there. He knew I went to school there though.”
“How?”
He sighed, “I don’t know.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know when it comes to this kid.”
“Yeah. I’m working on it.”
Tsukauchi was silent for a long moment, “Can I meet him anyway?”
Shouta narrowed his eyes, “Why?”
“To arrest him obviously.”
“Don’t do that.”
“I just want to meet him,” Tsukauchi huffed, “You said he’s fifteen and he hasn’t been a vigilante for an insignificant amount of time. I wanna see how that manifests in a person.” Tsukauchi paused to take a sip, “What’s he like?”
Shouta let out a long sigh, “He’s a teenager, that’s for sure.”
Tsukauchi smiled, “Can’t get away from them can you.”
“Apparently not.” Shouta tilted his head, “He’s sarcastic, he’s bad at taking care of himself, he’s really hard on himself, and he’s really slow to trust.”
“Sounds like someone I know,” Tsukauchi mumbled into the lip of the cup.
Shouta leveled him a glare, “He cares a lot, about everyone. You remember the last time we talked, the fire a few days before, where we found the kids?”
“Yeah, I remember.”
“He almost didn’t get himself out because he was worried about the villains that had caused the fire.” Tsukauchi’s eyebrows raised, and Shouta huffed, “Yeah, exactly.”
“Do you know, why he did it? Why be Cheshire? He had to be, what, twelve?”
“He said he wanted to prove to himself he wasn’t a villain.”
“Jesus,” He swore again.
“Like I said,” Shouta mused, “He’s hard on himself.”
Tsukauchi was quiet for a long moment before asking, “Is he?” A pause, “A villain?”
“Maybe technically.” Shouta admitted, “But he’s- he really is a good kid. I think he’s just trying to survive.”
Tsuakuchi turned his head, “Can I meet him?”
Shouta took a deep breath, “Yeah.” He agreed with a nod, “Eventually, yeah. But give it some time. It’s an adjustment period for him, he only just met Hizashi, I’m not sure-”
“I get it.” Tsukauchi said when Shouta trailed off, “I’ll follow your lead.”
Their eyes met, and Shouta nodded. Tsukauchi broke first, sliding his eyes to scan the cafe, taking the final sips of his drink.
“I would’ve then too you know.” Tsukauchi said eventually, just above a whisper. “I would’ve followed your lead.”
Shouta dropped his eyes, “I’m sorry.”
“Are you?”
He glanced up to find Tsukauchi staring at him again. This time he was the one that couldn’t hold the gaze.
“Don’t say it if you don’t mean it,” Tsukauchi huffed, moving to slide out.
“I’ll keep you updated,” Shouta offered, because that was really all he had.
The detective paused after he stood, “Thank you for the coffee,” He said after a moment, turning to Shouta.
“Thank you for listening.” Shouta said.
“Yeah,” Tsukauchi let out a soft huff, “See you around.”
Shouta nodded, and with that, Tsukauchi was gone.
He stuck around though, slowly sipping his coffee, staring at the point between the chair and the wall.
Tsukauchi wants to meet him.
Shinsou’s supposed to be leaving soon.
He already planned to check up on him. He didn’t trust his caretaker to send him to a good place.
He didn’t trust her to take care of him.
Shouta would figure it out. Once Shinsou makes it to UA, he’ll get to keep a reasonable eye on him. He’ll play it by ear until then.
He took a long breath, closing his eyes and leaning his head back.
Whatever Shinsou throws at him next, he’ll be ready.
At least now he can actually do something about it.