SPONTANEOUS MIDNIGHT UPLOAD!!! I should go to bed. 

*Izuku's POV*

I woke up an hour after I fell asleep. I heard the hushed voices of several adults speaking around me. They sounded excited. I rubbed my eyes and yawned before sitting up and scratching my head. My family and Kyoka's parents were all talking to each other with excitement gleaming in their eyes. Well, except for Dad, despite the fact that they were speaking about his engagement and wedding, he still looked dead behind the eyes. Kyoka was speaking quietly to Kacchan and Momo whilst Shoto sat beside Kacchan on his phone. It seemed that everyone was too preoccupied to notice that I was awake. I wanted to sneak up on Kacchan and Shoto, so I swung my legs off of my bed. The problem is that when I tried to stand up, immense pain shot up my legs causing me to fall backwards onto the bed. I guess Dad wasn't kidding when he said that I still had those injuries. It felt like my bone itself was bruised. The pain in my leg alerted me to the pain in the rest of my body. My aching ribs. My bruised face. Plus all the other injuries I had sustained. It was awful. "IZU!" Shoto called out in surprise, at my side within a second. 

"Are you ok?" my boyfriend asked, pulling my face into his hands and searching me over for injuries. Not the smartest idea since I was indeed covered in injuries from my previous... encounter. "Yeah, I'm fine. Calm down there, Shoto." I chuckled slightly, hugging my boyfriend around his waist. We stared into each other's eyes, I could get lost in the beauty of his orbs. We were startled out of our staring by several awkward coughs. I looked behind Shoto to see my dad, Kyoka's parents and Momo looking around awkwardly. I could see the battling emotions on my dad's face. Should he be happy that his son has found someone happy or threaten his son's boyfriend despite the fact that his son's boyfriend was his student? It was a very awkward situation. Though Auntie Nemuri and Auntie Joke didn't seem at all embarrassed by Shoto and I's displays of affection, in fact, it was quite the contrary. "Awww! Nemuri look at this shit! They're so cute I thought Kyoka and Yaoyorozu were adorable but this is a whole new barrel of laughs!" Emi squealed, grabbing Nemuri by the shoulders and shaking her. "I couldn't agree more. Look at them. You're too adorable Izu!" Nemuri sighed happily. I laughed awkwardly at my Aunties. I loved them to bits but they could overreact just a bit. I mean, just imagine how excited they would get at Shoto and I's wedding. I mean... it was a bit early to be speaking about weddings and stuff... Anyway, Dad scowled at Emi and Nemuri and told them they were being too loud. Shoto had moved away from me a bit when everyone's eyes had been on us, he was very clearly uncomfortable. It didn't take long for the adults to settle into their own chatter and for all my friends to move to my bedside.

"Are you sure you should be walking around, Kyoka? This morning your dad had to support you." I said, concern for my best friend very prominent in my voice. Kyoka chuckled slightly before placing a calming hand on my shoulder, "No need to get too worked up, Zuzu. I'm completely fine, I'll probably be leaving tomorrow." Kyoka said with a shrug. Whilst I was glad that my friend was ok, I couldn't help but be upset over the fact that I wouldn't have anyone to speak to. I was going to be in the hospital for another 6 days. I just wanted to be out and surrounded by those I love. I had a feeling that the longer I was in the hospital the more I would spiral. I hoped to whatever deities out there that my gut feeling wasn't true. 

My friends and I spoke for the entire day. Around mid-day, mine and Kyoka's parents had to leave. Auntie Nemuri and Emi left alongside them. My family promised to visit me at some point the next day, but they were still heroes and teachers so they couldn't stay with me all day. I understood, I still had my friends, anyway. I wasn't alone. Shuri-san didn't stay long when she brought me lunch, seeing as I had company. She stayed just long enough to check my vitals, ask a few questions about how much pain I was in and give me my lunch. I ate slowly as I joked around with Kacchan, Kyoka, Shoto and Yaomomo. Yaomomo didn't leave Kyoka's side. Even through her smile and bright eyes, I could still see the sadness and protective glint to Momo's eyes when she looked at Kyoka. It was clear she placed some of the blame of Kyoka being put in the hospital on herself. It was sad to see. 

Ochako, Tsu and Iida popped into my room at around 1 pm. It was so great to see them. Ochako broke down into tears upon seeing me. Crying about how sorry she was for not saving me at the training camp and how she should have done with the others when they came after me. I only rubbed her back soothingly and patted her fluffy brown hair as she cried into my chest. Her entire body was draped over my legs, which made them ache a tiny bit but I wasn't going to say anything. "Shh... It's ok Chako. You can't blame yourself for any of this. It's fine that you didn't come to save me, it was dangerous, anything could have happened." I whispered soothingly. "B-b-but, I'm your best friend! I should have done something more! I should have been there." Ochako blubbered, her tears not showing any sign of slowing. I pulled her closer (if that was even possible) and placed a friendly kiss on top of her head. "Please calm down, Ochako. It's not your fault. I know what's going on in your head, you think your weak. You think it's your responsibility as my best friend to rescue me. That's not true. I would never want you putting yourself in danger. We all know that Kacchan, Shoto and I are impulsive. If anything, you not coming after me, just shows how level headed you can be." I reassured her. It pained me to see someone so close to me distraught because of me. I felt Ochako nod against my chest. I smiled at I got an idea, it would probably end up hurting me, but I didn't care. I could see the sombre looks on everyone's faces and I wanted to cheer everyone up. "GROUP HUG!" I shouted, grabbing the closest people's hand (Shoto and Kyoka) and pulling them down so that I could hug them. I heard several people laugh as more bodies joined the hug pile. I looked out over everyone's heads and saw Kacchan just standing there, with a hesitant look on his face. He never did do well with shows of affection. "Get in here, Kacchan." I called over to him, attempting to beckon him over but couldn't since my hand was trapped between Shoto and Yaomomo. Kacchan rolled his eye and moved so that he was right next to me, he slithered his arm between Kyoka and I and hugged us. He refused to hug any of the others. At least he was trying. 

After our 7 person group hug, my friends and I continued to talk about random things. I was really thankful since it kept my mind off of all of the things which had happened to me at the hands of Hisashi. Ochako expressed her surprise at me being Shota's son. I was really confused for a second before I remembered that one of the reporters at the press conference had brought it up whilst questioning my dad. It really pissed me off that people had dug so deep into my past and dragged up things much better left buried. 

At around 4 pm, Papa came into my room and said that he had to take everyone back to the dorms. Since the training camp fiasco, the curfew had become shorter, and students had to be home by 5 pm. Plus, students couldn't go home for the weekend as they used to be able to. I felt like it was my fault that all these restrictions were being implemented. Of course, I knew if I voiced these thoughts, everybody would say it wasn't my fault. That only The League of Villains could possibly be blamed. But I still felt somehow responsible. "Bye, Izu. We'll come back as soon as we can." Ochako said as she waved goodbye to me. Momo, Tsu, Iida and Ochako left the room before Kacchan and Shoto. The two boys lingered at my bed side for a little longer, clearly very reluctant to leave. "Don't go blaming yourself, ok Izuku? Just remember we're here for you." Kacchan grumbled, it seemed as if he was incapable of sounding gentle. I didn't mind though, I knew that Kacchan was being genuine. "Keep an eye on him, Earphone head," Kacchan called to Kyoka, who had moved into her own bed, as he swaggered out of the room. Kyoka scoffed and rolled her eyes before going back to writing music. I looked up at Shoto and saw the conflicted look on his face. "Are you ok, Sho?" I asked. Concern was weaved into my voice as I looked up into my boyfriend's amazing heterochromatic eyes. "Yeah... I... Promise me you'll ask for help if you need it. Ok, Izuku. I love you. So please ask me, us, for help." Shoto muttered quietly. He was in his own head. His eyes were glazed and his head was lowered. I fought to bring a smile onto my face as I took my boyfriend's hand into my own. " Of course I'll ask for help if I need it, Sho. I love you too." I whispered in return. Shoto gifted me with one of his rare smiles and lowered his head. I could feel the rate of my heart speed up in excitement as Shoto's lips got closer and closer to mine. When our lips finally touched, it felt like my heart was going to explode. The kiss was brief but it was still amazing. When Shoto pulled away, he laughed quietly, "At least this time it didn't taste like blood." he chuckled slightly. I blushed at his words and gently swatted at his arm. Before either of us could say more, Papa was at the hospital door, staring us down. "Hop to it, Todoroki. We need to be heading back." Papa tried to say quietly. We all know that Present Mic doesn't do quiet. Shoto sighed, clearly not wanting to leave, before pecking me on my forehead and walking out of the room, sending me a small smile over his shoulder before the door shut behind him.  

"So... You two finally kissed, huh?" Kyoka's voice drawled from the other side of the room. I jumped slightly in my bed at hearing her voice. I had completely forgotten that she was even in the same room as me. "Ah! Wait, did you watch us? That's weird, Kyoka." I chastised. I watched as Kyoka's face blossomed red as she shook her head rapidly. "Of course I wasn't watching you weirdo. I'm not a fucking perv! It was very easy to infer what happened when I looked up and saw the two of you looking at each other like lovesick puppies." Kyoka spoke rapidly. I laughed at how panicked she sounded. After a while, we both calmed down and she showed me the lyrics to the song she was writing. It looked really good. "You should totally write another song, Izu, Devil Town was really good." Kyoka said earnestly whilst she tweaked a few lyrics here and there. I blushed at the praise and ducked my head, "I think that was a one-off thing. I haven't had much success beside that song." I whispered. Kyoka shrugged and patted my head, "I think you just need help with actually writing the music for the song. Your good at lyrics. I'll help you if you want." Kyoka offered. I smiled at her and nodded. It would be fun to make another song, I already had another idea. 

Shuri-san came in with dinner for both Kyoka and me later that evening. That night we had miso soup. Shuri-san stayed for as long as she could to chat with both Kyoka and me about random things. Kyoka told her about us being in a band which then led to Shuri-san listening to a few of our songs. She seemed really impressed. The entire ordeal left me embarrassed, especially when Shuri-san complimented me on my guitar playing skills and singing. 

That night, Kyoka fell asleep before me. I really didn't want to descend into my nightmare world. I didn't want to face Hisashi. I didn't want to have to deal with the pain. I just wanted a dreamless sleep. It was inevitable that I would soon give in to the darkness which tickled the edges of my vision. 

My dreams were filled with a whole array of things. From Hisashi's shadowed face glaring down at me with acidic eyes to playing in the park as a child with Kacchan and my mum. My dreams constantly flip-flopped between happy memories and scenes of better times to images of Hisashi doing despicable things and the pain which wracked my body as a result of his actions. It was awful.

I woke up in a cold sweat to see Shuri-san and Kyoka standing above my bed, both wearing worried looks upon their faces. "It's ok, Izu, we're here. You're safe now." Kyoka whispered, pulling me into a hug. I could do nothing but sob and sniffle into her shoulder as the morning sun rose. 

So... randomly updating in the middle of the night. In my defence, I saw it's Shinso's birthday and thought that it would be a good idea to do this. Anyway, thank you for reading chapter 8 of Phenomenon and I hope you have a wonderful day wherever you are.