Hot-Headed (Now also a podfic on spotify!)

Chapter 28

Molten crimson eyes burned into hers as she stood in the hallway.

"I-" he began, reaching his hand out and taking a step toward her.

Ochako's heart jumped and she stepped back a pace. What was he doing here? Why did he keep coming back?

He stopped.

"Don't," she ordered him, clenching her fists painfully, "Don't touch me. Don't come near me."

Don't hurt me. Don't make me hope for you again, was what she was really saying.

"Okay," he agreed, pulling back his outstretched hand, "I won't do anything you don't want me to. Just tell me what to do and I'll do it. Just don't kick me out."

That was exactly what she wanted to do, though. She didn't want to see his face. Just seeing him was already fraying the edges of her sanity.

An ache was beginning to burrow into her chest, squeezing at her heart and making her feel sick.

"Fine," she said, hating that she was already agreeing to what he asked of her. What a moron she was.

But he'll do what you say, she reminded herself, You can kick him out whenever you want.

She clung to that knowledge as she leveled a suspicious glare at him, "Then tell me why you're here. And be honest with me. Don't be coy or put some bravado on. I'll kick your ass out right now if you start that whole 'I'm sorry but I'm not saying sorry' shit. And if you're not here to apologize you can go. Now."

His jaw worked for a moment, probably struggling to figure out how to say the words he wanted without his usual attitude.

"You know I'm shit at saying things, floaty," he admitted, a strained expression coming to his face.

"That's fine," she answered curtly, "just do your best."

He glared at her, "Don't patronize me."

"I'll do whatever I want! You're the one who came to me! If you don't like my tone then get out! I can't just-" she stopped herself. Her breaths were already becoming heavy and a lump was forming in her throat. She tried to calm herself. Getting this worked up already was not going to help.

"Please just tell me why you're here," she said coldly, pulling herself together again.

He watched her with sorry eyes.

"Because I fucked up," he said honestly, "I pussed out like I told you forever ago that I wouldn't. I fucked up a lot lately and I want to try and fix it if you can just... try to see me like you did before."

I will never not see you like that, her heart cried out to him.

He tried to step forward again.

"No," she stopped him, "what I want you to do, remember?"

He stepped back again, nodding.

She saw his chest rising and falling distinctly. His breathing was labored. He was nervous (scared?) as well...

"It's not that simple. You can't just come in here and say you want to fix things and expect me to just be okay with it.. How am I even supposed to trust you won't freak out and leave again if I give you another chance?" she asked.

"If I do, you never have to see me again. I won't bother you anymore," he offered.

"That's not good enough," she snapped, "I'm already at my wit's end. I put myself back together twice now because of you, both times I was sure you were gone for good, just for you to show up again. I can't do it anymore."