Chapter Text
Aizawa
Aizawa couldn’t help but think to himself that he shouldn’t have accepted the free shots from Hizashi. The world was spinning and he was just so so tired. He was suitably fucked up on so many levels, based on how he stumbled around the fire escape of his apartment building. He almost slips, but catches himself just in time as he climbs his way to his floor.
He’d forgotten and given his keys to Nemuri to hang onto while he went in on those three shots. She had insisted and promised to give them back at the end of the night, so he didn’t lose them.
“Tch. Damn it.” He cursed under his breath as he slides the window open. He steps through and once again almost slips and falls, though this time because of a … rug?
Wait, he didn’t own any rugs.
He stumbled forward and looks around, confused. His eyes narrowing as he took in a pretty much blank and dark room with some boxes sitting on the floor over the rug. It looked pretty sad, considering he could tell that whoever lived here sat on pillows on the ground with a few boxes to hold up the TV. No furniture in sight.
Then, thanks to his hero instincts, he noticed something creeping in the door to his left. He slowly turned and frowned, seeing a pair of glowing golden eyes glaring at him.
“Who are you and why are you in my apartment?” A woman’s voice could be heard. He squinted, unable to pierce the darkness to see her. He took a step back and, this time, he fell over backwards into the box. The television fell forward and slammed onto the ground with a ‘crack!’ and he hit the ground with a ‘thud!’
“Oof.” He makes a noise as he lands. Apparently his ‘hero instincts’ are a little rusty because of the alcohol.
The woman could be heard growling and it sounded almost cat-like. “You just-!” There is sound of rushed footsteps as she looms over him like a shadow, “You broke my frigging TV you homeless turd!”
“Homeless t—wh—I must have the wrong window.” Aizawa grumbles as he sits up, taking in the crushed box he was on and the upside down television. “I’ll pay for that.”
“Yeah you will.” The woman gripes, hands on her hips. His eyes, now having been able to adjust, could see a messy purple haired woman with twitching golden eyes looking down at him with disdain that … he hasn’t really seen so openly on anyone in awhile, to be honest. She wore a black tank top and some baggy pajama pants with ramen noodles printed on them. He blinked a few times and he noticed that her mouth was moving.
Oh. She was talking to him.
“Are you even listening?” She said in an irritated tone.
“No. Not really.”
“Get out.”
“Right. Getting out.” Aizawa stood up and wobbled, smelling heavily of booze. Based on the wrinkle of the woman’s nose, she noticed too. He sighed and started to walk toward her front door. She followed behind and opened it for him, before motioning for him to leave.
He walked out and the door slammed shut behind him.
Jeeze. Today couldn’t get any worse.
Aizawa walked over to his door and blinked. Right, his key. It was gone. He groaned and slumped on the floor next to his apartment, rubbing his temples because he was starting to get a serious headache. He was just coming to terms with the fact that he was probably going to have to take the stairs down again and then climb back up and hope he enters the right window this time.
After about 10 minutes passed, he heard the door to his neighbor’s creak open slightly. The woman from before peeking out and squinting at him. She exited into the hallway and he got a better look at her, now that they were in the light. Her messy hair was a dark shade of purple and she…. she had cat ears. Oh my god, she had cat ears.
He loved cats.
He was so locked in on her appearance that he didn’t hear her speak again, her mouth moving. He blinked a few times and slurred a, “Huh?”
Her jaw ticked and she looked like she wanted to yell, but instead she crossed her arms and said, “I’m your new neighbor. If you’re in that apartment, I take it you are Mr Aizawa then?”
He nods and stands up, running his hands through his messy hair, “Yeah, that’s me. Is there a reason you came out here or are you going to nag at me some more?”
Her eye twitches and she sighs, “No. I heard you mumbling about not having your key. So I came out to help.”
“You heard that?” He was starting to sober up slightly, because in the moment of clarity he wondered how she could hear him mumbling through that thick door.
“Er yeah. Here.” She stepped by him and did something so fast he almost didn’t see it. He was anything if not perceptive. Even in his drunken state. She pulled out some picks and unlocked his door quickly, then went to hide them. He raised an eyebrow, wondering how she acquired such a skill.
“You know what, I won’t even ask. Because I’ll have to take you into the police station if-”
“Oh shush, you. My dad was a locksmith.” She waved it off and moved out of the way. He stumbled forward and she stepped forward and caught him just as he was about to fall against the wall. Her face is practically in his chest as she holds onto him, almost in a hug. She looks up and gets an awkward look on her face, like she’s not sure how to process this. The expression draws a faint smirk out of him, which only seems to irritate her further, “Jeez, you reek. Ugh.”
She pulled away slightly to open the door, then began helping him into the apartment. And as she did, he couldn’t help but drunkenly like the way she smelled like something floral. Or the way she was able to handle him as he almost fell a couple more times. Meaning she had enough strength to haul a whole man herself as he plopped over face first into his messy bed. He’ll have to remember that. Hopefully.
Aizawa sighed and laid there for a second, before he heard a really irritated, “You’re welcome.”
Then the door shut and he was alone.
He was left wondering about that cat and why she helped him so easily. He’d have to pay her back for her television and … probably for helping him into the apartment, too.
Lyn
(Just minutes ago…)
I sat on the other side of the door, listening to my neighbor mutter to himself about not having his key. I bit my nail and wondered to myself if I should do then neighborly thing and help or if I should just leave him.
Ultimately I grabbed my lockpicks and went out to discreetly help. I walked out and stood there, looking up at the haggard man from before. Mr Aizawa, if him living here is to be believed. I researched my neighbors a bit before moving in and he was a difficult person to watch. He was almost never home and… oh he was staring at me.
“Huh?”
My jaw ticked slightly and I sighed and crossed my arms, “I’m your new neighbor. If you’re in that apartment, I take it you are Mr Aizawa then?”
He nodded and stood up, running his hands through his messy hair and damn did he look hot. It was unfair, it was like he didn’t even try. He looked homeless, Lyn. Homeless. He’s not hot. I tried to convince myself, but as he spoke in his deep rumble I inwardly squealed. But outwardly I looked irritated.
I always was good at hiding my true intentions.
“Yeah, that’s me. Is there a reason you came out here or are you going to nag at me some more?” He said and that caused a real eye twitch as I sighed.
“No. I heard you mumbling about not having your key. So I came out to help.”
“You heard that?”
“Er yeah. Here.” I stepped by him and quickly unlocked his door with my picks, hoping that he wouldn’t notice I had them. When I turned to tell him all was well, he was raising an eyebrow at me.
Shit.
“You know what, I won’t even ask. Because I’ll have to take you into the police station if-”
“Oh shush, you. My dad was a locksmith.” I blurt out nervously, which wasn’t a lie. That’s how I got my experience in picking locks. As I was mulling that over and putting my picks away, I noticed him swaying and about to fall, so I leapt forward and caught him before he could hit his head on the wall. My arms wrapped around his waist and my face now buried in his chest.
Not a bad place to be, to be frank.
Nope not thinking about it.
He smelled nice, if it weren’t for the alcohol.
Nope, definitely not thinking about it.
I looked up at him and I’m sure I had a funny expression, because he smirked. He fucking smirked at me. “Jeez, you reek. Ugh.”
I pulled away and started to help him into his apartment, holding onto him tightly and offering support on one side as he staggered into the darkness of his messy apartment. It wasn’t overly messy, just messy in a way that I could tell he was the kind of person to bring his work home. Papers scattered on the coffee table and coffee cups sitting around. I used anything to try to keep myself from thinking about the fact that this man was built. Like built in a way that hinted he was probably a pro hero, kind of built.
The thought made me nervous.
I dropped him face first onto his bed and he just laid there without moving, clearly too out of it to notice much else.
“You’re welcome.” I said in an irritated tone, even though I wasn’t really feeling irritated. If anything I found his demeanor amusing, since I could sense that he definitely wasn’t like this when he wasn’t drunk. I wondered silently what kind of person he was as I shut the door and left.
I went and laid down on my mattress that was on the floor in my single bedroom apartment. I couldn’t get the image of him threading his fingers through his hair out of my mind. He had looked so damn attractive it wasn’t fair. It would suck if he was a pro hero because he was my neighbor and we’ve already met on such weird terms.
Ugh, this was going to be a headache.
(The Next Day)
I wasn’t expecting a knock at my door so early in the morning, but I answered and noticed the same grumpy looking dark haired man from last night. He didn’t look much different, aside from the fact he was in casual clothes now.
“Um… can I help you?” I asked.
“Yeah, his homeless turd has come to pay you back for your television.” He said in a grumbly voice, putting emphasis on ‘homeless turd’ made my face go red in embarrassment. It wasn’t my intention to immediately insult him when we first met. I was just … scared.
“Oh. Uh. Yeah. Sorry about the comment, I just-”
“It’s fine. In all fairness I did stumble into your apartment in the middle of the night.” He sighed.
“Alright, there’s a store nearby. I’m honestly not sure how much that particular TV goes for, anymore. Maybe we can get a discount.” I smiled and stepped out of the door after slipping my shoes on. I was still in my pajamas of a baggy Linkin Park shirt and some shorts. He just rose a brow at my attire but didn’t seem to comment.
Better not. He didn’t look any better, himself. Turd.
It didn’t take us long to take the elevator to the first floor and make our way down the street to the electronic store. The walk was quiet and he seemed to keep his hands in his pockets the entire time, looking almost bored.
My television, thankfully, was on sale that day! Aizawa was kind enough to carry the box for me, holding it aloft easily as we walked back toward our apartment complex. Then, as we got closer, we heard a woman’s voice.
“You have company, and with a woman! Shouta, I’m so proud of you.”
I turned and noticed a long haired beautiful looking woman. Was that Midnight? Oh my god!
“It’s not like that.” He said grumpily, eye twitching in irritation, “I accidentally stumbled into her apartment last night, no thanks to you.” He says as he takes his keys, which are being offered to him.
Midnight looked over at me and blinked, as though asking for questions. Wanting to get back at him for scaring me half to death I speak in the most deadpan and serious tone.
“Oh, he’s lying. He’s buying me a TV because he’s my Sugar Daddy.” I hear a choking sound as Aizawa choked on his spit. I turn and smirked at him, getting a playful gleam in my eyes as he coughed and had no way to offer rebuttal, “You know what I mean?”
I then turned and made a motion at Midnight like I was giving a blowjob, my hand moving back and forth. This caused the woman to bark a laugh and start cackling, her face turning red as tears of mirth formed in her eyes. Aizawa’s face was now completely red and I felt like I was on top of the world.
“That’s not even remotely-”
“Shhhh, just accept it Daddy Aizawa.”
“Stop calling me that. Damn cat.” He grumbled after he contained himself, clear irritation on his face. He turned to Midnight to say something but we were already exchanging phone numbers. I could see the gears ticking in his head as I did this. I was planning on terrorizing him further in the future.
(The Next Day)
I was going to be late, at this rate. I ran through the gates of UA, thankful that I had enough of a brain today to bring my ID with me. That would have simply been unfortunate. I bumped into something on the way in, almost falling over in the process as I ran around the corner into the school building. My mind was focused on the task at hand.
I was the new Criminal Justice teacher for the school. A very important subject to teach the students, if they were aspiring to be heroes. My purple fluffy tail twitched as I took in the classroom that was assigned to me. It was only an hour before classes were set to start, so I had a little bit of time to get ready. So, I started to organize the classroom while humming a Linkin Park song. I had my purple hair tied up into a ponytail, clipped with a hairclip to make it spike out at the top. I was wearing a modest a-line black dress and boots to go with it.
My fluffy ears caught onto footsteps that stopped near the entrance of my classroom. I was turned away from the door, ears twitching.
“Staring is rude.” I said to the newcomer, slowly turning and seeing a disheveled looking man with black hair and the darkest eyes I’ve ever seen. It was freaking Aizawa. Because of course it was!
He was leaning against the doorframe, observing me with a passive expression. I could see skepticism in his eyes as he took in my appearance. His eyes lingered on my cat features.
I just smiled.
“And running into people is reckless, but here we are.” He replied in a dry and tired sounding tone. His expression remained impassive, unbothered.
Ran into? Oh crap, did I run into him while I was running into the building?
“Oh… that was a person?” My eyes widened and I blushed in embarrassment, “Sorry…”
His dark eyes narrowed at my comment, a hint of irritation flashing across his face.
“Yes, it was a person. A person who was minding their own business until you crashed into them.” He stepped into the classroom and closer to me. I stood up straight and tilted my head, examining him. As he moved, his capture weapon shifted and I caught sight of his goggles.
Immediately I knew who he was, then. Eraserhead. Oh my god.
OH MY GOD I CALLED ERASERHEAD A HOMELESS TURD?
I was a fangirl. Not that I was going to admit that. That’s just embarrassing! But he was right there. Right here. In front of me. Oh my god. I felt like dying. I can’t believe-
“I was in a hurry and didn’t see you. I’m sorry.” I chuckled and smiled at him, covering up my embarrassment easily, “I’m Lyn Takimura, by the way. I don’t think I ever did introduce myself yesterday.”
He seemed to study with me and I could see the suspicion and wariness in his eyes, though his expression remained carefully neutral.
“Lyn … you’re the new Criminal Justice teacher, I presume.” He stated rather than asked. His tone carried a hint of annoyance. Oh, I bet he was definitely annoyed. Especially with what I said yesterday to Miss Midnight. This just fueled my mischievous nature.
“Yep, that’s me!” I continued my cheery demeanor and smile, which seemed to annoy him further. Oh boy. This was going to be interesting.
He let out a tired sounding sigh, running a hand through his messy black hair. An action that made my ears shiver. Wow. Despite his disheveled appearance he was quite attractive.
“Shota Aizawa. Homeroom teacher for Class 1-A.” He introduced himself curtly, his eyes scanning my face with a hint of confusion in his eyes.
“Oh, isn’t that the hero course?”
“Yes, problem children. All of them.” He said, though I detected a hint of fondness in his tired voice. Despite his gruff exterior, just from that alone I could tell he cared. How sweet. My smile widened.
“I’m looking forward to teaching them.” I said, which caused him to raise an eyebrow at me.
“You might want to adjust your expectations. They’re not exactly … easy to handle.” He warned, though there was a slight twitch at the corner of his lips.
“I kind of figured, yeah.” I looked down at my desk and started to adjust my syllabus and read through it again.
“Your desk is already organized,” Aizawa pointed out bluntly, “What else are you organizing?”
“Oh, just the syllabus. I was going through it one last time just to be sure.” I stated with a polite smile on my face. I glanced up, and noticed his eyes flickering from the papers and to my face a few times.
“Show me.” He demanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
“Hm. Persistent, aren’t you?” I said as I handed him one of the papers. It was neatly organized and outlined what I was going to be teaching to the class.
“I’m a teacher, persistence is part of the job description.” He muttered, scanning the pages carefully.
“To be honest? I am pretty new at this whole thing. But Nezu seemed sure I’d be okay.”
He glanced up from the syllabus, expression softening slightly at my admission. He spoke in a dry tone, though there was a hint of understanding in his voice, “Nezu has questionable judgment sometimes.”
“I hope so…” I sighed and leaned back on my desk, looking up at him curiously, “So what, you scoping out the new teacher? Why’s that?”
“Just making sure you’re not going to be a liability to my students.” He shrugged and commented bluntly, “And to see if you’re really as cheerful as you seem.”
I put a finger to my lips and smirk, a hint of mischief in my eyes as I said, “Am I as cheerful as I seem? That’s a secret.”
This caused his eyes to narrow, a flicker of intrigue crossing his features. I almost giggled giddily. Eraserhead was totally scoping me out. It took everything in me not to squeal.
“Secrets aren’t a good start for a teacher.” He said with a slight smirk of his own, almost challenging me, “Especially when dealing with impressionable students.”
“My cheer won’t be a problem, I assure you. If anything, I think it’ll help.” I huffed and chuckled.
“You’re younger than most teachers here.” He stated, his voice carrying that hint of skepticism that made my smile widen. This seemed to annoy him further, causing my stomach to flutter with excitement. “How old are you, exactly?”
“22, why?” My ears twitched. His eyebrows rose slightly, a clear sign he was surprised. So was I, buddy.
“You look like a student, yourself.” He stated bluntly, a hint of disbelief in his voice, “How did you even get this position.”
“Nezu reached out to me and offered it. There’s not much to it, really.” I shrugged and kept it vague. There was more to it. But I wasn’t just going to tell him. Where’s the fun in that? I loved making him squirm. Or get annoyed. My eyes glinted slightly. Aizawa’s eyes narrowed suspiciously at my vague answer.
“There’s always more to it.” He countered, his voice dropping to a more serious tone, “You’re just to young and … cheerful to be just another teacher.”
I chuckled, “What, I have too much hope and optimism to be a teacher now?”
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze intense and scrutinizing. It made my stomach flutter again. “Hope and optimism don’t make you a good teacher. They make you naive.” He stated firmly, which caused my smile to widen again, “And I don’t trust naive people with my students.”
“I’d like to think I’m not naive, just stupid sometimes.” I laughed.
“That’s not much better.” He said dryly, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice. An almost imperceptible smirk on his face, “Naivety and stupidity often go hand in hand.”
“Well, I can assure you it’s not naivety. I am choosing to be this way.” I winked. He studied my determined expression, irritation flashing in his eyes once again. Though I could tell I had his interest.
“Choosing to be stupid? That’s a dangerous path to take, especially in our line of work.” He remarked sarcastically. He crossed his arms and seemed to take in my appearance once again, causing my tail to flick playfully.
“Yeah but…” I stretched and smirked, “It hasn’t gotten me killed, yet. The nightmares persist, but so do I.”
“Nightmares? What kind of nightmares?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I got an amused glint in my eyes, causing him to scowl at my evasive answer. He was not amused by my playful demeanor, I could tell. And it was exhilarating, seeing how easily I could get under his skin.
“You’re infuriatingly difficult to read.” He muttered, running a hand through his messy hair again. If he kept doing that I was going to get weak. God damn it. “And I don’t like mysteries.”
“One of my secrets is, my smile helps with that. Being harder to read, that is.” I offered with a chuckle, “I’m sorry if that bothers you, it’s just the way I am.”
He probably had some idea that my smile was a mask, of sorts. And I could tell it irritated him, to no end. His voice was low and serious as he said, “Your smile is just a mask. And masks are meant to hide something.”
“Is it?”
He stepped closer to my desk, looming over me with his taller height. He looked like he was trying to be intimidating, but all I could feel was butterflies. I peered up at him and smiled.
“Yes, everyone has a reason for their smiles, and I’m going to figure out yours.” His dark eyes seemed to bore into mine, searching for a crack in my facade.
“You are protective of your students and you think I’m a potential danger to them. You needn’t worry. I am not here to harm the kids. I am honestly going to try and help, like Nezu told me to do.” I stated, reading between the lines of his little interrogation. It was honestly sweet how protective of them he was.
His eyes widened slightly at my assessment, seemingly caught off guard for a second.
“How did you …?” He started, his voice trailing off as he schooled his features again into his neutral expression, “You’re observant. Too observant for someone who just got here…”
I stand up from leaning on my desk and slowly step closer to him, “I am observant, yes. Not much can get past me. So don’t even think about trying anything, Eraserhead.”
I revealed that I knew his hero name, despite his not telling me. This caused him to tense a little, his capture weapon shifting subtly as he narrowed his eyes at my comment.
“You know who I am.” He stated coldly, studying my movements with increased caution. Good. “And yet you still dare to threaten me?”
“It’s not a threat.” My smile widened again, “I can see how you look at me. You’re hostile. I’ll find out why.”
His jaw clenched, the irritation in his eyes growing even more.
“Stay out of my business and I’ll stay out of yours.” He warned, “Don’t make me regret letting you stay here.”
Good, yes. Just what I wanted!
“Okay, good.” I said cheerfully as I turned on my heel and walked over to my desk and sat down. I hummed happily, a little too content with what he just said. He seemed to catch onto that.
“You’re playing games.” He accused, crossing his arms, “I don’t appreciate being manipulated.”
“And how did I manipulate you, exactly?” I leaned back in my chair and stared up at him from my spot at my desk. I could tell he was growing even more frustrated as time went by. This made me smile even more. His patience was probably wearing thin.
“By making me think you’re a threat, then acting innocent.” He snapped, his voice rising slightly, “By pretending to be harmless when I know you’re hiding something.”
“You are surprisingly easy to rile up.” I commented, my smile widening again as I let out a chuckle.
“Watch your tongue, kitten.” Aizawa used the nickname mockingly, I could tell. His capture weapon floated menacingly around him, his eyes glowing red as he activated his quirk. He growled, “I’m not one of your students you can toy with.”
My smirk turned into a full blown smile, my ears fidgeting rapidly, “Wow, you really are so cool.”
I couldn’t help it! Eraserhead was using his quirk on me! EE!
His eyes widened in shock, his quirk faltering for a moment at my reaction, “...Cool?” He repeated incredulously, hair still floating, “You’re supposed to be scared, not complimenting me.”
“Sorry sorry. I’ll pretend to be scared next time, okay? Will that appease you?”
He let out an exasperated sigh, deactivating his quirk and running his hand through his hair again. I was glad I was sitting for that. My knees felt weak. If he was going to be running his hand through his hair like that a lot, I needed to get used to it and fast.
“You’re impossible.” He muttered, clearly defeated by my persistent cheer, “I’m leaving before I lose my sanity.”
“Bye bye!” I said happily, waving as he turned on his heel to leave. But not without pausing and turning to look at me one last time. Annoyance was clear on his face.
“This isn’t over, Lyn.” He warned, “I’ll figure you out eventually.”
“Ah, and…” My eyes opened slightly wider and my expression became slightly more sinister, “Don’t call me kitten, again.”
He smirked slightly at me change in demeanor, “Or what, kitten?”
He was challenging me, that cheeky fuck. Two could play that game.
“Kitten is reserved for my boyfriend. Unless … you’re trying to take me out for drinks, Aizawa?” I said in a sly tone, my eyes taking on a mischievous glint. His smirk dropped immediately into a scowl.
“I have no interest in dating a brat like you.” He snapped coldly, “And I’m definitely not buying you drinks.”
“Exactly! So don’t call me kitten.” I said, my cheerful demeanor returning.
“Fine, whatever.” He grumbled under his breath as he finally left the classroom. The door slammed shut behind him.
Oh man, my second encounter with Eraserhead was great. I got him to leave whilst annoyed! Ha! That was hilarious.
Lyn Takimura, drawn by me
