Not Yet

XXVII: Recovery

Her bright smile was incomparable, never leaving her face. She hadn't left the room since that fateful accomplishment, when the greenette managed to voice his first word.

Not much was said since then, but the fact that there was improvements was no doubt undeniable.

Mirio observed from the other side of the room, as Eri was showing various drawings, this time getting a slight reaction to that.

A reaction!

Nothing bigger than a faint nod or a hum, but it made such a huge difference to know that he was aware of his surroundings at last!

Aizawa seemed to have the same attachment as Eri -as much as the hero tried to deny- that made him stick to the side of the bed 24/7.

"Nii-chan, nii-chan! This is a giraffe! Do you know what it is?! It's like a cow with a reaaallly tall neck!" She made exaggerated movements with her arms to explain her point. Though Mirio was not sure 'cow' was the best example to go with, he chuckled at her enthusiasm.

Aizawa observed the boy thoroughly up and down. He had Eri seated on his lap and didn't seem to mind her weight. He was sitting upright in his propped up bed, his arms dropped to the sides, limp, as he seemed to not be able to move them with ease. His lone eye, that was not covered by the wild curls, was slightly more focused than before, having some life back to the dull gaze.

The boy closed his eye with painful sluggishness, proceeding to answer the excited girl with a nod. Aizawa noted how his body slumped forward, as if trying to envelope the girl with a hug, but having his arms not comply.

Eri's grin grew only wider. Nii-chan was answering her! He was listening to her. Seeing her. Acknowledging her, even! Her eyes twinkled with emotion, which was the most these heros have seen of her childish side since the rescue.

Eri was about to continue her rambling when her hero's voice cut her off.

"Kid," Aizawa put his hand on the boy's shoulder, feeling how stiff the muscles underneath his palm got, just as if there was a flinch, yet having the body not comply again. Aizawa withdrew his hand, noting to himself that he should be careful not to touch him carelessly again.

The pale boy turned his neck to the side a bit, not managing to look at the hero, but still enough to inform him that he had his attention. Aizawa was trying to get used to the improvement, but couldn't quite yet get rid of the uneasiness of the feeling that the boy was never going to respond every time he tried to communicate.

"What's your name?" It was dumb, really, how they never tried to find out the kid's name. They could have asked Eri, but personally, Aizawa had just realized that he wanted to hear it from the boy himself.

"Izu...ku"

Shouta fought really hard to stop the tears from flooding his vision. Now was not the time to be emotional!

Despite just noting to himself not to touch the bo-, Izuku, so idly, he subconsciously found his hand on top of the unmoving one. Not much repulsion was felt this time around.

"You're safe now. You both are..." He flashed an uncharacteristic warm smile at the kids before him.

Eri's eyes began watering, as she threw herself onto him, encircling his neck with a tight hug. His other free hand jumping up to hold her and pat her back gently.

As for the the other boy, Shouta did just miss the tugging of the lips, as something close to a humble smile formed on his tired face.

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