A/N: comments and votes are appreciated

Shouto POV:

I can feel the distance growing between us and that's not something I usually care about.

My whole life has been about distance. From everyone, all the time. It's like I was always trapped in my own bubble away from the rest of the world. And I never minded it, or at least, I always thought I didn't after a time. Distance became comforting because I didn't know anything else, and facing the world as it is was simply overwhelming.

Yeah. That's how it always was.

But, for once, the distance scares me now. Because Lani had slid into my bubble—the bubble of distance I lived in. The bubble away from everyone else. She slid into it—and I don't know how, but she did. She became familiar to me, and now it wasn't just myself looking at the world through this little fishbowl, it was her. It was us. Together.

She's become my....normal. And I...I guess I didn't realize it until recently—because it feels like she's trying to escape the bubble. If I could, like....put an iron cell around the bubble so she couldn't get out of it, I would do it. I wonder if she'd be mad. It wouldn't matter if she was though, because she still wouldn't be able to leave. And I don't mean that in a kidnapping sort of way. I mean it in a she's-not-allowed-to-leave sort of way. I'm sure there's a difference.

But, there's no iron cell, and I feel her slowly slipping away, leaving me in my little fishbowl once again. Leaving me...

Alone.

With a tired sigh, I took one more pointless glance in the mirror of Sakura Cafe—the place that Lani works at. I didn't really care about how I might look for this date tonight, but Lani sure did. She spent over an hour getting me ready, and I was okay with that part, because her attention was on me. That's where it should be. All the time. Because I'm her job.

I can still feel her fingers running through my hair as she styled it for me, still feel her hands gliding along my body, smoothing out the creases of my shirt. I may have made a few extra, unnecessary creases just to feel her touch me again, and again.

Her eyes were so focused on my mouth just a little while ago, applying chapstick to it for over a minute. She didn't need to do that, I carry lip balm in my pocket, I know how to put it on. But, she did it better. She really did, because she came in closer with each swipe across my lips, letting her breath roll over my mouth.

It was just her and I, and that's how I like it. It only made me care less about the date. It actually made me dread it, and I hadn't dreaded things for a very long time. I never cared enough to dread, but suddenly I do now.

My eyes barely fell from my reflection before a figure behind me caught my attention. My heart came to life when Lani's head popped over my shoulder in the mirror, admiring the way she styled my hair. With a small whistle, her arms snaked around me from behind and lightly pulled me back.

It felt good. God, it felt so good, I melted into her arms as she caressed my chest, feeling her smile against me and rest her head in the crook of my neck. It belonged there. I think....her face shape was made just for that spot against me, or something.

When did I become used to this? When did I start to like it?

I never used to like when anyone touched me. It was a constant source of tension between Momo and I, because she always wanted this, she always wanted to touch me just like this, but every instinct in my body tensed up when she did. But, with Lani, it feels like I can't breathe when she doesn't touch me. The insatiable feeling comes back, kind of like it is right now. And I just get this urge to.....to...

"Ah. Look at you." She breathed against my neck, making my stomach fill with the same feeling I had last night in the shower. "You're so hot, Shouto."

And while I usually don't know how to express what I'm feeling, my eyes naturally fell closed, my head falling back against her like she'd given me a shot of a very addictive drug, wanting more....um...needing more, so long as it was from her.

"Do you really think so?" I murmured quietly, unable to stop the heavy sigh that slipped from my mouth as she buried her fingers into my hair.

She spent so much time fixing it a few minutes ago, only to mess it up again. I don't know why she did it, but I also didn't care. I just know that I wanted her to keep doing it. And god, I don't care about the date. I really....really....don't care.

"Mm, you know I think so." She whispered, nudging the tip of her nose against my earlobe. "If you were my date, Shouto, we wouldn't even make it to the dinner table."

The cafe was almost completely empty aside from the regular who was occupied by their book in the corner, and I swallowed heavily, trying to imagine her words and what she meant by them.

"We wouldn't...?" I barely managed before she pulled back.

She did so quickly, and I didn't know why. It was so abrupt, it almost seemed like she never meant to touch me in the first place. And, suddenly, I wanted to leave. With Lani, I wanted to leave and go somewhere alone, somewhere that was just the two of us. Somewhere far away. But, I guess...that wasn't a possibility.

"Anyways, she should be here any minute." Lani's voice came out as more of a grumble now, looking towards the door expectantly. "Remember what we did last night, Shouto. Okay?"

And, instantly my mind stalled at her words, feeling the memories come rushing back. Remember last night, she said? Which part of last night was I supposed to remember? The part where I held her tightly on the couch? Or the part where I pulled her dress down, seeing her lacy bra and drowning in her sweet scent. Or, maybe the part where I could feel the heat between her legs atop my lap, making my pulse spike and my blood sizzle-

"Fuck. Ugh, there she is." Lani's voice interrupted my thoughts again, looking over my shoulder unamused.

She sighed and made her way towards the door at the same moment Elijah (?)—I forgot her name—arrived, opening it quickly and causing the girl to stop in her tracks. Her hair was silvery blonde, and her eyes were a dark blue with maroon bleeding into the middles. But, that's all I really noticed. What she was wearing, or how she appeared were things my brain didn't care to think about.

"Ah. Lani." The girl said flatly, smoothing out her hair. "What are you doing here? Just leaving, I take it?"

And, Lani made that face she always makes when she gets annoyed. It starts with a little twitch of the eye before manifesting as a sneering crinkle on her nose. She makes that face when I zone out, or when the grocery store clerk stops her from pocketing any more free samples that sit in the middle of the aisles.

"Just arriving, actually. I'll be your server tonight. It was Shouto's idea." Lani explained, placing a heavy hand on my shoulder.

The girl—Emily (?), didn't react to Lani's words, keeping a plain looking smile on her face. "Hm. So, I see. It seems his ideas aren't always the best, huh?" She asked, and I'm not sure why she did. She seemed to know the answer to her own question.

It was more of a...I don't know...'rhetorical' question, I guess? Midoriya says you're not supposed to answer those, but I always do anyways. Why ask a question if you're not expecting an answer? That seems pointless....

Lani let out a mock chuckle of surprise, quirking a brow and gasping as she looked Eli (?) up and down. "Ooo, aren't you fun?"

Emilia (?) smoothed out her silver hair again, keeping the same neutral smile on her face. She looked a bit like a victim I saved once when they were bleeding out. Lifeless and...not really there? I don't mean that in an insulting way. But, does she need a blood transfusion? Because I know a person for that.

"Well, if you're going to stay, I'll be putting you to work. Don't worry, I always tip the staff well." The girl Emory (?) took off her jacket, laying it neatly over her arm.

"That is surprising because you seem terrible." Lani quipped deviously, immediately stopped when Elizabeth (?) shoved her jacket into Lani's chest.

"A water with two lime wedges for me. One for Shouto as well." She said, causing Lani to snort a little.

"Shouto doesn't like limes." Lani didn't miss a beat in saying.

"I don't?" I asked in confusion before she glared at me to agree. "Oh. I don't."

Eleanor(?) quirked a brow and looked at Lani a little closer now. I didn't understand the look, but I'm sure it meant something. You don't look at someone like you're lifeless unless there's something wrong. Perhaps she's bleeding out somewhere I can't see. Maybe it's the menstrual cycle doing that to her. I consider that to be bleeding out. Mina told me it's the equivalent of being stabbed in the stomach three-hundred times.

"Then he'll take lemon wedges." The silver haired girl said more...coldly (?), walking a few steps closer to Lani.

But, Lani kept her arms crossed and remained in place, subtly standing on her tippy toes to match Erin's(?) height when she stood directly in front of her now. "And he also doesn't like people speaking for him. Right, Shouto?" Lani spoke for me, giving me the eye to agree with her immediately.

"Right." I said obediently.

It's okay when Lani does it. I actually prefer she does. She always knows what to say, and I just...I don't know....I like her taking control for me.

Whatever was going on with the two girls continued as they stared at each other for a long time, with Elise (?) inhaling a deep breath through her nose before speaking low and quick. "I like my limes without seeds and also peeled. I also prefer my water with heart shaped ice cubes—which I know you don't carry, so you'll have to carve them yourself. That should keep you pretty busy in the kitchen for awhile. Right, Miss Hidaka?"

Lani bit down on her bottom lip, still refusing to take the girl's jacket, but begrudgingly turning on her heel to leave. "Your first mistake is trusting me with your water." She murmured bitterly.

Eliza (?)'s shoulders relaxed a little when she saw Lani was finally preparing to leave, smoothing out her silver hair once more before turning her eyes on me. It made me jump a little. I wasn't sure why.

"Shouto. I was so glad to hear from you again." She said, causing the words in my head to blow away.

Because now speaking is hard again. I'd almost taken for granted how easy it was to speak with Lani. How unusual that was for me.

"Um. Okay." I said, feeling a list of names scrambling in my brain before I settled for one. "Hi, Erica-"

"Ella." Lani coughed, patting my shoulder before heading back to the kitchen.

I watched her go with more interest than I had in Ellie—Ella, because I don't care about the date. I said that more than three times. I don't care, and I didn't want Lani to go. And I don't know what sort of etiquette is required for these dates, I mean—I know Lani tried to...show me some things last night. But, we didn't talk about this part. About what to do when it feels so unnatural. How to act. How to fake it and get through it.

Because I can't fake it. I can't fake anything.

An unfamiliar touch to my jaw bone caused my eyes to widen before I immediately stepped back, looking at Ella in confusion before rubbing her presence off my skin. She was much nicer now that Lani wasn't here, and I....well, I didn't really like that. Because why couldn't she be nice when Lani was here, too? It almost seems like she doesn't like her. Who wouldn't like Lani? This girl must lack intelligence. I don't mean that in a rude way, but if it's about defending Lani, then maybe I do.

"I know you're probably nervous, but you don't have to worry. You'll forget about her soon enough." Ella smiled—that same lifeless smile that looks like she needs a blood transfusion.

Her menstrual cycle must be terrible tonight.

I furrowed my brows in confusion, glancing back towards the kitchen door Lani disappeared behind. "Forget?" I questioned, feeling Ella grip onto my arm without permission.

"Shall we have a seat, Shouto?" She said, taking control and leading the way.

*

Lani POV:

I huffed curses under my breath and angrily cut up limes in the kitchen, imagining Ella's face as the damn bitter fruit. Heart shaped ice cubes? She asked for heart shaped ice cubes? Just for that, she gets no ice in her water—and my complimentary spit in it.

The kitchen door opened behind me and Kai groaned tiredly before clocking in for her shift, wearing her gossipy smile as she clearly had something to say. "Hey, who's that zombie looking bitch with the weird eyes at table seven?" She asked, washing her hands at the sink.

My jaw clenched and I twirled the cutting knife in my hand, stabbing it clean through the innocent lime. "Just Shouto's date." I grumbled as the juices squirted all over my face, licking the sour remnants off my lip.

I could practically hear Kai's jaw drop as she dried her hands, looking through the open window to the dining room for a better look at the lovebirds.

"Hohhh. Date?" Her voice held more interest, causing me to barely hum in acknowledgment.

"Mhm."

She alternated between the dining area and the way I was murdering limes, letting the ghost of an amused smile cross her lips. "I see you're taking it well."

With my hands sticky and full of pulp, I stabbed the knife into the cutting board, watching the handle stand up straight up and rattle. "She asked for heart shaped ice cubes." I deadpanned, glancing into the dining room resentfully. "Probably to replace the heart she doesn't have in the first place."

Kai let out a condescending chuckle now, flipping her braids off her shoulder before looking Ella up and down with catty judgement. "Oh, please, heart shaped ice cubes were so last season. I remember my first lunch at Nordstrom's." She said, doing the preppy laugh she does with her Ivy League friends.

I finally managed a chuckle and looked at her musingly. It's always entertaining when Kai gets her personas mixed up, and at times like these, I almost forget she's the new modern day heiress. But, still, she's always been flexible. She'll gladly pig out on the gas station hot dogs with me and say they beat dinner with the queen any day. True story, by the way.

"Damn. Rich people jokes are dry." I reminded her smugly, causing Kai's eyes to widen in realization.

She smiled a bit sheepishly as her high status unintentionally leaked out, placing a hand of support on my shoulder. "It means she's tacky." She said bluntly, and I only realized now, it's much like the way I talk to Shouto when he needs further explaining.

And while Kai meant well, I couldn't buy it this time. The girl was anything but tacky, and everyone knows it. I glanced at her through the opening of the kitchen, never having seen someone so clean...so put together...so....

"She's beautiful." My voice came out quieter, continuing to watch Ella as I rested my sticky hands on the counter.

Yes, that's the truth. Ella is beautiful, and I'm sure Shouto noticed, too. Does he still wanna ditch the date? I bet not now, right? I'd give anything to be in his head at this moment. But, then, maybe it's best I'm not. That would probably hurt more.

Kai sighed and came closer, wrapping her arms around me from behind. "Hey. I know it hurts. But, it's for the best, remember? Shouto would never understand your involvement with the Mizuchi, Lani. He would hate you." She murmured well intentioned.

I couldn't help but flinch at her words. I know she didn't mean for them to be venomous, she was just trying to give me a dose of reality. To keep me safe. To make sure I didn't get hurt. But, god, they did hurt. Because Shouto had awoken the part of myself I always tried to ignore. The part I tried to keep hidden and distant from everyone else.

I'd become comfortable over the years putting myself in a bubble. Away from the world, never really there. For years, no one had been able to find their way in. But, somehow, he did. And he did it so honestly. So genuine and true to himself. That only makes it hurt more. Especially because I can't seem to return the simple courtesy.

"Yeah, well, he has every right to hate me. I'm a horrible person." I sighed, looking down at the mangled limes on the cutting board.

Kai hummed coaxingly and squeezed me tighter, gliding her hands up my waist like she always does.

"I don't think you're horrible." She whispered, placing a chaste kiss to my cheek.

But, her words fell on empty ears to me. I was more distracted with the way Shouto interacted with Ella than the way Kai's lips lazily rested against my skin, murmuring encouraging anecdotes of encouragement. She's always been touchy with me. But, I know it doesn't mean anything. It's just how she is.

I didn't really pay any mind to the way her eyes watched me watch Shouto, only realizing she wanted my attention when I felt her fingertips press into my sensitive sides. My eyes widened now and I couldn't stop the giggles from pouring out as she tickled me, hunching over in her arms and trying to wiggle free.

"Kai, stop!" I laughed, feeling her fingers slip under my shirt cheekily. "Ugh, you know I hate laughing."

She snorted against my neck, making both of us cackle quietly when she snapped my bra strap hard against my skin. "Yeah, but I love when you laugh. So you have to do it. Got it?" Her fingers rested against my bra strap.

Her words came off as a tease, but her tone sounded serious. She does that a lot, and for as long as I've known her, I've never understood what it meant. I feel bad to say it's always given me a weird feeling in my gut, but Kai is my best friend. She's my only friend, and I'd never want to disappoint her.

So for, her...even if it makes me a little uncomfortable...

"Gross. But, fine. I'll laugh more." I agreed lightly, hoping that would satisfy her. "For you, I'll laugh more."

Kai nodded and this time, it didn't feel teasing at all, feeling her fingers come under my chin until we were face to face. "Only for me, right?" She smiled sweetly, making me feel small again.

This is how our friendship has been since the first grade. Kai's always been the leader, and I, the follower. It's always been 'for Kai.' Because she always knew best. Because she was always popular, and I've always been so lucky she even paid attention to me.

And, as the years have gone by, little has changed. Kai is still the leader, and I, still the follower. But, I've come into my own skin a tad more now, able to at least keep up with her banter and dish it back at times.

"Depends on how funny you are." I smirked, watching the tease light back up on her face as she rolled her eyes.

"Mm, get outta here, bitch." She mused, lightly pushing me back by my snarky face.

"Fine." I sighed in content, looking towards the dining hall with a bitter reminder. "I need to go bring the happy couple their water anyways."

Kai chuckled as I picked up the tray table of water and mangled limes, biting down on her lip as she watched me go. "Okay. Hey, before you go, can I come over tonight? I miss you, and your bed's more comfortable than mine. I'll even let you be the big spoon for once." She pouted as I pushed the kitchen door open with my hip.

"Eh. Let's do tomorrow. Shouto's spending the night after his date." I said, not giving Kai another glance as I disappeared into the dining room.

******
A/N: Patreon tier SIX is about to get a really exciting chapter of bad habits this week, and I've posted the preview of that chap in the respected tier.

See you guys soon