A/N - Hello lovely readers! I am so sorry for my extended absence! We moved and then I started a new job in my field, so things have been a little hectic to say the least. But, I 'm still here! Thank you to everyone who has been patiently waiting for an update and for all of you who are new I offer the biggest of welcomes! Feel free to drop any questions, comments or even just greetings down below - I love seeing your reactions to the story :) Again, thank you to every single one of you!
Love and Light!
Kahelle
Chapter 25 – Sad Song (Part 1)
The incessant chirp of her monitor pulled Aine from her sleep. It took her a few minutes to register the fact that she was lying on her couch, still in the clothes from the night before. Her cellphone and monitor were discarded on the small end table. The lights from both devices flashed in the darkness as she pushed herself up to a sitting position to reach for them.
Grabbing and silencing the monitor first, she picked up her phone seeing multiple missed call and unopened text notifications popping up on the screen before she unlocked it to check the time: 8:37pm.
No sooner had her mind begun to focus on the time and surroundings when a rustling in the kitchen had Aine's senses instantly snap to attention. She softly slid off of the couch into a crouch, reaching into the small drawer of the end table for the hidden knife she kept there. Leaving the drawer hanging open, she slipped her phone into her back pocket and held the palm sized knife at the ready as she slipped around the corner towards the light of the kitchen as silently as she could.
"It's just me, you can drop the knife." Shouta was standing in front of her open pantry in a white button-up dress shirt and slacks. His tie was undone and hanging to either side and his hair was pulled up in a half bun. He never looked at her as he spoke but continued scanning his eyes over the contents of her pantry.
Aine stood and laid the knife on the counter, "Not that I don't mind handsome men in my kitchen but what exactly are you doing here?"
He scoffed and shook his head, even as she could see a slight tinge of pink creep over his ears, "You weren't answering your phone, so I had Nemuri watch Eri while I came to check on you." He reached into the cabinet and pulled out a cup of instant noodles, inspecting it. "When did you eat last? Your alarm on your phone and your monitor were both going off when I got here."
She wrinkled her nose as she traced her mind back through the hours, "Probably breakfast. I was with students when my lunch alarm went off."
Shouta replaced the cup of noodles and leaned back, once again analyzing the contents of her pantry with a frown, "Do you have anything other than instant noodles to eat?"
"I've got the basics. Eggs, rice, bread, some sandwich meat, things like that. I'm fine, Shouta. I'll make myself something to eat before I go to bed. I promise." She walked over and shut the pantry, leaning against the door.
"Right…" he leaned forward, close enough that their noses were almost touching, it was obvious that he had no plans of going anywhere until he saw that she was going to eat.
Aine rolled her eyes, turning around to open the cupboard and grabbing the opened loaf of bread. She spun around and held it up before dropping it on the counter. Shouta nonchalantly stepped to the end of the kitchen, leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets to watch her open her refrigerator to finish getting out the supplies to make a sandwich.
"How did the parent visits go?" Aine finished putting the sandwich together as she spoke.
"My class's families seemed to understand, only had a couple that protested the situation, but Nedzu was able to diffuse most of it." Shouta shrugged, "After the incidents this year, I think most of them are grateful that the school is taking this threat seriously."
She took a couple bites of the sandwich before leaning against the counter and nodding, "I'm sure. Even in Europe, people were skeptical of UA still holding events after the attack on campus."
Shouta sighed, "Several of us voiced similar concerns. The Commission thought it was needed to show strength or something ridiculous like that." He closed his eyes as though he was picturing the event.
"They are all about appearances, aren't they? I'm honestly surprised they let UA close-off the campus." Aine scoffed as she spitefully took a bite and set the sandwich down.
"I don't think the police gave them much choice." He shook his head before looking at the clock, "I should go and relieve Nemuri." Shouta pushed himself off of the wall, "Why don't you come over for dinner tomorrow night? I'm sure Eri would like to see you again."
She smiled softly thinking about the small child, "I wouldn't mind visiting with her again, too."
He nodded, "It's all set then. I have some business off campus right after classes, but I'll grab some takeout on the way back."
"Something spicy?" she looked at him with a mischievous grin.
He just shook his head, as he stepped around the corner towards the living room, "We will see you tomorrow night then. Try and get some sleep tonight, okay?"
I doubt falling asleep will be an issue tonight. Aine finished the last bites of her sandwich as she heard the front door open and close.
The next morning, Aine spent her prep time rearranging her schedule in order to fit some of the students who were now unable to leave campus to see their regular therapists. The day seemed to fly by in a blur of student visits, emails, and phone calls as she tried her best to coordinate care for the new influx of students she would be treating.
She waved Bakugou in for his appointment time like she had so many times before while she finished her final phone call. As had become routine for them, he walked over to his usual spot on her couch. The silence that permeated the air was not their usual comfortable silence. This silence was heavy. Almost thick.
All progress that had been made between the two of them seemed to have been wiped away with the events of the night before.
Aine tried to ignore the tense atmosphere as she continued working. It felt like an eternity before the end of day bell rang. Bakugou still didn't speak a word as he gathered his things and walked out the door without hesitation.
One step forward and 3 steps backwards Aine mused to herself as the door closed behind him.
She began gathering her belongings as she heard Nemuri and Hizashi's voices just outside of her door, their conversation announcing their presence long before the door handle began to turn.
"…with no earplugs." Hizashi dramatically flopped backwards on Aine's couch.
Nemuri smirked as she followed him in, leaning against the wall watching him amusedly, "Pretty sure vibrating their brains out of their skulls won't solve anything, 'Zashi."
He dramatically laid his arm across his eyes, "Maybe not but I'd feel better."
Aine set her bags on top of the desk and walked around to the other side, "If it's brain damage you want, I'm pretty sure I can make it look like an accident." She winked, leaning against her desk with her arms folded.
Hizashi sat up like a shot, "Come to think of it, all you would need to use your quirk legally is the permission of a pro…."
"No, we are not giving the Commission brain damage." Nemuri crossed her arms and her legs, giving them both "the look" from where she stood.
"What did they do now?" Aine hopped up to sit on the edge of her desk as Hizashi muttered "Buzzkill" and slumped back to his previous position on the couch.
Nemuri sighed, "They sent out an email to all active pro-heroes this morning that they are increasing patrols around the perimeter of UA. All pro-heroes employed by or near UA are expected to add an additional patrol each week."
"Between the radio station, my regular patrols, teaching, dorm duty and now this extra patrol – I'm not going to have time to even breathe!"
Aine shook her head, "I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I think they may have the right idea. It makes sense in order to keep the kids safe. I guess we can just hope that Tsukauchi is able to narrow down the list of possible targets soon." She hopped down off of the desk and gathered her belongings.
"And where are you off to in a hurry?" Nemuri gave a sly grin as Aine turned around to start towards the door.
"I just have dinner plans…"
Nemuri clapped her hands together as a Cheshire-cat grin spread across her face, "I KNEW IT! Pay up, 'Zashi!"
Aine just blinked in disbelief, "What? I mean…I just…I didn't even say who I was…"
"Didn't have to.." Nemuri's sing-songed as Hizashi grumbling got up and placed the currency in her outstretched hand and returning to sit heavily on the couch, "Thank you, it's a pleasure doing business."
Aine's mouth moved like a fish as she tried to find words while she watched the transaction in front of her, "Were the two of you betting…"
"On when you and Shou would hook back up? How couldn't we?!" Nemuri grinned even wider as she leaned towards the shorter woman, "I had my money on you two figuring it out before Christmas break."
"I said next semester." Hizashi waved his hand above his head as he leaned back, draping his arms behind the back of the couch.
Aine glared half-heartedly at them before shaking her head and chuckling, "Glad to see some things never change." Her expression fell, "In all seriousness, we are trying to keep it quiet as much as we can. You two are the only ones to know besides Nedzu and Tsukauchi and we would like to keep it that way."
Hizashi leaned forward in his seat on the couch, "I can understand why you had to tell Nedzu but why Tsukauchi?"
"We didn't tell him, he figured it out."
"Ah, that man has quite a gift for perception. Makes me forget that he is quirkless half the time." He stretched before standing.
"Tsukauchi is quirkless?" Aine looked between the two pro heroes.
Nemuri nodded, "I guess when you come from a family of various lie detection quirks you learn how to read people extremely well." She slung her arm around Aine's shoulders, "Now, I think we have kept you from your date long enough." As they turned towards the door, she whispered in Aine's ear, "I expect a full report when you get back to your apartment."
"You know I can't from my phone, but I will tell you everything tomorrow." Aine whispered back as she opened the door.
"I'll hold you to it!" Nemuri beamed as she held out her pinky towards her.
Aine hooked their pinkies together and winked at her before heading through the opened door.
"Hey! Am I just here for my own health?! What are you two whispering about? Hey!" Hizashi's protest increased in volume as Nemuri ushered Aine out the door.
"Make sure and lock my door before you leave!" she called over her shoulder as she headed down the hallway.
Is it inappropriate to bring a bottle of wine to a dinner where a child is present? Aine fiddled with the foil seal around the neck of the bottle, the sole survivor of her, Nemuri and Hizashi's movie night. I don't think anyone is even home yet. It's not too late to take it back to my apartment…
Just as she was about to turn and retreat back downstairs, the door opened to a blonde teen with bright blue eyes. "Oh, hello!" his voice was bright and friendly looking down at her as she tightened her grip on the bottle before it could slip through her fingers.
"Hi, is Sh- I mean is Mr. Aizawa here?" she peered around the tall boy to look inside the apartment.
He shook his head, "Not yet but he should be back any minute. You're Miss Satterfield, right? He said he was expecting company, come on in!" With a wide smile, he stepped aside and ushered Aine into the apartment. Everything looked the same as that night only a couple of weeks ago with one exception.
"MISS AINE!" she barely heard Eri's excited voice before she spied the child waving from the coffee table strewn with papers.
A wide smile bloomed across Aine's face, "Hi Eri! How are you?" The girl left what looked to be a pile of half-started crayon drawings to run to the front door. Aine walked closer and knelt down allowing Eri to throw her arms around her neck in a tight hug.
"Glad to see the two of you already know each other. I feel like the odd man out here!" the teen laughed.
Eri hopped backwards, "Oh! Miss Aine, this is Mr. Mirio!" she grabbed his hand and brought him closer to Aine.
Mirio beamed down at the little cherubic girl before offering his hand to Aine, "Nice to officially meet you, Miss Satterfield. I've heard some good things about you from Midoriya and Eri."
She shook his hand, "It's nice to meet you as well!"
"Glad to see everyone getting acquainted."
Shouta stood in the doorway, hands in his pockets watching them with his usual neutral expression. A takeout bag hanging from one wrist.
"I guess that's my cue to head out! See you tomorrow, Eri!" Mirio waved with a large smile across his face as he turned to head down the hallway. Shouta caught the door before it closed, thanking the teen for bringing Eri home before letting go of the door and allowing it to close.
They both slipped off their shoes, looking at each other awkwardly.
Aine held out the bottle of wine, "I didn't know if it was appropriate or not, but I didn't want to come to dinner emptyhanded."
He took the bottle in his hand and headed to the kitchen, "You really didn't need to bring anything. Eri, it's time to wash up for dinner."
Eri bounced up from where she had just settled back in to coloring with a quick, "Ok!" before disappearing down the hallway. Aine turned to walk into the dining room where Shouta was setting out bowls, the takeout bag sitting in the middle. Without a word, she opened the bag and grabbed the container of noodles dishing a healthy serving into each bowl before grabbing one of the containers of broth.
"The plain broth is for Eri's noodles. Her stomach is still adjusting to a normal diet." Shouta said as he came up beside her, setting a pair of chopsticks beside the bowl she was currently pouring the spicy smelling liquid over. She nodded, feeling the heat off of his body at the close proximity as he reached into the bag and pulled out the other container of broth. The smell of lemongrass and night air wafting mixed with the scent off of the food, the smell that was so uniquely him. Without intending to, she caught herself leaning closer towards him. He stopped from where he had been carefully pouring the broth, setting the container down gently reaching over to squeeze her hand and planting a soft kiss against her temple before resuming the actions of getting ready for dinner.
"Ready!" They had just finished cleaning away the takeout containers when Eri came back in to the room.
Dinner was pleasant. Eri lead most of the conversation telling stories of her and Mirio's escapades on campus. After dinner, Shouta and Aine started on the dishes – he washed while she dried – and Eri returned to the living room and her unfinished drawings.
"What are you working on?" Aine joined Eri in the living room while Shouta finished putting away the dishes.
The little girl angrily scribbled on yet another picture and grabbed a new paper, "My homework for school." Aine picked up one of the drawings, one of the figures was obviously meant to be Eri but the other looked like a human but with a bird head.
"What is your homework about?" Aine turned the picture around, trying to make out the features underneath the scribbles.
Eri looked up at her, tears starting to form in her eyes. "The teacher wanted me to draw my family…" she pointed at the bird-person, "but I don't want to draw him."
"H-he came to take me away, t-to take me b-back, and n-no one could st-stop him."
Aine remembered Eri's words from the night of her panic attack, the pieces clicking into place. She sat down cross-legged beside the small girl, gathering the discarded papers and setting them down out of sight on the other side of her.
She tapped the blank pieces of paper against the tabletop before setting them in front of Eri, the little girl leaned against her until she put her arm around Eri's shoulders giving them a light squeeze. "I'm going to tell you something a very wise person told me when I was just a little older than you." She turned the little girl's face up to look at her, "Your family is the people you choose, not the people you were born to. Your family is the people who make you feel safe and loved. The people who would walk through the worst of the worst for you."
Aine watched as realization dawned across Eri's face, "So…I can choose my family?"
"That's right." She gave another light squeeze before Eri clambered out of her lap and began drawing in earnest.
Shouta stepped out of the kitchen, drying his hands with the dishtowel and setting it on the counter to put away later. As he came around the corner, he heard Eri and Aine talking. The two of them were sat at the coffee table, Aine cross-legged and Eri on her knees working feverishly on a drawing.
"Oh! I should draw them in their hero costumes!"
"Don't forget to put labels so your teacher knows who they are."
"I don't like this color blue."
"Here, this one looks a little closer I think."
He leaned against the wall, just watching the two of them as they both leaned over what Eri was working on. Eri's face was scrunched in concentration, her tongue stuck out slightly from the corner of her mouth while Aine was guiding her through spelling something.
"What are you two working on?" he finally announced his presence and fully entered the living room.
Both of them looked up, a huge smile breaking across Eri's face as she grabbed the paper and started towards him.
"I finished my homework! Teacher wanted us to draw our families and Miss Aine helped me!" Eri held the paper out towards him. Her words caused his heart to sink into his stomach – especially considering who was the only person she knew as her "family". He would have to have a conversation with the tutor UA had brought in.
As he looked at the paper, however, it was not a childish sketch of Kai Chisaki that greeted him but three very familiar drawings.
"That's me, and Mr. Deku, and Mr. Mirio." She pointed to each one in turn, "And that one, is you."
"I thought your assignment was to draw your family?" his eyes were on the drawing of himself as he spoke.
Eri looked down, "Well, family is who makes you feel safe. Miss Aine told me we can choose our family and…" she looked back up at him timidly, "I…I want to choose you to be my family. You and Mr. Deku and Mr. Mirio. You make me feel safe and went through really bad things to save me." Her eyes dropped back down, a dark cloud seeming to settle over her, "But if you don't want me to, I can make a new picture…"
Shouta dropped down to kneel in front of the little girl, "Don't change a thing. I am honored to be in your picture, Eri." Her face lit up as she leapt up to wrap her arms around his neck in a tight hug. He returned the hug, only letting go when he heard her attempt to stifle a yawn.
He pulled away and ruffled her hair, "I think that is enough schoolwork for tonight. Go ahead and get ready for bed."
Eri gave him another quick hug before heading down the hallway. Shouta watched her until she stepped in her room, closing the door behind her.
"Thank you." His voice was barely above a whisper, but Aine seemed to hear it as he heard her shifting and then her steps moving towards him as he stood.
She hooked her arm through his and leaned her head onto his shoulder, "No thanks needed. I just passed on a lesson." Aine stood up slightly on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "I should probably go, dinner was amazing." She slid her hand out from his arm as she started to walk towards the front door.
Shouta grabbed her hand as it slipped from the crook of his elbow, "Wait."
Aine looked from where his hand was holding hers to his face and back again, an unspoken question dancing across her face.
"Stay for a little longer, at least until she is asleep."
She didn't speak but nodded before giving him a soft smile in answer. He squeezed her hand before they began walking down the hallway to Eri's room.
If this was what family felt like, Shouta was beginning to think he might want to reconsider some things in his life.