Skyline (Aizawa X Oc)

In The Wake

Weeks dragged by.
With each day he grew stronger, and the color returned to his face.
His fresh excoriations became pink scars, fading quickly. Chieko couldn't help but envy the scars and how quickly they seemed to move beyond that day, like it never even happened.
If Shota had nightmares he hid them well, his face giving no indication.
Chieko on the other hand would wake, startled, breathless, with hands desperately searching for him in the dark nearly every night.
He was always there, hugging her tightly to his chest, and calmly stroking her long dark hair.
She felt so guilty each time.

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Beams from the morning sun cascaded throughout the apartment, softly setting the curtains aglow.
Shota slid from the bed as gently as possible, attempting not to disturb Chieko. She rarely slept this long, and leaving her to slumber seemed like a small gift.
His limp was barely there as he strode into the kitchen and started a pot of coffee.
The knowledge of what today was took its place on his broad shoulders and settled in.

Back to AU.
Back to his students.
Back to the unavoidable, unanswerable questions that followed like gnats on a hot day.
In the quiet of the early morning, his thoughts raced and he found himself drifting into that dark place, "How do I stand in front of them and go about lessons..."
The smell of coffee filled the apartment and a soft sigh from the other room broke him from those nagging thoughts.
The quiet padding of her bare feet on the cool linoleum floor rooted him in reality as
Chieko rounded the corner to find him softly smiling and holding a fresh cup of coffee.

"Good morning, sleepy head, I thought you'd never wake up." he smiled again, his tone playful.
"No, you're louder than Hizashi at a party when you try to sneak" she grinned devilishly, taking a sip of her coffee, and eying him over the rim of the cup.
"What were you thinking about? Just now." a knowing look flashed across her face but she quickly relaxed her features.
"Nothing, just... Waiting for you to wake your lazy ass up." Shota grinned again and passed her the mug he'd been holding.

Chieko huffed a small laugh, but it was clear, today weighed heavily on her as well.
She stepped forward and into his chest. nuzzling his shirt she gave a small smile.

"Everything's going to be fine, you know?" her voice more quiet than before.

He sat silent for a moment, before answering, "It will be... Eventually."

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The normally hectic classroom was orderly but still abuzz. Today was Mr. Aizawa's first day back since the incident.

How would he look?
What will he say?
Will he actually show up?
Each student's eyes held silent questions, that no one was brave, or stupid, enough to ask.
A few students were there on the day of the attack, and witnessed the brutality Shota had endured. Some even visited when he was still stuck in the hospital.
The ring of the bell sliced through the hushed conversations and whispers, and with it the classroom door swung wide.
In strode Principal Nezu, followed by Mr. Aizawa.
Everyone sucked in a breath at the faint lingering bruises scattered across Mr. Aizawa's face and hands. Where his long dark hair grazed his shoulders, mere weeks ago, a shorter more average haircut in its place.

"Class 1A..." Nezu began, "I know you have questions and concerns. I've heard from many of your parents, as I told each of them and will tell you: I can assure you that all safety measures have been taken to ensure your safety...." he turned to Shota, "...and that of our staff." He gave a small nod.
" I will leave it to Mr. Aizawa as to whether or not he answers anything further." His usually cheerful exterior was a bit dampened, but not entirely gone.
With a curt smile to Shota he was off, the massive door clicked closed behind him.