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aerisleis-fics · 6 years

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Coping Mechanisms

Notes: So this is based on this post by @bnhahc. If you check the notes on it you’ll see the conversation split in half LOL but this version has at least a summary of the other one so here we go. This was super fun to write and I would be in no way shocked if the idea made it into other stories of mine.

It started shortly after they all moved into the dorms. At first it was one or two of them coincidentally bumping into each other while trying to make tea, or move around to work off the nervous energy they felt. Questions were never asked about why the other one was down there. Over the days as they prepared for the provisional license exam it only got more prevalent.

It seemed like every night there were more of them down there, usually not acknowledging each other at all. It became a habit to leave the lights on in the common area downstairs, because honestly there was always someone there.

A day or two before the exam was the first time Bakugo found himself among them. The blond wasn’t precisely prepared for the fact that there were no less than six people scattered around the common area, mostly ignoring one another. Kirishima met his gaze - he was the only one to do so - and joined him in the kitchen.

“Quite the damn sleepover down here.”

“Oh it’s always like this.” Kirishima’s words were so matter-of-fact that it caught Bakugo off guard. “Almost everyone comes down sometimes. Only you and Shouto and Deku haven’t so far. … Well, now just the last two.”

Bakugo made a disgusted noise in the back of his throat, dismissively. But some part of him was surprised that it was so widespread. If they had all started coming down here for the same reason he had… well. “The fuck is this about?”

Kirishima shrugged. “We don’t ask each other that. Prying isn’t manly.” A pause, and then much quieter. “But it’s nice, not being alone.”

Bakugo rolled his eyes but for once bit back the angry retort. “Do you want tea shitty hair?”

“If you’re already planning to make some, please.”

********************

It was the night after his house arrest ended that Izuku found himself slipping down the hall through the darkness, intending to get a bit of air in the courtyard or something, anything to clear his head.

He didn’t expect all the lights to be on in the common area. He certainly didn’t expect to see a solid number of his classmates sitting scattered around the area. Deku almost slipped back into the elevator and went back to his room, unwilling to intrude, and unwilling to share, but Iida seemed to notice him then and motioned once from across the room.

Izuku sat down not far away from where Iida sat with Ochako half asleep against him. He didn’t say anything to either of them, not wanting to wake her back up entirely, but he did allow himself to take some small comfort in their presence, even as he sat with his knees drawn up to his chest and his gaze unfocused - his mind a thousand miles away.

********************

Aizawa normally did his rounds earlier than this, but he’d been on patrol until now. As a result of when he normally did his rounds, he was normally already back in his room before any of the students had come back down into the commons. As such, he was caught off guard when he slipped into the space and noticed no less than eight of them scattered around.

Most weren’t speaking, weren’t acknowledging each other at all. They were just there. He wondered why for a moment or two, practiced eye skimming over the lot of them. They hadn’t noticed him yet, or at least most of them hadn’t.

Momo was looking straight at him, fingers braiding and unbraiding a small piece of hair. She seemed to decide something and rose, moving across the room with the grace of a cat - and managed to make it all the way to where he stood by the door without any of her classmates looking up to see what she was doing.

“I ask that if this is deemed to be against the rules that none of us be punished.” Her voice was low, and quiet. “The curfew rule is specifically worded as to forbid us from leaving the dorm building, but says nothing specifically about remaining within our respective bedrooms. If that’s wrong I ask that the rule change be posted and this be overlooked because -”

“Hush.” He raised one hand to silence the rest of whatever she was going to say. “You’re correct, the rules don’t forbid this sort of behavior. None of you are in trouble.” Admittedly Aizawa had not anticipated this sort of behavoir as being something that needed to be restricted in the first place.

On the other hand, after a moment or two of reflection, he understood precisely what was happening here. And he had to acknowledge that he was probably a fool for not seeing it before. They were, ultimately, still children no matter how hard they were trying to become pro heroes. “How often does this happen?”

“Well…” Momo seemed to hesitate to answer the question. He said nothing, but continued meeting her gaze levelly, refusing to back down. “I’m usually down here at least once or twice a week, and there’s pretty much always at least one or two people here.” Momo answered slowly, realizing he wasn’t going to let her get away with not answering.

“Just this group, or different every time?”

“I’ve… seen pretty much the entire class down here at one point or another.”

Aizawa had a headache already just thinking about how to address this with each of them. No there had to be a better way than trying to coax twenty students with vastly different issues through dealing with them. Never mind these were things they would definitely need to master as pro heroes. There weren’t enough hours in a day -

Unless… hm. “I’m going upstairs. If this has been going on this long without my knowledge, I’m going to assume none of you will burn down the dorms before morning.”

********************

Aizawa sat quietly as his fellow faculty filed into the space.

“Something on your mind Eraserhead?” It was somewhat predictable that it would be Hizashi that noticed his extreme focus first.

Aizawa waved him off, and the voice hero settled into his place without arguing.

The meeting went as they often did, and he kept quiet throughout, offering his thoughts only occasionally as usual.

“Did you have something you wanted to bring to the table, Shouta?” It was Nezu who asked, as the meeting was winding down.

“I think it would be wise if we extended the counseling we discussed following the training camp attack. That portion served its purpose, of course, the testing was important, but… I think the students would benefit from more regular access to similar services beyond what Hound Dog is able to provide.”

“Are there specific students you have concerns about?” Nemuri asked, cocking her head slightly to one side.

“The majority of my homeroom, if I’m being frank. They are displaying coping behaviors that, for the moment, are keeping things under control enough they might continue to slide under the radar, I have concerns that they won’t be enough forever. If it were one or two I would handle it on the side on my own, but with it being so many, I can’t help but wonder if there are students well beyond 1-A that are so adversely affected.”

“I must concur with Shouta.” Sekijiro added after a moment or two. “This years students have been under a great deal more strain than is average, even for UA. It may be helpful for us to provide them with the sort of support they would normally get on their own if they need it, seeing as we’re now a boarding school and they require special permission to leave the grounds regularly.”

It was somewhat comforting to have the 1-B homeroom teacher backing him up. He wasn’t overreacting.

It wouldn’t happen overnight, Nezu would have to consider it and decide if it was beneficial enough for a broad enough section of students. But Aizawa thought it was likely that it was something that would be done, at least on a temporary basis, as he heard the discussion and agreement of the other teachers.

********************

Bonus Scene

[It was written platonically but if Tododeku of any form bothers you skip this section]

Shouto wasn’t sure how he’d ended up a part of this. But here he was, sitting on the end of one couch with his legs pulled up off the floor staring into space. On the other end o the couch, last he’d been aware, was Izuku, doodling in one of his notebooks.

“Oy. Icyhot.” Shouto’s head jerked around so he was staring at the blond by the elevator, glaring as he did so. “Should wake up Deku before he rolls off the couch.” The blond then moved his hand and let the elevator close before anyone in the commons could say anything else about it.

It was a bit of a breach of the unspoken rules where none of them really acknowledged one another, or acknowledged the reasons they were all here at this ridiculous hour, but as Shouto’s gaze drifted from the elevator to the boy he was sitting closest to, he understood. While everyone had been looking at them when Bakugo broke their reverie, they shifted back to minding their own business. That was… for the best.

His right hand loosely wrapped around Izuku’s shoulder, shaking the smaller boy gently. “Midoriya.”

The smaller boy woke with a muffled gasp as he tried to steady his own breathing. “Shouto I’m sorry I -” His voice was low, obviously trying not to garner any additional attention.

“Shh. It’s fine.”

He settled back to his original place on the couch, and then looked over at Izuku, still half-curled where he’d been napping. “Come here.”

Izuku looked confused for several seconds, but eventually did as he was asked. Shouto shifted them both around until they were settled into a reasonably comfortable position, with Izuku half leaning against Shouto’s body.

No, Shouto wasn’t sure how he’d ended up a part of this at all, but he was glad that he had. Because in the smallest things, like offering a friend comfort, there was healing.

#bnha #mha #my hero academia #boku no hero academia #speed write #my writing #tododeku #at least a small bit

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michiigii-writes-mysme · 6 years

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“Can I have a Dirty Werewolf?”

RFA Coffee House AU - Halloween

Pairing: Zen x Reader/MC

Summary: The RFA are baristas at Rika and V’s cafe. Contains fluff! …Not as dirty as the title sounds. <3

Word Count: Approx. 1500

Protip: The ever-so-generous @digitalscratch-arting bestowed upon me an illustration! (I’m so happy!!)

Halloween wasn’t for everybody, but its main perk was obvious: the excuse to dress up as a colourful character with minimal judgement from the public. And anybody could appreciate a good costume, whether one dressed up or not. You couldn’t help but admire some particularly intricate outfits as you walked to your favourite coffeehouse: Rika’s Coffee Shoppe.

It was a crisp day; just warm enough that trick-or-treaters could openly wear their more practical costumes. The sun was close to setting, so there were a few witches sporting warm scarves, and you spotted one or two ninjas wearing a fluffy hat. You had to smile at that; practicality and panache collided.

As you swung the cafe door open, the usual bell that you were familiar with hearing was replaced with a witch’s laughter.

That’s different, you thought, looking up in surprise and seeing a tiny plush pumpkin swinging where the bell used to be.

“HAPPY HALLOWEEN!” Someone screamed from the counter, then laughed when you flinched.

“Seven!” you exclaimed, your voice sharp, but an involuntary smile starting across your face.

There were three of the usual baristas at the counter: Seven was leaning casually near the register, doing nothing useful, Saeran had his head down as he wiped the counter down, and Yoosung was finishing off the drinks for a small group of girls at the end. The twin redheads were wearing coordinated costumes; Seven was dressed as a pharaoh, complete with ornate headdress and jewelry, and Saeran had a mummy costume on. However, on closer inspection as you came close, you realized Saeran was wearing his favourite sweater and jeans underneath costume bandages. He didn’t look like he had planned his costume.

“…Did you get ambushed by Seven this morning?” you asked the quiet barista.

“How could you tell?” he deadpanned, giving you a bland look.

You both shared apologetic smiles, yours warm and bright, his cool but not unfriendly. Saeran often got caught in the wake of his brother’s shenanigans. It was all too easy for you to imagine Saeran coming down to breakfast, half awake, only to be attacked by Seven with a giant roll of mummy bandages. Thankfully, this was one of Seven’s more harmless pranks.

“Your usual?” Seven called to you from the register, his heavy jewellery tinkling as he waved enthusiastically at you.

“Yes, please!” you answered, heading over to him, already pulling your wallet out.

“Aw, but you didn’t even look at my special menu~!” Seven pouted, motioning to the chalkboard behind him, “Look! I worked so hard on it!”

You raised your eyebrows, then looked up to the menu board. There were fancy mixed drinks designed especially for the holiday. Some were cold, most were hot, and they all had names that had something to do with Halloween, like “Boo-berry Tea” and “Vampire Elixir.” And somebody had doodled decorations representing each drink beside their description.

“Oh, those are cool!” you complimented, seeing how detailed the new drinks were, “Did you make the recipes up yourself?”

With a glint in his eye, Seven started to answer, but Yoosung quickly interrupted, stuffing a napkin into the red-head’s mouth. You saw that the blond was wearing a black cat costume, with a leather belt for a tail and black mask over his face. He looked oddly familiar…

“Saeran and I did,” Yoosung interjected, giving Seven a dirty look, “We stayed up late for the past three nights, taste testing and experimenting. Seven was supposed to help, but he ended up just sucking down whipped cream the whole evening. If he even showed up.”

“What…well…I named the drinks!” Seven protested, his eyes filling with alligator tears.

You smiled at their antics, knowing this was a typical day for all of them. You half-listened as you continued looking at the new menu.

“Nope, still Saeran and me,” Yoosung insisted, crossing his arms and ignoring his friend’s tears.

“I…wrote the board?”

“That was Saeran! You were supposed to help, and you didn’t show up at work until we were already almost done decorating the board. And then you said, ‘Eh, you’re almost done, anyway!’ then you ate a whole cup of whipped cream.”

“…I drew the kitty pawprint in the corner there,” Seven said meekly.

Yoosung fell silent. You saw him glance at Saeran, who was now polishing the coffee mugs. He made a tiny nod, and Yoosung’s expression softened.

“Fine. You drew…” the black cat turned his gaze to the board, searching for Seven’s handiwork, then he frowned again when he found it, “…that dinky thing right there? That’s it?!”

“Have you chosen your drink yet, valued customer?” Seven jumped in, hurrying to lean over the counter towards you with begging in his eyes, “Please?”

“Um…I would like to try…could I get a Dirty Werewolf?” you requested, looking at a Chai-based drink. It looked hot, spiced, and tasty.

“Comin’ right up!” Seven said eagerly, and with that, he ran off to the back room, out of sight.

He ran so fast that your hair shifted in the direction he had disappeared to. Even Saeran and Yoosung looked stunned.

“Do…” Yoosung paused, then looked to the back room door, “Why…?”

Saeran openly sighed and continued with polishing mugs. Seven didn’t take long; soon, you all could hear his footsteps reapproaching…as well as someone protesting?

“…-et me go! My shift doesn’t start for another half hour! What’re you doing, Seven?!”

Crashing through the door, the red-haired prankster hauled another of the cafe’s baristas behind the counter. There was a blur of red mixed with silver hair, and suddenly, a tall, beautiful man in costume tail and ears stood before you.

“Your Dirty Werewolf, just like you ordered!” Seven grinned, motioning to his coworker.

“I’m not dirty, you-…oh. Oh!” Zen started to growl at Seven, but he stopped and softened as soon as he realized that it was you at the counter, “Uh…h-hey! Hey, how are you!”

You smiled and greeted him back, slight embarrassment colouring both your faces. Zen had been your secret crush since you started visiting this cafe. He was handsome and sweet and courtly, with just the right amount of romantic cheesiness to make you weak at the knees without feeling too guilty about it. Being who he was, he was always popular with the other ladies who visited the coffeehouse, but he always drew a rose on your coffee cups when he served you. You didn’t know if it was special, or not, but the gesture still warmed your heart.

“You’re a werewolf!” you said, gesturing at his ears and tail.

“Yeah! Not a dirty one. Not really. Just a werewolf,” Zen said quickly, the points of fangs barely visible as he spoke, “Uh…what’re you dressed as?”

“Hm? Oh…” you looked down at what you were wearing, then chuckled, “Uh…the heroine from one of my favourite games. She wears a beige sweater-dress like this one.”

“I like it! You’re really cute!” Zen blurted, then clapped a hand over his mouth.

Seven started to laugh, but Saeran slapped a hand over his brother’s mouth, stifling his own laughter with his other hand. Yoosung, you could see in the corner of your eye, had slapped his forehead before continuing to pour a drink.

“Really?” you asked without thinking, the notes of hope in your voice completely silencing the twins, “Th…thank you! I like your costume, too…it suits you.”

Zen chuckled, the tension easing from his shoulders, and he leaned more casually against the counter. “I’m glad you like it.”

“He wasn’t even gonna dress up until V said it was mandatory,” you thought you heard Yoosung mutter to Saeran.

“I, um…I ordered a Dirty Werewolf,” you said shyly, “But I was kind of expecting the one with cinnamon…”

“Oh, wel-“ Zen started, but mid-word, Seven shoved a stick of cinnamon into his mouth, effectively silencing him.

“As ordered,” Seven grinned, ignoring the glare Zen was sending him.

“Please take the Zen to go,” Yoosung sighed, handing a completed handcrafted beverage in a travel cup to Zen, “He’s been making your drinks with ‘extra TLC,’ as he calls it, since you first started visiting, and frankly, it’s getting exhausting.”

“Really?” you asked again, constantly being surprised that evening. You turned your gaze to a now openly blushing Zen, “You…you have?”

“…guys, I really don’t need the interference,” Zen grumbled, “Do you have any idea how emasculating-“

“Is that a flower that you’re drawing on that cup, there?” Yoosung asked, looking pointedly at your Dirty Werewolf.

All of you could see that Zen was drawing a rose onto your cup with a special red marker he had in his apron pocket.

“…your drink, princess,” Zen mumbled, holding the drink out to you.

“Thank you,” you smiled, taking the cup and subconsciously cradling it over your heart, “…I’m sure you draw flowers for all the girls.”

“…Just my favourites,” Zen said reluctantly, then coyly added, “And I only ever have one favourite.”

He gave you a smouldering, suggestive gaze, and you felt your face heat up in response.

“Um…s…so when does a Dirty Werewolf get off work?” you said offhandedly, the slight quaver in your voice betraying how casual you wanted to sound.

Saeran had to stifle Seven’s giggles again.

“About 10:30, tonight,” Zen said sheepishly, “How about you come here, and I’ll treat you to dessert?”

“I’d like that! Um…I’ll see you then?”

“Yeah! ..and happy Halloween!”

-fin-

iT’s sTiLL HaLLoWeEn sOmEwHeRe…!

So, @monkeyhazard on the Zine Team posted this:

So. That inspired this fic! And Halloween gave me the excuse to make Zen a werewolf. Otherwise, we’d have a crazy, supernatural coffee house AU, and that’s a bit of a hat on a hat…

Yoosung’s costume was a reference to Chat Noir (from Miraculous Ladybug)! Saeran, I wanted to tease with Seven, and I wanted them to have matching costumes. Jumin and Jaehee were supposed to make appearances, but they didn’t really fit into the story… Jumin was supposed to be a magician, but all he did was add a cape, and he happened to be pale from a cold, so he was accidentally dressed as a vampire. Jaehee, I wanted to wear a maid costume. V and Rika were supposed to be a Grim Reaper (black cloak, anyone?) and Neil Gaiman’s Death, but again, I didn’t have much of an excuse to add them.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it!

#Zen x Reader #Zen x MC #Hyun Ryu #MysMe Zen #Mystic Messenger Zen #Mystic Messenger Fanfic #MysMe Fanfic #fluff

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