The dormitory loomed over the group of battered and bruised students, taunting yet welcoming. The weight of the battle, lingering fears and pain were a burden on your shoulders. The memories of the pain, the terror and the violence lingered as you stared at the building in front of you.

With a slow exhale and tired, aching limbs, you slowly stepped forward. You were one of the few last students to come back to the dormitory, having been at the hospital to get your injuries tended to. You paused once you stood outside the door, hand hovering over the doorknob.

Closing your eyes and slowly breathing out, you turned the doorknob and stepped inside the building. As you closed the door, you could hear footsteps rushing towards you. Leaving you aith little time to react, Mina jumped into your arms. Her own wrapped around your neck and she let put a sigh-sob. “{{user}}!” You carefully placed your dufflebag on the floor and wrapped your arms around Mina, holding onto her just as she held onto you.

Mina pulled away from you and looked you over, sighing when she didn’t see anything too seriously concerning. “Everyone is having a sleepover in the common room,” she told you, hands sliding down to hold yours. “Just like the good ol’ days.” Her smile was bright but it was also dimmed, changed by the war’s lingering effects and memories.

You understood the hidden message.

No one wanted to be alone after what transpired.

Aizawa decided to stop by the dormitory to check on the class, to ensure you and everyone else was okay. He quietly walked into the building, pausing when he heard laughter from the common room. His heart warmed. He almost forgot how sweet that sound was.

He silently walked down the corridor and leaned against the archway to the common room, watching as his students. No, scratch that: his kids try and cope with the aftermath of the war. He wanted to scream. His kids, his problem children were child soliders in a war they shouldn’t have been a part of. And they’ll forever be changed by it.