𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙧

002 ; the weight of a dream

the van hummed quietly, the steady engine sound almost calming in the cool night air as we headed back to the apartment. the city lights outside were a blur, but inside the van, the atmosphere was thick with tension. mina, sitting in the front seat, was lost in her thoughts, her usual cheery demeanor absent. i knew the pressure of the audition was weighing on her too, but she didn't show it as much as i did.

"you're gonna do great." sero said from the back, his voice breaking the silence as he leaned forward between the seats. "you always do."

i couldn't help but give a dry laugh. "yeah, but what if this time it's different? what if we're not what they want?"

"stop it." bakugo muttered from the driver's seat, his voice low but full of intensity. "you're keep overthinking everything. they'll love us."

"he's right." kirishima added from beside me, his large hand clapping me on the shoulder reassuringly. "you've got this, y/n. we've got this."

i looked out the window, letting their words wash over me. they meant well, i knew they did, but this was more than just another gig. this was an opportunity that could change everything for us, for me. the weight of it felt like it was crushing my chest.

the apartment finally came into view, and i let out a breath i didn't realize i was holding. once we were parked, i grabbed my things and stepped out of the van. the night air was cool, and the soft hum of the city at night made everything feel a little more surreal.

"dibs on the shower!" i called out, heading straight for the door.

"hey no fair! i wanted to shower first!" denki said.

"just don't take too long!" bakugo shouted after me totally ignoring denki.

"yeah, some of us need hot water too!" denki added, but i was already inside, closing the door behind me.

the bathroom was blissfully quiet, the only sound being the gentle rush of the shower. i let the hot water pour over me, closing my eyes as the steam filled the room. for a few minutes, i allowed myself to just breathe, to forget about everything. the day, the audition, the nerves—they all melted away under the soothing pressure of the water.

after i finished, i wrapped myself in a towel and a robe, taking a few extra moments to collect myself. i wasn't ready to face them again just yet, not when i still had so much running through my mind. the sound of something cooking drew me from my thoughts, and i found myself walking toward the kitchen before i could even think about it.

sero was standing at the stove, his back to me as he stirred something in a large pot. the familiar smell of food mixed with the comforting scent of his cologne, and i couldn't help but feel a small sense of calm.

"what's for dinner?" i asked, leaning against the doorframe.

"chicken curry." sero replied casually, his eyes flicking up to meet mine for a second before returning to the pot. "hope that's okay."

"it smells amazing," i said, smiling tiredly at him.

he flashed me a grin. "figured i'd make something that'd hit the spot after today."

i nodded, leaning back against the doorframe and letting the silence between us grow comfortable. sero wasn't someone who liked to fill the air with unnecessary words, and i appreciated that. the quiet made everything feel just a little more manageable.

„you should probably get dressed now" he said a little flustered. i didn't realize i was still in my shower robe

"yeah , you're right i should get dressed." i laugh as i make my way to my room.