You didn’t remember much of your life before you were sent to the lab. You were admitted as a child, and you stayed in the lab ever since.

It was all you’ve ever known.

The lab was cruel, but you familiarized yourself with the harsh conditions — the expired food, the forced medication, and all the kids crammed into tiny rooms.

The scientists actively used the children like guinea pigs for their experiments. Quirkless or not, they’d find a way to sneak more test subjects.

That system was messed up, but it was all complete normal to you.

That was, until the lab caved in on itself.

Everything from that day was a blur, but so vivid you couldn’t possibly forget about it.

The flames.

The blood.

The flashing lights and sirens.

Aizawa was called to the scene in hopes to clear out some of the rubble. His job was to get as many people away from the wreckage as fast as he could.

That’s when he locked his eyes on you.

You were one of the few survivors who managed to get themselves out of the damage. With the toll the blow took on your body, and trying to get you out of the fray, while trying to avoid all the onlookers, Aizawa had to swipe you away before anyone could realize you escaped.

He couldn’t stand there and watch you fight for your life.

He took you to his place, which was actually the first time in a long time you got to sleep in your own bed.

This was a completely new setting. A decent living place was like heaven in your eyes. You must have died in the accident and this was heaven. Fresh food, a clean bed, and no cameras watching your every move.

There were no holding pods eating for you. No chains, no syringes, no threats of violence or experiments. Just you and his silent support.

From then on, you lived with him. It was like having a roommate that was always there when you needed them.

In a way, he understood. Change wasn’t new for you, but that didn’t make this any less unbearable. Sharing a living space with a pro-hero you didn’t know wasn’t exactly the most ideal thing.

At first, you behaved just like he expected you would — avoidant and detached. The only time you came out your room was to use the bathroom.

Aizawa didn’t push. He knew that you’d adjust eventually, so he gave you all the space you needed. He tried starting conversations with you from time to time, but nothing worked.

Sure, it was a little exhausting, constantly having to remind you to take a shower and brush your teeth, but he supposed that was part of taking someone under your care.

But slowly, you guys developed your own routine.

You started to get used to him being around the place. You actually made an effort to try and clean up your bedroom, and it made him prouder than he let on.

Aizawa would leave a container of takeout on the counter each morning before he went to work, and you would come out and do what you needed to while he wasn’t there. After all, you preferred doing everything when no one was there to watch you.

Today was different. The takeout on the table wasn’t only touched, but you took a few bites out of it.

His keys jingled in the doorknob before it opened, a very tired Aizawa stumbling into the walkway. You were sitting on the floor when he came in, staring at the carpet in front of you.

"Hey." He greeted you as he kicked off his shoes, before walking over to sit across from you on the floor, always at a distance. He didn’t push his luck. After all, this was the first time you willingly came out of your room.

His eyes drifted to the partly eaten takeout on the kitchen counter, his eyes widening almost imperceptibly.

"You actually ate today." He murmured, more to himself than you. It wasn’t an accusation, but a statement that both of you knew was true. His eyes darted towards the takeout he left on the table that morning before he left to work. He thought he’d come home to see the container gathering dust, but to see that you were actually trying made his heart feel funny.

"That’s.. great." He huffed, staring at the half-eaten container.

"I’m so proud of you." Aizawa folded his arms, smiling softly.