Top pic credit: KadeArt

~ A/N: This is an important chapter, so I wanted to be as thorough as possible. In order to do so, I will be switching between Ari's POV and Hawks' POV. Hawks' POV will just be a showcase of his inner thoughts. I felt that making another chapter, with just his thoughts, would be too repetitive for the upcoming context, so I decided to fit it into one chapter. I hope you enjoy what's to come, and thank you for reading :) ~

Ari POV:

"Will you stop!?" I called out, raising my voice slightly.

"Stop what!?" He replied, matching my tone.

"Acting like you don't know what I'm talking about! I'm not one of your fan girls, okay? You can't play stupid with me." I countered, storming over to him.

Keigo pushed himself off the wall, so he could stand up straight.

"News flash, sweet cheeks. I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not a fucking mind reader, okay?" He stated calmly, trying to hold onto his chill.

"You're a tease, Keigo. You're a tease, and you're the one who likes the attention." I stated matter of factly, deciding to just be direct with him.

He didn't even look surprised by my words, yet still feigned ignorance.

Keigo POV:

Of course I like the attention, Ari. I like the attention from YOU. I know you like me. And because I like you too, I enjoy when you show me that you care.

Ari POV:

"Don't know where you got that idea." Keigo dismissed, walking over to the window.

I looked at him in pure disbelief now, deciding to tell him how it is.

"Oh!? You don't know? Really? Shall I enlighten you of the evidence?!" I called out, causing him to start walking away from me.

Keigo POV:

Ari, don't make this harder than it already is. Please.

Ari POV:

"I'm done talking about this with you." Keigo retorted, already knowing where this was going.

"I'm sure you are. Typical player. Lead 'em on, and fuck with their feelings. You know, you're really good at that." I chuckled dryly, starting to gather up my stuff so I could head out.

Keigo POV:

You really think I'm trying to lead you on....? Big misunderstanding there, chicky.

Ari POV:

"What!?" Keigo called out in disbelief, walking back over to me.

"Is that what you think!? You think I'm playing you?!" He asked, his voice raising slightly.

"Oh, I don't think. I know you are, Keigo. I know you're playing me, and for some fucked up, twisted reason...I continued to hang around you. I can see the look in your eyes. You know how I feel about you. I know you do. And yet, instead of swinging one way or the other, you choose to string me along so I can be your cheerleader!" I yelled, throwing my hands up in frustration, before folding up my gown from last night.

"Hey! Wait a minute, wait a minute. I've been making myself perfectly clear with you. I told you we're just friends. I took a different girl to the ball, I've been giving you constant reminders of where we stand." He retorted, finally acknowledging the elephant that's been in the room, since the first time we've met.

Keigo POV:

I'm sorry. I know I haven't made myself perfectly clear with you, Ari. Sometimes, I just can't help myself, when it comes to you.

Ari POV:

"Yeah. Your mouth says one thing, and then your actions say another. What about the time we almost kissed, huh? We almost kissed on the roof, and then after the whole Dabi encounter, you made it a point to stay as far away as possible, and give me the cold shoulder." I pointed out, gathering up my heels which were strewn across opposite ends of the apartment.

Thanks, drunk self.

Keigo POV:

Stop prying so much. I'm trying to protect you.

Ari POV:

"T-That's not how I remembered it. I was just trying to help you get warm, and then I backed off when I noticed you were...." Keigo trailed off, not knowing how to put it.

"When you noticed I was what? Interested in you? Normally, I'd believe you....except you're the one who uttered out I can't take this anymore, before you were the one to lean in first. You were going to kiss me, Keigo! So, don't try and act like I'm the only one to blame here. The touching, the flirty things you say to me, your body language, your words at the dance....why won't you just admit it!!?" I reprimanded, as I watched his wings ruffling anxiously.

Keigo POV:

I feel myself breaking, a little. I need to push her away.

Ari POV:

"Look, Ari. You're young, so I get it. I was the same way at your age. You take the littlest moments and blow them completely out of proportion. Just forget about it, okay? You're my intern, and I am your boss. This thing, whatever you and I have going on...an emotional relationship, or whatever the hell you're feeling for me...it has to stop." He stated firmly, his voice betraying him and cracking at the end.

I bit my lip in frustration, taking in the harsh reality of his words. Dropping my stuff, I walked over to him. I couldn't do this anymore. Keigo's right...whatever has been going on between us needs to stop. It needs to end right here. And it's either going to end with us together, or it's going to end with us placing very strict boundaries on our friendship from now on.

But either way, I just need to get this out. Once and for all.

Keigo POV:

Don't look at me like that. Don't make me give in to you, Ari. I won't. I won't.

Ari POV:

"Keigo, listen to me. I'm only gonna say this once, because there are too many things between us left unsaid. Whether you feel the same way or not, it doesn't matter. Because I just need to get my own feelings out on the table. I like you. I'm attracted to you. I have emotional feelings for you. I know I'm just a kid from UA, and I know I probably fell for you mistakenly....but, I don't care. I don't care..." I started off, grabbing his hand in mine.

Keigo POV:

Stop. I need to push her away. Push her away now.....come on...

Ari POV:

I waited for him to push my hand away, or even roll his eyes at my statement and tell me to get over it.

But, he didn't. He simply looked at me, silently asking me to continue.

Keigo POV:

I wanted her to continue. I wanted to hear how she felt about me. Every word of it. Selfishly. That's why I can't stop you from talking, Ari. Because, I wanna know I'm not the only one who has these feelings.

Ari POV:

"When I first came to your agency...I tried. I really tried to not fall for you. I knew you were a player. I'm sure you've had a lot of women, and I didn't wanna become another one for the night. But...I couldn't help myself, you see. Because of who you are. You're one of a kind. You're funny, and smart...even if I don't want to admit it sometimes. You pay attention, and you look out for your comrades. I think you're an amazing hero. But, honestly....I'm not attracted to you, because of that. I don't care whether you're the number two hero, or the number one...or the number five hundred. I just care about....you. You, Keigo Takami. I like...you." I whispered, watching as that same unreadable expression never left his face during my statement.

It was silent. But, this silence was somber. It wasn't peaceful, or nice. It was sad.

Keigo and I continued exchanging silent glances at each other, as I waited for him to say anything, or even acknowledge me, for that matter.

Keigo POV:

And that's all I wanted. All I wanted was for someone to see me for me. Not for who I pretend to be. But, for who I am. You did, Ari. You're the one I've been waiting for. And it's literally taking every bit of willpower inside of me to turn you away. The thought of you dying, because of me, is what's driving me to say this. I need to remember that. Find someone better than me. You deserve that. I owe that to you.

Ari POV:

After a few more moments, he slowly averted his gaze to the floor.

"Ari....." he started off, his voice low and raspy.

I knew. I already knew just from his tone. But, I allowed him to continue, anyways.

"Ari. I cannot be with you. I can't give you what you want. I keep secrets. I lie. I'll probably hurt you emotionally, by disappointing you. I-I.....I can't. I can't do this to you. I'm....I'm sorry. You deserve someone better than me. Find someone better than me. Please." He whispered, biting his lip in frustration at his words.

Keigo POV:

God, but the thought of you with someone else really hurts me. I can't help but imagine how amazing it would be if you were mine. Only mine.

Ari POV:

I closed my eyes softly, feeling them cloud with tears, as I realized it's finally over. I know it never really started, but it did in a way. And now...it's over.

He didn't release my hand, continuing to look blankly at the ground.

Keigo POV:

Can I really let you go...?

Ari POV:

I swallowed thickly, clearing the tears from my eyes...as I gently pulled my hand out of his.

"I understand, Keigo. I understand. Thank you for being honest with me." I whispered, trying to hide the crack in my voice.

He simply continued staring at the ground, as I walked away from him gathering up my stuff from the floor.

I've been chasing after Keigo Takami for too long. It's time to move on. For real this time. It's time to forget about him.

"Okay. I'm gonna go." I said, watching him still standing in the middle of the room.

He closed his eyes at my words, letting out a small sigh.

Keigo POV:

Fuck. I'm crumbling. My thoughts are going crazy. She's leaving. Go after her-No! Don't go after her. Forget her. This is for her own good. She's just one girl. There are more like her out there-

Who am I kidding. There's no one out there like Ari. To me, she's as close to perfect as you can get. Everything about her. Her good. Her bad. Her flaws. Her accomplishments.

Apparently, I'M the one who loves hard. Ari called me a player, and yeah...I guess I was for a while. But, I'm in too deep with her now...and I'm okay with that. I'm drawn to her. I want to be. I want...her. All of her. I've never felt this way about anyone before.

So, what am I doing? I don't know what to do. I know I need to let her go. That's the right thing to do...

Watching her walk out that door is the final test of my mental strength. My willpower. My restraint. Once she leaves, it's over. If I can just let her leave....all of this...will go away. All of it...

Ari POV:

I forced myself to turn around, quickly walking to his door in silence. At least we finally stated our peace.

This emotional relationship I've been having with Keigo was one sided on my part. Now, it's time to move on.

Goodbye, Keigo Takami.

I just opened the door, when I felt a sudden grip on my arm.

I turned around, as Keigo quickly placed his hand on the door, slamming it closed before I could leave.

Slightly surprised, I backed up against the door, not knowing what was happening.

His breathing had picked up slightly, as he looked right into my eyes, which were absolutely swimming with different emotions. He looked alarmed....surprised with himself.....confused...conflicted....desperate.

But, most of all...he looked like he needed to tell me something.

"Don't go."