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“I do have some concerns about Fumikage moving into dorms,” his mother says. She takes a sip of her tea, pausing before she continues. “Specifically about his Quirk.”
Fumikage feels Dark Shadow bristle in the back of his mind. He wills it to be quiet.
“Your son’s Quirk has caused no trouble at school, but UA can arrange any necessary accommodations,” Aizawa says.
Fumikage’s mother shakes her head. “I’m just worried he’d be an unnecessary burden on the staff.”
Fumikage tenses.
She does not listen to reason, Dark Shadow growls.
We have spent ten years debating the issue, she isn’t going to change her mind, Fumikage replies, please be calm.
Aizawa places his tea cup back on the table between the three of them. “How so?”
Fumikage keeps his eyes trained on his own cup of tea, tracing the rim of the cup with one thumb and trying not to imagine the familiar look of frustration on his mother's face.
“While I’m sure he behaves himself at school, Fumikage has a habit of letting his concentration lapse when he’s at home,” his mother says. “He often doesn’t realise he’s lost control of his Quirk until it’s caused problems.”
“Mother, please,” Fumikage mumbles, keeping his eyes down.
“You know what I’m talking about,” she replies, her voice quiet but sharp.
Fumikage feels Aizawa’s gaze shift to him for a moment.
“In my professional opinion, ma’am, your son is one of the students least likely to cause Quirk-related problems in the dorms.”
Fumikage glances up. His teacher’s face is as neutral as ever. His mother, on the other hand, seems surprised.
“If he lacked the control or discipline necessary for UA, he wouldn’t be in my class,” Aizawa continues.
Now it’s his mother’s turn to look at him. Fumikage doesn’t move, his eyes returning to his tea.
“If that is true, then I do not envy your job, Mr Aizawa,” she says. “Fine. If you don’t think he’ll be too much trouble, I’ll give my permission.”
Fumikage offers to show Aizawa the way out of the apartment complex. It’s a fairly obvious route, and he found his way in perfectly fine by himself, but a combination of social obligation and a desire to leave the confines of the apartment for a moment compels Fumikage to walk down the six flights of stairs in step with his teacher. Dark Shadow uses the opportunity to make itself known, manifesting and perching itself on the shoulder further away from Aizawa.
“I don’t wish to pry into your home life, Tokoyami,” Aizawa says, “but what was your mother referring to when she commented about Dark Shadow?”
Dark Shadow tenses, both physically and mentally.
Calm yourself, Fumikage communicates, he means no harm.
“Dark Shadow and my mother… do not see eye to eye on many things,” Fumikage says aloud.
Aizawa looks down at Fumikage. “I was under the impression Dark Shadow’s actions were tied to your own emotions.”
“To an extent, yes. As much as it is inextricably linked to me, it has its own thoughts, and those sometimes differ from mine.”
Aizawa nods.
“Dark Shadow does not like being contained all hours of every day,” Fumikage explains.
Don’t talk about me as if I’m not here, Dark Shadow growls in the back of Fumikage’s mind.
Have patience, Fumikage responds.
“We have an agreement. Outside our home, Dark Shadow is simply my Quirk. It stays out of sight and keeps its opinions in our head,” Fumikage glances at the manifestation perched at his shoulder, “and in exchange, I allow it a certain amount of free reign within the safety of our home. Under these circumstances it is never intentionally destructive, but my mother does not appreciate its presence either way.”
He doesn't bother explaining how tenuous this agreement can be at times, as he's sure Aizawa remembers the training camp well enough.
Aizawa seems to consider this for a moment. “You’re well aware of UA’s policies about Quirk use on-campus, and I trust you’ll familiarise yourself with the dorms’ code of conduct.”
“Of course, Sensei.”
“Then I don’t see there being any issue with that arrangement continuing when you move into the dorms.”
“Thank you, Sensei.”
Dark Shadow seems less agitated now, particularly as they exit the stairwell into the midday sunlight of the complex’s parking lot. It still maintains its physical form, switching shoulders to be in Fumikage’s shadow.
Aizawa stops in the middle of the open parking area. Fumikage stops beside him.
“The way you speak about Dark Shadow is unique, Tokoyami,” Aizawa says. “I admit I have limited experience with sentient Quirks, but I’ve never come across someone who speaks about their Quirk as an individual in the way you do with Dark Shadow.”
“Ectoplasm’s clones are spoken about as individuals,” Dark Shadow interjects.
Fumikage glares at it.
Aizawa makes a face that is the closest Fumikage has seen him to genuine amusement.
“I’d never thought about it that way before," Aizawa says, locking eyes with Dark Shadow.
Fumikage can feel Dark Shadow’s smugness radiating through their connection, so he continues to glare at it for a moment before turning back to Aizawa.
"Would you and Dark Shadow prefer that I address the two of you as individuals?" Aizawa asks.
Dark Shadow's excitement is so strong that Fumikage struggles to keep his composure.
"When it is relevant," Fumikage considers, "I think that would be nice."
Aizawa nods. "I'll keep that in mind."