The day had been one to remember, with Aizawa declaring himself and offering to become even more than her boyfriend. He suggested gently that it might be a good idea to unwind before bed by watching one of her favorite nature documentaries, and she agreed. They sat on the couch in the living room, only half paying attention to what was on the television since they had seen it before. The soothing music and voice of the narrator had lulled her into a sleepy state, and he was very warm beside her.
He grunted and reached into a drawer in the table beside him, bringing out a bottle of eye drops.
"I have to pee. Be right back," she yawned.
He shrugged and let the drop fall into his left eye. "All right. I'll pause it so you don't miss the part with the jellyfish."
"Thanks." She stretched a little and walked down to the bathroom. When she was washing her hands she noticed a shadow in the mirror and groaned. "What is it?"
Her public relations manager was distraught yet again. It seemed to be his natural state these days.
"He spoke your <i>name</i>," Neuro grated. "I heard it! You know we can <i>all</i> hear the echo when that happens, especially when it's used by a promise-bound human."
"He told me that he loves me." She spoke calmly but there was a flicker of panic in her eyes.
He actually squawked again in his rage, the sound even more horrifying when it came out his human mouth. "And how many times has a human told you that? Starting with the <i>bitch</i> that stood by and let you be killed while she was already picking out a replacement for you?!"
Elly flinched. "Sumi sama."
"Ah yes, the black-haired cunt. Isn't it odd that the trash claiming to love you now has the same long, black hair?"
She cringed and just as suddenly snapped at the air inches in front of his face, her head a furry, bristling mouth full of fangs and wild, rolling cat-slit pupils. "<i>Stop it!</i> Stop trying to ruin him for me! And <i>leave me alone</i> before I crunch that nasty smile <i>right off your face!</i>"
He fled in a wisp of smoke and she realized she was gripping the counter so hard her knuckles were white. Elly shook herself back to human form and washed her face, trying to calm herself down before walking back out.
She thought of her boyfriend sitting on the couch, his gray eyes bloodshot and always tired looking. Of that terrifying yet somehow handsome grin and his dry, coughing laugh. She was even fond of the habit he had of rubbing at the back of his neck with one hand.
Aizawa did have long, black hair like Sumi, though his was shorter by far. He was the same nationality. What if he saw her in her true form and changed his mind? If his love turned to fear and loathing, he would want her dead like so many other humans. It had happened many times before.
Could she handle that if she opened her heart all the way one more time?
Elly jumped, her hand flying to her mouth to stifle a cry when she heard a light tap on the door. "You okay in there, Ches? I heard talking, but it sounded muted and strange."
"Yes!" She dried her hands and opened the door to find him standing there looking slightly concerned. "It was Neuro again. He, uh... oh, hell. I don't know."
"I think I might have a discussion with him later," he said quietly. "He's been upsetting you a lot lately."
She sighed and nodded. "He's been pushing me quite a bit."
Aizawa curled a protective arm about her shoulders. "You want to finish the show or go right to bed?"
"You know, I think I want to sleep more than anything."
"All right." He bent and picked her up without asking, and she purred with contentment, forcing the jumbled mess of insecurities away in her mind. He was warm, smelled good, and she loved him. Tomorrow she could focus on what had happened, but she was too weary right now to care.
Monday, August 26, 2019
Moy Mell 44
She squeaked faintly. "What."
"I assumed you knew." He shrugged, pulling back to look directly at her.
"I - I didn't..." Her breathing hitched sharply, and she covered her mouth in one hand.
"No one's told you that in a long time, have they." It wasn't really a question but she nodded anyway, tears pouring over her fingers. "Then I'll have to make sure I repeat myself often." He fixed her with an unusually intense gaze, his eyes glowing red.
"Sh - Shota..." The demonic cast to his normally human features further confused her and she stuttered, shaking. He saw this and reverted back, reached up and held her chin in one hand.
"Stop," he pleaded, "please stop destroying what's left of your heart by clinging to the things that have broken you. I want to help you, but you <i>must let go</i>."
"I'm <i>scared!</i>" Her pupils had contracted in her extreme fright, but it was not him she was afraid of, and for that he was hopeful.
"I know." He kissed her briefly, wiping her tears away with gentle swipes of his fingertips. "It's not going to be easy for you. All I can do is promise I'll be here." He added her real name in a low tone, reminding her of the nature of that promise.
Elly had begun to move, nothing more than a tensing of her body in preparation for the shift of weight towards the man in front of her. But before she could accept or reject him, a parrot head burst out of the ground beside them, burning the tiny flowers and grass around it in a foot long radius. They both jumped and she rolled off his lap.
"Dinner's ready!" Neuro squawked in as loud and grating vouce as he could manage. He clucked once or twice, then suddenly and shockingly screeched. "Get back to the house before the blond one kicks your asses!"
Aizawa rubbed a tired hand across his eyes, grinning ruefully. "Bastard," he said under his breath.
Elly shook her head. "I'm going to pluck that bird bald," she hissed. "He damn near have me a heart attack!"
"Yes." He held a hand out to her and helped her up. "I assume he thinks it's amusing."
"I'll bite his tail off," she growled.
He chuckled. "Don't let him get to you. By the way, my offer stands. It's your choice, my queen. It has to be. For now, though..." He dusted his pants off and looked in the direction they had come from. "We don't want to anger the cook by letting dinner get cold, do we?"
"I assumed you knew." He shrugged, pulling back to look directly at her.
"I - I didn't..." Her breathing hitched sharply, and she covered her mouth in one hand.
"No one's told you that in a long time, have they." It wasn't really a question but she nodded anyway, tears pouring over her fingers. "Then I'll have to make sure I repeat myself often." He fixed her with an unusually intense gaze, his eyes glowing red.
"Sh - Shota..." The demonic cast to his normally human features further confused her and she stuttered, shaking. He saw this and reverted back, reached up and held her chin in one hand.
"Stop," he pleaded, "please stop destroying what's left of your heart by clinging to the things that have broken you. I want to help you, but you <i>must let go</i>."
"I'm <i>scared!</i>" Her pupils had contracted in her extreme fright, but it was not him she was afraid of, and for that he was hopeful.
"I know." He kissed her briefly, wiping her tears away with gentle swipes of his fingertips. "It's not going to be easy for you. All I can do is promise I'll be here." He added her real name in a low tone, reminding her of the nature of that promise.
Elly had begun to move, nothing more than a tensing of her body in preparation for the shift of weight towards the man in front of her. But before she could accept or reject him, a parrot head burst out of the ground beside them, burning the tiny flowers and grass around it in a foot long radius. They both jumped and she rolled off his lap.
"Dinner's ready!" Neuro squawked in as loud and grating vouce as he could manage. He clucked once or twice, then suddenly and shockingly screeched. "Get back to the house before the blond one kicks your asses!"
Aizawa rubbed a tired hand across his eyes, grinning ruefully. "Bastard," he said under his breath.
Elly shook her head. "I'm going to pluck that bird bald," she hissed. "He damn near have me a heart attack!"
"Yes." He held a hand out to her and helped her up. "I assume he thinks it's amusing."
"I'll bite his tail off," she growled.
He chuckled. "Don't let him get to you. By the way, my offer stands. It's your choice, my queen. It has to be. For now, though..." He dusted his pants off and looked in the direction they had come from. "We don't want to anger the cook by letting dinner get cold, do we?"
Moy Mell 43
Zoro had decided a few days ago to work in the gardens to keep busy. He didn't want to go back to security just yet, but needed something to fill the hours in his day. As he was rounding a corner with a large sack of wildflower seeds slung over his back, he heard a familiar laugh and paused.
Creeping forward through the neatly manicured bushes, he followed the sound until he saw Elly and Aizawa sitting in the middle of a small flower field in a clearing. It was far enough away from the compound so they had privacy, or so they had thought when they chose it, and yet close enough to get back before it got too dark.
He shook his head and started to turn away when the dark-haired man pulled her into his lap and kissed her. It was not a small peck on the cheek or lips, either, but a very long, very warm open-mouthed kiss. The easy, familiar way he did it proved this was not their first as well.
The sack seemed to grow heavier all of a sudden, but he grimly re-shouldered it and moved away from the scene unfolding in front of him. A lot of people had tried to warn him about this. He had known it might happen. But the swordsman had foolishly thought things would somehow stay the same even after he had changed them.
He did not blame her.
The cook was one of the strangest and strongest advocates for his cause, yet even he had gotten fed up with his friend's inability to express himself. Evidently the red-eyed rat bastard - there was where the anger had fallen, he felt it boil up inside -- did it better than he ever could.
Well. Looks like he was going to stay on as a groundskeeper for awhile longer. It was much safer than being in security.
The couple had decided to take a walk before dinner and found this small open patch of meadow by accident. Aizawa flopped onto the ground and held his arms out.
"Mmn. C'mere." He pulled her smoothly onto his lap and kissed her seriously, causing her to grow limp. She slid down against him, relaxing in his arms so much that he took a chance and moved his hands lower on her back.
Elly shivered. "Getting close to my tail," she husked. The striped fur ruffled in the breeze as she waved it to one side.
He gave her a very steady look. "Is that a warning?"
"I've mauled people for less."
His grin turned feral. "And me?"
Her ears pointed directly at him. "It's a huge sign of submission for me to let anyone touch it. No one has ever gotten permission yet. "
His hands tightened, then dropped. "I understand you don't want me doing that just yet."
She shook herself. "I didn't exactly say you couldn't."
He rubbed under her chin with one hand. "Is threatening to maul me a sign of affection, then?"
She flicked her ears back. "I didn't... oh, hell. Then apologize better."
"Hmm. Like this?"
"Yes," she breathed as he mouthed her lips, whispering that he was sorry. "Much better."
"You're insatiable. For kisses, that is," he quickly clarified.
"M'never thought of that, but I guess so."
"I suppose you never got many before?"
"That's true. People were afraid of me after I came back changed." She shrugged and tucked a strand of purple hair back that was tickling her cheek. "I like the closeness. I also like being held for that reason. I used to be held ... before."
"I'll remember that."
"Good," she sighed.
"Can I ask you a question?" He stroked her hair in a calming manner, knowing he was going to bring up a sensitive topic.
"About what?"
He thought for a moment. "You mentioned how rare it is that you date. No one can remember you being serious with anyone past the cook."
"And he wasn't really my choice. I'm still upset about my actions there." She huffed, tail thumping on the grass. "Oh. What's your question? Though I could guess."
He raised his eyebrows. "When was the last time you were in a committed relationship?"
"Does it matter?" Elly toyed with his ponytail, deep in thought. "Every time I tried I've been hurt somehow. Sanji being the exception, but again, to be fair, I didn't love him that way." His arms twitched around her. She felt it and pulled slightly back so she could look into his eyes. "You're not the same," she said quietly.
"I know." But he looked concerned.
"I mean it," she ventured, sounding injured. "I know I keep bringing that up and how I didn't love him and all. I - I was attracted to him and I got confused, I think. It's been so long... I thought maybe if I went along with it, that would be enough."
"Hmm."
"To answer your question, I don't remember. It's been such a long time ago and I haven't, ah, been with a man for so long my body stopped some of my natural processes. That's why Bella was getting involved when she saw we liked each other."
He coughed dry laughter, surprising her. "That's what all the texting was about."
"Yeahhh. She's a sex demon. She was really concerned."
"I am as well. Both as your partner and head of security in charge of your well-being, I want to know more about what you mean by 'natural processes'."
Elly's face colored rapidly. "I started out a cat," she blurted out, "and cats get heats. I don't anymore. It hurts."
"I didn't mean to embarrass you. It's important to me if you're in pain."
She laughed abashedly. "I'm not in pain now," she told him truthfully. "Besides... wh - what are you doing?!"
Aizawa did not look up from where he was kissing her jawline. "Helping," he stated calmly.
"You don't know what you're do..." She faltered, rolling her head back as he continued and reached her neck. "You do know what you're doing. How - how ..?"
His answer was cryptic. "Research." His lips trailed over to where her pulse was beating crazily under her skin.
"Wait..."
"Mm hm." He bared his teeth on the spot, rubbing them gently and then licking. "I need consent, please."
"And I need to hear you say what you think you're doing!"
"Marking you."
"Do you understand what it means?"
"Yes. And it will start your heats again, which I will also be glad to help you with."
She choked on that but filed it away for future reference. Right now she could barely breathe with his arms around her and his mouth teasing her sensitive neck.
It meant trusting him more than she had been; a mark was a visible sign of a coupling. There was no way to be coy about this and everyone would be absolutely certain they were together. Demons would understand it meant a little more, and she was likely to receive criticism for mating with a human from most of her peers.
This was commitment, not play.
Shaking all over, she whimpered and tried to think. But though he wasn't moving his stubble scratched gently and she could feel his warm breath, his dry lips pressing on her skin. It would be so easy to give in. She wanted to give in.
It was his remark about helping with her heats that had destroyed any semblance of rational thought. He was promising to mark and then mount her, to take her as a mate. The fact that he knew what it meant and his calmness about it was reassuring.
Aizawa's heart started to beat faster when he felt her relaxing once more. Despite how calm he may have sounded and even looked, his throat was dry and he was sweating a little. This had been a risk, but the reward would be worth it. What had pushed him into moving faster had been her mention of pain. His original plan was to wait much longer, but he couldn't bear to know she was suffering more than he originally thought.
"Would it help if I mentioned how illogically, ridiculously in love with you I've become?"
Creeping forward through the neatly manicured bushes, he followed the sound until he saw Elly and Aizawa sitting in the middle of a small flower field in a clearing. It was far enough away from the compound so they had privacy, or so they had thought when they chose it, and yet close enough to get back before it got too dark.
He shook his head and started to turn away when the dark-haired man pulled her into his lap and kissed her. It was not a small peck on the cheek or lips, either, but a very long, very warm open-mouthed kiss. The easy, familiar way he did it proved this was not their first as well.
The sack seemed to grow heavier all of a sudden, but he grimly re-shouldered it and moved away from the scene unfolding in front of him. A lot of people had tried to warn him about this. He had known it might happen. But the swordsman had foolishly thought things would somehow stay the same even after he had changed them.
He did not blame her.
The cook was one of the strangest and strongest advocates for his cause, yet even he had gotten fed up with his friend's inability to express himself. Evidently the red-eyed rat bastard - there was where the anger had fallen, he felt it boil up inside -- did it better than he ever could.
Well. Looks like he was going to stay on as a groundskeeper for awhile longer. It was much safer than being in security.
The couple had decided to take a walk before dinner and found this small open patch of meadow by accident. Aizawa flopped onto the ground and held his arms out.
"Mmn. C'mere." He pulled her smoothly onto his lap and kissed her seriously, causing her to grow limp. She slid down against him, relaxing in his arms so much that he took a chance and moved his hands lower on her back.
Elly shivered. "Getting close to my tail," she husked. The striped fur ruffled in the breeze as she waved it to one side.
He gave her a very steady look. "Is that a warning?"
"I've mauled people for less."
His grin turned feral. "And me?"
Her ears pointed directly at him. "It's a huge sign of submission for me to let anyone touch it. No one has ever gotten permission yet. "
His hands tightened, then dropped. "I understand you don't want me doing that just yet."
She shook herself. "I didn't exactly say you couldn't."
He rubbed under her chin with one hand. "Is threatening to maul me a sign of affection, then?"
She flicked her ears back. "I didn't... oh, hell. Then apologize better."
"Hmm. Like this?"
"Yes," she breathed as he mouthed her lips, whispering that he was sorry. "Much better."
"You're insatiable. For kisses, that is," he quickly clarified.
"M'never thought of that, but I guess so."
"I suppose you never got many before?"
"That's true. People were afraid of me after I came back changed." She shrugged and tucked a strand of purple hair back that was tickling her cheek. "I like the closeness. I also like being held for that reason. I used to be held ... before."
"I'll remember that."
"Good," she sighed.
"Can I ask you a question?" He stroked her hair in a calming manner, knowing he was going to bring up a sensitive topic.
"About what?"
He thought for a moment. "You mentioned how rare it is that you date. No one can remember you being serious with anyone past the cook."
"And he wasn't really my choice. I'm still upset about my actions there." She huffed, tail thumping on the grass. "Oh. What's your question? Though I could guess."
He raised his eyebrows. "When was the last time you were in a committed relationship?"
"Does it matter?" Elly toyed with his ponytail, deep in thought. "Every time I tried I've been hurt somehow. Sanji being the exception, but again, to be fair, I didn't love him that way." His arms twitched around her. She felt it and pulled slightly back so she could look into his eyes. "You're not the same," she said quietly.
"I know." But he looked concerned.
"I mean it," she ventured, sounding injured. "I know I keep bringing that up and how I didn't love him and all. I - I was attracted to him and I got confused, I think. It's been so long... I thought maybe if I went along with it, that would be enough."
"Hmm."
"To answer your question, I don't remember. It's been such a long time ago and I haven't, ah, been with a man for so long my body stopped some of my natural processes. That's why Bella was getting involved when she saw we liked each other."
He coughed dry laughter, surprising her. "That's what all the texting was about."
"Yeahhh. She's a sex demon. She was really concerned."
"I am as well. Both as your partner and head of security in charge of your well-being, I want to know more about what you mean by 'natural processes'."
Elly's face colored rapidly. "I started out a cat," she blurted out, "and cats get heats. I don't anymore. It hurts."
"I didn't mean to embarrass you. It's important to me if you're in pain."
She laughed abashedly. "I'm not in pain now," she told him truthfully. "Besides... wh - what are you doing?!"
Aizawa did not look up from where he was kissing her jawline. "Helping," he stated calmly.
"You don't know what you're do..." She faltered, rolling her head back as he continued and reached her neck. "You do know what you're doing. How - how ..?"
His answer was cryptic. "Research." His lips trailed over to where her pulse was beating crazily under her skin.
"Wait..."
"Mm hm." He bared his teeth on the spot, rubbing them gently and then licking. "I need consent, please."
"And I need to hear you say what you think you're doing!"
"Marking you."
"Do you understand what it means?"
"Yes. And it will start your heats again, which I will also be glad to help you with."
She choked on that but filed it away for future reference. Right now she could barely breathe with his arms around her and his mouth teasing her sensitive neck.
It meant trusting him more than she had been; a mark was a visible sign of a coupling. There was no way to be coy about this and everyone would be absolutely certain they were together. Demons would understand it meant a little more, and she was likely to receive criticism for mating with a human from most of her peers.
This was commitment, not play.
Shaking all over, she whimpered and tried to think. But though he wasn't moving his stubble scratched gently and she could feel his warm breath, his dry lips pressing on her skin. It would be so easy to give in. She wanted to give in.
It was his remark about helping with her heats that had destroyed any semblance of rational thought. He was promising to mark and then mount her, to take her as a mate. The fact that he knew what it meant and his calmness about it was reassuring.
Aizawa's heart started to beat faster when he felt her relaxing once more. Despite how calm he may have sounded and even looked, his throat was dry and he was sweating a little. This had been a risk, but the reward would be worth it. What had pushed him into moving faster had been her mention of pain. His original plan was to wait much longer, but he couldn't bear to know she was suffering more than he originally thought.
"Would it help if I mentioned how illogically, ridiculously in love with you I've become?"
King of my Heart 23
It was late in the evening and Hizashi was getting ready to head out for one of his extra jobs.
"I'll wait up for you tonight, sweetie. Just let me know if your gig is going to run late." He bent down slightly as he was fixing his hair and she kissed him on the cheek.
"'kay. It shouldn't, though. This place is usually good at keeping strict closing times." Hizashi frowned, tapping his tub of hair wax on the counter.
"Stuck again?"
He nodded in frustration. "Damn thing. I ran hot water over it before."
"Well, if it's dried up I bought you another yesterday - it's behind the other stuff in the cabinet."
"Oh, word?" He dug around for a moment and popped up, beaming, with the fresh tub in hand. "You're awesome, babe!"
Elly chuckled and watched from the door, still fascinated at the way he could turn his soft, long hair into a gigantic cockatoo plume with a single handful of goop and some spray.
"Okay! Gonna get some water in my bottle, and my other gear, and then I'm set..." He pulled his boots on and grabbed the handle of the huge bag that held some of his equipment. The bigger items were stored locally and moved ahead of time to where the venue was. He grabbed an umbrella as well, since it was storming outside.
"Oh! Almost forgot the most important thing." He leaned over and hugged her tight, kissing her noisily on the cheek and making her giggle. "Now I'm ready."
"Hydrate, Mikey," she told him, reverting naturally to his other name since he was in costume. "Remember this time!"
He waved his water bottle at her with a grin as he left.
She settled down for a quiet evening of book reading. Over the course of several hours, the storm outside grew worse. She started to worry about Hizashi getting safely home when a huge crack of thunder split through the air. Elly's ears snapped up as she heard a loud crackle and a low, whining sound. "Uh oh," she murmured.
The lights went out all over the campus.
Sighing, she walked over to the closet and grabbed a rain coat. She knew she was one of the only heroes in the vicinity that could partially see in the dark, and she would be needed.
Of course the school had backup generators, but they could only be set up in one of the largest gyms. She gathered up students and teachers alike that hadn't managed to make it there yet. After around a quarter of an hour, she noticed someone was missing.
Shota Aizawa had a secret that only one close person to him knew.
He was afraid of the dark.
It was easy to hide because there was always some sort of light available - street lights, candles, even the faint glow of the moon. But the storm had caused complete darkness to settle all around him, and he was horrified.
He hated the paralysing, irrational terror the absence of all light caused in him and he always had a contingency plan for emergencies. Unfortunately, he had been busy with work and hadn't checked the batteries in his flashlights for some time. He also had the suspicion that Eri might have worn down a few while playing, but that didn't matter now. What mattered was he was stuck, in the dark, and completely unable to move.
When there was a light tapping on his front door he nearly jumped out of his skin. "Who is it?" He managed to keep his voice even with a mighty effort.
"Elly." She paused. "It's Ches, Shota. I've got the skeleton key and I'm coming in."
He panicked further, but there was no time to cover up for his condition before she shone a light in the corner of the bedroom, exposing him curled into a ball in his fear.
"Oh, Shota. I'm sorry -"
"No. Don't come closer and do not attempt to comfort me." He must have realized his voice was shaking even in his determination and added in a softer tone, "Please."
Elly focused on him and saw the raw fear in his eyes. "I tried to get them to send someone else. I can see better in the dark, plus we're neighbors. They picked me."
"You didn't want to ..." He flinched as the storm brought another large branch down and there was a crackle of electricity from the fallen lines. "Of course you know. You have a degree in psychology." Aizawa hung his head between his knees, his hands clasping the back of his neck. This was now officially one of the worst days he had experienced in a while. "I tried to hide my feelings for you. I apologize."
"There's nothing to apologize for. It happens; there's a reason there are so many books, movies and songs devoted to such a scenario." She rummaged in a bag she was carrying and handed him another flashlight and some extra batteries.
"Ugh," he grunted at her response and then nodded. "Thank you."
"Do you want me to leave you alone?"
"No." The obvious pain the next statement caused him made her cringe slightly. "But you should."
"I understand. You want to put distance between us? And Hizashi, too, for awhile?"
His bitter sigh floated up out of the darkness. "It's necessary."
"All right." Elly nodded. "I'll go back and let everyone know that you're okay, just busy." She held back, knowing any gesture might be seen as encouragement. It was frustrating because she really did care for the man. He was her second best friend here, her boyfriend's best pal for ages that had always been his rock. His voice cracked as she got up and it was very difficult to not comfort him with a touch.
"Thank you." It didn't help that she could see the yearning in his weary face as he looked in her direction. Knowing he would be separating himself from his friends clearly pained him even more. Others thought him antisocial; yet even the most dedicated loner craved some human contact.
"You're welcome, Shota." She touched his shoulder briefly, unable to leave the frightened man without a token act of human kindness.
He drew in his breath sharply and caught her hand in his. It was clammy and cold, the tremors running through his body causing it to shake as well.
"Ches, I..."
A loud knocking at the front door cut off whatever he was about to say.
Hizashi stumbled clumsily in, fumbling around in the dark. He held several glow sticks in one gloved hand which didn't really illuminate much farther than the tips of his fingers. "Hey hey, I heard you talkin' and it's so dark out! I know someone has an issue with that. S'everything okay?"
Aizawa jerked himself away from the cat woman, slamming himself into the wall in his haste. He hissed with pain and swore.
"Hey, there you are." He stepped into the bedroom and handed his friend the party sticks. "No reason you can't have some festive light too, hey?"
Elly smiled at him and wrapped an arm about his waist, causing him to exclaim with delight. "I was just telling Shota I'm going back to the main hall to tell everyone he's all right. He wants to stay here."
"Oh. Too many people. Okay, then - if you're sure!"
"I'm fine. Go."
They walked back out into the wind and the rain, shutting the door tightly closed behind them.
Hizashi looked back over his shoulder once. "Hey, babe, I don't think he was fine."
"I know. But it's what he wanted."
"I'll wait up for you tonight, sweetie. Just let me know if your gig is going to run late." He bent down slightly as he was fixing his hair and she kissed him on the cheek.
"'kay. It shouldn't, though. This place is usually good at keeping strict closing times." Hizashi frowned, tapping his tub of hair wax on the counter.
"Stuck again?"
He nodded in frustration. "Damn thing. I ran hot water over it before."
"Well, if it's dried up I bought you another yesterday - it's behind the other stuff in the cabinet."
"Oh, word?" He dug around for a moment and popped up, beaming, with the fresh tub in hand. "You're awesome, babe!"
Elly chuckled and watched from the door, still fascinated at the way he could turn his soft, long hair into a gigantic cockatoo plume with a single handful of goop and some spray.
"Okay! Gonna get some water in my bottle, and my other gear, and then I'm set..." He pulled his boots on and grabbed the handle of the huge bag that held some of his equipment. The bigger items were stored locally and moved ahead of time to where the venue was. He grabbed an umbrella as well, since it was storming outside.
"Oh! Almost forgot the most important thing." He leaned over and hugged her tight, kissing her noisily on the cheek and making her giggle. "Now I'm ready."
"Hydrate, Mikey," she told him, reverting naturally to his other name since he was in costume. "Remember this time!"
He waved his water bottle at her with a grin as he left.
She settled down for a quiet evening of book reading. Over the course of several hours, the storm outside grew worse. She started to worry about Hizashi getting safely home when a huge crack of thunder split through the air. Elly's ears snapped up as she heard a loud crackle and a low, whining sound. "Uh oh," she murmured.
The lights went out all over the campus.
Sighing, she walked over to the closet and grabbed a rain coat. She knew she was one of the only heroes in the vicinity that could partially see in the dark, and she would be needed.
Of course the school had backup generators, but they could only be set up in one of the largest gyms. She gathered up students and teachers alike that hadn't managed to make it there yet. After around a quarter of an hour, she noticed someone was missing.
Shota Aizawa had a secret that only one close person to him knew.
He was afraid of the dark.
It was easy to hide because there was always some sort of light available - street lights, candles, even the faint glow of the moon. But the storm had caused complete darkness to settle all around him, and he was horrified.
He hated the paralysing, irrational terror the absence of all light caused in him and he always had a contingency plan for emergencies. Unfortunately, he had been busy with work and hadn't checked the batteries in his flashlights for some time. He also had the suspicion that Eri might have worn down a few while playing, but that didn't matter now. What mattered was he was stuck, in the dark, and completely unable to move.
When there was a light tapping on his front door he nearly jumped out of his skin. "Who is it?" He managed to keep his voice even with a mighty effort.
"Elly." She paused. "It's Ches, Shota. I've got the skeleton key and I'm coming in."
He panicked further, but there was no time to cover up for his condition before she shone a light in the corner of the bedroom, exposing him curled into a ball in his fear.
"Oh, Shota. I'm sorry -"
"No. Don't come closer and do not attempt to comfort me." He must have realized his voice was shaking even in his determination and added in a softer tone, "Please."
Elly focused on him and saw the raw fear in his eyes. "I tried to get them to send someone else. I can see better in the dark, plus we're neighbors. They picked me."
"You didn't want to ..." He flinched as the storm brought another large branch down and there was a crackle of electricity from the fallen lines. "Of course you know. You have a degree in psychology." Aizawa hung his head between his knees, his hands clasping the back of his neck. This was now officially one of the worst days he had experienced in a while. "I tried to hide my feelings for you. I apologize."
"There's nothing to apologize for. It happens; there's a reason there are so many books, movies and songs devoted to such a scenario." She rummaged in a bag she was carrying and handed him another flashlight and some extra batteries.
"Ugh," he grunted at her response and then nodded. "Thank you."
"Do you want me to leave you alone?"
"No." The obvious pain the next statement caused him made her cringe slightly. "But you should."
"I understand. You want to put distance between us? And Hizashi, too, for awhile?"
His bitter sigh floated up out of the darkness. "It's necessary."
"All right." Elly nodded. "I'll go back and let everyone know that you're okay, just busy." She held back, knowing any gesture might be seen as encouragement. It was frustrating because she really did care for the man. He was her second best friend here, her boyfriend's best pal for ages that had always been his rock. His voice cracked as she got up and it was very difficult to not comfort him with a touch.
"Thank you." It didn't help that she could see the yearning in his weary face as he looked in her direction. Knowing he would be separating himself from his friends clearly pained him even more. Others thought him antisocial; yet even the most dedicated loner craved some human contact.
"You're welcome, Shota." She touched his shoulder briefly, unable to leave the frightened man without a token act of human kindness.
He drew in his breath sharply and caught her hand in his. It was clammy and cold, the tremors running through his body causing it to shake as well.
"Ches, I..."
A loud knocking at the front door cut off whatever he was about to say.
Hizashi stumbled clumsily in, fumbling around in the dark. He held several glow sticks in one gloved hand which didn't really illuminate much farther than the tips of his fingers. "Hey hey, I heard you talkin' and it's so dark out! I know someone has an issue with that. S'everything okay?"
Aizawa jerked himself away from the cat woman, slamming himself into the wall in his haste. He hissed with pain and swore.
"Hey, there you are." He stepped into the bedroom and handed his friend the party sticks. "No reason you can't have some festive light too, hey?"
Elly smiled at him and wrapped an arm about his waist, causing him to exclaim with delight. "I was just telling Shota I'm going back to the main hall to tell everyone he's all right. He wants to stay here."
"Oh. Too many people. Okay, then - if you're sure!"
"I'm fine. Go."
They walked back out into the wind and the rain, shutting the door tightly closed behind them.
Hizashi looked back over his shoulder once. "Hey, babe, I don't think he was fine."
"I know. But it's what he wanted."
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Wonderland 21
It was a good thing that the school supplied them with chauffeured vehicles for transportation. Aizawa showed no outside excitement, but he was openly smiling as they pulled up to the airport to pick her up. Yagi and Hizashi had come with him as their closest friends and the Voice Hero made up for any seeming lack of enthusiasm on his part anyway. He talked the whole way there, bouncing in his seat like a schoolboy and elbowing his friend at times, laughing and happy.
Aizawa got out and simply waited by customs at the gate, standing straight for once and not slumped over. His gray eyes were penetrating as he appeared to try to look through the crowds to find her. After half an hour a flash of purple rushed their tiny group.
"Oh my god, <i>Shota</i>!" Elly cried out, forgetting herself so much she pounced like the partial cat she was straight into his arms. He caught her and spun about to stabilize them both, hugging as tightly as he could.
Yagi brought out a wisp of tissue again to blot his sunken eyes with.
Hizashi was grinning like a loon. "We brought the real welcome wagon this time!" He hugged the couple, laughing like crazy.
"So good to have you back," Yagi beamed, also going in for a hug.
The two other men let go first. Hizashi gave his friends an enthusiastic thumb's up. She was so happy she was nearly crying. There were a few people standing still, shocked at the open display the four heroes were creating. Aizawa did not mind for once. He refused to let go, standing in the middle of the now thinning crowd of departures with his head bent to hers. He was, for once, smiling freely and hugely.
The trip back to campus was noisier yet as Hizashi continued to fill the limousine with good-natured chatter and laughter. After he and Yagi had left, the two stood at Aizawa's apartment door, nearly overwhelmed by the sudden silence.
"He was really excited you were coming back," he explained dryly as he pushed the door open.
"Yeah, I could see that!" She giggled. "Oh! I didn't think to ask. I don't have a room booked anywhere, and I haven't been assigned one on campus yet. Where am I going to stay?" She dropped her bag by the door and removed her shoes.
His grin grew positively ferocious.
Elly blinked, then blushed bright red all over. "<i>Shota Aizawa!</i>"
"Heh."
"Wait." She squinted at him, poking him in the chest with one finger. "Nezu doesn't forget details like that. He even had me scheduled for a layover so UA could take me back."
"What are you saying?" Somehow he managed to grin even creepier, grabbing her hand to kiss her fingers.
"This isn't chance!" She burst out laughing. "He did this on purpose. There's no way he 'forgot' I would need a place to stay the first night."
"Oh? He should help me out for all the bullshit he put you through. I'm still pissed. Although," he added grudgingly, "I see the reasoning behind it."
"Um, Shota?"
"Hmm?"
"Can I have my hand back?"
He pondered for a minute, really dragging it out. Then he shook his head, pulled her hand all the way up and kissed the palm. "No. This is mine now."
"All of me is yours, you idiot."
"Oh?" His voice raised with interest. "Is it now?"
"Oh, um." She laughed a little. "Shota..."
"What do you say, Ches?" He pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her lower waist. "Want to share the futon tonight?"
Elly smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. "Carry me over there and you've got a deal."
"Hnnf." He hefted lightly, and she was lifted easily in his arms. "I wasn't expecting this," he admitted as he walked into the spartan bedroom. "I don't own much."
He was not kidding. She had seen his living room, but the bedroom had even less. There was a single futon, unfolded on the wall near the window where a tall lamp stood nearby. There was nothing else in the entire room. Aizawa laid her on the bedding and knelt on top, propping himself carefully on his elbows so he didn't crush her with his weight.
"You don't need much," she murmured.
"Not right now," he agreed. "Now I've got everything I need."
Aizawa got out and simply waited by customs at the gate, standing straight for once and not slumped over. His gray eyes were penetrating as he appeared to try to look through the crowds to find her. After half an hour a flash of purple rushed their tiny group.
"Oh my god, <i>Shota</i>!" Elly cried out, forgetting herself so much she pounced like the partial cat she was straight into his arms. He caught her and spun about to stabilize them both, hugging as tightly as he could.
Yagi brought out a wisp of tissue again to blot his sunken eyes with.
Hizashi was grinning like a loon. "We brought the real welcome wagon this time!" He hugged the couple, laughing like crazy.
"So good to have you back," Yagi beamed, also going in for a hug.
The two other men let go first. Hizashi gave his friends an enthusiastic thumb's up. She was so happy she was nearly crying. There were a few people standing still, shocked at the open display the four heroes were creating. Aizawa did not mind for once. He refused to let go, standing in the middle of the now thinning crowd of departures with his head bent to hers. He was, for once, smiling freely and hugely.
The trip back to campus was noisier yet as Hizashi continued to fill the limousine with good-natured chatter and laughter. After he and Yagi had left, the two stood at Aizawa's apartment door, nearly overwhelmed by the sudden silence.
"He was really excited you were coming back," he explained dryly as he pushed the door open.
"Yeah, I could see that!" She giggled. "Oh! I didn't think to ask. I don't have a room booked anywhere, and I haven't been assigned one on campus yet. Where am I going to stay?" She dropped her bag by the door and removed her shoes.
His grin grew positively ferocious.
Elly blinked, then blushed bright red all over. "<i>Shota Aizawa!</i>"
"Heh."
"Wait." She squinted at him, poking him in the chest with one finger. "Nezu doesn't forget details like that. He even had me scheduled for a layover so UA could take me back."
"What are you saying?" Somehow he managed to grin even creepier, grabbing her hand to kiss her fingers.
"This isn't chance!" She burst out laughing. "He did this on purpose. There's no way he 'forgot' I would need a place to stay the first night."
"Oh? He should help me out for all the bullshit he put you through. I'm still pissed. Although," he added grudgingly, "I see the reasoning behind it."
"Um, Shota?"
"Hmm?"
"Can I have my hand back?"
He pondered for a minute, really dragging it out. Then he shook his head, pulled her hand all the way up and kissed the palm. "No. This is mine now."
"All of me is yours, you idiot."
"Oh?" His voice raised with interest. "Is it now?"
"Oh, um." She laughed a little. "Shota..."
"What do you say, Ches?" He pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her lower waist. "Want to share the futon tonight?"
Elly smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. "Carry me over there and you've got a deal."
"Hnnf." He hefted lightly, and she was lifted easily in his arms. "I wasn't expecting this," he admitted as he walked into the spartan bedroom. "I don't own much."
He was not kidding. She had seen his living room, but the bedroom had even less. There was a single futon, unfolded on the wall near the window where a tall lamp stood nearby. There was nothing else in the entire room. Aizawa laid her on the bedding and knelt on top, propping himself carefully on his elbows so he didn't crush her with his weight.
"You don't need much," she murmured.
"Not right now," he agreed. "Now I've got everything I need."
Moy Mell 42
"You got lucky," Neuro commented acidly. He shook the paper in her direction. "Some singer eloped, and this other celebrity family adopted a baby. You and your scruffy boyfriend ended up with only a blurb on the second page."
Aizawa stared at him over the rim of his coffee cup but said nothing.
"That's good," Elly shrugged. "I had enough with people telling me what they thought last night." She made a face.
Aizawa snickered softly. "She about disemboweled a few socialites. You would have enjoyed yourself." This last was directed at the bird demon.
"Oh, really?"
Elly paused in the act of gathering up a forkful of bacon. "Um. Yeah. Well, a few of them had rather unflattering things to say about my date."
This time both of the males chuckled.
"M'serious," she grumbled around a mouth filled with crunchy meat. "What is it about famous people and beings that we can't even fart without others criticizing us?"
"You had less resistance when you dated the cook."
"Mnn. I know."
"I'm more socially acceptable," Sanji chimed in from where he was cleaning dishes. "Except for my smoking, they had nothing to pick me apart over." He dried his hands on a towel and walked over. "You, on the other hand - well."
"I look like an unwashed hobo?" His tone was amused.
Sanji grinned suddenly. "Your words, not mine."
"Ugh." Elly flicked the paper far away from her. "I'm not going to read it. Thanks, Neuro. You've been doing a great job despite how you feel about the whole thing."
"Yes, well. You deserve representation. All our kind do." He shook his head before sinking into the floor with an oddly vacant expression. "I'll keep you updated..."
"Annnnd he's gone." Sanji stared at the spot where he had disappeared. "The hell is it with that guy?"
"He's been upset for good reasons. Demons don't mix well with humans. We usually get hurt."
"Hurt." The blond chef took her bodyguard's empty plate. "This guy would light himself on fire before hurting you. Just like..." He choked back what he had been about to say when he saw her expression and turned quickly around.
Her ears dipped slightly and they finished breakfast in silence. When the plates had been cleared away she sighed and stood up.
"I have to get a disguise on."
"I've never seen you wear one," Aizawa said curiously. "Don't you normally go out as you are?"
"Yeah, but this is a way to check on stuff without being bothered by the press or fans. I need to go over some of the attractions." They were talking as she walked over to a bag in the corner she had set down earlier. With a small grimace she took out a large piece of cloth. "I hate this the most," she admitted, and curled her tail around her midsection. Once that was done she wrapped the cloth securely around and fastened it.
He watched closely as she transformed herself from half human to all, pinning down her ears and adding a cap that had rather convincing fake ones attached. The lumpy tail cover got extra padding added underneath and she donned another shirt on top.
"Your nose is still visible," he pointed out.
"Yeah, but no one looks that close." She shrugged. "And I'm not covering that up. Yuck."
He frowned thoughtfully, eyeing her with just the tiniest bit of amusement. "Should I change, as well?"
"You're gonna have to." She grinned, careful not to show her fangs, and pointed at the bag. "There's extra stuff in there."
Several hair ties, some fake sideburns, and a pair of sunglasses later she was the one struggling not to laugh. Aizawa's mouth was set in a thin line of disapproval. "I look ridiculous."
"I think it's cute," she snickered, tugging at a fuzzy chunk of hair on his cheek. "It's softer than the stubble, anyway."
He sighed. "Where are we going?"
"Around. I want to check out the new aquarium addition, for one."
They set out, walking quickly down the pebbled drive to hop into a bullet car in front of the mansion.
"You know what it looks like."
"Yeah, but from the, you know, customer's point of view." She gave him a sly look. "Think of it as a date."
He raised one eyebrow at her and snorted. "I'm working."
"I know." She patted him on the shoulder. "But we're supposed to look like a married couple. The least you can do is act accordingly."
"Fine." He grumbled, but a twitch of his lips showed he wasn't as discontent with the arrangement as he acted.
They got out in an area where there weren't any patrons and walked along the main road until they got to the gate and blended in with a set of specially designed tickets. They looked like ordinary ones but scanned a certain code to let the staff know who they were. After receiving their passes for the day in a like vein, they mingled with the throngs of people, holding hands and chatting. When they got to the ever popular superball machine, Aizawa smirked a little and bought her one.
True to the nature of the dispenser, the ball he received was black with something that lit up red inside when you bounced it. Elly smiled and got one of the bags to hold it in that they sold on the side. It was a bright purple woven sack with a strong, striped necklace cord.
The aquarium was fantastic, and the perfect place to end their day. They listened to some complaints around them but mostly everyone was having a good time like they were. The new exhibit featured abyss creatures, and it was pitch black inside the hall. The only guide to the exits were little red lights on the floor so they didn't disturb the sea life within. Aizawa slipped his arm around her waist in the dark, and when she sighed happily and faced him his eyes flashed red for a moment. He slowly winked at her and kissed her softly full on the mouth.
It was a very good day.
Later that night they met up at her door like usual, but she paused before opening it and looked down, blushing. "Could we, um... maybe change the bedtime process again?"
"Sure." He shrugged. "What do you have in mind?"
She floundered about, unsure how to express her desire and more than a little embarrassed by it. He watched her struggle with herself for a minute or so, then took matters literally into his own hands. Aizawa placed one palm on each cheek, cupping her face gently as she shyly refused to meet his gaze.
He very slowly and gently kissed her, starting with the lightest of touches and letting her show him what she wanted with her response. His stubble had grown in again so he was scratchier this time, the scruff rasping on her skin. But the contrast of his dry lips, the rasp of facial hair and his tongue when he licked her own was amazing.
He drew back and waited several moments for her to catch her breath. "Was that perhaps what you had in mind?"
Elly nodded with a little gulp.
"Good. Sleep well."
Aizawa stared at him over the rim of his coffee cup but said nothing.
"That's good," Elly shrugged. "I had enough with people telling me what they thought last night." She made a face.
Aizawa snickered softly. "She about disemboweled a few socialites. You would have enjoyed yourself." This last was directed at the bird demon.
"Oh, really?"
Elly paused in the act of gathering up a forkful of bacon. "Um. Yeah. Well, a few of them had rather unflattering things to say about my date."
This time both of the males chuckled.
"M'serious," she grumbled around a mouth filled with crunchy meat. "What is it about famous people and beings that we can't even fart without others criticizing us?"
"You had less resistance when you dated the cook."
"Mnn. I know."
"I'm more socially acceptable," Sanji chimed in from where he was cleaning dishes. "Except for my smoking, they had nothing to pick me apart over." He dried his hands on a towel and walked over. "You, on the other hand - well."
"I look like an unwashed hobo?" His tone was amused.
Sanji grinned suddenly. "Your words, not mine."
"Ugh." Elly flicked the paper far away from her. "I'm not going to read it. Thanks, Neuro. You've been doing a great job despite how you feel about the whole thing."
"Yes, well. You deserve representation. All our kind do." He shook his head before sinking into the floor with an oddly vacant expression. "I'll keep you updated..."
"Annnnd he's gone." Sanji stared at the spot where he had disappeared. "The hell is it with that guy?"
"He's been upset for good reasons. Demons don't mix well with humans. We usually get hurt."
"Hurt." The blond chef took her bodyguard's empty plate. "This guy would light himself on fire before hurting you. Just like..." He choked back what he had been about to say when he saw her expression and turned quickly around.
Her ears dipped slightly and they finished breakfast in silence. When the plates had been cleared away she sighed and stood up.
"I have to get a disguise on."
"I've never seen you wear one," Aizawa said curiously. "Don't you normally go out as you are?"
"Yeah, but this is a way to check on stuff without being bothered by the press or fans. I need to go over some of the attractions." They were talking as she walked over to a bag in the corner she had set down earlier. With a small grimace she took out a large piece of cloth. "I hate this the most," she admitted, and curled her tail around her midsection. Once that was done she wrapped the cloth securely around and fastened it.
He watched closely as she transformed herself from half human to all, pinning down her ears and adding a cap that had rather convincing fake ones attached. The lumpy tail cover got extra padding added underneath and she donned another shirt on top.
"Your nose is still visible," he pointed out.
"Yeah, but no one looks that close." She shrugged. "And I'm not covering that up. Yuck."
He frowned thoughtfully, eyeing her with just the tiniest bit of amusement. "Should I change, as well?"
"You're gonna have to." She grinned, careful not to show her fangs, and pointed at the bag. "There's extra stuff in there."
Several hair ties, some fake sideburns, and a pair of sunglasses later she was the one struggling not to laugh. Aizawa's mouth was set in a thin line of disapproval. "I look ridiculous."
"I think it's cute," she snickered, tugging at a fuzzy chunk of hair on his cheek. "It's softer than the stubble, anyway."
He sighed. "Where are we going?"
"Around. I want to check out the new aquarium addition, for one."
They set out, walking quickly down the pebbled drive to hop into a bullet car in front of the mansion.
"You know what it looks like."
"Yeah, but from the, you know, customer's point of view." She gave him a sly look. "Think of it as a date."
He raised one eyebrow at her and snorted. "I'm working."
"I know." She patted him on the shoulder. "But we're supposed to look like a married couple. The least you can do is act accordingly."
"Fine." He grumbled, but a twitch of his lips showed he wasn't as discontent with the arrangement as he acted.
They got out in an area where there weren't any patrons and walked along the main road until they got to the gate and blended in with a set of specially designed tickets. They looked like ordinary ones but scanned a certain code to let the staff know who they were. After receiving their passes for the day in a like vein, they mingled with the throngs of people, holding hands and chatting. When they got to the ever popular superball machine, Aizawa smirked a little and bought her one.
True to the nature of the dispenser, the ball he received was black with something that lit up red inside when you bounced it. Elly smiled and got one of the bags to hold it in that they sold on the side. It was a bright purple woven sack with a strong, striped necklace cord.
The aquarium was fantastic, and the perfect place to end their day. They listened to some complaints around them but mostly everyone was having a good time like they were. The new exhibit featured abyss creatures, and it was pitch black inside the hall. The only guide to the exits were little red lights on the floor so they didn't disturb the sea life within. Aizawa slipped his arm around her waist in the dark, and when she sighed happily and faced him his eyes flashed red for a moment. He slowly winked at her and kissed her softly full on the mouth.
It was a very good day.
Later that night they met up at her door like usual, but she paused before opening it and looked down, blushing. "Could we, um... maybe change the bedtime process again?"
"Sure." He shrugged. "What do you have in mind?"
She floundered about, unsure how to express her desire and more than a little embarrassed by it. He watched her struggle with herself for a minute or so, then took matters literally into his own hands. Aizawa placed one palm on each cheek, cupping her face gently as she shyly refused to meet his gaze.
He very slowly and gently kissed her, starting with the lightest of touches and letting her show him what she wanted with her response. His stubble had grown in again so he was scratchier this time, the scruff rasping on her skin. But the contrast of his dry lips, the rasp of facial hair and his tongue when he licked her own was amazing.
He drew back and waited several moments for her to catch her breath. "Was that perhaps what you had in mind?"
Elly nodded with a little gulp.
"Good. Sleep well."
The Jackpot
"I feel <i>terrible</i>," Elly said in a weak voice, covering her mouth as she burped. "Ugh, Chiyo, I've been like this all day."
"Hmm. Anything else? What was the rest of your week like?" She unwrapped the blood pressure cuff from her patient's arm.
"Well, I guess I was tired a lot. I took quite a few naps when I could. Nothing too odd, though. I get like that sometimes."
"Mm hmm. Here, I'm going to take some of your blood for a quick test... ah."
"Ow."
Recovery Girl laughed. "Easy, there. Here - no band aid needed." She used her quirk, enabling the pinhole to heal over quickly. "Eat a pez while I check this out in the back," she called over her shoulder.
Elly shrugged and shot a tiny candy out of an All Might pez dispenser, munching absentmindedly on it. She sat, idly twitching her tail as she stared out into the hallway and waited for the nurse to return.
She waited for several long minutes when she heard a soft whistle from the back. Her ears perked, and she turned to see the older woman smiling kindly at her.
"Hey, is that scruffy boyfriend of yours on campus today?"
"Aizawa's with his class right now. Said they had to work on some desk stuff."
"Oh, good." She reached for the P.A. system, clearing her throat. "Eraserhead to the nurse's office, please." She paused. "That means <i>now</i>, Mr. Aizawa."
Elly scratched her head, confused. "Uh... is it that bad? Am I okay?"
"You're fine, dear. Here, let's get your neck gear off the cot so you can have room."
"But - but calling Shota..."
Aizawa knew she had gone to the nurse that afternoon and he surmised what the call was about. He was rapping on the door in no time, his face flushed from running down the halls. "Ches? You okay?"
"I don't know what's going on. Chiyo won't say."
He walked over and placed an arm around her waist. "All right, I'm here. How sick is she?"
Recovery Girl shook her head, still smiling. "She's not sick, Aizawa." She pursed her lips, considering the laconic man for a moment. "I'm just gonna ask you to sit, too..."
"Oh my god," Elly said with an odd tremor in her voice, "I'm <i>pregnant</i>, aren't I?"
Aizawa stared first at her and then at the beaming nurse.
"Chiyo?"
"She's right."
"Ufff." He sat heavily down, having luckily been positioned above a chair so he didn't fall to the floor. "How did this happen?"
The older woman raised an eyebrow at him. "If I need to explain <i>that</i> to you..."
He waved one hand in the air, cutting her off. "I know how it occurred. What I don't understand is that Ches is on the pill <i>and</i> we were using protection. Aren't the odds stacked pretty high in that case?"
She nodded. "Yes, but there's always that little chance. You two hit the baby jackpot." She cackled like this was the joke of the century. Or perhaps she was just looking at the Erasure Hero's face, which was finally stunned beyond his capacity to react. His bloodshot eyes were huge and he sat slumped over like he always did, but he was twitching slightly all over.
"Shota?"
He turned to find his girlfriend absolutely terrified. She was chewing on her lower lip, her eyes teary and her cheeks stained pink from holding in as much if not more emotions than he was dealing with. He mentally scolded himself. Of course she was scared, it was her body and here he was, too stupefied to support her.
"Sorry," he apologized, shaking his head to clear it. "I ... oh." His arms were suddenly full of shivering, sniffling cat woman. "Ches, calm down! I was just surprised, that's all."
"I'll leave you two for a bit," Chiyo murmured and slipped into the back again.
"Look," he said as calmly as possible. "This happened early, that's all. Weren't we headed in this direction in the long run?"
She buried her face in his chest, sobbing something incoherent.
He took a very deep breath and kissed the top of her head. "<i>Calm down</i>," he repeated firmly. "All this excitement can't be good for the little one."
She sat up, nestling in his arms as he rocked her gently. "It's just that I wasn't prepared for this!"
Aizawa nodded solemnly. "We knew there was a chance, however slim. But I never thought it would happen. Are you happy, Ches? You seem frightened more than anything else."
"Wha?" She seemed taken aback at the question.
"Are you happy?"
She stopped shaking and burped ahain, groaning softly. "Aside from the nausea, you know, I was too caught up in everything to think for myself."
"You've got a lot going on," he murmured.
"Yeah. Oh... Shota. There's a little us-baby in here. H - holy shit." She placed a hand on her stomach protectively. "We're going to need a bigger apartment."
He sighed with relief as she started to smile. "I think that's only the beginning of what we're going to need."
"Hmm. Anything else? What was the rest of your week like?" She unwrapped the blood pressure cuff from her patient's arm.
"Well, I guess I was tired a lot. I took quite a few naps when I could. Nothing too odd, though. I get like that sometimes."
"Mm hmm. Here, I'm going to take some of your blood for a quick test... ah."
"Ow."
Recovery Girl laughed. "Easy, there. Here - no band aid needed." She used her quirk, enabling the pinhole to heal over quickly. "Eat a pez while I check this out in the back," she called over her shoulder.
Elly shrugged and shot a tiny candy out of an All Might pez dispenser, munching absentmindedly on it. She sat, idly twitching her tail as she stared out into the hallway and waited for the nurse to return.
She waited for several long minutes when she heard a soft whistle from the back. Her ears perked, and she turned to see the older woman smiling kindly at her.
"Hey, is that scruffy boyfriend of yours on campus today?"
"Aizawa's with his class right now. Said they had to work on some desk stuff."
"Oh, good." She reached for the P.A. system, clearing her throat. "Eraserhead to the nurse's office, please." She paused. "That means <i>now</i>, Mr. Aizawa."
Elly scratched her head, confused. "Uh... is it that bad? Am I okay?"
"You're fine, dear. Here, let's get your neck gear off the cot so you can have room."
"But - but calling Shota..."
Aizawa knew she had gone to the nurse that afternoon and he surmised what the call was about. He was rapping on the door in no time, his face flushed from running down the halls. "Ches? You okay?"
"I don't know what's going on. Chiyo won't say."
He walked over and placed an arm around her waist. "All right, I'm here. How sick is she?"
Recovery Girl shook her head, still smiling. "She's not sick, Aizawa." She pursed her lips, considering the laconic man for a moment. "I'm just gonna ask you to sit, too..."
"Oh my god," Elly said with an odd tremor in her voice, "I'm <i>pregnant</i>, aren't I?"
Aizawa stared first at her and then at the beaming nurse.
"Chiyo?"
"She's right."
"Ufff." He sat heavily down, having luckily been positioned above a chair so he didn't fall to the floor. "How did this happen?"
The older woman raised an eyebrow at him. "If I need to explain <i>that</i> to you..."
He waved one hand in the air, cutting her off. "I know how it occurred. What I don't understand is that Ches is on the pill <i>and</i> we were using protection. Aren't the odds stacked pretty high in that case?"
She nodded. "Yes, but there's always that little chance. You two hit the baby jackpot." She cackled like this was the joke of the century. Or perhaps she was just looking at the Erasure Hero's face, which was finally stunned beyond his capacity to react. His bloodshot eyes were huge and he sat slumped over like he always did, but he was twitching slightly all over.
"Shota?"
He turned to find his girlfriend absolutely terrified. She was chewing on her lower lip, her eyes teary and her cheeks stained pink from holding in as much if not more emotions than he was dealing with. He mentally scolded himself. Of course she was scared, it was her body and here he was, too stupefied to support her.
"Sorry," he apologized, shaking his head to clear it. "I ... oh." His arms were suddenly full of shivering, sniffling cat woman. "Ches, calm down! I was just surprised, that's all."
"I'll leave you two for a bit," Chiyo murmured and slipped into the back again.
"Look," he said as calmly as possible. "This happened early, that's all. Weren't we headed in this direction in the long run?"
She buried her face in his chest, sobbing something incoherent.
He took a very deep breath and kissed the top of her head. "<i>Calm down</i>," he repeated firmly. "All this excitement can't be good for the little one."
She sat up, nestling in his arms as he rocked her gently. "It's just that I wasn't prepared for this!"
Aizawa nodded solemnly. "We knew there was a chance, however slim. But I never thought it would happen. Are you happy, Ches? You seem frightened more than anything else."
"Wha?" She seemed taken aback at the question.
"Are you happy?"
She stopped shaking and burped ahain, groaning softly. "Aside from the nausea, you know, I was too caught up in everything to think for myself."
"You've got a lot going on," he murmured.
"Yeah. Oh... Shota. There's a little us-baby in here. H - holy shit." She placed a hand on her stomach protectively. "We're going to need a bigger apartment."
He sighed with relief as she started to smile. "I think that's only the beginning of what we're going to need."
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