Denial
It felt like barely an hour of Ochako being alone in her room, when she heard a knock on the door. It wasn't a bang, so at least it wasn't Bakugou, but that didn't stop her from hesitating. Tears were rolling down her face, and her nose was wet and drippy. How would she let anyone see her this low?
"Who is it?" Her voice sounded small and scared, even to herself.
"It's Kirishima." The voice said and she heard him sigh quietly from behind the door.
She rubbed her face to try to calm herself down and get her eyes to stop watering. It was a futile attempt, but she figured out of all the people she would want to see her right now, it would be him. He is the only one that knows what's happening.
Ochako cracked open the door to look out at him. Kirishima was looking at her again with those sad eyes, ones that made her heart hurt. It made her feel selfish for her outburst, even if she didn't feel like she could control herself then.
"Can I come in?" His hair was down and he was changed into different clothes. An orange tee and black gym shorts, making her realize how much time had actually passed. His hand absently rubbed the back of his neck. He wasn't smiling, but it wouldn't have been appropriate so she understood.
Ochako looked away and opened the door wider, noticing his red crocs. At any other time she probably would've laughed or smiled, despite him always wearing them, but today she just sighed, not even giving it a second thought.
She closed the door behind him and noticed his arms outstretched. A hug. She complied timidly and felt her tears soak into his shirt, too tired to care by this point.
"I'm sorry…" She murmured. Not quite sure if he heard it until he hugged her tighter. Her brain pestered her to say more, so she did.
"I should've tried to calm down and.." Her voice wavered. Strained. Tried to what? Accept that he's who I got? He overreacted to an accident and now it's with me forever. I can never get rid of it. Her throat felt dry. He can't be my soulmate.
The steady rising and falling of Kirishima's chest was relaxing. The warmth that surrounded her was soft and gentle, but strong. It almost made her stop thinking about Bakugou. Almost.
"It's okay.. he's not the easiest to get along with." He said slowly. She let him go, remembering that Kirishima was best friends with Bakugou. Here she was crying over having Bakugou as a soulmate in front of his best friend. The guilt started to weigh on her, and he let her go as well.
"I'm sorry… I bet he's great I.." Ochako rubbed her eyes again, they were finally starting to stop leaking. I just wish it were someone else. She couldn't meet Kirishima's eyes, but felt his gaze nonetheless. Probably looking at her with pity.
The boy in front of her moved to be in her line of vision though, and instead smiled softly in reassurance. She wanted to smile back, but didn't have the strength or will to, and just nodded.
"Thank you." It was more of a whisper, than anything, but his expression said he heard it. "I-I'll be okay now." She opened the door and Kirishima gave one last unexpected pat on the shoulder before leaving. She closed the door behind him, left in her quiet room.
As soon as he was gone she was hit with familiar loneliness.
I wish he didn't have to leave..