My Hero Academia Imagines

Animal Shelter (Aizawa Shota)

Working at the local animal shelter was quote the relaxing and self enlightening job believe it or not. For the most part, people would come in to adopt an animal and give it a second chance to be loved or cared for, warming your heart.

Others would stop by and ask if there were any possible volunteer hours, as they wanted to give back and give some much needed love to a few of the cute shelter animals that were desperately needing it.

You had quickly gotten used to a few of the regulars who entered the shelter: the group of school kids here to fulfill a requirement, the elderly couple who volunteered to brush and pet a few abandoned kittens and puppies and of course the overly zealous mothers who would come with their eager children to bring home a new friend.

It was an easy job to get lost in as well. Seeing all the warm, bright smiling faces deciding on which animal would become their new best friend. Even better was the react of these animals when they learned that they would be taken home.

Their paws scratching against the glass windows as a shelter employee was unlocking the door, the bouncing and excited emotions barely contained in their forms and the numerous amounts of kisses and rubs they would give their new owner when the lease was handed off.

It was heartwarming and made you tear up nearly every time when you someone took home their new pal.

However, as always in any job, there's always that one regular who would always come in. This regular was the stereotypical cool and mysterious type, only asking for when he needed something or when he believed something was wrong with an animal.

This man in particular was quite strange. He looked over exhausted every time he came in: hair messy, face scruffy, and most importantly eyes that had the darkest circles you had ever seen. Yet despite it all, he still came in every Sunday.

It was a usual routine for him. He'd stop by the front desk, show his ID and then head to the cat area of the shelter. He would come into play and allow the kitties to learn how to once again form better social relationships with their human counterparts.

On this particular Sunday however, your boss had asked you to manage the Cat Corale, as someone had brought in a box of kittens they had found abandoned on the street earlier that morning.

You were crouching over the small bundle of newborn fluffs, feeding one a bottle of nutrients since it had been separated from its mother much too early. The small creature meowed softly, opening the eyes it had recently learned to use.

The door to the large room was opened and shut just as quick, as the cats would attempt to run out if given the chance. You glanced up, seeing the gruff looking dark haired man watch you from his place by the door.

And despite his tired eyes and baggy attire, something about him just seemed to scream delight. His black eyes trailed downwards to the bundled kitten on your arms and he motioned to it.

"Did the shelter get kittens in?"

You nodded, realizing he had come here so often that he could easily tell when a new cat arrived or when another one left. Despite his rough appearance, it was obvious that he really truly did care about the animals he came to nurture.

"Yes we did. Would you like to play with them?" You asked, motioning for him to follow you.

He nodded, walking behind you as you led him to a staff only room. You unlocked the door, and waved for him to come in. He did as you had granted him staff permission of course.

"They just got in this morning, so we're taking them out to the other cat's one by one when feeding to try to get them used to other cats. But we'll be keeping them in here until we're sure they all can get along with the other cats."

You explained to him and placed the now fed kitten back onto the floor and watched as it tumbled to its sibling. The blonde shorthaired crashed into its brothers and sister, causing all the kittens to crash together.

The man next to you chuckled, bending down and helping up the kittens. In total there were five of them from this litter: a blonde one that would cause all sorts of trouble, a sweet chocolate colored one, an orange one that seemed to do extremely well among its siblings, a black haired one that seemed a bit spooked by the others and a multicolored one that spotted white and red specks across its fur.

"This one's the trouble maker, isn't he." He spoke, picking up the blonde one and putting him away from the others. This kitty could rejoin later once he was calmed down, and when the others were back up on their feet.

"Yes, but he's very protective of his siblings." You spoke, petting the orange one as well as the chocolate one. They purred in delight, enjoying the attention and affection.

"They remind me of my students." He spoke, watching as the blonde one returned.

The blonde kitten wasted no time in pawing the black one, causing it to fall over. Lucky for the weaker black haired kitten, the speckled one defended it. The blonde and speckled soon took to a playful fight, not caring that they would tire each other out.

"You're a teacher?" You asked, distracting the two fighting siblings with a string.

"Yes. That's why I can only come in on my off days. Aizawa Shota by the way." He introduced himself, taking the nervous black haired one into his lap and comforted it.

"Well it's wonderful to meet you finally. And fee free to call me (Name)." You smiled and then gasped as the black kitten nuzzled into the teacher. "No way! He's been shy all day! You're a miracle worker Aizawa-san!"

"I suppose cats are just fond of me." He scratched the cat's ears.

"Do you have any cats at home?" You asked, finally prying the blonde and speckled cat's away from each other. The blonde went with the orange haired one, the speckled one onto your lap to be pet.

"I have two: Shiro & Kuro." He answered. "Shiro is a burmilla and Kuro is a bombay."

"You really know your cats!" You exclaimed, happy to have found someone to chat with who seemed just as passionate as you were about animals.

"Yes, they're very good. Unlike these trouble makers. Though i suppose that's because their young..."

"I'm assuming your students are the same way?" You laughed, thinking about this poor and tired man having to take care of a classroom full of crazy and hyperactive students.

"Very much so." He let out a soft chuckle, thinking about how some of these kittens acted similar to a few of his own students. "You've worked here for a while now, haven't you."

You nodded. "About 6 months now. I'm still new by shelter standards, but feels like I've been here for a while now. And I enjoy the work, the people, and of course the animals."

"Sad how they got here though... I can never understand how people can just leave them alone and abandoned." He spoke, his eyes glancing at each cat, as if he was debating to adopt them all at this very moment or not.

"Yes... but at least they're in a safe space now. And hopefully a good home will come around soon and take them in. That's what we can hope for at least." You giggled as the brown and fire haired kittens stepping up onto your lap, wanting your attention now as well.

Aizawa sighed in content at the sight. He had always felt unsettled by the people who left animals alone, but your words had calmed him some. Enough for him to realize that the shelter would not just give the animals out to someone who would treat them wrong. Their choice would be people who would care for them.

And until that time, he knew that these animals were in good hands. After all, these kittens who had not even been here for 12 hours were already loving and happy to be in your presence. Your heart must truly be a kind one for that to happen.

And it was also another excuse for him to try to come in more. This soft spoken but kindhearted employee had caught his eye, but now talking to you eh knew why. While he was a hero to the public, you were one as well.

Maybe not to people, but to these animals for sure. And in his book, that made you just as big of a hero as he was.