Chapter 9

The murmurs from the outside of the eerily white room hadn't caught attention yet, lost in a daydream from previous events as her vision stayed glued to the floor. It was late into the night, still alert with people coming into the hospital while her standpoint, waiting here to be discharged, wasn't too serious.

Ochako felt the sleep trying to take over, fighting back the urge to lay across the bedding she sat on- the comfortable feel drawing its way from her heavy body.

Her head nodded, blinking slower and slower when everything around became blurry. Like the surroundings would be of murky water, flooding her ears from the distractions of life's busy beat.

Bandages were wrapped firmly across the shallow wounds, followed by the strong smell of antiseptics. The alcohol burned, touching the tender bloodied flesh as the doctor had scrubbed away any bits of dirt that may have lingered.

Prehaps it wouldn't have been so bad if he had just stayed behind with her. But she knew better, immediately after pleading with him not to send her off alone. There was still work to be done, a patrol trailing into the night from the monstrous villian that still scowered the streets leaving people in need of assistance. Though the hours passed and she wondered if it had been taken care of, the problem of homestead would still be present if not.

It wasn't that Aizawa was being cruel, just that she could be exaggerating from the loss of contact. A part of her that was still a little selfish at times and he had no problem putting her in check, sending a more decent thought process back to reality.

Don't be such a crybaby.

"I'm not," she said to herself, a dull expression on her features that would remain even if he was present due to exhaustion, unable to even argue back. His voice was the one she could always hear clear as day, the mature reminder to keep herself grounded when things weren't going her way.

Nearby next to the metal dresser of medical devices sat her shopping bags, muddied a tad at the bottoms, handled so roughly in the dirty alley. But she hardly cared about it for now, not even the strength to worry. Only the pressing of her sore muscles in desperation for sleep.

Her eyes lazily glanced at the wall clock, reading 1am. Strange that neither of her parents had called yet, not even earlier to make sure that she would be home for her birthday. They typically made it a bigger deal than needed, spending the day as a family with a large cake and watching any movie she desired, it was all that could be done since they could not afford gifts hardly. It was always good enough for her and deep down she had felt guilty for rarely considering them. Time had been too distracting.

"Ochako Uraraka?," a voice called, the figure of a man standing in the doorway with a clipboard nearby caught her eyes as she snapped awake.

"Yes?"

"You're in good condition to leave miss. Is there anyone coming get you?"

She pondered the question for a moment to weigh her options. Shouta was one, though this was hardly an emergency. And he may still be on patrol. Option two being her parents, but it was so late and she didn't want to worry them anymore than the wrapping around her hands would, praying that somehow they would not be notified of the hospital visit.

She kinda hoped that instead of forcing her into an ambulance, that he would have insisted on a ride home instead. Watching him work from a rooftop while she patiently waited for the shift to end, not like she'd object to that type of quality time either. Surely it was a daydream, because he'd never allow it.

She shook her head, slowly climbing down from the bed onto her feet, grabbing the bags nearby as she winced, trying to flex her fingers.

"No sir, I'll walk."

The doctor gave her a strange look. But asked no more questions, "Alrighty miss. Have a good night."

She paid no attention to the other patients in the waiting room as she made her way through the lobby, out the sliding doors with the night air hitting her hair slightly.

The street lights illuminated the distance area to the best of their abilities, giving way to the oddly quiet outside compared to the interior of the building. The night sounds of chirping bugs and moths hitting the glass that covered the bulbs was all that could be heard.

"I don't think he considered that I'd have to still walk home alone," she sassed aloud.

Gripping the bags tighter, she began route to her home that was thankfully, at least much closer now. It wasn't many blocks further, which maybe he had a bit more confidence that she could handle this. Not to mention it was away from the villian attack, if it was still happening at such late hours.

Traffic had been near to none, making her feel more alone in the dark of the sidewalk. Maybe that was a good thing.

It was strange seeing him in action like that. The seriousness of his demeanor showing as his voice echoed through the panicked crowd of people, arms motioning them on where to go and reminding to stay calm. He was a hero that handled the public crisis greatly after making sure she'd be alright, assisting her into the vehicle then paying immediate attention to the other parts of his job.

It only put things into perspective after their shared kiss, that during times like this, she'd be handled no differently in a professional manner. A quick lesson to put relationships while at work to the side like needed. And as a pro hero, she'd have to do the same in the future.

Ochako grimaced, trying to tell herself that she too could be that mature when dealing with something like that. If they'd ever work side by side, dismissing the heart for the job. Though even if that's what her thoughts were saying, her mind said otherwise. Envisioning him hurt, similar to the attack at the USJ. While he fought, and she'd tend to the needy.

It definitely gave respect for the pro heros today having to be put in situations like that of choice, witnessing their loved ones risk their lives then try to appease the masses. Could she really do that with Shouta nearby?

It only made her pout, imagining him standing beside her in conversation on the topic, and scolding her for such worries. Reminding her of how childish she was acting and lecturing the job of a hero, with its great importance and responsible aspects.

Then he'd do one or two things. Either sass her that she wouldn't cut it with that attitude. Or be serious, explaining the severity of not wearing your heart on your sleeve in the line of battle.

His stoic voice replayed itself in her mind, knowing that's exactly what he'd say. Even in normal conversations he never let his feelings come up, and sometimes it made her insecure over what he was really thinking about anything in life. About her.

Ochako's street was the only one without street lamps but she could make out the silhouette of the yard, it's frontal bushes with a small driveway. The rough appearance of the reddened bricks and shabby windows who held no light.

Even now she began to worry a little, wondering if something was wrong that they didn't at least wait up for her. No calls. No visits to the school. It was very unlike them, most of all her father.

Rounding her way up the short steps, she unlocked the front door quietly with her key. Careful not to wake them in the dead hours of the night.

Though it wasn't quiet, a snore erupting from the living room area.

"Hello?," she whispered, shutting the door behind her with a small thud.

No reply.

She didn't bother to flick on the lights, pressing her fingers to the wall to guide her way around the doorframe. Her eyes made out a dark figure on the couch, a pillow and blanket in tow that she presumed to be her father, with a large arm sprawled across his face, snoring peacefully.

That's weird..

Answers to why he slept in here would have to wait, stepping back to go up the stairs that led to hers, and the main bedroom.

Once inside, she sighed hard. Leaning on the door for support letting the bags drop from her sore hands. Bathing would be difficult from the soap hitting the bare cuts, but she was filthy and somewhat glad to finally be able to feel the hot water radiate her skin. Allowing the touches of that man to wash off her body more than Shouta had imprinted soon after.

Peeling her clothes off, she made way to the shower.

Hissing as the bandages stuck to the healing parts of the skin that tried to hang on to it. Dried blood covered the palms as fresh droplets oozed out from the small holes, barely enough to stain her fare hands. It would need new ones after.

The hot water hit her skin as she sighed into its comforting feel, breaking down the scream that her body held from overuse. Tattered hair now soaked, trying her best to ignore the pain as she ran shampoo throughout her brown locks.

She ran soap along her body rather harshly, almost trying to scrub the feeling of that man grabbing her backside off. The sick way his hands held her, trailing to the back of her toned thighs before going higher to a more intimate area.

Her face grew angry, scowling hard as she scrubbed harder in frustration.

If only she had at least tried to fight back, but the sensation of fear had been too overwhelming. What if their quirks were much more extreme than hers?, able to assault midair in a devastating blow before floating away? And then she'd be dead. Or at least left with a broken face. The pull of her hair was agony enough.

Aizawa could not always be her hero, no matter how badly she could ever dream him to be.

She tried her best to imagine him. The sensual way he held her, smooth feel of his hands running up her body to gently touch whatever area she allowed. Tainting each part in the best of ways, which she couldn't think of ever saying no to it. She reacted to wishing he was here now to tell her it'd be alright, and physically prove it.

Rinsing her hair and body, she stepped out. Rewrapping her hands effectively, trying not to make much noise in the small house as she wrapped her hair up in a towel. Then making way to the bedroom to rummage around for pajamas. Which a long sleeved pair would do, because it was always cold when he was away.

oo

No one had awoken her with a happy birthday shriek, a norm for the previous years, followed by a breakfast in bed. Typically she'd be grateful for the extra sleep, but her parents behavior was beginning to bother her. They never forgotten a birthday before, it always made her feel a little special. Kinda like the one time a year when she wouldn't mind the center from attention, appreciating the kindness from each of them and the bonding experience they shared throughout the day.

But it was unpleasant. Downstairs listening to the sound of a pan being lightly tapped with a spatula as the scent of breakfast filled the home. And it followed with two voices, their tones loud and not exactly friendly.

Ochako cracked her bedroom door open by a hair to eavesdrop, confirming her suspensions. She had never once in her entire life, heard either one of them argue with each other. Let alone to a point of yelling, throwing unnecessary insults. The pair was vibrant with love. The cold atmosphere from her arrival last night seemed evermore apparent now.

"Can't you just stop talking for once and leave me alone?," her mother uttered coldly.

It was clear her father wasn't far off, though he declared things more infuriating than she.

"Why can't we talk about this!?"

The sound of something being slammed shook her body as she winced, inching closer to the top of the stairwell. Maybe they'd stop once she was spotted, not like Ochako wanted to hear or see this side of her parents regardless.

"What about Uraraka!?," he yelled, punching his fist down onto the kitchen table. His breathing was hard, staring at his wife's uncaring back as she cooked breakfast, trying to ignore him.

It was quiet since she chose not to answer, still the sound of sizzling met his breath in a tense vibe. This was unlike her home. Growing up they were the perfect pair, a shattered truth shaking her reality in place as she descended the stairs. Her fingers halted on a different spot along the wall as she brushed them over the hole in the drywall that went unnoticed in the dark of last night. A sign of a previous fight.

Freezing in place on the final step at the sight of his pained expression, eyes of desperation meeting her mother from across the kitchen. Neither one of them noticed she was even there.

"Mom?.. Daddy?," she called softly.

They both stopped, looking at her presence in shock. She noticed his eyes darting to the doorway, staring at her shoes neatly sitting beside theirs.

Her mother nearly dropped the utensil, trying to gather her composure as her father did the same, a bright smile crossing over his puffy eyes to hide the evidence that something was wrong.

"Uraraka you're home," he grinned, making his way up to her in a large bear hug that didn't wash away the worry in her face.

"Hey dad," she said, gently patting him on the back.

"Welcome home dear," her mother added, trying her best to remain facing the wall unable to make eye contact yet. The ruse was too obvious in shame from their daughter coming back to a home so torn as is.

"I'll be done in a bit. You hungry?"

"Yea I guess," she answered, trying to appear oblivious.

Her father stepped back, patting her on the head before being seated at the table. With her mother moving back and forth to gather plates and forks in a normal fashion.

Ochako was stunned for a moment at how fake it all seemed now. Wondering if this was the role they played together for so long for her sake. Was there always this much hatred among them that once she was somewhat out of the house, they could be free to express the distaste?

She hesitately took a seat beside him, trying her best not to look at anyone in the eye just yet. With her mother setting a plate of pancakes in front of her with a kind smile. Then extending one to her father.

"Alright eat up," she chimed, going towards the hall upstairs.

She stared at her mother, wondering why she would leave since they had always eaten together as a family. Each meal taken strongly like a gathering. But as she passed the haunting look of anguish graced the creases in the corner of her eyes, like an emotional crisis unable to hide from the world would, crash down if she dared try.

Neither mentioned her birthday as they ate in awkwardness, listening to her father's babbling about work and talk of new repairs to the house. She nodded absent-minded, a creeping feel of dread falling hard onto her heart and inching it's way to the back of her throat in a lump, making her unable to answer his small questions about school very clearly.

Thoughts raced, recalling the loving way they'd be sure to greet her with, an eager sense of anticipation upon her arrival home. It seemed like U.A. kept her away for some time, trying their best to keep up with their daughters busy schedule.

As they finished, he grabbed her plate with his own to place in the sink. The running water drawing her ears apart from his rambling to drown out the fake tone he used. Like it would all be okay.

"So sweetie what are you doing home?," he asked, Ochako glancing at him stunned a tad at the realization that they had both forgotten what today was. Digging deeper into the fresh wounds in her chest.

It wasn't like she was one to make a fuss over it, moreover why they had dismissed it due to the fights. Dawning on the seriousness of the matter.

"I'm just resting before the sports festival tomorrow," she replied quietly.

"Oh yea I forgot about that! Are you excited?"

In truth she was excited. Or at least had been. But any days that seemed to come weren't coming into mind at the time, stress playing on her thought process knowing that she'd have to bury this now before it began or she'd surely fail in front of the large arena with other teachers and sponsors watching intently at her progress. With Him watching.

"Yea daddy, I'll do my best."

She almost considered inviting both of them to watch her in person, maybe seeing their daughter live in the spotlight would be a good distraction. But immediately thought against even offering. Wondering if their presence there would damper the mood.

Rising, she closed the chair shut as he turned to look at her. The water in the sink still rushing.

"I'm gunna go rest up. I've got a big day ahead of me so," she said trying to give a reassuring smile.

She noticed the frantic look in his eyes, reaching out as if to ask her to stay, and in a little way she felt pity for the man. But this was too much for her to handle right now, hurrying back up the stairs before he could protest.

Passing the main bedroom door, it was open, with her mother sitting on the bed listening to the TV play. A plate on her lap, barely touched turning cold.

Ochako stopped outside it, watching her languid motions for a bit with the light absent from her mother's usual bright self. Hardly taking a bite without even looking at the screen. It was dark, the blinds closed shut to drown out the sunlight. A similarity to the world she knew, gone and dead in her face.

"Hey mom," she called softly, scratching the side of her arm nervously.

She raised her head, giving a small pitiful smile. "Hey sweetheart, you alright?"

The question almost made her scoff, the nerve to even ask when she was the one grieving. The gloomy and trashed state of the room telling her that this was during the final stages of mourning a marriage that had long died.

"Yea im fine. Just gunna go nap I guess"

Her mother only gave a slight nod, pretending to pay attention to the channel with volume too low to humanly hear.

Ochako wanted to say more, wanted to ask her if she was alright. If it was her fault, or if there was anything she could do or could have done. It was pointless. For what could she say to adults in a place that she had never been?

Hurrying to her room, she shut the door. Covering her heart with her hand as she threw herself onto her bed.

The bags containing her dress and shoes were not far off, wondering if maybe that would get her mother in a more cheery state. Prancing around in it with comments of kindness and talks of 'boys', offering suggestions on how to style her hair. Or what the theme of the evening would be like.

She imagined her mother, the previous one pictured in her mind, smiling happily at her daughter's attire. Something they had always done together.

But another thing crept to the surface, telling her that it would all be fake. Every word, every expression. Greeting her with a dull look that would shake her world more than it was already coming to. And that would lead to even more destruction to the canvas, once visualized with love, now blanketed in a sheet white.

oo

It was surreal, his arms around her waist in the soft comfort of her known bed. Bringing back the homey vibe that she wished would have been here for her as she lay in bed, sleeping off the pain just like she had said. Not like it wasn't necessary, she hadn't gotten home until at least 2am anyways.

Ochako didn't remember when she had fallen asleep, though it was sometime after mulling over the events within the home. Trying to block out the negativity if only for a fleeting time.

But as she awoke to a loud slam, it vanished. Only to be replaced with the knowledge that she was alone and that he could not have possibly been by her side in this. All an illusion.

Her alarm clock read 4pm now, gasping at how late she had actually slept. It took a few seconds for things to register as another slam was heard from the lower depths of the house, followed hushes. Like her mother trying to defuse whatever they were doing before she had heard it, believing it to be cabinets handled angrily.

Still, none had come check for lunch or dinner. Nor had they remembered the special day. And in a small way she was grateful, rolling over to hide from the world with a pillow pressed hard over her ears as the yelling commenced with harsh thuds.

Just what was this place she had come to? Could it be a quirk?, one that sent a person into a horrific nightmare? A long, drawn out cruel dream that crushed all hope and left her dying inside.

They hadn't even noticed the wraps on her hands, nor would she bring it up. Trying not to add anymore stress than there already was.

Her eyes clenched shut, trying to focus on anything else. All of her homework was left back at the dorm, along with school books to study. Uniforms were pressed and ready to go. The hero outfit in decent shape so that was also out.

Abruptly sitting up, she looked around the room for an idea. But noticed how unorganized it was.

I'll just straighten up.

The sounds of her parents died down slightly, pacing around her room picking up papers and hidden pencils underneath the dresser. Folded clothes moved to another area, shuffling to push books back in precise place. There wasn't much to be done really.

She tried picturing her friends, Mina's bright smile and the way Tysu sometimes laughed. Gathered together around the short table within her room as they shared opinions, imagery used of their adventures home. What kind of stuff was going on with their crushes. Or if they were worried about training under Aizawa's strict reign.

Another slam, hard enough to make the floor beneath her feet vibrate as her hands flew to cover her ears, trying to continue focusing on other things.

"It's not real. It's not real. It's not real," she sang aloud over and over, determined to cloud the truth until it'd be no more.

Ochako stood in the center of her room, listening to the movement below exit out the front door, met with her mother's sobs echoed into the hallway, then in the bedroom across from her until the door shut. Was it over? Assuming her father had left that is.

She knew they certainly didn't mean to act this way while she was around, but only so much tension can go brewed in a long stretch of pain before it burst open. Regretting ever stepping foot home like an unwelcome guest, there were enough warning signs as to yesterday.

I don't wanna stay here like this, even if it's getting late.

Disregarding the short time before the sun went down, she began to get changed. Tying her hair back up and lacing up her shoes before grabbing a piece of paper and pen, along with her shopping bags.

Very carefully she opened the door to try and not make a sound, listening close to the sound of her mother's cries on the other side of the door as she tried to ignore it. Knowing better than to disturb it.

Downstairs was vacant, her father seemed to have left and left on the counter was a small pack of papers that made her heart sink further as she crept up to it. Shaking her head in disbelief, her eyes scanning the words that indicated divorce.

On the kitchen table she made sure to leave a short note, noticing the dinner that had been left out with the grumbling of her stomach, scribbling down her whereabouts fast.

-I'm going back to the dorm to prepare for tomorrow. Make sure to watch close tomorrow, I might be on TV. Love you.

Then out the front door she went.

Her feet moved fast, thoughts swimming to the rhythm of the rapid beat of her heart with the sun going down.

Aizawa's voice rang, warning her to stop, to turn around to the safety of her room. That it'd be dark soon and potential danger lurked in the corners.

To which at this point she welcomed it for nothing could match the despair she gave off.

Not the alleyway with the three men or their faces contorting smugly. The villains possibly about. The busy traffic that hounded the roads, blinding her with their lights.

Not a single thing struck fear, for she'd either drown in this or feel nothing come morning. A sweet numbness that would replace the nightmare of a day.

She barely paid attention as she crossed the street with the sign of a hand illuminated red to stop, catching herself at the last moment before the cars came.

Ochako struggled to hold it together on the journey to the school grounds, telling herself that soon the beautiful silence that she used to adore would be there waiting.

The memories began to break, each one of her parents together as they skipped through amusement parks. Smiling at her as they walked, hand in hand. City night outings to the old outdated restaurants she loved so much, a trip to the movies they rarely attended with her choice of screening.

There were her mother and father, their faces smashed like glass on a picture frame playing tale to things that could never happen. At least that's what she thought, however foolish, that it couldn't happen to them.

She didn't bother apologizing to people she had accidentally ran into, stumbling past swiftly to go on her way.

And before she knew it, the gates were in sight like a highlight in the torment, some sick way to joke about the experiences. It was a reminder, knowing how isolated she had become as of late. That there would be no happy ending, void of warmth waiting inside the dark room on the other side.

Pushing past the gates with her key card, she broke into a sprint across the field. Hurrying her way into the building for shelter as the outside noise began to catch up to her senses. Honking of the horns and whispers on the sidewalk became overwhelming in an instant.

Ochako ran as fast as she could to beat the sting of tears trying to surface in case anyone would be there.

Gladly it was empty for now. Running along the halls, up the stairwell that brought back the sight of her father's fist burrowing through the drywall in her home.

Once in front of her door, her hand shook trying to unlock it, cursing to herself to stop it.

Before throwing herself inside, slamming the door in place.

The room was spinning as she crumbled to her knees unable to breath. The burn of the cold air struggling to fill her lungs that choked, heaving forward on the ground. The sobs started, unable to hold back the cry in back of her throat that broke through the lump in it, clenching her teeth to try and stop the chattering of her jaw.

It hurt. Everything screamed at her at once like voices filling her mind as she began to slap the side of her head hard.

"Stop it!," she yelled to no one, her nails digging into the carpet.

Why her? Why had the world fallen apart in these last short, fleeting moments that were meant to be shrouded in bliss? Was this her punishment for choosing something on her own regardless of the consequences?

Her shoulders slumped, the weight crushing her with it as she began to hyperventilate at the sight of the moon outside her window.

Quickly she rummaged through her pockets, pulling out her phone as she dialed his number through her blurred, teary eyes.

oo

Exhausted. Aizawa was utterly burnt out from the patrol of the weekend.

His dreary eyes glimpsing at his bed as he exited the bathroom with his towel still draped around his shoulders, throwing himself face first onto the soft mattress clad in a black t-shirt and boxers.

Luckily the other hero's had taken over, congratulating him on his hard work to allow an earlier night off than expected.

Through the surge of the crowd of people, he'd fought hard. Maintaining order accordingly all the while protecting them, trying to scout out the source of chaos in the midst of pedestrians.

It was hard to pick around other humans, their panicked faces in his way as he fought with great skill not to endanger them, while also neutralizing the target to make a clean arrest.

Meanwhile before that, there was her. That scared face she made as he grabbed her by the hips and placed her into the ambulance, how she pleaded for him not to leave her side to attend the hospital alone.

The usage of words almost made him cringe at how stern he had to be with her, asking for her to be reasonable at the ridiculous request. There was still work to be done, she had to understand. Even if he couldn't explain then and there that he didn't necessarily Want to leave. He had to.

Recalling his back turning to her as he faced danger once more, trying not to look and make it more difficult on her departure.

While it needed to be done, there was a small bit of guilt when he had to handle her that way. That look of hurt in her eyes, but also understanding. She was mature enough to accept it, but that didn't mean her emotions weren't always clear as day when it came to him.

"Damnit," he uttered, drifting his eyes closed from the overuse of his quirk. Today surely drained every ounce of fight he had left.

Until the phone on the nightstand rang, jolting him awake to catch it.

His brows furrowed as he read her name on the screen, rubbing his eyes to make certain it was her.

With his heart racing, he answered.

"Uraraka?," he said with a bit of panic, wondering what the problem was.

He heard a sniffle on the other side before she answered.

"H-Hey.."

"What is it? Are you alright?," he sat up on the edge of his bed, waiting to hear the verdict.

Ochako stilled for a moment, contemplating lying to him and dealing with being fussed. It was better just for that, to be able to hear his voice. It already beginning to calm her down. But she was too distraught to hold it in.

"No.. I'm n-not okay."

"Where are you?"

"I just got t-to the dorm a few s-seconds ago."

His eyes widened, looking at the time on his alarm clock. While it wasn't late, it was still dark out. Just getting through drilling it into her head how unsafe it was to be out like that, especially in the neighborhood she inhabited. Not to be insulting, but it wasn't pleasant. Kind of an old personal hangout that he knew well more than she in his younger years.

"You went back alone?," he snapped, listening to the sound of her cringing at his voice.

"I'm s-sorry.."

Aizawa sighed, ignoring the pain in his muscles as he stood running a hand through his hair.

"Wait there," he instructed before hanging up before she could argue.

Something was wrong, and it wasn't just the tears. He always called Ochako a crybaby as it was. The fact that she called though rang personal alarms, along with the fact that she didn't try to lie her way around it like she typically did. Emergencies only was the deal after all, and this was considered one enough for her to reach out.

Gathering clothes together, he dressed himself in black hurrying to snatch his wallet and keys.

Trying to rub his eyes open with a wide yawn before lacing up his boots, making way out of his house.

Every single bit told him to sleep. That it would be better tomorrow and how badly he needed it. In the morning, Mic expected him to be beside him during the announcements of the sports festival. Though for God knows why since the voice user always did take the lead. Maybe he'd get away with bringing the sleeping bag into the room.

The ride was quick, sure to live not far away from the school since he had worked there for sometime, parking his car in the lot reserved for teachers. It was the only one there, and the grounds were quiet with students either sleeping or busy with duties to prepare. Some probably weren't even home, spending the evening with their families.

The route to his classes dorm was empty, not a head around to watch as he circled the back of the building.

Ochako sat on the floor, harshly rubbing her eyes with her sleeve, feeling even more low for involving Aizawa in the mess of her personal life. She regretted it the second she heard his voice, that same tired tone etched with worry in it. They promised it to only be used if it was important, and this was hardly it.

But a desperate part of her needed to hear it. Needed to call to confirm she was grounded and not about to drown. That this was all real, and happening to her as the stable walls of her life came crashing down around her. He was the only stability she had left.

Her head whipped up at the sound of the balcony door being opened, his darkened figure entering.

"Why the hell isn't this locked," he barked, sliding it back into place.

Through the moonlight shining on her body, he paused. Taking in the sight of her face, that torn apart look masking the bright smile she usually wore. It was pure, genuine despair hanging in front of those large brown eyes that bore into him, like she had forgotten he was coming.

"S-Shouta..," she choked out, her voice cracking from the broken sobs.

"Uraraka," he said, hurrying to kneel in front of her.

He gently grabbed her upper arm, trying to pull her up. But she immediately reacted by throwing herself at him. Fragile arms locked around his neck in a death grip, burying her face into his hair. Ochako trembled, sobs racking down her body as she let it out more than before.

Aizawa was partly taken back, careful to wrap an arm around her as his other tried to nudge her to look at him. But she thrashed against it, tightening her hold.

"Uraraka," he called out, trying to snap her out of it.

But she didn't reply right away, nuzzling her leaky nose onto his shirt.

She felt his hand begin to rub her back, trying to comfort her to the best that she was allowing. He gave up trying to force her, running his fingers through her hair to hold her closer to him.

"I-It's all messed u-up," she whispered. A chill traveling through his spine listening to how broken she was.

"M-My parents h-hate each other and it's m-my fault."

So it's issues at home. A hard reality she'll have to accept eventually.

"What?," he asked, hinting for her to be more specific.

She cried out softly, shaking to crawl further into his lap.

"I'm s-sorry, I k-know this wasn't an emergency… So m-much for my b-birthday," she uttered.

Aizawa hadn't retorted in any type of way. Nor did he find her actions ridiculous. People had different ways of how the world or their personal lives would effect them, and maybe sometimes he did forget that she was only a young girl. So lecturing would be put off for now.

After all, she had Never acted this way before. It was the first time they had spoken on the phone.

"We can talk about this later if you want," he suggested.

Though it only made her appear to panic.

"P-Please don't leave me!"

It stung to hear that, that same begging she used the night prior as he left her to continue working. In some pit it put things into perspective that he wasn't as emotionally available as he should be for her, a sharp pain stabbing his heart. Who knows what she went through daily after all, he never bothered to ask. But she did. She made sure to always ask him if he was alright or the small details of his life that she'd hang onto like the gospel.

"I'm not going anywhere Uraraka," he said softly, picking her up. Her legs wrapped around him immediately, the same hard lock as her arms while he walked over to the door to lock it. Then, making way over to the bed.

He kicked off his boots, feeling the bed call out to his tired mind as he sat them down. Trying to force her arms to let go.

"No!," she fussed, fighting against the tug.

"You'll leave!"

"I'm not leaving, I'm tired. Let me go so I can make us more comfortable," he snapped, allowing her a moment to register his words as she relaxed.

Slowly unhooking her arms from him, he motioned to look at her face. But she turned away.

Aizawa reached over her, yanking her shoes off before pulling her jacket and shirt with it. She didn't say a word, only giving small sniffles every few seconds.

"Stand up," he ordered.

Suprisingly she complied, rubbing her eyes with her wrist.

Her enter frame looked absolutely sad to him as he tried to give a more gentle expression.

"Take off your jeans."

She did so as well, kicking them down now in her underwear and a sports bra.

Finally he pulled the blankets back before sliding onto the bed. He held his arms out, signaling for her to approach.

Ochako crawled over him in the comfort of his embrace, chipping away at the hardening in her chest. Feeling the sobs calm themselves.

She shuffled to get more comfortable, snaking her legs to leave them at each side of his waist. While her hands dug into his hair, curling further onto him with her forehead pressed under his chin.

Aizawa sighed, moving the blanket out from under them before tossing it over her. Warming the cold feel of her now bare legs. It was a mystery to how he'd get out of here undetected in the morning. But he was so done for today that it'd be a problem for tomorrow.

"Happy birthday Uraraka," he whispered as her breathing gave way to her sleep.

oo

I'm really glad to see the amount of people that are enjoying this ship, which makes me happy cause I always loved the thought of them lol

Thank you for the positive feedback! Usually takes a bit to right a decent chapter so I hope so far that I'm doing well.

Honestly I'm not sure how to go about the sports festival in their perspective but I'll try! Just a reminder that the time frame is slightly altered to fit the mood of the story, such as the dorms coming before the festival for example. Though everything is is as Canon to the main plot as possible without drastic changes.

Hope you enjoy!

Another thing I apologize if some things in my writing are off, like in some chapters if their thoughts aren't like this. I go back and edit if needed, just for some reason when it uploads, it undoes it all so I gotta go back and manually edit it. Forgive me for those minor set backs.