Shouto POV:

The hours of last night stretched out longer than usual.

I've always had insomnia. From the moment I was old enough to understand my place in the world, and from the moment I was old enough to understand what nightmares were, I've never been able to sleep soundly throughout the night.

I went to the doctor for it a few years ago because I was convinced I was dying, or maybe had another quirk I didn't know about that made me immune to being tired. But, instead the doctor called it 'insomnia.'

She said that certain things in my life can make it worse. When I was younger, my insomnia used to be caused by my father and flashbacks of our training sessions. But, as time goes by, I find those flashbacks less scary and memorable in my mind, and I'm grateful for that. Now I usually get the insomnia when thinking about what I want for lunch the next day. Or when I think about my mom and how she's doing in the hospital.

It never really goes beyond that, but last night, it did. Well, not just last night, but the last few weeks—the last month, to be exact. Because that's how long Lani has been in my life.

My insomnia has now been caused by thoughts of her more than once, and last night was no exception. After the date with Ella, after Lani left without any explanation, I did the only thing I could think to do at the moment—which was go home. I barely remember the subway ride back, as I'd been glued to my phone screen, waiting for Lani to respond to my text message. The one that I sent when leaving the cafe. The one that said 'where are you?'

I didn't just want her to respond. I needed her to. Because my thoughts were spiraling, and I had things to tell her. Because I was confused, and I knew that she would work it out for me like she always does. She would pull the thoughts from my brain, the ones I'm always unable to and form them into words. She'd translate all my trailed off thoughts and half sentences because she always does. Because she understands me, and she is my comfort.

But, once the subway ride ended, and I landed in the door of my apartment, my text was still unanswered. I never cared to check my phone until I met her, and even more than that, I never cared if people didn't respond to my messages—mostly because I never responded to their original message in the first place.

Lani's silence left me stressed, winded, and completely not tired even though it had been close to midnight when I got home. So, after my shower, I called her. She didn't answer. Once I brushed my teeth and settled down in my bed, I called her again.

And she didn't answer that time either.

Why did she leave? Why did she leave the cafe?

The question wouldn't stop playing in my mind, but more than that, my own revelations from the night—from the kiss I had played even louder. For the first time in my life, I felt strongly about something—someone, and it didn't have anything to do with the person I actually kissed. My emotions were certain, and it was impossible to deny that...there might be something more...

I think...I have feelings for Lani.

And because I've never really had these types of feelings for anyone, I don't know what to do with them. I'm still not even sure what they mean myself, just that they're there. Just that something is there. But...

Whatever this is, it's intense. It's....I've never felt something so intense for someone in my life. I didn't know I was capable of it. Is...is this how people feel? Is this why they...date? And why those couples in the lines for Disneyland rides act weird?

Groans of frustration replayed from my mouth over and over as I tossed and turned for hours, continuously checking my phone for any signs of Lani's presence.

I need her help. Her guidance, I guess. Because Lani knows how to talk to me. She understands my feelings and emotions, sometimes, I think more than I do. I assume if you have strong emotions for someone, you're supposed to tell them, correct? Well, that's what I need to do. I need to tell Lani, so she can tell me what to do with...this.

My mind was awake and hyper aware as possible scenarios of the future conversation played in my head over and over, mouthing rehearsed responses and trying to predict her answers. But, every time it was time to predict her answers...

My mind came up blank.

Because I had absolutely no idea what she'd say. I've learned a lot about Lani in this last month that I've known her. We've spent almost every waking moment together. I've learned about what foods she likes, and what she does when she's nervous. I've learned about how she gets a little anxious in crowds, and that she bites her lip when she's stressed...

But, there are also so many things I don't know about her. So many things I desperately want to find out. I want to know everything, every single thing about her. I wish she could write me a book of her life and give it to me, because even though I don't read, I would read the book front to back, and I'd remember every single thing about. And then I wouldn't have to predict what she'd say or think, because I'd know from the book. I'd know everything about who she was and exactly what she'd say...

What did I want her to say? About these emotions I feel for her?

I didn't know. I barely understood my own feelings, let alone hers. Until tonight, I never imagined the possibility of Lani and I—I mean, I guess I did in some ways. But, those were always sub-conscious thoughts, and I thought they were just standard things specific to Lani and not my own feelings. I thought they were nothing more than my body's biological response to seeing a beautiful woman.

But, now I know it's just not biological. It's more than that, and it's....real. I think. It's real to me, and....and I wanted her in my bed. Or, I wanted to be in her bed. I didn't mind which bed it was, so long as she was there. It was her warmth I was craving, and her smile, and her voice in my ear—because her voice always knew how to soothe me and help me relax. She always knew what to say and how to get my thoughts to quiet down.

She's the one I want to hide under the blankets with. Away from the world, her and I in our bubble together.

My thoughts continued all night long, and it was torturous. I didn't get any sleep, and I didn't care, continuing to check my phone throughout the night in hopes she'd respond. In hopes that she'd invite me over. Because I'd go. It didn't matter the time, I would be there.

But, the sun came up at some point—and I almost didn't notice, and Lani still hadn't responded. And...

I was impatient.

And, I guess, that's how I ended up here now. Outside her apartment door at six in the morning. It was only at this moment that I was aware of my appearance. I put on sweatpants and a baggy shirt because it's Saturday, and I have the day off. But...for Lani....maybe I should have tried harder, because what if she didn't like what I was wearing?

With a self conscious sigh, I ran a hand through my sleep addled hair before knocking on the door, taking one look at my shirt to make sure I was, at least, halfway presentable. It was an All Might shirt. Midoriya's shirt, to be exact. Our laundry got swapped in the dorm dryer one time, and I ended up with this while he ended up with my 'Cancel Endeavor' shirt.

A minute of silence passed by, and I didn't hear anything behind Lani's door after I knocked, so I tried again, trying to look through her closed blinds with a little curiosity.

Another half minute of silence passed, and I was starting to think she wasn't home. But, then I heard footsteps finally padding around behind the door, sighing in relief and standing up a little straighter. My heart began to pulse at the thought of seeing her pink irises. I saw them twelve hours ago, but it felt like years since I'd seen her. And—my heart...I think I was having another cardiac arrest. Because it's Lani, and...she's always been bad for my health.

But, still I remained in place as the door finally creaked open, holding my breath as she came into view-

Wait. What....?

My lungs instantly released the tight air in my chest to make room for the slight gasp of shock that left my throat, doing a double take at the sight that greeted me at the front door.

It wasn't Lani. It was....a man.

Bewildered, speechless surprise crossed my face as I gawked at the man standing in Lani's doorway. He looked to be around my age, but maybe he was actually a few years older. His hair was light blue and shaggy, and it was messy—like.....like he'd been sleeping until my knocking woke him up. He had bright copper eyes that pierced me in the face. He was taller than me and had a sleeve of tattoos on his arm that ran up to his neck.

And he yawned, and it was a very long yawn. I wasn't aware a person was capable of yawning for that long. There must be something wrong with him.

"Mm. Hidaka residence." The man murmured in a tone I couldn't decipher, leaning against Lani's doorframe with half lidded eyes.

He looked at me in a certain way, and it was in that moment, I wish I knew how to read people. Because it was a weird look. One that gave me an odd feeling in my stomach. A bad one. And while words are usually difficult to get out of my brain when strangers are around, they came easily this time, blunt and straight to the point exactly how they formed in my head.

"Who are you?" I asked.

The man quirked a brow at me, and it was similar to Bakugo's 'challenger' look that he makes whenever he wants to get competitive when no one else does. "Heh. 'Scuse me?" The stranger chuckled, eyeing me up and down now. "What gives you the right to ask that question, kid? The better question is who are you?"

He remained blocking the doorway. He didn't answer my question. And Lani still hadn't come out to show herself. This man seems like trouble, and Lani's never brought him up before. Technically speaking, he has every reason to be a criminal right now.

I lifted my hands out of my pockets to ensure my quirk would be easily accessible, watching the unfamiliar man for any sudden movements. "Breaking and entering will get you a minimum of five years in prison. If the woman who lives here comes out unharmed, and you exit peacefully, you won't be charged any worse." I said.

The stranger rubbed his eyes then froze slightly as he registered my words, letting out a small laugh like I'd said something funny. "Breaking and entering? How can I break and enter into my own place?" He challenged, causing my heart to jump in confusion.

"Your place..." I trailed off, quickly rechecking the address written on the side of the door to ensure I visited the correct apartment.

And I did. This was definitely Lani's apartment...

The man pushed himself off the doorframe now, still blocking the entrance from me but standing up straighter. "Yeah. I live here. Got a problem with it?" He asked.

I was at a loss for words now before the man was shoved out of the way, revealing the person I'd been waiting to see all morning.

"What he means is he used to live here." Lani explained, turning her gaze on me now.

Her eyes faltered slightly like she was surprised to see me here, alternating her attention between me and the stranger next to her. Oh? She was nervous. I could tell from the way she suddenly started fidgeting. She only fidgets when she's nervous...

"Shouto..." Her voice came out softer, and it made my heart jump. Because I almost forgot that's how she talks to me, and not everyone else.

But, my mind was too occupied with the current situation to really take it in. And, suddenly, I felt a weird heat in my veins and a sour sting in my chest. Because this man was in Lani's apartment, and....and I don't understand what I'm feeling, but I realize I'm not happy. Is this why she was ignoring me? Because she was with this man?

Did he spend the night with her? In her bed? Did they...

"Who is he?" I alternated my gaze from the stranger to Lani, watching her sigh heavily.

But, she didn't seem flustered over the situation. And she also didn't seem to hold any sort of warmth for this man. She didn't hover close to him like she does to me, and deep down, I was happy for that.

"Just an idiot who overstayed his welcome. Not that he was ever welcomed here in the first place." She rolled her eyes, causing the man to laugh again. "His dumb ass fell asleep on the couch last night and-"

"I texted and called." My impatient thoughts couldn't be held back. "You haven't responded to me. I wasn't aware it was due to your...company."

A slight silence filled the space, and I could see Lani taking in my words, trying to make sense of them and the annoyance I clearly had. I wanted to know her answer. But, the man didn't make that possible.

"Yikes, I am sensing some tension here between you two." He pointed his fingers at Lani and I. "Babe, you didn't tell me you took on another lover."

The word hit my chest like a ton of bricks. It made me physically flinch, and the sour feeling in my chest bubbled onto my tongue now. And—did he really just call her that? That word? Babe. And then...lover. I understood the concept of pet names. Well, sort of. Momo always wanted me to use them, and I never could find it in myself to do so. But, ones like 'babe' are what you use to categorize...a 'lover' as the stranger called it.

My shoulders slumped a bit on their own, my gaze instinctively falling towards the ground in thought as I realized...

Is this man...Lani's...lover...?

"Shut up, Eiichi." Lani scoffed, shoving the man in the shoulder a bit harshly. "And get out. I never invited you to stay over."

I watched the exchange closely, and this man has a different type of relationship with Lani than what I've seen from her before. He seemed so familiar with her. So comfortable, and...I don't know. He just seemed like he knew her really well. Better than how I do.

The man barely moved from Lani's push, and my internal panic seeped through my widened eyes when he put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. Because I've never seen her receive this sort of male attention, and I shouldn't be surprised. She's a beautiful woman, and I'm sure I'm only seeing for the first time what she encounters on a daily basis when I'm not around. Men who find her attractive. Men who want her. Men who aren't me.

"Maybe you didn't invite me to stay over, but it doesn't change the fact I'm here—and will continue to stick around." The stranger said, boring his copper eyes at me. "You okay with that, champ?"

"She told you to get out." My words didn't falter, pulling from my brain so easily once again.

Because if it was about protecting Lani, it was easier. I didn't know why, maybe it had something to do with my hero lessons, or the way this man—this sleazy looking man has his arm around her.

I felt Lani's eyes on me after I spoke, but I was watching the man too closely to wonder what she was thinking, waiting for any sudden movements from him—or any more movements I just didn't like. Lani elbowed him in the ribs and he released her, burning his copper gaze into me again. He finally moved from his spot in the doorframe, walking my way before coming face to face with me.

He was taller than me. A great deal taller. But, he's not stronger than me. That is something I know for certain.

"Oh yeah, tough guy?" He leaned in closer, eyes half lidded and challenging as he looked me up and down. "And what are you gonna do if I stay? I wasn't lying when I said I used to live here, you know. Was I lying, Lani?"

"Get out." Lani and I said simultaneously, causing the man—Eiichi, I think was his name, to laugh.

But, regardless, he hummed and backed away from me, momentarily walking back into the apartment to grab his leather jacket. He pulled it on and walked over to Lani, holding my gaze with his next actions.

"See you later, baby." He murmured, placing a kiss to her cheek that had my lungs suddenly go tight.

He laughed again when Lani pushed him roughly in the chest, and the man gave me a click of his tongue before squeezing past me out the door. Lani and I remained silent as he slowly—really slowly walked down the steps of her apartment building.

He turned around and gave her one last smile I didn't like, snickering to himself before disappearing around the corner.

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a/n: tier 4 and tier 6 on patreon have both reached major turning points in the story if you guys wanna check it out! Otherwise, see you again soon! <3