The Proximation of Hello and Goodbye

18

Izuku spends most of the night tossing and turning, his mind racing with thoughts of the stranger at the end of his driveway. What were they doing there? Why didn't they say anything? Is it the same person who went after Ena? No. It couldn't be. They were arrested, weren't they? Did they need something? Will they be back? He shivers with the thought of facing that predicament again. What would I even do the next time? Would I freeze again? Would I approach them? That likely wouldn't be very wise of me to do. What if they approach me? Would I even be able to defend myself? Stop. Stop thinking about it. You'll worry yourself sick.

He pulls the blankets closer to himself and rolls onto his side, staring out of the window and into the still night. Oddly enough, he finds himself wishing that Masashi were home. What a change of heart , he thinks to himself with a chuckle. Just this morning I was anxiously awaiting his departure, and now I'm desperate to have him here. At least if he were home I wouldn't be alone if something bad happened. I'd still be on pins and needles though. "Shit, this has got to be a joke," he mutters to himself. "Can't even find comfort in my own home anymore. This is pitiful." He grows silent again and closes his eyes, trying to still his racing thoughts. In the end, he fails. Instead of racing thoughts ceasing, they only change subjects.

His mind drifts to thoughts of Katsu. He wonders how he's doing and what's going on with his friend's family. Then, just as they've been doing more often lately, his thoughts grow more wistful. He hates when his mind gets like this, so fond and at ease at the thought of his friend. Even so, he can't help but feel content at the idea that he'd be perfectly at ease if Katsu were here. He'd be comfortable. He'd feel safe. His mind wanders from comfort and more toward admiration and longing. He wishes he could have Katsu in bed with him, a comforting presence to cuddle closer to. He wonders what it would be like to wake up next to him without a care in the world. He wonders what it would be like to kiss-- Stop it. You're with Masashi. He's engaged. You can like him, but don't entertain it. Don't make them worse. Try to get rid of them.

He huffs. Who am I kidding? If I could've gotten rid of them, I would have by now. How do I stop myself from falling for him?

There was no denying that Katsu was slowly winning over more and more of his heart, despite the fact that Izuku could never outright give it to him. It wouldn't be right.

There's no telling how much time ticks past when he hears his phone go off on the nightstand beside him. He rolls over and checks his phone to see another text from Katsu. Naturally. He frowns and opens his phone to read the text. // Can you come let me in? // Izuku hesitantly sits up and makes his way downstairs, peeking through the windows to see someone standing at his door. What the hell is going on? He cracks the door open to see Katsu looking over his shoulder. He clears his throat, "Kacchan? What are you doing here?"

Katsu turns his attention back to Izuku, "Hey, nerd. Mind if I come in?"

"Uh, not at all," Izuku answers. He steps away from the door and opens it wider for Katsu to step in before shutting it softly behind him, making sure to lock it before placing his full attention on his friend. "Is everything okay?"

The blond's eyes dart all over the room, taking in his surroundings. He frowns, "Yeah. Everything's fine. Why are all the lights out?"

Izuku's head tilts to the side, "Kacchan, it's two in the morning. It's not like I was exactly expecting company at this hour."

"Then, why were you up?"

"Couldn't sleep," Izuku answers. He flips the lights on and makes sure the door is locked again before walking around to stand in front of Katsu. His eyes are somewhat frantic and he looks flushed. Izuku steps forward, forcing his friend to meet his eyes. "Are you sure everything is okay? You don't look like you're doing okay. What's going on?"