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༺𓆩✮𓆪༻
You sat on the swings, legs gently kicking back and forth as you talked to Izuku, who was standing nearby, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. He had been acting a little different lately, a bit more quiet and fidgety since your last meeting, but you brushed it off, deciding not to think too deeply about it.
Eventually, you and Izuku moved to the sandpit, sitting cross-legged as you talked about your recent worries—mostly about Shoto. Izuku, though usually quiet and reserved, had started coming out of his shell around you, listening intently. As you spoke, though, you noticed a strange look cross his face, his brows furrowing ever so slightly when you mentioned Shoto being a boy. But the look passed quickly, and Izuku forced a strained smile, his freckled cheeks slightly pink as he focused on what you were saying.
"I don't know what's gotten into him," you said, staring down at your hands as you played with the sand. "We used to be so close, but now... I don't know. Maybe it's the scar on his face. Maybe it changed him somehow." You sighed, feeling a familiar pang of guilt in your chest. "I just feel bad. I don't want him to be alone. What should I do?"
Izuku hesitated for a moment before patting you gently on the back, his smile soft but with a hint of something else in his eyes. "Well," he said, "maybe he was having a rough time, but that doesn't give him the right to lash out at you. If I were you, I wouldn't stay friends with a guy that rude."
You nodded slowly, his words sinking in. "Yeah, that's what Haruko said, too," you mumbled. "But I don't know. I can't help but think he didn't mean it... I know it's silly."
For a moment, you stared down at your hands, your mind swirling with thoughts of Shoto and your friendship. But then, you shook your head, a small smile tugging at your lips. "Nope! Let's not dwell on this for too long. Let's have some fun!"
Izuku brightened at that, and together you both jumped to your feet, eager to leave the heavy conversation behind. You spent the rest of the afternoon playing in the park, your worries forgotten for the time being.
The swings creaked as you both raced to see who could go higher, your laughter filling the air as you kicked your legs with all your might. Izuku's shy grin grew wider with every passing minute, his confidence building as you teased him about being slow. Then, you both ran over to the jungle gym, scrambling up the ladder and pretending the ground was lava, giggling as you jumped from bar to bar.
When you both tired yourselves out, you settled in the grass, the late afternoon sun casting a warm glow over the park. Izuku plucked a few daisies, handing them to you with a bashful smile. You laughed and made a little crown out of them, placing it on his head much to his embarrassment. His face turned bright red, but you could tell he enjoyed it.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the park, you lay on the grass, side by side, pointing out shapes in the clouds. It was peaceful, and for a moment, everything felt right. No Shoto, no worries—just you and Izuku, enjoying the simple fun of being together.
