The Burden of Time [Aizawa x OC]

-six-

- Gran Torino Art by TOKITOS on Deviant Art -

It didn't take long for news about July and I's presence in Japan to travel. Within the first 15 minutes of our patrol, paparazzi and reporters began to circle us. Flashes, clicks of cameras, microphones, video cameras - shoved into our faces with no respect for personal space. If there was one thing that I loathed about this line of work, it was the media portion of it.

What are you doing in Japan?
When did you arrive?
What are your plans to address the uprising of the League of Villains?
Are you single?
Why did America send you two and not Freedom?
Where is the rest of the Justice Unit?
Stand Still, what's it like to be the world's first successful manufactured quirk user?
Look here!
Over here!
This way!
Did the fall of All Might and Endeavor's shortcomings as the number one hero lead to your intervention in Japan?
Why did they send a manufactured quirk user when we have good, honest quirk users here already?
Uncle Sam, how does your ex boyfriend Freedom feel about the current events unfolding and your arrival in Japan?
Who facilitated your arrival here in Japan - Was it America offering their services or did Japan ask for help?
Why is America putting their nose in our business?

It seemed the demands and questions of the paparazzi and reporters were endless. Eventually, July was able to get a good word in edgewise. "Stand Still and I arrived in Japan this morning. The United States sent us here to help aid in defeating the League of Villains. It is our hope that we can have a hand in restoring Japan's justice and peace, in All Might's honor. We look forward to serving the citizens of Japan. And to the League of Villains - " He pointed to one of the cameras, his voice booming similar to All Mights. "WE WANT YOU."

——-

Aizawa and I were currently perched on top of a rooftop, overlooking the streets. We had been out patrolling for about 2 hours now. Aizawa suggested the break to get away from paparazzi and reporters, of which I was thankful for. I could feel the irritation and overwhelm radiating off of him.

July decided to check out a shop in the street below, leaving Aizawa and I alone for a bit. The silence was overwhelming with how thick the tension was in the air. I decided to break the silence.

"Are you okay?"

Aizawa glanced at me out of the corners of his eyes. "Parading around the media isn't my thing." He stated dryly. "I don't do hero work for attention and recognition, like some people." He emphasized the last part of the sentence, obviously indicating that I was one of those people.

Anger bubbled in my chest. He doesn't even know me, yet he's making these assumptions? I had hoped earlier that he was different. I was obviously very, very wrong. "Very bold of you to assume that I chose this life for myself." I bit back.

Aizawa turned toward me, his gaze skeptical and full of judgment. "Yeah," he scoffed. "I'm sure you just stumbled into being the first manufactured quirk user."  I opened my mouth to reply, but he didn't give me the opportunity to speak. "Oh, don't tell me, you also just happened to join the Justice Unit of America by accident too?" His tone was laced with sarcasm.

I felt a pang in my chest. Each word he said dripped with doubt about my character, about my life- when he didn't even know me a few hours ago. I felt my eyes begin to burn, tears threatening to form.

Inhale one, two, three. Exhale one, two, three.

If Aizawa noticed my glassy eyes, he didn't show it. Or maybe he didn't care. His face remained as neutral as ever. A million curse words and hateful statements that I could hurl at him crossed my mind. But, I knew it wouldn't make a difference. It wouldn't make him hear me out. It would only make things worse. With something as important as my character, I did not want my message to get lost within insults.