Lifeless

Chapter 12 - Citius Aut Serius

(tw) there's just a lot of strong sad emotions, but we don't dive too deep into those, so its pretty tame this week. If anybody needs a recap they can ask in the comments of this paragraph, and I'll happily give one : ) This is another short filler chapter, but we should be getting towards some meatier plot in a little bit. Honestly, I'm kind of proud of myself for making a real plot lmao. my last fic had literally NO plot and it bothered me so much!

edit: I'm updating this early because tomorrow is the start of music camp, so I'll be too nervous and forget to update :P

Citius Aut Serius - (Latin) Sooner or later

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Hisashi flipped through his papers once more before picking up his phone. Inko's name hadn't shown on any of the casualty lists, so he was going to call Shigaraki to inform the boy of his new responsibility.

The phone only rang once before a Kurogiri's voice floated through the line. It was expected, after all, Shigaraki wasn't allowed any outside contact unless strictly on league business, though Hisashi did have his suspicions of the boy sneaking out occasionally, but that was normal for any teens.

"Greetings, Master. What may I do for you?" Kurogiri's words were short as always, but none of it deterred Afo.

"Yes, hello. Hand the phone to Tomura, please." There was a shuffling on the other end of the line before a scratchy voice hummed out a greeting. Hisashi didn't bother correcting his protege's rudeness, as he knew that the boy would learn his lesson soon enough.

"Tomura, you are to travel to the doctor's lab and retrieve a prisoner named Inko. From then on you will be in charge of her torture and execution, do you understand?" A 'yes sir' met Hisashi's order before he continued. "You shall keep her in the cells underneath the base until she has died. Then, give the body to Kurogiri. I hope you know how to execute this order correctly. If not you will face the usual consequences." Another 'yes sir' was spoken, this time much softer. It seemed that Shigaraki had remembered his lesson from the last time he disobeyed Hisashi. The man was happy about that, the teen's spirit had been much too rebellious for his liking before, and now that it had been mostly dealt with, he only had to deal with the last scraps of it.

Hisashi hung up the phone shortly after, placing it back onto his desk. A trill ringing filled the room a few seconds later. Hisashi picked it up once more, reading doctor Ujiko's name on the screen.

;

Aizawa sat in the middle of an interrogation room. His eyes had large bags underneath them and his hands fidgeted on top of his lap. He was there answering questions about Midoriya, now that they knew that he was truly alive.

Aizawa was trying to answer each question truthfully, but he couldn't get his mind off of the boy's wounds, how hurt he was. Tsukauchi asked another question that was ignored by Aizawa. It was obvious to everyone there that the man was sleep deprived and virtually unable to talk, that coupled with what he just went through. It was no question that Aizawa needed a break.

"Aizawa, go home. We'll talk at a different date. You need a break, talk to Yamada about this, and don't hang it over your own head, please." Tsukauchi stood, dismissing all of the other officers in the room.

Aizawa left shortly after them, walking home along the dark roads. Everything was silent, there was no usual buzz of a busy club, no shuffling of cats in the back alleys. It almost seemed to Aizawa that the city felt his pain, and mourned with him.

Aizawa had been so close to saving Midoriya, a few inches, but he let the villains take him.

Sooner than he would like, Aizawa reached his home. A warm glow emanated from the upstairs windows, signalling that Hizashi was still awake, probably awaiting his return from patrol.

Entering the house, Aizawa was met with a rush of the scent of cinnamon and warmth, and looking towards the kitchen confirmed that Hizashi had been stress baking. It was a habit none of their friends disliked, and much safer than many other coping mechanisms, so Shota never questioned it.

Steps sounded from the top floor that Aizawa easily identified as Yamada. Said man jumped at Aizawa who easily held up the other. Their hug lasted a few minutes before Hizashi dragged Shota towards the kitchen. No words had to be exchanged between them for Hizashi to know that Aizawa wasn't doing well, and it would be pointless to ask. He didn't have to reassure Aizawa that he was there, all he had to do was actually be there.

Yamada shoved a few different cinnamon flavored treats into Aizawa's hands before ushering him into the living room. There, he forced Aizawa to sit and pulled a blanket over him. A movie was turned on while Shota started nibbling on the desserts.

Yamada finished everything before sitting next to Aizawa and cuddling up to him. The rest of the night, the pair simply sat and watched the television, comforting each other.