Kids Say the Darndest Things

The first years dorm was pretty barren as everyone got ready for bed. Only two students sat on the couch in the common area talking in low voices.

"He could be in love with her," Mina insisted. She clutched her fists to her chest and stared imploringly off into the distance, where she knew Aizawa sat in Eri's room brushing her long hair before bed.

"Look, I know the guy's got emotions, but, like, barely!" Kirishima shrugged, pointing. "I overheard Midnight telling another teacher she's never seen him date anyone."

"But -"

"And I mean, really look at him. If he wanted her to like him, wouldn't he try more? He's so scruffy, and with his bloodshot eyes and rumpled hair and clothes from sleeping in that bag everywhere, he looks like a vagrant. I doubt she likes him, even if he does." He shoved a bit of his chunky red hair away from his forehead impatiently when it tickled him.

"Ms. Joke liked him!"

"I almost believe that's the joke," he said, snorting. "Really, though, you see anyone lining up for him? And did you see how he looked at Joke?"

"Yeah," she agreed, rubbing her arm. "He looked sick when he saw her coming over. But there's another point: he doesn't do that to her."

"She doesn't tease him like Joke does. Of course he doesn't. "

"Oh." She looked crestfallen.

"Face it, Mina," Kirishima sighed. "There's nothing there. Mr. Aizawa doesn't like her that way. And I really doubt Ms. Cheshire's got a crush on him."

"Are you two done discussing my personal life?" The tone was icy cold and threatening.

"Eek!" Mina looked behind them, cowering, to see Aizawa standing with his eyes blazing and his hair straight up. He was so furious his capture weapon was swirling about.

"Oh, shit!" Kirishima scrambled to his feet. "Sorry, sir! I was trying to convince her that she, well..."

"I'm well aware of our resident 'shipper', as I believe it's called," he said firmly.

"What's a shipper?" Eri asked, her voice faint as she hid behind the couch. She edged away from him, her eyes apprehensive.

Aizawa immediately de-quirked, his hair falling messily down about his shoulders as his eyes faded back to his usual tired gray. He grimaced, inwardly swearing at himself for frightening her.

"It's from the word 'relationship'," Mina explained to her, smiling. "It means I like seeing people happy when they get together, as couples. You know, fall in love."

"Oooh." She crept closer, and Kirishima lifted her onto the couch between them. Aizawa slouched there awkwardly, not knowing how to halt the discussion without further terrifying his ward. "Then why was he mad?" She whispered, crouching down so he couldn't hear.

Aizawa heard anyway. He winced.

"He - uh, well, honestly, Eri, I thought Mr. Aizawa and Ms. Cheshire would like to be with each other." Mina was honest and Aizawa could hardly fault her for that, though he wished she would have kept quiet. "I guess I was wrong."

"No you're not." Eri's reply was quick and sure.

Aizawa started to sweat.

"What?!"

"He likes her," Eri said in a manner of fact way, swinging her legs. "When went out to get ice cream the other day he got her some, too."

"Eri," Aizawa coughed lightly, "that was common courtesy -"

"Did you bring other people ice cream too?" Mina asked shrewdly. "Or just her?"

"And the other day," Eri continued innocently, looking up at him in confusion. "The other day you were asking on the phone if roses were the right flower to get if you had - if you had..." She wrinkled her nose, trying to remember. "Ro-man-tic feelings for someone. And then Ms. Cheshire had a whole bunch of pretty flowers in her office the next day."

He stared at her in stunned disbelief, his ears burning. The teenagers blinked in equal astonishment. They remembered the roses, too. It had been a huge, elaborate display that had flustered Cheshire even more when she couldn't find out who had sent them.

"Eri, please don't tell people that."

"But I was just saying you like her. It isn't a bad thing." She frowned, starting to get upset. "Why don't you want her to know?"

"Adults are complicated," he said sourly. "I'm not angry at you, but please promise not to tell anyone else."

"Tell them what?" Someone new asked off to the side.

He snapped at the question, not realizing it had come from a new source. "That I'm in love with Cheshire!"

There was a thump, and they turned to see the woman in question frozen near them. Her tail, which was almost always up and waving around, had fallen limply to the floor. Elly's left eye twitched as she opened her mouth, then closed it. She shook her head instead and leaned against the wall for support.

"C'mon, Eri," Mina whispered. She gestured to her red-haired friend and he nodded. They crept quietly out of the common room to leave them alone.

"Aizawa..." Elly's voice was weak.

The exhausted man ducked down into his scarves, his entire face aflame. "You should ignore that."

"Why?" She asked, confused. "I came down here to see if you wanted to go get drinks at the bar after she was tucked in."

Aizawa rubbed the back of his neck, watching her carefully as he straightened. "Why?" He echoed her previous question perfectly.

"I was hoping you sent the roses."

He really had no response to that but a soft grunt. The scruffy teacher nodded, checking his watch. "Eri's ready for bed if she gets a bedtime story read to her." He turned to glare in the general direction his two students had dashed off to, knowing they were still there snooping.

Mina squeaked faintly.

"No problem, sir!" Kirishima called out.

Aizawa sighed and rubbed a hand over his eyes. He left with the counselor, his tired shuffle a little more spry than usual.

"Did I do it right?" Eri whispered loudly to the pink-skinned girl.

Mina's huge smile was infectious. She winked at her. "You were perfect!"