Between Two Worlds (Aizawa x Reader)

Chapter Twenty-Three: But How Do You Feel?

Her words resonated with me, and reminded me of all the times he stepped into danger to save his students. I felt myself calm down, knowing she wasn't lying to me.

"I'm sure you already know, but when I lift this sleeve, you should fall asleep the moment you breathe in my quirk's perfume. It won't be unpleasant, I promise." she said, putting her hand on her sleeve.

I took a deep breath before nodding to her, signaling that I was ready.

She nodded back in response and lifted her sleeve, letting a purple mist float out.

Within a few moments, everything became blurry, and my world went black.

***

(Aizawa's POV)

I continued to watch her outside the room next to the panelled glass. Though I've seen this with others before, seeing her hooked up like this was uncomfortable to watch. I couldn't put my finger on it why she was different, or how she of all people could make me feel this way. I just did. I felt powerless yet again.
I saw Nemuri talking with her, and though I couldn't hear them, Doe looked upset, almost on the verge of tears. It wasn't until I saw them both nod, that Nemuri opened up her sleeve and let her sleep inducing aroma out, making Doe fall asleep within seconds.

"Keeping guard, watch dog?" I heard Hizashi tease as he walked next to me.

I didn't respond. I just kept watching her and the monitor, waiting for anything to change.

"Ooooh, silent treatment. Alrighty then. Don't mind me. I'll just continue to let you stare at her longingly through the glass." He said, nudging my shoulder.

"I'm only keeping an eye and waiting for any changes. That's all." I said rather sternfully.

Hizashi smirked.

"Riiiiiiiiight, right. Is that also what you were doing while we were in the faculty lounge?" he mused, "I've seen the way you look at her, dude. It's hard to miss. You've got it."

"Got what?" I asked as I looked at him, irritated by his playfulness.

"It. Ya know, the feels. Hit by Cupid's arrow! In loooooove." he sung as he cackled.

I felt my face grew warm to that accusation.

"I'm not going to dignify that statement with a response." I retorted, redirecting my eyes back to her.

"Aw come on, man! Live a little! It's okay to admit you've got feelings for someone who's literally out of this world! Ah, a blossoming romance that can only be found in books, and you've got it! Gotta say, I'm a little jealous! No, envious! Come on, spill! What have you two been up to?!" he said, becoming more exasperated as he spoke.

"If you don't have anything important to add that doesn't include ridiculous conclusions, I suggest you leave." I said, still not looking at him.

"Is it ridiculous, though?" he asked as he began to circle around me, "Because I checked with the hospital, and according to them, you were the one calling for updates about her condition every night before you went out on patrol. And it was you who pulled the punches to get her out, outside of the usual protocol, not Nemuri."

Without any response from me, he continued.

"And yet you lead Doe to believe it was her and not you. Now why is that exactly?" he asked, his smug face getting closer to mine.

"It wasn't important." I said.

He scoffed.

"Oh? But asking to have a special rig set up just for her at the gym, on at a moment's notice is?" he asked, circling back around the other side, "I mean, if you say so, but I'm not buying what you're selling."

"Your inability to stay out of other people's business knows no bounds." I said, becoming less patient with every taunt.

He sighed as he stood with me, the both of us watching Doe as the silence grew.

"To be honest, Sho," he said, giving me a side glance, "I think she likes you, too."

I glared at him before looking back to Doe.

"I don't think he's just yanking your chain, Shota." said Nemuri after she walked out of the room, and towards us.

I sighed.

'Great. Now I have to hear this from not one, but two people now.' I thought.

"Nemuri, stay out this." I said, making eye contact with no one.

She smiled as she stood next to Hizashi, all three of us watching Doe as she laid there unconscious.

"She's clearly attached. When I was in there with her, she seemed visibly nervous. It wasn't until I told her you'd be watching over her that she calmed down and became more relaxed. She obviously trusts you." she said, looking at me.

"Kinda odd that she would trust someone she's only just met and been around for two days." said Hizashi.

"From the technical sense, yes." I said, "but she's known about us for several years. She knows intimate details, from what we've said, done, and what we've thought. And during all that time, she's felt connected to us. I can't say I blame her for how she feels."

"But how do yooou feel?" asked Hizashi.

I looked down for a moment, unsure of how to respond. I felt a lot of things, especially for her. But I couldn't let her know that, let alone my colleagues. It could jeopardize everything.

"I'll feel relieved once we get the results from these tests. Anything else is irrelevant." I said, looking back up.