It Started with a Smile

Chapter 5

Sero spent the rest of the evening avoiding me. Every time I got close to asking him for a few minutes to talk, he found something else to keep himself busy. I gave up by dinner time and resolved to just corner him when he retired to his room. At least, there would be no running away from me then.

I took my time eating, washing and changing into my pajamas, which consisted of breezy shorts beneath a baggy shirt that reached mid-thigh, both baby blue.

At a quarter to eleven, I was on the fifth floor, in front of Sero's room. I figured it would be late enough for him to have returned but not so much that he'd already be asleep. As far as I knew, Bakugou was the only one to go to bed early.

I knocked softly then waited. The door opened to reveal Sero, clad in baggy pj's. I was relieved that he was fully clothed but the small voice grumbled in disappointment that it didn't get to see skin.

"Man, I thought we agreed to..." he didn't finish his sentence when he realized who was standing on his step.

I slapped my hand against the door in case he tried to close it in my face. He seemed conflicted by my presence, his eyes darting away to stare at the wall inside.

"Do you need something?" he asked after clearing his throat.

"To talk."

His eyes settled briefly on my face, before flickering away again. "About?"

"Can I come in?" at his reticence, I added. "I won't do anything. I just don't want everyone to hear."

Sero studied me for a few seconds before stepping aside to let me in. His room hadn't changed a bit since our game to determine who had the best style. The earthy shades of the decorations would've been quite soothing had this not been my crush's room.

I remained standing next to the door, hands crossed behind my back to show that I truly had no ulterior motives.

Sero walked further inside then turned to face me, arms crossed over his chest. The gesture wasn't hostile per se, more like he was putting his guard up. Considering how I'd pounced on him last time, I supposed it was only natural.

"Listen, Sero. You don't have to be so defensive all the time."

He furrowed his brows. "I'm not."

I laughed mirthlessly at his answer. "You spent all of today running away from me. We almost lost the relay race because you couldn't stand the idea of touching me."

Sero uncrossed his arms as he ran a hand over his face. "That's not it..."

He seemed reluctant to continue which only piqued my interest. "I don't follow."

When he didn't answer, I took a step closer which prompted him to step back. I froze, trying to appear unaffected.

"Do you want me to take it back?" his eyes snapped to mine, confusion written over his face. "The confession. Do you want me to take it back so you can pretend it never happened?"

My eyes stung and it took everything I had to swallow my tears. If he said yes, I'd probably break down in the middle of his room. Sero ran a hand through his hair and sighed, the sound carrying a note of frustration.

"No," he answered and it was my turn to be confused.

His gaze flickered over me then back to the carpet as he tried to voice his thoughts. I waited with bated breath, chest constricting painfully. There wasn't a roller-coaster out there with as many loops as this crush.

"I don't - I don't know," he finally said, making a noncommittal gesture with his hand. "I don't know how to deal with this. I thought we were only classmates - friends maybe - but then you went and said you liked me. You said you wanted me to notice you and I do but I don't know what to do with that. I don't know how I feel about you. I think I like you but I'm not sure if I like you like that. I mean, I'm still not over Uraraka but then I spend all this time thinking of you and it's confusing."

He'd been hesitant to speak at first but then the words kept spilling out. His face went through a plethora of emotions, confused, pained, frustrated, conflicted, worried then confused again.

The more he spoke the more reassured I felt. Indifference or dislike would've cut me like a blade but jumbled mess I could deal with. After all, that's how I felt around him.

Sero stopped talking, eyes still glued to the floor. His breath quickened during the rant and a light flush stained his cheeks. I took a few cautious steps in his direction and his attention snapped to me. There was a hint wariness in his features as I approached but he stood his ground this time. I stopped within arm's reach and kept my hands tightly crossed behind my back.

"I'm confused too. All the time. It doesn't go away just because I know I like you. I worry that I'm coming on too strong and that you'll start hating me. Or that it's not strong enough and then you'll forget about me. I wonder if I'll ever catch your attention the way Ochaco does. I don't think it's supposed to be simple no matter which side of the crush you're on."

A pregnant silence followed my declaration, Sero avoiding my gaze while I stared intently at him. The urge to kiss him was back. When Sero spoke again, it was in a low whisper that I would've missed had my attention not been glued to his lips.

"Why me?"

I shook my head and took an unconscious step closer.

"I don't know. It just happened. I was watching you talk to Ochaco and the way you smiled at her made me think that it'd be nice if you could look at me like that. You're honest, you're upfront and you go out of your way to take care of others. I mean who climbs five floors to bring their classmate a blanket while they're napping in the common area?"

"You were hurt and I thought it would be bad if you caught a cold," he explained lamely, rubbing the back of his neck.

"My point exactly. Of the twenty people in our class, you're the one who did it. Not my friends, not the class rep. You."

Memories of our interactions from these last few days flashed in my mind and I couldn't help but rattle them off.

"When Yaomomo fell asleep and didn't do her share of the chores, you did it for her without complaining. Recovery Girl told me that you used your tape to stabilize me before Ochaco lifted me, so it wouldn't make my injury worse. Even when we're training and we're supposed to be jerks to each other you still apologize for putting us in a bad spot. And then, when I was walking around half-naked you didn't ogle me. There's so much to like about you and I don't understand why you're surprised by that."

The more I said, the more embarrassed Sero became so I decided to put a halt to my tirade. I took a step back, towards the door.

"Sero?" I called softly, catching his eyes again. "You think we could be friends again?"

He hesitated a moment though this time, he didn't avert his gaze. "I'd like that."

~*~*~*~

Am I managing to do Sero's character any justice at all?

I feel like I have a pretty good grasp on his personality in my mind, but then he keeps slipping away when I write him. Maybe because the narrator is too proactive?

Thoughts?