Kenta POV:

"Leave him alone, Kash."

"But-"

"Kash, he's upset. Give him space." I tell her again, she's been trying to go to him for the past hour since we got back.

"Why?" She whined again, I loved her dearly but she was getting on my nerves.

"I told you already. Four times! Leave him alone."

"I can hear both of you, just so you know." Kirishima says from behind me.

"Sorry Kiri!" Kashi calls out.

"It's fine.."

I give Kash a look, and she seemed to understand. Giving me a nod in return, she walks away.

"Kiri? Can we talk?" I ask softly, taking a chance.

"I don't know.." He answers quietly, tucking his knees closer to his chest.

"It'll be quick I promise." I assure, sitting next to him.

"What made you leave so early? You didn't even help us tear down the castle!"

"You tore down the castle?" He asked shakily.

"Uh yeah, we always do. I thought it was your favorite part! Well, besides head butting the churches.." I laugh.

"That was one time.."

"So why did you leave early?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Kiri said, putting his chin on his knees.

"Okay.. that's fine." I shrug.

"Huh? You sure?"

"Yeah of course! But-"

"I knew you were going to have a but."

"But, it would make you feel so much better if you were to talk it out to me. I promise." I smile, seeing Kiri roll his eyes and grin.

"But I really don't wanna.." He groans, burying his head into his knees.

"Please? I don't want you burying this in." I say, scooting closer to him without invading his personal space.

"I saw him today.. that was his kingdom."

"Who- wait him? Like as in him him?"

"Yeah. Him him.."

"Well what did he say? What happened between you two?" I ask, in awe.

"He tried apologizing... and I was too stuck up to listen. And I was rude.. I ran away like a coward.." He sniffed, "I am ashamed.."

"No, no. Don't be ashamed.." I say, moving over to hold him.

Kirishima was much smaller than me, so it didn't take much effort to pull him into my lap to hug him. The poor guy, he'd been through the worst of all of us. And now he's upset again, which sucks.

"I told him that is was my turn to leave.. and then I ran. Like a wimp, a sad dumb wimp." He said, muffled by my shirt.

"You're not a sad dumb wimp, Kirishima. You are strong, and good for you to leave him like he left you. He deserves it." I nod, looking off at the sunset as I rock us back and forth slowly.

"But he doesn't! He doesn't deserve it, Kenta." He said, a little louder than before, confusing me.

"But why? After all he's done to you?"

"Because, no matter what he's done to me, that doesn't mean he deserves it back." Kiri explained, pressing his cheek to my chest as he gripped the back of my shirt.

"What do you mean?"

"He was the best thing that ever happened to me!" He blurted, instantly covering his mouth. "He was the best thing that ever happened to me... okay?"

"Oh?" I say, raising my eyebrows.

"Don't even think about it like that. Because it's not like that. At all."

"Mhm, okay I believe you."

"No you don't."

"Yeah, I don't." I smile, looking down the the pouting boy in my lap.

We stay silent for a few minutes. I watch the sky as Kiri sniffles in my shirt. Not minding at all with the damp spot, I pat Kiri's back.

He was just a little baby, a precious little lizard. I loved watching him grow more comfortable with us. And being able to open up to us about his past was beautiful, it made me happy. He was a cute little caterpillar, growing into a butterfly.

"Kiri?" I say.

"Yeah Kenta?"

"What exactly are you feeling towards Bakugo?"

"What do you mean?" He asked, pulling back.

"Like.. how does he make you feel?"

"Um, well right now he makes me feel mad. And sad, and regretful." He admitted, obviously not understanding what I meant.

"No, like when you were happy with him. Before you met us." I clarify.

"Oh, well I was never sad before. I felt like I had finally belonged, and I felt safe.. He kept me safe.." He smiles softly.

"Aw that's cute!"

"No it's not.." He grumbled, pushing his face back into my shirt.

"Hey guys? Toyo wants you guys back. He says you need sleep, something about refueling your young and healthy bodies while you can.." Tetsutetsu says, interrupting my touching moment with Kiri.

"Okay, we're coming. Be there in a minute." I call back, glancing over my shoulder.

Turning back to Kiri, I see that he was still clutching to my shirt. And his cheek was still pressed to my chest.

"Kiri? Do you wish you were back with Bakugo?" I ask, hoping for a honest answer.

"I- I don't know.."

~time skip~

"Wakey-wakey you lazy bums! It's time to arise to the sun!"

"Kashi why do you say such weird things?" I ask groggily, rubbing my eye as I sit up.

"Because I want to, Kenta." She replied, popping the 'a' at the end of my name.

"Whatever you say.." Toyo laughs, sitting up.

"One of these days I will drop you off a cliff in your sleep so you can't wake me up ever again." Warrior groans, rolling over.

"That's violent.. I'll help."

"Itazura!"

"What?"

"Warrior you are influencing the children!"

"I could care less."

"You heartless li-"

"Creature! Heartless creature!" Tetsutetsu interrupts Toyo, saving him from a terrible mistake.

If Toyo were to finish that sentence, it would be disastrous to Kiri's morale. He never liked waking back up knowing he worries us when he freaks out. It's scary for both us and him. And it breaks my heart every time it happens.

"Did anybody hunt yesterday? Do we have breakfast?" I ask, stretching.

"Uh, Mirio? Didn't you and Tamaki go last night?"

"No.. that was the night before. At our last camp." Mirio said, scratching his neck. "We can go now though."

Tamaki nods, and the two run off into the forest, smoking. There was definitely something going on between those two..

I scoot a little closer to Kirishima, who was picking at the grass by his feet.

"Hey," I whisper, "You feeling any better?"

"A little. And thank you for last night.. I needed that." He admitted, giving me a slight smile.

"Anytime, partner."

okay y'all keep relating Kashi to Hinata.. and i can't get it out of my head..

also, i love y'all

-1108 words-

~tragedy out <3 <3