xmultiversex

Hitoshi is anxious. His friends had begged him to join them in supporting their band at the schools "battle of the bands" tonight and, well, when you've struggled to make friends your whole life it's hard to say no to something like that.

Even if Hitoshi struggled with loud noises, and crowds, and yelling and-

Hitoshi tries not to think about it too much as he pulls his purple hoodie over his head, ruffling his hair a bit in the process. Once it's on, he pulls at his sleeves, rubbing his fingers between the soft fabric in an attempt to soothe his fears.

He tries not to think about how anxious he's been in general. Anxious about joining class 1-A. Anxious about making new friends. Anxious about his headspace neglect.

He tries not to think about how he hasn't regressed since moving into the UA dorms. He tries not to think about how he's been struggling to not slip and how badly he wants to just tell someone he's little so he doesn't have to hide anymore, he wouldn't have to hide anymore, right?

(Hitoshi was 12 when he found out that not all littles were welcomed with warm embraces, that sometimes it's better to stay hidden and safe than to be sorry-)

A sudden vibration from his phone startled him out of his thoughts. His blaring alarm was signaling it was almost time for him to head out. Hitoshi quickly silenced it, the sound irritating his sensitive ears, anxiety burrowing deep in his chest.

He knew this event would not end well for him.

He grabbed his box of scent patches, quickly switching out the old one on the back of his neck since they only lasted so many hours.

The amount of scent patches Hitoshi went through in a day was generally... Not recommended. It could have major consequences for Hitoshi's nervous system down the line- but again Hitoshi is trying not to think about it, thank you very much.

He sits on the ground by his door, putting on his cat patterned socks and slightly struggles to slip on his shoes but he manages to get it done eventually.

He gets up, stares at his bed longingly with all it's warm and comforting sheets piled with the few stuffed animals he had, looking ever so comfy. However, as much as he wishes he didn't have to go, it was important for him to show up for his friends, this was a big event for them.

This night was important, and with that thought, Hitoshi turns around and heads out the door.

:･ﾟ✧:･.☆˚｡･ﾟ✧:･:･ﾟ✧:･. ☽ ˚｡･ﾟ✧:･:･ﾟ✧:･.☆˚｡･ﾟ✧:･

When Hitoshi arrived he took a moment to gather his surroundings. The school opted to use one of the gymnasiums in favor of their concert hall, using a take-apart stage often used for their school festivals, and he could see some feet moving hastily beneath the curtain covering the backhalf of the stage.

Scanning the sides of the gym, he could see Management students setting up multiple stands to sell various items such as food and small merchandise. Between the growing crowds of people, he could see some of the support course students setting up lights, speakers, and other electronics they appeared to have created themselves.

Hitoshi hadn't walked with anyone to the event unfortunately, and felt sort of lost and out of place. He walked around, trying to find any familiar faces, and began to worry. The large venue, the growing crowds, the screech of a microphone being set up, the entire thing made Hitoshi feel small in comparison, too small, he wanted to run away and hide and-

Hitoshi jolted at a tap on his shoulder

"Hey there listener! I see you decided to come and rock out after all!' Hitoshi relaxed upon seeing it was Present Mic, excited as usual.

They had talked about the event earlier when Hitoshi snuck away from the lunchroom to sit in the teachers lounge instead. Don't get him wrong, he loved having lunch with his friends but sometimes... It could get chaotic. And loud.

Yamada-Sensei had encouraged him earlier to join his classmates under the impression Hitoshi was just worried about his social skills (which, he was, but that wasn't the problem) and Hitoshi hadn't felt like correcting his teacher that it was actually because of his sensory issues.

Hitoshi often felt weak for his sensory issues. The hero world was full of large crowds, sudden noises, and bright lights, it was unavoidable. He couldn't just let it get in the way of him becoming a hero. He can't just run and hide whenever he's overstimulated, it doesn't work like that!

And so, Hitoshi did everything he could in his power to hide this weakness from everyone he knew. The last thing he needed was to be seen as incapable, and be potentially taken out of the hero course after he worked so hard to get in.

"Everything alright listener?" Present Mic looked at him with slight concern. Embarrassment fell on Hitoshi as he realized he had just been staring off into space right in front of his teacher.

"Ah! Yeah, sorry- just got um, lost in thought for a bit." He explained as he grew clammy from anxiety.

"Don't worry about it! It happens to all of us sometimes!" He patted Hitoshi on the back "I saw some of your friends over there if you wanted to go hang!" The hero smiled brightly.

He walked with Hitoshi in the direction towards the group of his peers, stopping a few feet away from them as they loudly chatted about their excitement for the event and about which bands they were rooting for.

"Jiro's band is going to blow everyone away!"

"Until Kendo's band shows up! They'll wipe the floor with you-"

"No way!"

"Yeah way-"

The loud completive spirit, the new groups of people coming in shoving past Hitoshi to get towards the front, the loud speakers everywhere, it made an awful feeling settle in Hitoshi's stomach.

"I-I don't know..." Hitoshi took a breath, somewhat shakily.

"Hey there, it'll be alright!" He placed a comforting hand on Hitoshi's back. Hitoshi took a deep breath, leaning into the feeling.

"I know socializing can be a struggle, but you gotta give it a chance! Rip that bandaid off and let loose!! Ya dig?" Present Mic gave Hitoshi a wide smile and small nudge of encouragement.

"Now go have fun! Let's get this party started, yeah!"

"Y-Yeah..!" Hitoshi gave his best smile (although it probably looked more like a nervous grimace) nod his head in agreement and walked towards the group.

Just as he was about to say hi to them, the lights dimmed heavily and the curtains opened to reveal the rest of the stage. The stage lights suddenly enveloped the front of the gym, blinding Hitoshi after his eyes had just adjusted to the darkness, and loud screams of excitement and applause hit his ears like a truck.

His heart rate had picked up and he felt disoriented but things hadn't gone to hell just yet.

He watched as the host welcomed everyone to the event, spurring another round of startling cheers, and introduced the first two bands playing.

There was a short period of calm as the band introduced themselves, what song they were playing, and took the time to set up their station.

Hitoshi was managing, okay-ish during the semi calm period, which had him quite hopefull he could get through this event. Maybe it was loud, and crowded, and the bright lights against the dark gymnasium was an eyesore but it wasn't the worst. Hitoshi had been through worse things, he could get through this for his friends, right?

Right.

So of course everything had to go to shit once the band started playing.

Hitoshis ears were violated by the clashing sounds from the front stage and speakers positioned directly next to him. He stammard backwards a bit, trying to get away from the sound when he ran into a group of students jumping in excitement behind him and one bumped into him, causing him to nearly lose his balance and the other student to drop their drink.

The soda soaked into the bottom half of Hitoshis pants, causing his legs to get sticky which was really, really not helping right now.

He wanted to cry, he thinks he saw the student that rammed into him attempt an apology but the music was so loud Hitoshi couldn't hear him and he felt sick and dizzy and just wanted out.

Feeling like a trapped animal, Hitoshi scrambled to find some way out of there.

Though welling tears he could spot lights towards one of the men's locker rooms and walked hastily towards it. Trying to ignore the people bumping into him. Trying to ignore the way his shoes stuck to the floor with every step. He just needed out, he needed to get out.

Hitoshi ripped open the locker room door, taking fast breaths and racing towards the sinks.

He tried to stay calm as he took paper towels to his legs to try to get the sticky feeling off. His breaths were fast and shaky as he clenched his teeth and he started to feel hot tears streaming down his face.

Hitoshi should've just stayed in his room. He should've known this was too much for him why didn't he stay in his room?

Anger and sadness and regret sturred heavy in his chest. He knew this was a stupid idea why did he have to be so weak.

And then he smelled it.

His scent patch was failing. The stress and pressure was so bad that his scent patch was failing.

The locker room was soon filled with the scent of a panicked and distressed baby and frustrated sobs threatened to spill from his throat.

He was lucky enough no one was in there, but that wouldn't last for long.

He couldn't let anyone see him like this, not here, not now, he needed to get out as soon as possible.

He hastily reached for the second door in the locker room that would lead out into the halls.

He pulled, once, twice, then rattled the doorknob shakily.

"Shit. Shit-" It had been locked.

The only way in and out was through the gym, and there was no chance someone wouldn't notice a crying and little Hitoshi trying to slip by.

Hitoshis legs wobbled as he made his way to one of stalls, locking it quickly before sitting on the cold, hard floor.

He leaned against the wall, sobbing into his knees praying nobody would come in, that he could slip away after the event had ended (but he knew that wasn't possible).

His neglected headspace began to sharply decline, pulling Hitoshi into a smaller and smaller state of mind and there was nothing he could do about it. He tried to stay big he really did but Hitoshi couldn't help it.

As he cried he began to soothe himself by sucking on his hoodies sleeve. He hated this so much he just wants out-

He hears a door open and shut, loud footsteps begin to approach the stall as Hitoshi's heart dropped, his hands going numb from anxiety.

"Hitoshi-kun? Is that you in there listener?"

It was Present mic.

Hitoshi felt like he was going to die.

"Go 'way" his voice wavered as he sniffled. He tried covering a new set of sobs escaping his mouth with the wet sleeves of his hoodie. It didn't hide much.

Hitoshi noticed the man stilled briefly, as if something had dawned on him. He could see through the crack in the stall he was sniffing, looking around to see if anyone else was in there.

He knew.

Present mic gently approached the stall further.

"Sweetheart, I'm not going to leave you alone during a breakdown. What's goin' on, hon?" He says with a concerned warmth, protective caregiver pheromones begin to fill the air.

"M' not little" he whined into his sleeves, trying to get the pro hero off his back.

"I never said anything about being little, Hitoshi-Chan" And though it's technically true he didn't, the switch his teacher had made from -kun to -chan made it evident exactly what he knew.

"Jus-" Hitoshi hiccuped "Jus' forget you even saw me, please..." He pulled his hood over his head and sunk deeper into his knees. He didn't want his teacher to see how weak he was.

"I'm afraid I can't do that sweetheart." Yamada spoke softly, Hitoshi whined once more.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Present mic said gently, far more gently than Hitoshi was used to being talked to whenever he broke down little.

"You don't have to if you don't want to, I understand," Hitoshi eased a little at that "But I'm not going to leave you to cry all alone. I'm staying right here, alright?"

Hitoshi isn't sure. He's scared and tired and just wants to go home but there's something about his teacher that makes him feel safe, makes his smaller parts want to reach out. He still feels terrible but Present Mics soft voice is enough for him to feel comfortable opening up.

He does his best to express his frustrations.

"'es too loud... sticky... everything hurts..." he takes another shaky breath. "I want out..." he buries his face in his knees once more. Muffled, he sobs out "I-... I'm so weak".

And at that sentiment Present Mic feels his heart break.

"You are not weak Hitoshi." Present Mic expresses with a stern confidence "You are one of the strongest students I know, kid. I can promise you that"

Hitoshi pauses. "R-really?" Hitoshi's voice comes out shakily and he hates just how helpless he sounds right now.

"Yes, really." There is not a hint of doubt or deceit in the Heros voice, Hitoshi can tell he truly means it. "May I come in?" He asks gently.

Hitoshi thinks about it for a moment. His knees wobble as he stands up and moves to unlock the stall door.

When it opens Hitoshi can't help it, he wraps his arms around his teacher and sobs softly into his shoulder.

"Shh, hey now listener it's okay. I'm right here you're okay, I promise" Present Mic sounds so- so caring, so gentle.

No one has ever been this kind to Hitoshi when he was small. Never.

And well, it breaks him.

His knees give out and Present Mic quickly catches him, scooping the little one up into his arms and shushes the ensuing cries sputtering out of Hitoshis mouth, bouncing him lightly.

"I- I'm so sorry" Hitoshi sobs

"You've got nothin' to apologize for baby, it's okay, it's okay..."

It's not long before Hitoshi is settled, just hiccuping and sniffling every now and again. At this point Hitoshis too little to really grasp any of his concerns he'd normally have about his teacher seeing him like this or about what's going to happen next. He feels secure in his teachers arms, resting his head into the crook of the heros neck and closing his eyes.

With one hand Yamada manages to pull out his cellphone and text someone. A few minutes later the second door to the locker room was unlocked and opened by Aizawa, who held it open for the two as they exited into the quieter hallways.

The walk to the teachers building remained mostly quiet aside from the sounds of their footsteps and the opening of various doors. Hitoshi tries to hide himself away from his homeroom teacher, hoping he won't notice him (despite being clearly in Present Mics arms) but gives up when Aizawa-Sensi gently cards his hands through his hair as they opened the front door to their dorm? apartment? Hitoshi didn't know what to call it.

"How's our little listener holding up?" Yamada asked softly once inside.

Hitoshi didn't move his head to look up and speak, opting to mumble nonsense and lean further into his teachers shoulder instead.

"Aww" Yamada cooed at the little one. "Are you tired?" He asked warmly.

Hitoshi whined, mumbling a "Nu-uh" against the man, causing Yamada to chuckle.

Aizawa dimmed the lights in the house so it wasn't too bright before making his way to the kitchen "I'll start prepping his bottle, why don't you take him to the couch for now"

"Roger that!" Yamada whispered cheerfully.

Yamada sat onto the couch gently as to not disturb Hitoshi too much. They rocked back and fourth for awhile, Yamada rubbing his back in soothing circles.

Aizawa handed Yamada the bottle after a few minutes. "Thank you love" Yamada spoke softly, planting a kiss on Aizawas cheek before bringing the bottle to Hitoshi.

Ever so stubborn, Hitoshi fussed for a moment that he's "not a baby-" but all it took was being shused by Yamada a few times and Aizawa running his fingers through his hair one more for Hitoshi to give in.

The formula calmed Hitoshi's nerves. He could feel his senses relaxing and for the first time in a very long time, Hitoshi felt safe allowing himself be little.

The thought would've made Hitoshi cry if he weren't so tired. He had done enough crying today and at this point Hitoshi was ready to pass out. It was difficult not to granted how safe he felt among his teachers in the current moment.

After he had finished the bottle, he was lifted up and walked over to what he presumed was their guest room. Yamada sat them down on the bed as Aizawa returned with something in his hands.

"Hitoshi-Chan, do you think you'll need help getting into Pajamas?" Aizawa asked.

It takes a moment to process the question but he eventually nods, and begins to doze off slightly in the middle of changing shirts. He can hear someone chuckle softly at that and the sound envelopes Hitoshi with a sense of familial comfort he's always yearned for.

They tuck him into the bed half asleep, giving him a pacifier when his fingers threaten to slip into his mouth, and give him a kiss on his forehead before they walk out the door.

"Goodnight sweetheart"

The door is left slightly cracked open to let light peer through. Hitoshi thinks he can hear conversations about "headspace neglect" and "making some phone calls" and whatnot, but he doesn't have enough time to process those before he's sunk into a deep slumber.

Hitoshi only hopes this newfound comfort never leaves him.

:･ﾟ✧:･.☆˚｡･ﾟ✧:･:･ﾟ✧:･. ☽ ˚｡･ﾟ✧:･:･ﾟ✧:･.☆˚｡･ﾟ✧:･

⁠☆ This was my first fanfiction ever so I hope you all like it!!! (˶◜ᵕ◝˶) I did my best so hopefully it turned out okay!!!! ☆