spontaneously got this idea while reading a bakugo oneshot-
i didn't know who to write for this one at first so i chose iruka bc he's my husband and i love him -obi
"The truth is, (Y/N)-san...
I love you."
Time froze, and everything around you seemed to disappear. Your heart thumped so hard against your chest that you felt it in your throat and heard it in your ears. Even though your heart was working so hard, though, you felt strangled and found it hard to breathe.
You'd imagined that when your crush confessed to you, you'd feel like a schoolgirl— butterflies in your stomach and a pink flush on your cheeks. You'd admit that you reciprocated his feelings, and you might even kiss longingly, feeling complete after pining after each other from afar.
You felt like the exact opposite was happening.
You didn't feel any of the euphoria you thought you'd feel. Instead, you became overwhelmed by anxiety. Your palms were sweaty and cold, your chest tightening with the world going out of focus around you. An overwhelming sense of dread washed over you.
The whole situation scared you. You suddenly realised how afraid you were of commitment. Just think about all the crushes you had gotten over quickly, the feelings fading— what if that happened in your relationship? What if you broke his heart? You didn't feel good enough for him, either. You felt that he, a good-natured and handsome man, didn't deserve just plain old (Y/N). What did you bring to the table, anyway? You looked average, plain even. You didn't have any particular skills and, in your mind, you had a pretty boring personality. How could you ever—
A gentle weight suddenly laid on your shoulder. You snapped back to reality to find Iruka's hand on your shoulder. He looked into your eyes, worried. "Are you okay?" He asked gently, his voice full of concern. "Did I... did I say something wrong?"
You struggled to find your voice, your throat dry. You looked down. "I... it's not your fault. Truth is, I..." You dreaded saying the next words, but you knew they must be said. "I love you too."
You could hear the smile in his voice as he said, "I was hoping you'd say that." His voice was soft and full of love. You slowly raised your head to meet his eyes as he softly gazed at you.
No, no, no— this isn't supposed to be happening.
It isn't supposed to be this way.
You shouldn't have said it back.
Now his hopes are up.
Why did you do that?
You're going to hurt him.
Why did you do that?
You'll never forgive yourself.
Why did you do that?
Why did you do that?
Why did you
He gently placed his other hand on your shoulder. "(Y/N)," he said, his voice soft, yet serious. "I won't force you into anything. We don't have to start anything right now. I'll wait for you."
"I'll wait for you."
Those four words rang in your head, louder than any other thoughts.
"I just want you to be okay, (Y/N)."
He wants me to be okay.
He loves me.
Your lips upturned in a shaky smile and your eyes threatened to spill tears. Your voice failed you, so you nodded, hoping he knew what you meant.
And he did.
He pulled you into a gentle embrace, rubbing your back as you buried your face in his turtleneck and cried. You didn't cry because you were upset like before. You cried because he loved you, and that was the most beautiful thing to you.
You loved each other, and that's all that mattered.
