You walked alongside Aizawa, your words tumbling out as you rambled about your latest theory. It was something you’d spent hours piecing together, and the excitement of finally sharing it had taken over. You barely noticed how much you were saying until you glanced up at him.

He was quiet but fully present. His gaze remained forward, but the slight tilt of his head and the occasional grunt of acknowledgment told you he was listening. Really listening. That small realization made you feel seen in a way you couldn’t put into words.

When your voice finally trailed off, the silence between you was… comfortable. The kind that didn’t demand to be filled. Aizawa let it linger for a while before stopping, turning to face you.

“Not bad,” he said, his voice low and steady. Then, with a small sigh, he placed a hand on your shoulder. It wasn’t just a casual gesture; it carried a weight to it, an unspoken understanding. “You know, you don’t have to figure everything out on your own.”

Your chest tightened. He didn’t know about your dad—how he was never there—but something in his tone made it feel like he understood anyway. You tried to find something to say, but the words got stuck.

Aizawa gave your shoulder a light squeeze before continuing. “I’ll be here if you need someone. Don’t forget that.”

He started walking again, as if the moment hadn’t just shifted your entire perspective. You stood there for a beat longer, watching him, before following. For the first time in a long time, you didn’t feel so alone.