Surprisingly, we had survived being chewed up and spat out by Bakugou the next morning, and now several days had passed. Things were normal; going out on patrol, coming home, conversing, then heading to our rooms to sleep. That was until (Y/N) came downstairs dressed in leather, yet again.

"I swear to god, I wanna jump your bones!" Mina squealed; prancing around her as the (H/C) girl walked through the living room.
"What's the occasion?" Kirishima queried; peering up from his 'Beefy Brosef' magazine.
"Just a bit of work..." (Y/N) replied with a smirk as she passed by; giving his ruby hair a light scratch.
"Wait...alone?" I frowned whilst sitting up straight. I didn't like the sound of that one bit.
"Yeah? I usually work alone, Scotch. Besides, this is just some digging...I won't be fighting anybody tonight..." She lingered for a moment in the doorway towards the entrance; scrunching her nose a little. "Hopefully..."
"I..I'll come with you!" I said suddenly, jumping up and following out the door. Ignoring Kirishima and Mina's catcalling, I caught up with her at the front.
"Nice of you to offer, but this isn't exactly work you're cut out for, hun." She laughed; pulling her black coat from the rack.
"Try me!" I stood my ground, not wanting her to go out on her own. Since the incident with Giran and his organisation, I had heard her each night. Low, almost silent sniffles and whimpers that floated through the walls to my ears; making my concern for the girl skyrocket. She softened a little; her (E/C) eyes half lidded as she approached and placed a hand on my chest.
"They know your face, Scotch. I'm a nobody, remember? I'll be okay." Her sweet little smile sent my heart into a frenzy, and I saw how her lips curled into something slightly more devilish. "What did I say about growing attached, hmm?" Averting my eyes, I looked at the floor. I was perfectly fine in admitting that I had developed feelings for (Y/N), but if she knew that, would she keep me at arms length?

It's been, what? A week? How could I fall for someone so fast?

"I just...I hear you...every night...the last few days..." I murmered, and her hand made its way up to my cheek; cooling the heat that pooled against my skin.
"Your ears are playing tricks on you." She chuckled lightly. "All I do all night is sleep and google your wiki page."
"But...Wait...huh?!" I spluttered as she gave my face a bit of a pinch; stepping away and turning towards the door.
"Now that I think about it...maybe that's what you've been hearing? Hmm, anyway, I'll catch you later, Wonderwall!" She left me a stammering mess, and I just stood there for a good, long while before I covered my face with my hands.

That girl..! Why does she make me feel like this?!

---------------------------------------------------

*Later that night - 10:23pm*

I stood patiently as Bakugou's door as I waited for him to answer. As usual, I was met by his scowling face through the crack.
"What do'ya want, Soy Sauce?" He growled, and I sweatdropped.
"Where did you find (Y/N)..?" I asked as calmly as I could. His angry expression faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his vicious demeanour.
"That's classified." He grunted, and he moved his arm up to block my line of sight as I tried to peer behind him.
"And why is Kirishima passed out on your bed in a thong..?"

Not that I don't already know...

"Also classified..." He muttered quickly; slamming the door in my face. Heaving a sigh, I went about my business as usual. A long, detailed chat with Mina about how Sato's bakery had won some kind of prize in a recent competition, and versing Kaminari in a wild game of Super Smash Pros™. The entire time, I could only really focus on (Y/N).

What are you hiding..? And...why is Bakugou in on it..?

Once the clock struck midnight, my mild concern had evolved into fear. Pacing the halls; back and forth, and rubbing the knobs of my elbows raw wasn't helping in the slightest, and I soon found myself standing in front of (Y/N)'s door.

I shouldn't...

But I did. It was unlocked, and her room was dimly lit by the moonlight that streamed in through the gaps in her curtains. It was pretty bare; just her bed, desk and a few crates stacked in the corner. Those where what peaked my curiosity. I knew it wasn't my place to snoop around, but I couldn't help it. If I could just get to know a little bit more about her, maybe my infatuation would drift away? Kneeling down by the large wooden crate I had carried up there a week before, my hand skimmed across the top.

Just a peek...It won't hurt...

Cracking the lid, I leaned in closer to inspect the contents.
"Shit..." My mouth went dry when the metallic glint of countless knives truly sunk in. Bowie knives, switchblades, butcher and butter. I was shocked, to say the least. I sat back on my feet and just stared at them for a while; trying to figure out exactly why she had so many weapons. Her quirk came to mind, but I didn't want to believe it. She wouldn't go that far.

But...she hung herself to save Jirou...

Shaking my head, I quickly stood up and turned my attention to her bedside table. There was a notebook; thick and tabbed with coloured paper. There was no way I could fight off my curiosity, so I walked over and sat myself on her mattress; taking the book in my hands and opening the first page. It was filled with...information? About...everyone? At first, Bakugou's name appeared, along with a tonne of his stats, including his rescue count, weight and height. As I skimmed on, the information began to get more personal.

She's been..studying us..?

Mina, Kaminari, Kirishima, Jirou...everyone had at least five pages dedicated to them. Then, I came across my own name. It was written a little differently than the others; not chicken scratch, but a neater, flowing cursive. My blood type, my quirk, my parents names...everything was listed in black and white. My rescue count had been crossed out and rewritten multiple times, showing that she had been keeping tabs on my work. What I didn't expect, though, was that what she had written about me for surpassed five pages.

•Self esteem issues - Despite being an amazing hero, he doesn't see himself as anything but ordinary. Wrong. Calm and rational during both rescue and offensive situations. Skilled in medical care due to nature of quirk. Selfless. Should be higher than #22 rank.

My grip tightened, and I had to reread it a few times to really make sure I wasn't imagining it.

•Kind. Sweet. Caring. Stop.

I felt my cheeks begin to grow warm as I carefully read every bullet point; each one growing messier.

•Still eating soy. Need to change that.

•Affections apparent. Stop stop stop.

Stop..?

•Giran infiltration in final stage. He's shown concern.

•Ass saved by Sero and Kirishima. Why???

What does she mean...why..?

•Kind. Sweet. Caring. Stop.

No...I won't stop...

•Wonderwall

•He heard me. It's fine.

•SOMEBODY

"Comfortable, are we?" I nearly leapt out of my skin as I threw the book to the end of the bed. (Y/N) was standing there; eyes narrowed and a knife in hand, pointed towards me with a steady wrist.
"I..I..I..." I stammered; not taking my eyes off hers. "I'm sorry! I...I was worried...a..and...I...I didn't mean to go through your stuff..! I just..." I was lost for words, and I watched her gaze; as sharp as the knife she wielded, sweep over to the open crate.
"Scared of me yet, Sero..?" She asked in a whisper; her other arm dangling by her leather-clad hip.
"No." I didn't even need to think about my answer. There was no way I could be afraid of the woman in front of me, weapon or not. The only thing that scared me was her safety. She lowered the knife slowly; sighing loudly before turning to throw it back in with its brethren.
"A terrible decision, really..." She mumbled; running her fingers through slightly tangled (H/C) hair. "So, you were worried about me, huh?" She smiled weakly and kicked off her heels; rolling her ankles as I watched her.
"Well, yeah..."

Terrified for you...

"I told you not to, you goof." She chuckled; a dry, painful sound that held no emotion. "I'm in perfect health, see? Not a scratch, dent or blemish." She motioned to herself dramatically, and I clenched my teeth. She looked beyond exhausted, and the way the skin of her throat tightened with each breath told me she was lying to me.
"And mentally..?" My question took her off guard, and for a moment I saw her true state. A girl who needed help.
"Did you just come in here to wait for me, or did you have something else in mind, Scotch..?" She tried to throw me off with a sultry purr, but I wasn't going to ignore the facts. Standing up, I nodded to her bed.
"I just wanted to...make sure you came home safe...a..and...ask you a question..." If Bakugou wasn't going to give me any answers, I had to at least try. (Y/N) lifted her brow and waited patiently for me to continue, though the look on her face already told me she knew what I was going to ask. "Wh..what have you had to...do...to get this information for us..?" The twitch of her jaw, the curve of her throat as she swallowed; the almost unnoticeable flash of her eyes to anywhere but mine...A lie was brewing.

"If you wanna talk...you're gonna have to wait until after I have a shower...okay, Wonderwall?" She said quietly; shuffling over to her small wardrobe and grabbing out some fresh clothes. "Though, you might not get the answers you're looking for..."

As long as you talk...

"That's fine. I'll wait." I said assertively, and she gave me that damned smile again.
"Make yourself at home then, Scotch. I'll be back soon. Go ahead and read it, too. I have nothing to hide in there." With that, she disappeared into the connected bathroom; leaving me with a lump in my throat and a vice in my chest.
"I'll be here..."

----------------------------------------------

*(Y/N) pov*

My skin felt like it was about to peel off. The hot water streamed down by body like the lick of Satan as I scrubbed every inch of myself with the scourer. Every fleck of dirt, and every particle that had been left by that man. His grin; teeth like crooked, decrepit tombstones, and the way his scabrous fingers stalked down the small of my back...It all had to be scrubbed away. Sero was out there, waiting for me, and I had to keep every sob and wretch trapped inside my throat.

This is fine...this isn't something he needs to know...this is fine...

I just couldn't understand why he wasn't scared of me. I'd threatened him with a knife, and he didn't change. No look of fear, or hatred. Just worry, and not for himself. Dropping the scourer, I slid down the wall and brought my knees to my chest. Every moment spent alone was another moment to dwell on things that had happened. Terrible things that not even death could erase. Giichi, Bunta, Mitsunobu, Giran...Shigaraki Tomura. Fighting my urge to scream my hatred for each of them, I did the only thing I could think of. I punched myself; right in the chest. There was no feeling, due to the activation of my quirk, but the pain went to someone else. Someone who deserved it just a little more.

I hate you...all of you...

I allowed the scalding water to wash over me; painting my skin a foul red before I finally forced myself to stand up and turn it off. My bare feet made a moist, almost triggering squelch as I stepped out onto the tile and grabbed my towel; dragging it against myself instead of gentle patting. Still partially wet, I tossed on my (F/C) tank top and sweatpants before rubbing the fog of the mirror. Dead, swollen eyes stared back at me, and all I wanted to do was punch my reflection and shatter the glass across the counter. Shoving my wrist into my mouth, I bit down, as hard as I possibly could. There was no use of my quirk this time, as this particular pain was meant for me, and me alone. Once I began to taste the metallic tang of my own blood, I pulled it away and took a deep, composing breath.

It's fine...Just skirt around his questions...It's absolutely fine...

"You better not be jer..." Once I stepped out and looked up, the fake pep of my voice faded to nothing. There was Sero; laying down on his side upon my bed, my notebook slightly covering his calm face. My lips twitched a little; a real ghost of a smile, before I shook my head and slowly padded over. Removing the book and placing it back onto my nightstand, I took a minute to really examine his quiet state.

Why did someone like you...of all people...have to care about me, you stupid boy..?

I reached out and brushed a strand of ebony out of his eyes, but he didn't stir. My fondness for the pro hero was causing my guts to twist and ache, but that was a problem I didn't have to face in that moment. Carefully, I climbed in beside him and wriggled my way into his arms. They were warm, and he shifted a little once his comatose body sensed me presence; his new hold on me being used to pull me close against his steadily beating chest. I traced the knot of his unique elbow with my fingers; begging myself not to call victim to the feeling of safety and comfort. Soon, I found myself laughing softly; something that would be both sad and sweet of anybody had been around to hear it.
"You've known me for seven days...and I've known you for three years...Isn't it funny..? Me telling you not to get attached...and here I am...tethered to you already..." Sero nuzzled into the crown of my head; his hot breath blowing against my skin as he mumbled something in his sleep. Something that had me fighting tears and curling my arms around his torso to stop myself from crumbling away.

"I promise...I'll save you..."

***Wink wonk I gotta stop writing at ungodly hours cuz it's horrendous. A quick switch to your pov? Idk - I like writing as Sero cuz it's a change. Anyway, all aboard for a feels trip, children!***