After a quick trip to Recovery Girl, we headed home. My mom had been worried sick, it seemed. She made us katsudon and called UA. Told them that neither of us will be going to school for a few days. I couldn't really stop her, she insisted. After she had made sure we were full, she made us go to bed, even if it was just 8 pm. I managed to force Shota to sleep next to me, even if he didn't have his sleeping bag. But I think he likes it.
"'Zashi?"
"Mmhmm...?"
"How long does it take for hair to grow out?"
Right. His hair was cut off. We're gonna have to cut it more tomorrow, to make it even.
"I don't know, Sho... maybe a few months? A year?"
I put my arms around him and kiss his forehead. His body jerks a bit and I look at him. He's crying.
"Hey, hey, hey, Sho, calm down, it's okay."
I cup his face between my hands and force him to look at me. How long has he been crying for without me noticing?
"Sho. Look at me."
He looks at me. He looks more tired than usual, worn out.
"I couldn't do anything. I was weak, just lying there in his arms... not even able to protect myself..."
He's blaming himself for what happened.
"Couldn't do anything? Neither could any pros. You did your best, right? No one could beat him. I was just blinded by rage and acted without thinking. You're much closer to becoming a pro than I am."
He shakes his head. He probably thinks what I'm saying is just empty words. But I mean every single thing.
"I love you, Shota Aizawa, you know that. You are strong, even with a non-physical quirk. So don't you dare try to tell me that what happened was your fault."
He wraps his arms around my waist and buries his head in my chest. My shirt becomes damp. He's still crying. I carefully caress his hair, trying to calm him down. He's sobbing. I understand him, he feels useless.
"You should try to sleep, Sho. You're exhausted and emotional. I'll stay right here all night with you, okay?"
He nods but refuses to let go. I don't care, he can hug me for as long as he wants. It doesn't take long until his arms go limp and he falls asleep. I give him another kiss.
"I love you, Shota Aizawa. You know that." I whisper.
