"I really messed up Kuro..." You muttered into your knees.

The small cat balled up beside you, as if sending the despair in your tone. He meowed sweetly in an attempt to comfort you.

"Thanks..." You sniffled. "Having you here makes me feel a bit less lonely."

You attempted to choke out a smile to no avail. It was weak. And without the presence of another human, there was no motivation to hide what you had been feeling inside.

Emptiness.

"Why couldn't I just tell him? What's wrong with me?!" The escalation in tone surprised even yourself. You sighed loudly and patted your chest. "Relax (y/n), think about this rationally..."

After giving Kuro a few gentle belly rubs, you stood from your spot on the floor and went about your typical nighttime routine. You brushed your teeth, played music, put on comfortable pajamas, anything to help ease your mind a bit.

I wonder what Todoroki is doing right now. He's probably been bothered all day...

You stood silently for a moment, eyes wandering out the window.

Maybe... I should apologize...

Slowly but surely, you grabbed your phone and scrolled to Todoroki's number.

[Draft]
To: Todoroki (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)
From: (Y/n) 8:22pm
Hey Todo, are you busy right-

Your hands froze. There was that all too familiar lump in your throat.

Is this too much? Maybe if I say it like this, he'll get worried...

KNOCK KNOCK.

The sudden noise made you throw your phone.

"(Y/n), open up." And angry woman called from behind the door. The voice was very obviously Ai's.

Ai?! Why is she here? I don't really want to see anyone right now...

"Open the FUCK UP!" She yelled, kicking the door open. Once again, there was an audible snap of the lock.

You collapsed to the ground in terror of the verbal beating you were were anticipating.

Is- Is this how I die?!

"DID I JUST HEAR THAT FUCKING DOOR BREAK AGAIN?!" Satou screamed out his apartment window.

"JUST FIX IT TOMORROW OLD MAN!" Ai screamed in response. "HARD LABOR WILL KEEP THE OSTEOPOROSIS AND EXISTENTIAL DREAD FROM SETTING IN!"

"WHAT WAS THAT YOU SHITTY BRAT?! I'D COME UP THERE AND SLUG YOU RIGHT NOW IF MY FAVORITE ROMCOM WASN'T ON!"

"Ai please it's late!" You pleaded. "The neighbors will get mad!"

She rolled her eyes and shut the door behind her.

"I'm not here to tussle with the old man anyways." She huffed. "I'm here to talk about you being a hard ass about telling us anything."

You instantly knew what she was referring to.

"... How did you find out?" You meekly replied.

"It was Da-" She paused. "It doesn't matter how I found out. What matters is that you need to tell us about things like this."

You shied away, curling your legs against your chest in a defensive position. Ai noticed the stance.

"You know (y/n)..." She sighed. "Ranka, the old bastard, and I... We all really love you."

In that moment, you felt your heart throbbing. It was a rare moment of sincerity from her, or at least a moment not undermined by sex jokes and crude language.

"Ai... I just..." Your eyes whelled up with tears. "It's not that I... Didn't-"

It was hard to make words through the elevating hicks and sobs. Everyone knows that feeling.

The moment you speak, it's game over.

Ai didn't waste a moment, making her way across the room and collapsing the the floor.

"I know..." She quietly muttered, arms encasing you in a tight embrace. "I know what you're trying to say."

Warmth radiated from her. Loving, kind, warmth.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" You sobbed. "The truth is, I was terrified... Even now, I'm terrified!"

"I here you (y/n). Which is why we're all gonna do what we can to prevent something like that from happening again." Ai smiles softly, fingers rubbing small circles into your back. "That's why, you gotta tell us when something's wrong, okay?"

She pulled away, the small smile never leaving her lips. You sniffled and wiped the tears from under your eyes, giving her a small nod.

"Okay... I'll try my best from now on."

"Good." She sighed in relief. "That's all we can ask for." Ai stood and stretched out her arms above her head. "I'm also assuming you fucked it up with Todoroki?"

She hit the nail on the head! What is she, a wizard?!

"Y-Yeah..." You mumbled, body hunched over in shame.

"And let me guess, you have a half-written text to him just sitting in your draft box?"

"... Maybe..."

"Hell yeah, I'm a motha fucking genius." She chuckled, stretching her hand out. "Lemme see it."

"Heck no! You're gonna send him something!" You retorted. "This is something that takes strategic planning!"

"Okay fine, just let me see what you have. I promise I won't text him."

You raised an eyebrow towards her suspiciously, but you opted to trust your long time friend. Reluctantly, you sauntered over to where you had accidentally chucked your phone and picked it up.

"Thaaaank you!" Ai grinned, taking it from you.

Instantly, she began dialing a number.

"Wha-?! Hey, who are you calling?!" You panicked.

"Who?" She nonchalantly answered. "Todoroki of course."

"BUT YOU SAID-"

"I wouldn't text him~"

"BUT-"

"Shhhhhh," Ai slapped her hand over your mouth. "I'm on the phone."

You muffled against it in detest to no avail.

"Hello? Oh hey Todoroki! It's Ai speaking." She grinned. "I was just calling to let you know that (y/n) is having a crisis and could really use some emotional support."

"MMMPPHHHH!" You desperately attempted to make words out.

"Uh huh. Uh huh. Yeah, I can take her over there if you'd prefer that. I know it's late." Ai continued on. "You'll come over here? Perfect, she'll be waiting!"

After a few more exchanges, Ai gave her thanks and hung up. You, on the other hand, were rendered speechless.

"Don't act like a scared little baby. You're making the situation unnecessarily more messy, you idiot!" She insisted, flicking her finger against your forehead. "This is something that can be solved with simple communication."

Ai tossed the phone back over to you and turned towards the door. Before leaving, she glanced back around and gave you a smile.

"Now, fix it."