Chapter 21: The Calm Before The Storm
I was woken up by Katsuki, almost an hour after school had ended for the day. While I was annoyed that he didn't wake me up, before classes had started, I was more thankful that he didn't. I wasn't running on a whole lot by the time lunch started. And probably would've passed out during a lecture. Which wouldn't have been very good.
He waits by the door as I collect myself and quietly thank Recovery Girl for letting me rest in her office, before Katsuki hands me my bag. I thank him too. For everything that he has done for me today. He grunts and starts walking towards the front of the school. I quickly follow him, standing next to him as we walk.
It's quiet between us. It always has been for us. But the opposite is also true. I feel like, we are either quiet or loud. There's no in between for us to be. For us, quiet is understanding and reassurance. Is our safe place with each other. A place where words don't really have a place. We find each other in the silence. Letting our bodies speak instead of our words.
Then to be loud, is to be explosive. Our tempers ignite and feed each other and grow hotter and hotter. More destructive, when not properly monitored. For us, noise is a buffer, a wall between us, a maze of emotions we can barely navigate. The place where we go and lose each other. A place where words fuel our fires. Words that are tangled in negative emotions, that blind us of reality.
Maybe we're odd. And normal couples are the opposite. But it worked for us. Until it didn't, but, I guess that point is moot, since we are no longer together. Yet Katsuki... He... I don't know, what to do about him. But I do know that I want to go back to bed, after maybe asking Keinosuke to make some banana bread.
We're on the train, before I realize it and heading towards my station. Katsuki at my side as we get off. Even though his station is further along the rail - that's if he hasn't moved from his childhood home. We're walking towards my apartment, though I notice that Katsuki is walking slower, allowing me to lead the way. Silently allowing me to direct us where we go. I felt like it had a much deeper meaning than what I was ready for.
Going up the two flights of stairs, it takes it get to my apartment, I turn the corner first and see Shoto standing, in uniform, in front of my door. Stopping in shock, Katsuki runs into my back.
"The fuck? Why did you stop?" Katsuki hisses, before looking up, to where I stare, Shoto looking up at the same time. Eyes widen, before narrowing, as I walk over to him. Katsuki glaring and frowning as he followed behind me.
"Shoto, why are you here?" I ask, but before he got a chance to answer, Katsuki was blowing up.
"Shoto? Since fucking when were you guys all buddy-buddy?! Also, how the hell, does he know where you live?" He snarls, explosions going off in his hands. I feel what little energy I had gained from my nap, drain away, as Katsuki throws his hissy-fit. I didn't even have the energy to roll my eyes.
"Bakugo, we're cousins." Shoto answers for me as I pull out my key and open the door, slipping inside. The two following inside, without my permission. God, I just wanted to sleep.
"Cousins? Bullshit! I've known Seru our whole damn lives. I've meet his entire family at least twice. I've never seen you once, at one his family gatherings." He spits, as I sigh, dropping on the couch, curling up in the corner. Pulling a throw blanket over me. Shoto and Katsuki taking their shoes off as the blond frowns.
"That's because Shoto's father kept Shoto and the rest of our cousins from our father's side, away from us." Keinosuke explains, appearing in the hallway entrance. He glances down at me, frowning a little, before ruffling my hair and moving into the kitchen as Katsuki and Shoto look at him. "Hey there Katsuki." He greets as he looks him up and down. Shoto slipping past him and joining me on the couch.
"I was worried when you didn't come back from lunch. When you didn't return after class, I thought you left early. So I came to check up on you." He tells quietly as Keinosuke and Katsuki talk. I nod, snuggling into my blanket - it was really soft and fluffy.
"Whatever. Seru." He calls and I hum in acknowledgement. "If you aren't back to normal by tomorrow and go to school. I will drag your ass back here, whether you like it or not." He threatens as he leaves, slamming the door closed as he goes. Huffing, I close my eyes as Keinosuke and Shoto stare at me. Waiting for an answer. An answer, I refuse to give to them.
Instead, I drift off to sleep, surrounded by soft, warmth and the image of red eyes fading behind my eyes lids.
o0oo0o
Two weeks pass, with my rut being a full three days in duration, before I was allowed to released by its shackles. When I return to school, there were a few questions, but I Ignored the - I needed to get caught up on my missed school work. But now it is the first day of the sports festival. Class 1-A in its prep room, awaiting to be called out.
I'm sitting next to Izu-tan as Iida tells us the event is going to start soon, before Shoto calls out to Izu-tan. I look up at my cousin as he walks over. I'm both intrigued and nervous. Because, despite warming up to me - we're half way there, he's still hesitant around me and Keinosuke - he's still icy cold to everyone else. I don't know how to help, but I'm just trying to at least gain his trust, before pushing him to interact with our classmates too much.
"Todoroki, what is it?" Izuku asks, as he stands, going over to taller. My eyes watch them closely as they speak.
"Objectively speaking... I'm stronger than you. More capable." He states, causing my eyes to narrow, Izuku muttering out a response. What is he thinking? "All Might has his eye on you, doesn't he." What? He does? Since when? "Now, I'm not about to pry into why that is, but..." Oh, I'm about to. "I will beat you." Huh. Way to be direct Shoto.
"Ooh! A declaration of war for the class's strongest?!" Kaminari says, while I sigh heavily. Sometimes I feel way older then I am. Now is one of those times.
"Hey man. Why pick a fight? We're about to go on." Kirishima points out, going to Shoto as I stand up warily.
"I don't really care. I'm not here to pretend to be anyone's friends." I couldn't help the stab of hurt that twisted my gut as I sling my arm around Izuku's shoulders.
"Well it looks like you got yourself two fighters, Todoroki. I'm going to beat you to show that hothead," I point at a frowning Katsuki, with my thumb. "that there are people who stand equal to him." I turn towards the blond, himself. "I'm going to beat you too. Someone's gotta knock you off your high horse."
"Todoroki. I'm not sure why you felt the need to tell me that you'll beat me. You're clearly stronger. And I can't measure up to some of the other's in skill." I frown at his self-doubt. Damn, I've been so busy with everything else, that I forgot to be with my best friend. We've spent years a part, and this is how I treat him once I'm finally back. I'm the world's crappiest best friend. "Objectively speaking, even..." He trails off.
"Gee, don't be so negative Midoriya." Kirishima tries to lighten up. "No need..." Kirishima is interrupted by Izuku as my arm slides off of his hunched shoulders.
"But! Everyone... including the kids from the other courses are aiming for the top." He states, my eyes widening. Izuku... has changed. He's changed a lot. And I'm not sure how I feel about that. "And I'm... well, lemme tell you this - I'm not going to fall behind." Izuku declares.
"I'm going for it, with everything I've got." I so swept up in my thoughts, I didn't hear it right away. But it was there and growing steadily stronger in sound.
"kooonnntaaA-KUUUNNNNNNN!" A shiver a terror rip right through me as the door slams open, before I could think of a way to make a tactful retreat. Because the beautiful female teen with jet black hair is pure craziness. That is directed at me.
"Zaiki-san! Why are you here? We're about to start." I try to get her off of me as she jumps onto me and clings to me like white on rice. She nuzzles my head, her arms latched onto my neck, with legs wrapped tightly around my waist. God, why is she here? Now of all times too?
"Ah, Kochan, who this?" Izuku asks, and I almost whimper. I didn't want Zaiki anywhere near Izuku, Katsuki or Shoto. Or really anyone I know and see fairly often. Yet here we are. Her existence now known, and unforgettable from their minds.
"Guys, this is..." I trail off, from the shame and embarrassment. Unfortunately, Zaiki, finishes for me.
"I'm Zaiki Hanasei, Konta-kun's fiancée." I'm a good, little, gay boy. What did I do to deserve this? Seriously.