envy seeps, where the heart bleeds

Izuku's viridian eyes followed Katsuki's effortless interactions with Kirishima and Kaminari, his chest tightening with a mix of envy, jealousy, and insecurity. For years, he'd struggled to bridge the gap between himself and the high-tempered blonde, but every attempt seemed to fall flat. Witnessing Katsuki's seamless connections with others only intensified Izuku's insecurities.

Why did it come so naturally to them? What secret did they possess that he lacked? Izuku's mind swirled with self-doubt. Was he too intense, too clingy, or too awkward? Or was he simply not worthy of Katsuki's attention?

The possibility pierced his heart like a dagger. Izuku's thoughts spiraled: "Am I invisible to him? Uninteresting? Unlovable?" The fear of being not enough gnawed at his soul.

As he observed Katsuki's genuine nudges and carefree talks with others, Izuku felt like an outsider, forever trapped on the periphery. His longing to understand Katsuki deepened, yet the distance between them seemed insurmountable. The cut went deeper and bled more upon the realization that his feelings didn't connect to a longing of friendship, but something more.