When the Leaves Begin to Fall

Chapter 2: Unspoken Confessions

The haunted house proved to be a whirlwind of shrieks, laughter, and nervous glances, with Izuku and Katsuki stumbling through the maze of eerie corridors, their hearts pounding in unison. Amidst the chaos, Izuku found himself stealing fleeting glances at Katsuki, whose typically stoic expression now bore hints of exhilaration and, dare he say it, vulnerability.

With each twist and turn, Izuku's resolve solidified. He couldn't keep his feelings locked away any longer. As they finally emerged from the haunted house, the sounds of the festival enveloped them once again, but the weight of unspoken confessions hung heavy in the air.

Katsuki ruffled his hair, his eyes darting to meet Izuku's gaze, a rare flicker of uncertainty betraying his tough exterior. "That was... something," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Izuku nodded, his heart pounding in his chest as he wrestled with the courage to speak his truth. The cacophony of the festival seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the palpable tension between them.

"Kacchan, there's something I've been meaning to tell you," Izuku began, his voice quivering with the weight of his emotions. He felt Katsuki's intense gaze upon him, and it spurred him on. "I've... I've always admired you, not just as a hero, but as a person. You've always been there for me, pushing me to be better. But... lately, it's been more than just admiration. I... I think I might... like you, Kacchan."

The words spilled out of Izuku's mouth, leaving him vulnerable and exposed. He braced himself for Katsuki's reaction, his heart racing with a mix of hope and fear.

Katsuki's crimson eyes widened, a rare vulnerability flickering across his face before it was quickly replaced by a scowl. "What the hell, Deku? Are you messing with me?" he growled, his voice laced with an unfamiliar edge.

Izuku's heart sank, the sting of rejection piercing through him like a dagger. He stumbled backward, the weight of his unrequited feelings threatening to crush him. "N-No, Kacchan, I... I wouldn't joke about something like this," he stammered, his voice barely audible above the din of the festival.

For a brief moment, an intense silence hung between them, fraught with unspoken emotions and shattered expectations. Izuku's eyes welled up with unshed tears, his heart heavy with the weight of a love unreciprocated.

Then, unexpectedly, Katsuki let out a frustrated sigh, his gaze softening imperceptibly. "Damn it, Deku, you're such an idiot," he muttered under his breath, a tinge of pink dusting his cheeks.

Izuku's tear-filled eyes widened in confusion, his mind unable to process Katsuki's sudden change in demeanor. "Kacchan, I..." he began, but before he could finish, Katsuki's hand gently rested on his shoulder, and their eyes met in a moment of unspoken understanding.

"I... think I might like you too, you damn nerd," Katsuki admitted his voice barely above a whisper, his pride warring with vulnerability.