With a Strum of My Heart Strings

Sharp are the Arrows of a Broken Heart

Shinsou didn't even bother to sleep that night. He knew he wouldn't be able to. It's not like sleep came easy to him most nights, and he knew it would be near impossible to get any rest after what had happened. So, he didn't even try.

He didn't bother to respond when he heard knocking at his bedroom door, either. Who was even here, and how'd they get inside his apartment, anyways?

His question was answered when he heard, "Hitoshi!" from Hizashi, who was being much too loud for... whatever time it was.

Oh, yeah, he thought as the realization set in. This wasn't his apartment. He slept over at his parents' house. Well, he stayed over. He didn't sleep.

"'Toshi!" his dad called again, but to no avail. Shinsou really didn't feel like answering, or getting up to open the door. He had absolutely no energy. Honestly, he just wanted to lay in bed all day and pray that every other person would just leave him alone.

But, his wishes were denied as Yamada burst through the door with Aizawa trailing behind him. Crap. He'd forgotten to lock it. Of course, he had.

His dad gazed at him sternly, saying, "You can't just mope around in here all day!" Shinsou sighed, shaking his head. That's exactly what he planned to do. Why couldn't his dads just leave him be?

Hitoshi said nothing, shoving his face back into the pillow. He felt a slight shift in the bed and a loud meowing in his ear. He raised his head to look at the cat that was now lightly pawing at his face. He grabbed her and snuggled into her instead of the pillow. Koneko purred and nuzzled into him.

"You look like hell," his father oh-so-politely piped up from behind his husband. Shinsou didn't even look up from the cat.

"I just got back," he mumbled, not raising his voice to not scare away the cat. He didn't care if his parents couldn't hear him, honestly.

But Hizashi seemed to hear him because he rushed over and sat down on the bed. "What happened?" he asked, voice surprisingly quiet. Oh, God, Shinsou didn't want to talk about it. The last thing he wanted to do was think about it, or tell his parents what happened, of all people. So, he remained silent and resorted to petting Koneko's soft, fluffy pelt.

But Hizashi was not having it. "Listen, if you tell us what's happening, we'll leave you alone and you can stay in bed," he tried to reason. He then scooped the cat up from Shinsou's arms and pulled her away as well, to which he grumbled in protest. "I'm also confiscating her until you talk." Great. His dad was playing dirty. How fun.

Shinsou didn't want to tell him what happened. He didn't want to have to relive it as he gave an explanation he knew Shouta would ask for. But, on the other hand, curling up under the covers of his bed with Koneko sounded extremely good right now...

"Fine." Yamada cheered as Aizawa cracked half a smile, moving to sit down on the bed as well. Shinsou sat up to be facing them and reached out his arms. His dad looked at him for a moment before realizing he wanted the cat back.

Shaking his head and grinning, Hizashi declared, "Nope! You don't get her until you tell us." Shinsou huffed. Of course, he couldn't have the cat back.

"So, what's going on?" Aizawa asked as he was handed the cat. No fair. Hitoshi looked away for a moment, annoyed that he actually had to be having this conversation. But, maybe it would help him move on...

"Uh," he started, scratching the back of his neck, "I... broke up with Kaminari." He lowered his head as he heard his dad gasp.

"No! He was so nice!" he cried, grabbing his son by his shoulders. "Why?" Of course, he was going to want him to elaborate.