What I Couldn't Tell You

Chapter 3 - Mountains and Silence

DEKU's POV

The silence had continued through dinner. After we had changed, the house staff had announced that dinner was ready, and we all gathered to eat. I sat at my usual spot by Uraraka. Kacchan was at the far end of the table eating quietly like he usually does. Whatever hero story Uraraka was sharing with the kid I couldn't hear. I just kept thinking about what just happened with Kacchan. What this means? Maybe he was just using me to forget about Kirishima.

The thought of him using me as some rebound tore my heart. I wanted so much more with him. I want a life by his side. If I am nothing more to than a tool for him to use to feel better– I felt my eyes sting. Dammit. Not now. I got up and cleared my plate. I made some excuse that I was going outside to make a phone call so that the others wouldn't notice my sudden panic.

We were in a local neighborhood. The house we were in was only a few spaces down from the mountains. They were less than a block away so that's where I was headed. The sun had gone down, the night had come, and, aside from porch lights, the stars shone brightly. The temperature had only gone down a few degrees. It was still hot enough for my tears to mix with the sweat that had quickly emerged from my pores. I was sobbing quietly. Doing my best to pull myself together. I stood at the base of the mountain still and unmoving.

I heard footsteps behind me. I didn't dare to turn around I didn't want to know who it was. But the footsteps got closer and arms were wrapping me in a hug from behind. The scent was the same scent I had been wrapped in less than an hour ago. Kacchan. He was hugging me. He was being gentle. He was waiting for me to settle down. When I had finally taken a deep breath, he spoke.