The Man Behind the Screen

Friends

BAKUGO'S POV

After talking to six more people before they started asking too identifying questions, I was ready to delete the damn app. Just when I went to close it, I got a notification that someone new popped up around me. I don't care if they're around me or not, but I'm so fucking tired of wasting my time on people who end up asking how much money I make or what I do for a living. I said I helped people, but they pressed for more. If I gave any more information than that, I might as well take a big red sign and announce who I am at the top of the tallest building.

Then he popped up. I figured it was worth a try, and if it didn't work out, I was deleting the damn app. I messaged him last night and went to bed without waiting for a reply. I wasn't willing to give up the little sleep I had for some extra, especially when I had to patrol at five in the morning.

I didn't bother checking the app again until I got home from my patrol either. I don't know why I was expecting my inbox to be empty, but I was surprised when it wasn't. He replied with a simple greeting and an emoji.

I would never use an emoji, but I didn't mind when they popped up. I checked the time on my phone before replying. I don't know why I expected it to be too late in the afternoon. My patrol started at five, so it was only a little past two in the afternoon.

Nitro1991- How's your day been?

Always start simple. I hate when people dive into deep or weird shit right at the beginning of a conversation. I locked my phone and set it on the counter. I don't know if he's busy or not, so there's no point in me staring at my phone and waiting for a reply.

I walked to the back patio door and slid it open. Chibi was already waiting to come back inside. He pounced into the house, his tail wagging happily behind him as he trotted to his food bowl. He knows what he gets next. It doesn't matter what time of the day it is. He always gets fed when I get home from work.

"Hold on," I mumbled to him before opening the container. I grabbed a small scoop and held it in the air. "Sit," I commanded. Chibi sat down, waiting patiently. After a few more seconds, I dropped the food into his bowl. He continued staring at me while I put the scoop away and closed the container. "Dig in." He didn't need to be told twice.

While he was happily munching away on his kibble, I walked back to my phone. When I unlocked it, it opened up to the messages on BY.

Camposing1- It's been a good day. Kind of a lazy day, really. How about yours?

So far, so good. Casual talk. I could handle this.

Nitro1991- It's been a long day so far. Had to wake up at four in the morning for work today.

I wish I could see when he was typing. I feel like an idiot staring at my phone.

Camposing1- I have those days every once in a while. I will do everything in my power not to wake up any earlier than seven in the morning.

I wish I could do that. Unfortunately, my mortgage on my house is so damn much that I need to work overtime if I want to pay it off within the next fifty years. When you want overtime, you take what they can give you.

Nitro1991- Just to be clear before we keep talking... You're only looking for a friend right now, right?

Friends was pushing it already. He would have to look elsewhere if he were looking for anything more than that.

Camposing1- Just friends. I just got out of a six-year relationship, and I'm not evening thinking about a new one yet.

That's one of the many reasons I don't do relationships. I would hate to waste six years of my life on someone and then realize it isn't working anymore. The biggest reason is that I don't trust people. I don't trust someone to come into my life and not fuck it all up.