Estelle's Wrath

Katsuki believed it was just an ordinary day. He had gone to class, eaten lunch with the extras, texted Estelle to ensure she ate and returned to his dorms. So, why was a spirit in the living room when he went to the kitchen to start dinner?

Deciding to ignore him, Katsuki didn't make it very far before he listened to his body which itched to turn around. A deep scowl lay on his face, yet he made no effort to say anything as he took out his phone and messaged the class group chat and Estelle separately (because she never checked the group chat).

'Can one of you idiots tell me why that homicidal manic spirit is in our living room?'

And to Estelle. 'Wolf is here.'

It didn't take long for him to get a response from the female. 'I'm on my way, don't piss him off too much.'

Yeah, right; most likely, it would be the other way around.

"No hello?" The spirit finally contested, wondering why the blonde had focused his attention on the square block.

Katsuki grunted in response, a growing dislike for the spirit simmering in his veins. Katsuki had known from the first moment Wolf had strolled into Heights Alliance that he didn't like the asshole. His protective stance as he covered Estelle against them was a spark to his rage, unlike anything else. As if the students of this class would do anything to harm her. It was so far out of the realm of possibility that it was ridiculous, especially for those who knew them.

Instead of responding to the texts, the students slowly trickled into the living room, too curious to stay away. Unsure of what to do, they uttered a few meek greetings as they headed straight to the couches, not planning on leaving the spirit alone anytime soon as long as he stuck around. It was evident by the flicker in their eyes and their tense shoulders that they were all on edge. It was understandable, considering the only reason he hadn't killed them all the last time he visited was because Estelle had stopped him.

Yet, Estelle wasn't here, which meant their safety and security weren't guaranteed as long as they were alone with him. They had to be on high alert; it wasn't a choice when the spirit found killing to be his favourite pastime.

"Now you have gathered an audience. May one of you tell me where Estelle might be?" Wolf spoke up again, slightly irritated that he was suddenly outnumbered.

Katsuki was the only one standing, his arms folded as he glared at the arrival fiercely. He knew the extras would likely let the spirit walk all over them for fear of his huge-ass sword, but the blonde wasn't fazed and was happy to take up the challenge. His eyes twitched as he turned his head away, his tone mocking as he replied, "Shouldn't you know? She's away on a mission; I just told her you're here."

Wolf tilted his head, his lips pursed in curiosity before he asked, "How is that possible?"

Excited to explain the prospects of technology, Kaminari quickly answered, "Oh! We have things called phones here! Which means we can communicate with anyone in the world!"

"And My Reaper has one of these so-called phones?" He inquired, his lips turning down at the idea.

Withering under the lacklustre reaction, Kaminari leaned back on the couch in disappointment, hoping his voice didn't betray him. "Yeah!"

"Hm," He responded, seemingly disgruntled about the new piece of information.

The class loured, immediately pinpointing his dislike of the new information. Flicking their eyes at each other in puzzlement, nobody seemed to be able to grasp precisely what he was unhappy with. Was it because Estelle had a phone? Because he didn't? They weren't sure.

The thoughts quickly drifted as they observed Wolf leaning against the wall, his tone impatient as he asked, "So, will she be returning?"

Katsuki scowled, irritated that the spirit was so adamant about finding her. He had witnessed Estelle's aggravation with her comrade; she had briefly complained a few times about his attitude, and Katsuki had been all ears. However, when he tried to pry, Estelle would wave it off like it was just a petty problem. But now, he was bugging Katsuki too.

'His existence annoys me.'

Narrowing his eyes, Katsuki knew his classmates were looking at him to speak. Grunting in acknowledgement, he could see the tension lesson as they placed some of their trust in him. If he wasn't standing in front of someone who was a pain in his ass, Katsuki probably would have smiled under the revelation. "She is on her way. Why do you need her anyways?"

"Tch, it doesn't concern you, human."

Feeling a burst of heat flood his soul, Katsuki bit his tongue to prevent himself from exploding at the seams. Forcefully reminding himself to heed Estelle's warning, he unwound his shoulders, ignoring the astounded eyes of his classmates as he did so.

'I can be calm if I need to, idiots.'

Though Katsuki wondered what level of combat experience Wolf had, he knew that he must have been good if Estelle had offered him a spot in the top ranks. The knowledge irritated him because he wanted to kick his ass to Nebraska.

Silence reigned between the students and the spirits as they sat idly for Estelle's return. Tension continued to build, the teen's eyes flitting to one another in a mild alarm as they tried to figure out how to make the situation less unbearable. When they tried to look at Katsuki, they sweatdropped at the fact he was competing in a staredown with the spirit.

They quickly realised that Wolf wasn't as talkative as the others they had met, such as Pirate Pete, so having a conversation resembling normality was out of the question. Still, the last thing they would do was leave Katsuki with him alone; the staring match just solidified it; they shared hostility with one another despite practically being strangers.

Concern rose as the idea of a fight breaking out between them began to grow, and considering they didn't know his skills and how he compared to Estelle, they might only have a chance if it was all vs one.

The teens were surprised when Wolf was the one to break the staredown, his head inclining to view them all as he smoothly remarked, "You're corrupting her."

Jaws dropped from the abrupt accusation to the point they were stunned silent. After a few beats, Katsuki managed to break himself out of his daze, his fists clenching at his sides as he let out an audible growl. The blonde couldn't believe the audacity of the spirit, but the questions shouting in his mind demanded answers. Though, he could only manage a loud "Hah?!"

Wolf sighed deeply as he folded his arms and turned away thoughtfully, and the students could detect the wistfulness in his voice as he replied. "You should have seen her during the war, surrounded by so much blood it was beautiful. A hardened woman who did everything for her mission and had no room for any such softness she has now. Look at her; she is not the same. You have corrupted her."

Katsuki baulked at the words; his eyes widened in incredulity from such convoluted thoughts. It sickened him. It made him cringe at finding such beauty in such hollow actions. He detested the words that had left the mouth of the spirit, and it was evident by the snarl that slipped by his lips that he disagreed.

Katsuki had seen Wolf's frustration when Estelle denied them any opportunity to slaughter them. The image of shock and repugnance with Estelle's command remained in his mind. Katsuki had wondered where such a reaction would have come from because any sane person wouldn't have even offered to kill them. Yet, Wolf jumped at the chance and had expected Estelle to do the same.

The way he had spoken to her after was like Estelle was some type of goddess, and the look in his eyes pissed him off. Katsuki would have throttled him that day if he had the chance; there was no affection. It felt cold.

Katsuki couldn't get his reaction out of his mind because Wolf knew Estelle when she was in the spirit world. He knew her better than they maybe ever would. He knew what she had to become and seemed to thrive on it. Wolf had expected her to say yes that day; Wolf had expected her to allow him to kill her classmates. It made him wonder if the Estelle he used to know was a far cry from the way she was now. They had all witnessed Estelle's change, as slow as it had been, but they couldn't compare it to her time in her own world because they were never there.

And now, Wolf seemed to be telling them that Estelle was beautiful in that violence, a violence Estelle suffered every day. And, Katsuki was not prepared to accept that.

"So you don't care for her wellbeing as long as she can raise her sword to bloodshed, is that right?" Katsuki responded, his voice eerily calm compared to the storm within his ruby eyes.

"She is our general. She did not get that position by being feeble. Humans are so emotional, and she was more spirit than human...now, it seems the opposite."

Freezing at his words, understanding dawned on the class. They learned Estelle had been forced to lock away her emotions to handle the war. It was partly why she suffered from PTSD because the trauma of the war bore down on her in every waking moment. Was there a single person, spirit, or being she could have opened up to? Or were they all like Wolf? Preferring an emotionless robot that refuses any ounce of weakness in the name of being strong.

Estelle's emotions were the best of her; without her human side, she was lifeless.

They recognised that the moment she began opening up to them, slowly and surely, they began to understand her core. How good she was despite the cards she was dealt. They could see her fear of getting closer to her classmates and her hesitancy to speak up. It was hard to imagine that Estelle only managed to have brief moments of solace with so few people, but it made sense with how she was today.

The more they listened to Wolf, the more they realised that he seemed to be a figure in her life who preferred her old nature rather than her true one. His obsessive and protective personality seemed to only be for Estelle and bloodshed, nothing else. That type of admiration and fixation made him a loose cannon to anybody that wasn't her.

"Tch, just because you preferred that side to her doesn't mean it was the best. Don't be all jealous now because she has never done for you what she did for us. Am I right?" Katsuki grinned menacingly, his eyes alight with a challenge.

Katsuki knew he had hit the bullseye when Wolf's demeanour changed, his hand immediately darting to his sword. The blonde smirked at the action, smugness creeping up on him as he threw his head back and laughed. The students cringed at the loud guffaw, tensing up at the rising smoke beginning to cover the ground.

Turning his gaze back to the frustrated spirit, Katsuki kept the broad, mocking grin on his face, eager to push his buttons as he leaned forward. "You are jealous, ain'tcha? Well, tough luck, you dirty mutt. Estelle's mine."

Silence.

Wide eyes stared at the blond, staggered at the declaration he had given so freely. Mayhem erupted for a few seconds. Ashido, furiously punching Kaminari's shoulders in excitement, bit back her squeal before she halted like a mime. The sound of a thundering growl had stopped her, alongside everyone else, their eyes uneasy as they viewed such a volatile spirit.

"You don't know what you are talking about, human. My Reaper wreaked bloodshed on anything that opposed her. You never saw her; you don't know what she was like. You little pieces of flesh would have turned tail and ran from the sight of it, never to look her in the eyes again.

Estelle, as much as she would deny it, lived in darkness. Her actions defied human nature, allowing her to become a general in her army. Empathy, compassion, and all those spineless feelings you deem so important were scarce because she embraced the very essence of a warrior.

It was euphoric to watch her, to join her, and to follow such a being. Her very presence commanded servitude, and I could only follow. I stood by her side for it all; I was there even if I wasn't in sight. I was the only one who stayed!" Wolf finished, his eyes clearly unfocused as he replayed the memories in his head. He was smiling, but not in a way that was affectionate for a friend or even for a comrade. It was berserk, like a crazed individual had briefly come to the surface before it was tucked away again.

"Pah!" Katsuki chortled, slapping his thigh as if he was stupid. The laugh screeched to a halt, his facade dropping with a severe expression as he belted out his response. "You think she enjoyed that? She suffered the aftermath of it every day! I bet you egged her on! Telling her, it was justice and right for the end goal! You enjoyed every second of her pain!"

Katsuki knew he was right; everything he had concluded leading him to the right impression. He was a little smug about that, though he hated that he was correct because it meant that there was another thing to add to the pile of Estelle's woes. He hated that. He loathed that Wolf believed his words as truth, and honestly, he was downright furious about it.

A blur arrived, and Katsuki had no way of outmanoeuvring it before his back hit the wall. His eyes broadened at the metal pressed against his neck, quickly composing himself to Wolf's thundering glare.

The students stood quickly, their quirks activated from the abrupt move, and their eyes narrowed as they readied themselves for a fight they weren't sure they could win. Determination rose in their minds; they refused to lose when their classmate was in danger.

Grunting as he felt the wall cracking behind him, the cement digging into his back as Wolf continued to press down on him. Though he was in a situation he couldn't escape, the lingering fury remained in his veins, a pest of an annoyance he couldn't swat.

The grin slipped back onto his face, clearly taking the spirit aback as Katsuki let out another mind-numbing cackle. He seemed almost ecstatic in a way, and he knew it was the adrenaline he loved that was pumping through his veins. "You know I'm right; why else would you be so angry, hah?!"

Golden eyes turned into slits at the words, Wolf's teeth glinting in the light as he bared his teeth. They mirrored each other somewhat, though Katsuki's smile was much more eager than Wolf's frustrated snarl. "I should slit your throat and be done with it. I should kill you all. Ruining everything about her. She has weakened because of you; I see it on her face as she kills. I see it in how she speaks and how she simply is. That softness will kill her; I shudder to think what will come of her in the new war."

Titling his neck up as the press of metal began to dig into his throat a little more viciously, Katsuki could feel the cut on his neck as he forced out another response. Squeezing out his words, he choked, "You just don't get it, do you? We never changed her; we just pulled out the parts of her that she hid from everyone else. Now I understand why. It was spirits like you and Nyx, wasn't it?! Compelling her to ignore every single emotion till her mind forced her to acknowledge them. You were part of the problem, but it doesn't matter now because we'll be the solution! Emotions are not weak, Estelle is not weak, and you are delusional for thinking of her as such!"

"No, the solution is death!" Wolf snapped, utterly enraged by the words leaving the student's mouth.

Katsuki only seemed amused by the response, his smile widening to the point that his cheeks hurt, yet he paid no mind to it. Pushing forward, causing a few more drops of blood to trickle down his neck, Katsuki screeched out, "You think Estelle would forgive you for killing us, petty humans?! She wouldn't be able to stand the sight of you! You touch us, and you're dead!"

Wolf pressed slightly harder, growling manically as he barked, "You don't matter that much!"

Smug, Katuki's eyes flared with the challenge that exuded the utmost confidence. His eyes trailed over the spirit's shoulder for a moment before they seemed to unwind. Wolf ignored the action, his body ready to move as Katsuki yelled, "Try it!"

Moving his sword back to land a life-threatening blow, Wolf watched as the blonde male closed his eyes tightly and blew out a few explosions that left smoke in his eyes. Not letting his lack of sight stop him, the spirit was inches away from his attack before he felt his body halt.

The students who moved forward to stop him suspended as the smoke cleared, and they were gifted with the sight of Wolf frozen mid-attack, yet his body trembled as if he was fighting with himself. The male gritted his teeth, his quivering body doing everything he could to ward off his current state, but it only seemed to end in failure. A muffled snarl left his stiff lips, and the students finally turned to figure out what was happening.

Estelle stood, her body barely past the entrance, her hand raised high towards the spirit. Slumping in relief, the students nearly cheered before Estelle's expression computed in their minds.

Her teeth gnashed together, her eyes alight with wicked flames that would burn anyone that would get close. A blistering, blubbering and booming aura that seeped with rage. It filled the room, taking the air out of everyone's lungs as they witnessed her growing desire to destroy.

Estelle felt like she had been slapped in the face, and she wasn't the type to just take it. Oh no, Estelle was the type of woman to return that pain back tenfold. Letting them suffer for thinking they could get away with such a thing. Yeah, Estelle could be mature sometimes; she had to be to withstand the idiocy that surrounded her wherever she was. But this time, maturity had been thrown out the window, and all Estelle wanted to do now was ruin him.

Taking a second to assess the situation further, the vehement desire to kill the spirit withered as her eyes trailed over to Katsuki. A man, still pinned with a sword, was looking at her with a smile that took her breath away. Befuddled, Estelle couldn't help but stare at his handsome smile in awe. It was like she was some treasure that had entered his presence. Estelle knew he was looking at her with such trust that it sunk into the depths of her soul.

Snapping her eyes back to Wolf, his growl breaking her out of her daze, Estelle's softened expression returned to dark promise as she yanked her hand to the right, forcing his body to hurtle to the other side of the room, hitting a frame that smashed from the impact.

Blood-bending.

Estelle cursed herself for using it, knowing she could have stepped in another way if she hadn't been too engrossed in the conversation she had been listening to. The disbelief and shock surrounded her, her ears begging to hear more before she realised the spirit was actually going to attack. It left her no other option. Besides, she didn't mind it so much if Katsuki's life was in the balance. She'd suffer through blood-bending as long as he was safe and that damn sword was no longer pointed at him.

Katsuki quickly dropped to the ground, his body slumping against the cement as he caught his breath for a moment. Yet, his eyes never left her frame.

Estelle didn't want to look, knowing she would flail under the strength of his gaze. She had never felt that amount of conviction before. He had looked at her before Wolf even raised his sword. He had glanced at her with such unwavering faith that it staggered her. It was like he knew she would come; there was no doubt in his mind.

A simmering bloom of orange expanded within her, and Estelle wasn't given a chance to revel in it as her eyes trailed to his neck. She watched as a deep red drop of blood slipped past his wound, trickling down his neck to join the other collected dots. Her brain fuzzed for a moment, a white noise slowly entering her right ear as her eyes turned cold. Katsuki was hurt, and it was because of him.

Her hair shaded her face as she turned.

Her footsteps were harsh against the silence, loud thuds against the wooden floorboards as she made her way to the hunched-over spirit. The students grimaced from the noise, the aura of dark assurance filling the air once again as Estelle's fist met Wolf's face.

The punch rattled the spirit, his head whirling back before hitting the wall behind him. The loud crack made the others wince, their eyes widening when they realised that Estelle had raised her fist again. Another bang resounded around the room, Estelle's trembling hand still in the air as she moved to land another blow. Expecting for her to throw another hit, they were surprised when Estelle moved to clutch at the collars of his cloak, pulling him upwards to stare deep into her eyes.

"How dare you. Do you think you can disobey my orders simply because you can? What did I tell you?" Estelle spoke, her voice deathly calm compared to the wrath she was emitting.

Wolf opened his mouth to respond but could only choke as Estelle kneed him in the stomach. She never wanted him to answer. It was clear to everyone as she continued to speak. "I told you that they were under my protection! Time and time again, you refuse to listen to me! You continue to test my patience! What?! Do you need me to punish you, Wolf?! Is that what you want?!"

Yanking his hair so he would directly slam his face against her knee, Estelle overlooked the splatter of red that flew past his nose. Every core of her being demanded blood, and she desired to see him broken and beaten under her for even thinking about harming them - for hurting Katsuki.

The students remained in a perpetual state of wincing, the scene too aggressive to remain watching. Their stomachs dropped at the sight of blood beginning to join the ground, and they couldn't help but freeze, knowing that this was Estelle.

"You think I would allow you to taint them? Hurt them? I would die before I let that happen! You asked me if I would kill you, and I told you no. But now, I'll slaughter you if you harm another hair on his head, on any of them! Do you understand!?"

The spirit, taking the blows freely, snapped his head up from the revelation. His teeth were bared, his yellow eyes glaring at the humans who stood watching.

"Them?! You would choose them?!" He screamed, unbelieving of her words. "Those disgusting things have ruined you. You were smiling yesterday! Smiling like a god-damn freakish human! Like a foolish dwarf waiting to be fucked and mated! You foolish girl! You can't even see it! They've made you blind! Is it so terrible that I wish to see My Reaper again!?"

Another loud slam ricocheted around the room as Estelle landed another blow. "I'm right here!"

"Liar!"

Grabbing his neck and bashing him into the wall. Estelle didn't stop, her eyes battling for dominance as Wolf stubbornly stared into her own. He never fought back, just taking everything she gave as he tried to get through to her.

The class remained frozen from the brutal scene, their minds whirring on all the details slipping past their lips. They had always known that Estelle harboured darkness within her. It wasn't possible to escape war unscathed, and she would have done anything possible for the good of everyone else. Estelle had to work in the grey to succeed, which included a lot of violence.

They understood that but seeing it was something else.

They had to wonder if Estelle had tried her best to hide that from them. They understood why, of course, their world worked differently. But, they knew enough of Estelle to understand her core. She always did what was necessary for the mission to succeed. Who wouldn't be angry at all of that? Who else wouldn't struggle to keep their rage and sanity intact?

Maybe that was what Wolf was so infatuated with.

So, as the initial fear and anxiety wavered, their eyes began to trail to her in worry. They all collectively feared that by stepping in, they would worsen her current spiral that was evidently happening in front of them. Despite that concern, they all knew that this wasn't what Estelle wanted to be. And when her mind clicked back into place, they could already see the regret playing out like a television show.

"You know who I am; you've apparently been there for every moment! Shouldn't that scare you, hah! Or are you so lost in your bloodlust and infatuation with me that you couldn't care less!"

Estelle felt like she was drowning in a bottomless pit. Every time she tried to pull herself back to the surface, her eyes met molten gold, and the tide took her. Her hands wouldn't stop, yet her nose managed to ignore that tang of blood surrounding the air. Why wasn't he fighting back?!

Estelle's question was answered when he finally spoke, his voice slightly muffled by his swollen cheeks. Yet, he sounded victorious, arrogant almost as he whispered, "Yes, show them who you really are."

Estelle's eyes broadened from the words, her hands finally halting mid-air as she took a few steps back. Her eyes never left Wolf's as he gleamed with triumph, despite the blood pooling around him.

Her breath hitched as waves of shame and guilt piled onto her body. Her fist was wet, droplets of blood dropping to the floor as she turned around, her hair shielding her face from view. Forcing out a word through her clenched teeth, she snarled, "Leave."

The was no noise of movement behind her, and all Estelle could bring herself to do was walk towards Katsuki. She had almost expected him to flinch away from her after the scene she had just caused, but he didn't. Staring into ruby orbs which gazed at her with the same amount of unwavering faith as before, unclenched her heart a little. Yet, the regret lingered.

Focusing her eyes on the floor, the room was starkly quiet as she called water from the kitchen, flowing beneath the door and onto her hand. Estelle wasted no time placing her hand on Katsuki's injured neck, not wanting to see his wound any longer before the shame swallowed her whole. But, as she felt the cut close up underneath her fingertips, her shoulders began to relax in relief, knowing that he was okay.

The room stayed quiet, and she could finally hear Wolf's shuffles as he moved to stand. "My Reap-"

"I said. Leave." Estelle cut him off furiously, her eyes flicking up to Katsuki's neck, her eyes darkening at the reminder of what had been there.

"We must-"

"Now!" Estelle yelled, causing the students to jump from the hysteria in her tone.

Hearing his footsteps and the door click shut behind him, Estelle heaved for some air like she had finally begun to receive oxygen again. The room felt bleak as Estelle did everything she could to pull herself back together, to reign everything back in before she destroyed anything else.

Her body willed her to follow after him, wanting to finish what he had started, but she had done enough. She had said that Wolf was tainting them, but she was a hypocrite because she was doing that with her own actions.

A hand softly wrapped around her own, the very one which was healing the cut on Katsuki's neck. Darting her eyes up into his, the blonde's tone was gentle as he muttered, "You've healed it; focus on your hand now."

Estelle knew he was talking sense, so she dropped her hand as she reprieved that his vocal cords weren't damaged. The sword had cut into him profoundly; if it had continued, it would have hit a vital artery. Moving back, she fell onto her butt; Estelle brought her knees up to her chin so she could place her face between them. Everything felt like it was finally sinking in, and she realised that her heart felt hurt.

Wolf was a lot like her, his fellow companions had trained him up in a brutal way, and his only solace and ability to manage his bloodlust had been to kill. When Estelle saved him, he never left her life from that point onwards. Their mirrored dislike for companions made it easier for them to talk to one another, as the fear of getting too close allowed them to speak comfortably.

Looking back at it, it was ironic that their shared conflict made them closer.

He never questioned her; he followed her blindly because he understood that wherever Estelle was, bloodshed would follow. They had a simple thing, but it was something Estelle had appreciated. So much so that Estelle blatantly ignored all the red flags of his infatuation with her.

She should have known that he would have wanted more, that it would only continue to rise into something twisted if she let it continue. She pondered what would have happened if she had done something about it earlier to prevent it from getting like this, but it was too late.

Now, all she could feel was an ache in her soul because their simple companionship would never be the same. He had gone too far by attacking those who had done so much for her. He had stabbed her in the back by coming here, speaking of her like that, and hurting Katsuki.

A switch had been flipped in her mind, which wasn't new, but she had never expected it to happen like this. She had never wanted them to view her like that, so unhinged that they could easily deem her a villain.

The students needed help figuring out what to do. They all pained at the exhaustion portrayed on Estelle's face before she hid it and felt the urge to rectify it. Katsuki took the first step, shuffling on his knees for a moment, so he was by her side. He placed his arm around her shoulder and gruffed, "I know you said not to piss him off, but he's an asshole."

Snapping her head up with surprise, Estelle registered that this was the first thing he had to say. Letting out a breath of a chuckle, she shook her head. "No, I should've known he would do something. Not your fault."

"I know it isn't. It isn't yours either."

Frowning, Estelle's eyes flickered to his now uninjured neck before grimacing. She disagreed with the sentiment, her eyes still not meeting anybody as she responded. "He shouldn't have hurt you. I apologise."

Silence reigned for a few beats as the students shuffled closer to the duo, quickly dropping to their knees as they sat around her. Estelle felt her stomach twist, her brain wondering how they could react that way after what she had just done. Regardless, she finally pulled her eyes up to meet them, her lips tilted in a guilty smile. "I shouldn't have lost my cool either; I'm sorry if I frightened any of you."

"You didn't scare us, Estelle," Izuku corrected softly, "You worried us."

"I...worried you?" Estelle answered back, confused.

"You aren't in a world that demands violence at all times, y'know. Seeing you like that...Seeing how Wolf described you...You were reacting the only way you knew how. Isn't that right?" Momo questioned, her tone almost motherly.

Silent. Estelle didn't know how to respond.

"Tch, he was trying to get that reaction out of you. Didn't you hear that asshole? He loves it when you are violent and hates how you are with us. What better way to scare some humans off than to show how scary you can be? The idiot knew you were there. Moron doesn't even realise that nothing could scare us."

Everyone's eyes widened at Katsuki's assumption, which seemed pretty accurate. Wolf could have killed them all before Estelle stepped through the door, but yet he only acted around the time Estelle walked in. It also explained why he never fought back.

"Woah! That's not manly at all!"

The betrayal Estelle was feeling returned tenfold as the information soaked in. If he had planned it, didn't that make what he did worse?

"Stop it!"

Startled out of her thinking, Estelle swivelled her head to Iida, who had leaned forward, his hand frantically making chopping motions in front of her face. Staring down at her sternly, he yelled, "There's no need to remain on this nonsense! You have proved time and time again your true nature! Even I have come to understand the differences between our worlds, but that does not make you evil! Especially when you were saving us from harm! Now stand, Estelle! We must eat to nourish ourselves and our minds!"

Estelle's mouth dropped a little, her body warming like a heated blanket as she watched the rest of her classmate's nod in agreement. Throat tightening at their forgiving natures, Estelle willed herself to calm as her eyes pinched.

She could admit that she hadn't been fully present since the big blowout about leaving this world. Yet, these guys still stuck by her and tried to be friends regardless of what happened. Time and time again, they took on everything happening around her with ease. There didn't seem to be anything that would stop them, filled with determination to build some sort of relationship with her.

Even when Estelle brutally beats a spirit in front of them, they aren't wavering. Every time Estelle thought she had broken their view of her, they refused to relent whenever she revealed anything about herself.

And now, here she was again, receiving such unconditional care from people who had only known her for less than a year.

And it suddenly felt like she wasn't stumbling around in the dark.

They weren't so bad.

Estelle already knew that, but it solidified it for her. She never wanted to admit it, but now, looking at them all, Estelle found it easy to see that these were people she could find herself treasuring. The way they accepted her wasn't easy to find; it was unlikely she would find anyone like them ever again, yet they did it so effortlessly that she eased the second she arrived in their presence.

She would be leaving soon enough, and if they were people she would never find again, wouldn't it be nice to cherish that before it lasted? Clearly, she had failed in pushing them away; today just showed that. Could she just be selfish for just a little while? Would that be okay?

It felt wrong to ask herself that, but at the same time, Estelle was so tired of trying so hard. Estelle was strong; she could still pull away despite any bonds built for the greater good. Yeah, it would be painful, but would it be worse if she regretted it? Especially now that she sort of wanted it?

Regardless, Estelle wasn't going to voice these thoughts. It would give them too much hope, and they would fall over themselves to tell her it was okay to be a little selfish.

The class warmed under Estelle's affectionate gaze, their cheeks turning red from the new tenderness displayed within her eyes. They had never imagined Estelle would ever look at them like that, but now that she was, they were screaming in their heads about how adorable it looked.

Feeling a bit better, Estelle stood up, her classmates following suit as they manoeuvred to the couch. Sato had voiced that he would be the one to make dinner today, and as surprised as Estelle and the rest of the class was, they readily agreed at the volunteer. Though Estelle had utterly missed Katsuki's face towards his fellow student, clearly implying he wasn't prepared to leave Estelle for a second.

Since Katsuki always made dinner, it was fair that he got the day off whenever he wanted. Plus, it was the first time he hadn't made food for Estelle, but nobody would blame him under the circumstances.

As the class conversed, they pointedly ignored the duo at times, flushing when they accidentally caught sight of something they didn't want to witness. It was charming, but the fact that it was the explosive male made it kind of mortifying. They weren't used to it, but from the looks of it, Estelle was.

Huddled together on the side of one couch, Estelle and Katsuki were tangled together in an embrace. The girl was between Katsuki's legs, caging her in as his arms wrapped around her shoulders. Despite the cuddly action, Katsuki glared down at her, a frown on his face, whilst Estelle paid no mind to it. "Stop overthinking it! We already told you it didn't matter!"

Sighing, Estelle answered, "I know, but I never wanted any of you guys to see that."

"Tch, well, I'm glad I did. We all care for you regardless of if you get angry from time to time."

"Hmm."

"Nobody thinks any differently of you, seriously."

"Okay, but do me a favour?" Estelle asked, admitting defeat.

"Anything."

"Don't put yourself in the line of fire like that again, please?"

Leaning back a little, the glare remained on Katsuki's face as he looked away from her. The flush was apparent on his neck from the move, but as Estelle examined further, she could see that it had softened slightly. Turning back to her, his cheeks mirroring his eyes, he grunted, "Yeah yeah, I knew you wouldn't let me get hurt anyways."

"Well, you did," Estelle immediately refused, frowning at the reminder. "That means I failed."

"Tch, hardly. I let myself get hurt; I could've kicked his ass if I wanted to."

Rolling her eyes, knowing he was protecting his pride, she lowered her voice to ensure the other wouldn't hear. "Of course, you could. But, I'd rather you not risk it just because you know ill save you. What if, one day, I'm too late? Just listen to me, will you?"

Knowing this worry stemmed from her history, Katsuki tightened his grip as he placed a quick and brief kiss on the top of her head. "Yeah, alright, but I know you'll always be there."

Because he did, he never wavered in his faith that you would come.

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