Scars That Mend - Kiribaku Emergency Services AU

Spread Thin

A/N - I HAVENT SPELL/GRAMMAR CHECKED THIS YET I'LL DO IT TOMORROW

EIJIRO

FIRST SHIFT BACK - WISH ME LUCK!

KATSUKI BAKUGO
TRAINING TODAY, RIGHT?

EIJIRO
YUP

KATSUKI BAKUGO
GOOD LUCK

I smiled at the small text exchange as I climbed out of my car. The sky was starting to turn orange as the sun set before my first night shift back at work. I'd spent the last evening considering what Katsuki had said about fear and bravery, and I knew I couldn't just quit without at least trying to move past my newfound terror. I planned to push through the next few weeks and reassess closer to my birthday. 

I started the short walk towards the station, pausing when I noticed a hooded man approaching me slowly, hands buried deep in the pockets of his black trenchcoat. The impending sunset painted his wispy white hair gold. Something about the way he leered at me from beneath his hood instilled a deeper terror in me than even the thought of going back to work.

I considered going back to my car, but by the time I unlocked it, he would be upon me. I just had to make it past him and I'd be at the station. I bowed my head and kept walking, praying he would just pass me by, until I saw his feet stop in front of me. 

I glanced up, meeting intense red eyes ringed with lines and scars. His lips were chapped and peeling, and his cheeks were sunken beneath his cheekbones. I instinctively went to pull my phone out, but the white-haired man grabbed my wrist with a cold, scarred hand, grinning at me with all of his teeth. 

"Don't do that." He crooned, his strained voice matching his unusual features. "I just want to talk."

"I'm late for work." I mumbled, trying to free my arm from his grasp. "I have to go."

"Your shift doesn't start for a few minutes, you have time." He narrowed red eyes at me. "You...don't recognise me."

I shook my head. Sure, there was something familiar about the voice, but I would remember meeting someone who looked like him. 

"Yet, you're shaking." He queried, grinning again. He let out a strange laugh as he released my wrist. "'Even if your mind has forgotten, your body remembers.' The boss used to say that."

"I'm sorry." I offered shakily, skirting around the man and making a beeline for the station. I made it inside, almost colliding with Emi as she was leaving the building.

"Eijiro!" She cawed. "You look like you saw a ghost! What's up?"

"Some weird guy outside." I huffed, shifting in my jacket. I peered outside; he'd seemingly disappeared. "He's gone now, but keep an eye out."

Emi raised her hand in a joking salute. "Yessir. Have a good one, kiddo!"

I mumbled a short goodbye, heading up to the staff room. I hung my jacket on the coat rail and tossed my phone into my locker, heading down to the garage to meet the others. Aizawa and Taishiro, as well as Kurose and Tetsutetsu from Station 11 waited for me. I glanced around for Rikido, but didn't see him. 

"Kirishima." Aizawa called, waving me towards the huddle. "It's just us tonight - Sato requested extra leave."

I nodded in confirmation. It was understandable, after the way he'd reacted to seeing Mirio. 

"Let's get this moving so we can get you back up and running." Kurose said kindly. The dark-haired woman began the basic training; she had a very positive attitude, and used kind, gentle words when she spoke to us. By the end of the first session - just over four hours - I already felt better about not quitting. She eventually sent us off for a break. I pulled my phone out and sat with the others.