Shuichi slung his bag over his shoulder as he walked with y/n. Grass, trees, flowers, and a big lake lined her side of the narrow path. To his side, small stores and the occasional car drove by. Flowers perfumed the air. Every so often, a cloud blocked the sun, temporarily covering the town in a shadowed veil. A chilled breeze ran by, causing y/n to rub her exposed arms with her hands.

"Break ended too soon." Y/n sighed. He noticed a tired look in her eyes. School just started up again, and she already looked tired of it.

He nodded in agreement. Shuichi freed the first button on his school uniform. "Right, now I don't have the free time to beat the stack of games I bought."

His face lit up. "Hey, y/n, you said I could borrow that walkthrough, right?" She nodded. "Can I pick it up today?"

Y/n frowned for a moment. Shuichi's heart crumbled a bit, seeing the saddened look on her face. "Ah, I think my parents are home, actually."

"Oh, right."

The two high schoolers went quiet. The air around them became more awkward as y/n's house grew in the distance. She suddenly broke the silence. "Hey, if you wanna wait here, I can grab that walkthrough and bring it out to you."

The reptile-like boy shrugged. Hearing that y/n's parents were home sucked the life out of him. He suddenly didn't feel like playing games; he simply wanted to hide under his blankets and sleep to forget the world.

Shuichi stood still, several houses away, as he watched his friend hurry to the house. He sighed as he sat down on the sidewalk, his bag slipped off his shoulder and onto the pavement with a loud thud.

It never got easier. He used to tell himself that things would get better one day. Back when he was naive to the world, he would give himself hope that her family would one day look past the green scales all over his body and see him as the human being he was.

Across the street, he saw a pair of girls walk by. The two glanced over towards him; they both gave him a repulsed look as they turned to each other and began to whisper. He faintly heard them giggle to each other as they walked by. Shuichi hung his head low. His scaled hands anxiously rubbed together.

"Im back!" Shuichi looked up and saw y/n crouched in front of him. She carried several thick books in her arms.

The two rose to their feet as she began handing him the books. Y/n talked about the extra things she had brought him, but his eyes couldn't stop looking at the girls across the street. The two had stopped and begun watching him and y/n. Disbelief and disgust painted their faces.

One girl sneered as they gawked. The judgemental looks on their faces ate away at him from the inside out. He saw them talking. He could only imagine the hateful things they were saying about him.

That didn't bother him in the slightest. The girls could call him every name in the book for all he cared. He's heard it all before. Y/n was a different story. Imagining their hateful words being directed towards y/n made him feel awful. He didn't think she deserved any of it for being a kind-hearted soul.

Y/n suddenly stopped talking. He noticed a quizzical expression on her face. His breathing halted to a stop as he watched her turn to face the girls.

She waved at them. "Hey there!" Y/n sounded friendly, but her passive-aggressive tone didn't fool Shuichi. She always took the kill them with kindness approach whenever anyone looked down at him.

The girls glared in their direction and walked away. Y/n firmly placed her hands on her hips. "The nerve of some people."

She looked over towards Shuichi with a sad and pitiful look in her eyes. "You okay, Shu?" He nodded.

Y/n gave him a kind smile. "Thank goodness." She rubbed her arm and looked towards her feet. "Hey, I gotta go. I'll catch you tomorrow, alright?"

Shuichi's chest deflated. "Yeah. Sure."

Y/n briefly waved at him before turning to walk home. "See ya, Shu!"

Shuichi nodded. He stood in his place and watched y/n walk down the street and towards her house. The scaled boy noticed she stopped at her door and took one last look in his direction. She waved again and stepped inside.

"Im home!" Shuichi announced. Silence. A darkened room with no signs of life greeted Shuichi as he stepped inside the house.

The reptile-like boy went straight to the stairs and began climbing up. His steps echoed along the empty walls as he walked. Isn't mom home?

He paused by his parents' room and tightly hugged the books y/n loaned him in one arm. He knocked and waited. No reply. "She must be shopping or something."

Shuichi carried the books in both arms to his room. He sat down on the floor, his eyes fixed to the bright covers in his hands. His heart rattled in his chest at just the thought of y/n.

He recalled how y/n was always so kind to him. His family had moved to a small town where everyone knew everybody for literal generations, so news a new family moving in was huge news. Little did Shuichi know that many of the locals didn't take kindly to people with mutations.

Shuichi hated everything. His new school, his new classmates, his new town. Everything. Then, one day, he had met y/n. She didn't judge him or call him names. Y/n was line a flower growing amongst a field of garbage. She eased the bitterness he felt. Shuichi still hated the town and couldn't wait to move. Still, she made things a little better.

Shuichi picked up the scent of y/n's perfume trapped inbetween the pages. He couldn't help but pull the thick videogame walkthrough closer to his face.

"Y/n." Just saying her name gave him butterflies. He closed the book and sighed. She was kind and beautiful. Shuichi, as far as he was concerned, was a monster. He reminded himself of how fortunate he was to have a best friend like y/n.

Shuichi left the pile of books on his floor and threw himself on his bed. He listened to the electrical hum of the small fan on his desk. Birds outside chirped. His skin heated and cooled as clouds occasionally obscured the sun. His mind was at ease, calmed by the quiet.

The sound of tapping on glass snapped Shuichi awake. His eyes shot open, and he nearly jumped out of his skin as he heard another tap. He hesitated to get out of bed, noting that he was on the second floor. A pebble hit the window. Curious, Shuichi sat on his knees and looked outside.

Y/n stood in the darkness, hugging herself in her arms. She smiled and waved at him. Shuichi looked at the clock sitting by his bedside. Midnight? What is y/n doing here at this time?

Y/n pointed to herself and then towards him. He turned away from her for a second. No doubt, his parents were home. Shuichi figured they wouldn't know if y/n and him kept their voices down. He sighed and returned his gaze to the girl below.

Shuichi opened his bedroom window. Carefully, he climbed out. The reptile-like boy clung onto the side of his house and slowly made his way down. He pulled his hands away as his feet touched the grass below.

"Do you know what time it is? Why are you out here? It's not safe walking around this place at night!" Shuichi sharply whispered. Y/n's lip quivered, and she lunged at him, tightly wrapping her arms around his torso.

Surprised, Shuichi's breathing hitched. His hands hovered mere inches from her back. He didn't mean to snap at her. Shuichi knew he'd never forgive himself if he had hurt y/n's feelings. "What's wrong? Y/n?"

Her hold on Shuichi tightened. He felt her grip on his shirt in her hands. She cuddled her cheek into his chest. "My parents and I fought." Y/n's words sounded pained. Shuichi wished he knew how to make her feel better. Y/n sniffled. "I ended up sneaking out. I just, really, don't want to go home right now."

He wondered if talking about it would help. He didn't mind letting her stay the night, but he worried what would happen if they found out where she ran off to, specifically because she came to him. Y/n's parents weren't very fond of him, after all. "About what?" Y/n shook her head in response. "Don't want to talk about it?" She paused, then nodded.

Shuichi thought about it. "Well, want to come inside? We can have a movie night or something."

Y/n freed Shuichi. He looked into her reddened eyes. Trying to keep things light-hearted, Shuichi turned away and pressed a hand against the side of his house. "Come on. I'll give you a lift."

Shuichi stopped. "W-wait! Wait! Stay here for a minute!" He latched onto the wall and quickly scaled the building.

He examined his bedroom floor. Shuichi swiftly pushed the mess he had collected over the past few weeks under his bed. Out of sight, out of mind. He placed his hands on his hips as he tried to scan for anything else that should be picked up before y/n comes in. Deciding that his bedroom looked okay, he made the short descent back down to his friend.

Y/n had a quizzical expression on her face. "Sorry! I needed to-" he cut himself off and spun around. "Oh, nevermind. Let's go."

Y/n wrapped her arms around his shoulders. His hands trembled as he used his quirk to carry both himself and y/n to his bedroom window. His arms felt weak, and an unsettling fear that his quirk was going to give up on him sunk in as he climbed.

Shuichi breathed out in a sigh as he and y/n safely made it into his room. Y/n immediately sat on the floor, digging through his extensive movie collection while he rummaged through his closet. Shuichi returned with a pillow and blankets. Y/n sat on his bed while he spread the sheets on his floor. Shuichi rubbed the back of his neck and grinned at her. "Do you want the bed or the floor?" She shrugged and offered to give Shuichi his bed.

Shuichi sat next to y/n as the movie played. They made playful jabs at the acting and plot as quietly as they could, trying to make sure they didn't wake up Shuichi's parents. The reptile-like boy couldn't help but to look at y/n as often as possible. Her reddened eyes were nearly back to normal. She had a small smile on her face. It seemed like she was feeling much better.

He yawned and stretched. The movie wasn't finished, but he was struggling to keep his eyes open. "I think I'm going to call it." Shuichi was already lying down before he had finished his sentence. He let out another yawn. "Feel free to stay up."

Shuichi watched y/n in secret. Her eyes were still fixed to the movie. His eyelids grew heavier with each passing minute. Each time he closed his eyes, it became more challenging to open them.

The blue glow from the tv lit Shuichi's still darkened room. He rubbed his eyes with his palms as he sat up. "Hm?"

Shuichi noticed a figure huddled under the blanket with him. It took him a moment to realize who it was. "Y/n?"

She was fast asleep. She hugged onto the pillow Shuichi had gotten her. He sat still, utterly motionless, as he watched her sleep.

A chill from his core rushed throughout his entire body as he looked at her angelic face. His stomach twisted and burned. "She's so pretty," he mumbled.

His gaze lowered down towards his hands. He saw his unsightly green scales that made him the center of ridicule and mockery around the town. A sudden downpour of sadness washed over him. She'd never go for someone like me.

Shuichi felt terrible. Not because the girl he admired and cared for more than anyone would never reciprocate his feelings. Instead, he was upset that he wanted to touch her skin.

He wanted to caress her cheek to feel how delicate it was. Her h/c locks seemed soft; he wanted more than anything to run his fingers through her hair. His eyes traveled along her sleeping figure to her lips. Shuichi wondered how it would feel to kiss them.

His fingers trembled as he inched closer to get one small touch, momentarily telling himself that it couldn't possibly hurt. He suddenly stopped mere centimeters from her gentle skin. He retreated his hand and mentally berated himself.

What's wrong with you? God, you're so creepy. She's sleeping, why would you even consider touching her.

As his scolding became worse and angrier, Shuichi grew guiltier. He stopped. His mind went blank. He carefully pulled himself out of bed and retreated to the little nest of blankets on the floor.

He stared at the ceiling. He wondered what kind of argument y/n and her parents had. They were home when she got him her walkthrough, he wondered if one of them spotted him off in the distance. It wouldn't be the first time his revolting appearance was the center of an argument between her and her parents. For as long as y/n associated with him, Shuichi knew they were bound to have another fight. Tired, he fell asleep.

Why am I so warm? Shuichi yawned, his eyes cracked open just a bit. Y/n hugged onto his body, with her forehead tucked into his neck. His face scorched a deep red as he held his breath.

Y/n is down here now? She was on the bed just a bit ago. He held onto her arms and tried to wiggle out of her grasp. The more he struggled, the tighter her hold on him became. Shuichi stopped, giving up.

"Fine, you win." As if y/n was actually awake and listening to him, her hold loosened as soon as he caved.

She's hot. Really, really warm. Shuichi liked how much heat she gave off. Then again, he was deathly cold, even a person as cold as ice would feel warm to him.

Shuichi thought it was difficult to sleep. The girl he admired so much was clinging onto him. His head was racing a thousand miles an hour. Across the room, the shadows shifted and moved as time moved on. Soon enough, the silhouettes disappeared as the early morning sun slowly raised above the countryside horizon. Exhausted, he fell asleep.

"Shuichi!" The pink-haired boy sat up in a panic, upon hearing his mother's voice. He looked next to him, the spot next to him was empty. Shuichi peeked over his bed. Empty. "Shuichi, wake up! Y/n stopped by to make sure you didn't miss school!"

He jumped to his feet and quickly dressed. He hurried towards the stairs, nearly tripping on his way down.

Y/n sat at the table. A small plate of pancakes and a cup of orange juice had been placed in front of her. "Would you like more syrup, sweetie?"

"No thank you, Mrs. Iguchi." Shuichi's mother made a light-hearted comment about how polite she was.

"Y/n?" he mumbled.

"Good morning, Shu! How'd you sleep?" she asked. Y/n smoked at him as he took a seat across the table from her.

Shuichi took a quick peek at his mother, who had her back turned to them. He motioned his head to the stairwell. "Did you...?" He didn't dare ask his full question, lest his mother hear.

She grinned as she shook her head. "Window."

A flash of bright green catching his attention derailed their conversation. He sat up straight as his mother placed a plate in front of him. "Aren't you lucky to have such a sweet friend? She came all this way to make sure you aren't late again."

His face burned. He slumped into his seat. "Mom," he whined.

Y/n giggled across the table, causing Shuichi to sink even further down. The two ate at the table. They acted as if the night before didn't happen. Instead, they had a conversation that didn't stray too far from any of their other usual conversations. Video games, tv shows, asking if they can copy off each other's homework, and not being excited about school in general.

Y/n offered to help Shuichi's mother with dishes. He internally groaned, knowing that he was going to be roped up into doing chores. His mother took the plates and happily declined her offer, suggesting that the two should head off to school.

As the two walked, y/n stared at him much more intently than usual. He raised a brow. "What?"

Y/n stopped, Shuichi followed her lead. He flinched and his heart jumped to his throat as she reached out to him. Y/n messed with his shirt collar, readjusting it. "Somebody was in a rush."

Across the street, he noticed a small group of teens dressed in the same school uniform. They jeered loudly, mocking both him and y/n. Embarrassment sunk in. Though, he found himself being more embarrassed for y/n's sake rather than his. He batted her hands away. He hung his head low, with his hands in his pockets as he swiftly walked away.

Footsteps quickly followed him. "Shu!" y/n called out. She eventually caught up with him and walked by his side. "Don't let them get to you."

"Easy for you to say," he muttered. In the corner of his eye, he spotted a distinct frown on her face. He kept his gaze low to the ground. Shuichi refused to look her in the face.

The two walked in silence, y/n even followed him at a distance, something she often did to give him space when he was upset. After having some time to cool down, she rejoined Shuichi. They talked about classes and tests. He lamented over a year he didn't study for.

Y/n offered to help with a quick study session during lunch as thanks for the night before. Shuichi declined. She rephrased, asking him to have lunch with her. Like every other day, he declined.

The school grew in the distance, an ever-growing sense of despair hung over the building. The closer they got, the less social Shuichi became. He followed his typical daily routine. The reptile-like boy slipped into the highly anti-social guise he put up. He kept his distance from everyone, including y/n.

She was his best friend. His only friend, in fact. Nevertheless, he ignored any and all signs of friendship from her once they passed the school's gates. He knew it hurt her feelings, but it was for her good. Shuichi was exiled for being different. The last thing he wanted was to doom y/n to that fate merely for being kind enough to associate with him.

Most days, the task of ignoring y/n wasn't so daunting. He had a simple solution to the problem- don't go to school. He only ever went to school when y/n escorted him. Shuichi knew y/n tried to make him go most days of the week; not all of them, but most.

The day dragged on, as most school days did. It was just as lonely as every other day. He saw y/n in class, she sat across the room from him. In the hallways, he sometimes saw her with other friends. He tried to stay clear from her. Y/n always appeared sad whenever he walked by. Shuichi tried to save her some grief. Often, he would go out of his way to avoid her as best he can.

The final bell went off, filling each classroom. Y/n sat in her seat, resting her head in one hand; the other tapped against her desk. She did this every day, cornering Shuichi until he had no other choice but to walk home with him.

Y/n followed him out of the heavy iron gates of the school. "Today sure was boring, huh?" y/n said.

"Sure," Shuichi replied. He rolled his eyes. "Thanks for dragging me there. I'm sure I wouldn't have preferred sleeping in or watching tv."

"Should I warn you that I'm going to make you go to school tomorrow?" Shuichi groaned. Y/n smirked. "You skipped three days the week before break, I'm shooting to make you come in all five days to make up for some of it."

Once again, Shuichi groaned. "Just let me drop out. It'll make things easier for everyone."

Y/n tilted his head. "How so?"

The reptile-like boy raised a clawed finger. "One, I get to sleep in and do my own thing." He raised another. "Two, you don't have to go get me." And then a third. "Three, everyone at school doesn't have to look at me."

Y/n scoffed. "I'm not going to let you be a shut-in."

"Why?" Shuichi snapped.

Y/n's brows furrowed and she frowned. "Because that's not healthy! At least I don't make you go every day- just enough so you'll graduate!" Y/n raised her voice just enough to match his tone.

Allowing the heat of the moment getting the best of him, Shuichi raised his voice yet again. "It's my life, I can do whatever I want. So why do you keep making me go?!"

"Because I love you, you Beigoma!"

And just like that, the argument halted to a stop. He felt his face heat up. His heart slammed against his chest. Love? He couldn't even comprehend the word. Suddenly, his entire body went numb. Like... a friend.

That had to be it. Shuichi felt stupid for thinking it could be anything else. "Yeah, sure, whatever. Of course, you do," he pouted.

Most of the walk was quiet, giving the two enough time to cool down. Shuichi knew if he was over the argument, y/n had to be; she rarely held grudges longer than him. "What's a Beigoma? Is that some type of lizard or something?" he asked. He swore he's heard every reptile themed insult in the book, however, what y/n called him was new.

"A type of spinning top," she replied.

She glanced at him. "I know you wanna move on with life, but a lot of your plans sorta leave you at square one. Kinda like a top spinning in place."

Y/n looked at Spinner, her brow raised. "Is that really the only thing you got out of that?"

"What do you mean?" he asked. Y/n frowned at him. She immediately turned away and her pace quickened until she was walking meters away from Shuichi.

He sped up. "What did I do? What? Did you actually mean what you said or something?" His heart nearly stopped as soon as he realized what he said. He looked to y/n for her answer.

She spun around to face him. "Of course I did!"

Shuichi held his breath. He stared at y/n, completely unable to move. He told himself that this had to have been a dream. There was no way anyone, let alone y/n, would confess to him. He looked like a monster, after all. He was unloveable.

Y/n turned her back to him and continued walking. "Wait!" Shuichi followed after y/n. He stepped in front of her. "You mean like a friend, right? Or a brother?"

"You're so dumb, Shu." Y/n rolled her eyes as she walked past him.

Once again, he cut her off. "Really?" Just like the last time he had stopped her, y/n attempted to walk past him. This time, however, he grabbed onto her wrist. She stopped for a moment, and then looked over her shoulder. He saw her e/c eyes glance down at his hand and up to his face.

He loosened his grip and her wrist slipped from his hand. Shuichi pointed to himself. His words slipped from his mouth as jumbled as the thoughts in his head. "It's just- me? Really? Me?"

Y/n turned to face him. She leaned forward a bit, looking into his eyes. Almost as if she was imitating his broken speech pattern, she replied. "Yes. Really. You."

Shuichi didn't know what to do or say. Of course, he liked y/n too, why wouldn't he? She was the only person who showed him any kindness. However, the sense of excitement and nervousness made him feel dizzy.

He opened his mouth. "I-" y/n batted her eyes, she wore a slight smirk on her face as he listened to him. "Me too."

Y/n covered her mouth as she busted out laughing. In between her fingers, Shuichi noticed a pink undertone in her face. She took in a deep breath, wiping away a tear from her eye. "Well, close enough, I guess."

Y/n took his hand in hers. His heart skipped a beat. "Come on, let's go, dummy."

She playfully swung their connected hands as they walked. Shuichi's eyes darted around. The streets were empty and everything was peaceful. As far as their walks home went, this was the happiest he had ever been.

Shuichi was on cloud nine. A pretty girl was holding his hand. He never thought that would ever happen. Little could ruin this moment.

"Ew! How can anyone touch that thing?!" a voice called out.

Another chimed in. "I bet those scales feel sharp and gross."

Shuichi froze in his place. Suddenly, the best day of his life didn't feel so great. He loosened his grip and tried to let go of her hand, to save y/n from ridicule. Much to his surprise, she didn't let go. In fact, she held on tighter.

He saw an all too familiar fire in her eyes. Shuichi only saw that look when someone made fun of him. He held his breath, ready to hear whatever outburst that was going to come out of the girl.

Y/n faced the high school kids across the street. She pointed to Shuichi with her free hand. "You mean these scales?!"

She immediately turned to Shuichi, her lips grazed the tip of his snout. He was frozen in his spot, his heart could have jumped right out of his chest. Shuichi's hands trembled. "I think they're pretty smooth."

The kids sounded disgusted, he picked that up from their tone of voice. However, he couldn't register their words.

The glare on her face didn't fade away until the two were once again alone. Her thumb rubbed against his hand as they walked. She sighed. "I hate people." Shuichi couldn't speak, but he agreed.

Y/n's house grew in the distance. She had a saddened look in her eyes as she let go of Shuichi's hand. "They're home."

She looked at him. Y/n gave him a small smile. "I'll see you tomorrow when I force you to school."

"Ah- okay." Y/n gave him a small kiss on the cheek. His legs felt weak. It was like he would melt into a puddle if he dared take a step forward.

Shuichi watched y/n walk home. She stopped at the door and waved to him, he did the same. He caught a flash of sadness on her face as she stepped into the house.

A ringtone snapped Shuichi out of his dream-like state. He glanced around the darkness that surrounded him. The unnatural blue light provided just enough light for him to find his phone.

The name on the screen read Dabi. With a slight reluctance to talking to anyone over the phone, he answered. "Yeah?"

"The boss needs us to meet up." Shuichi picked up on the bored, apathetic tone in Dabi's voice. Shuichi promised that he'd be there soon and hung up.

He leaned back into his seat, his fingers ran through his hair. "Weird. I haven't thought of that old memory in a long time."

"I wonder what y/n is up to?" he mumbled. They haven't spoken in nearly three years.

"Well, time to see what Shigaraki wants." Shuichi gathered his things and left the little room.

The sun felt warm on his scales. Shuichi looked around at the new shops as he made his way to the new meet up location. He glanced inside shops through their windows, seeing what wares each store sold.

"Shu?" a voice called out.

No, there's no way. Shuichi stopped immediately and turned to the source of the voice.

Y/n walked up to him from behind, a bag slung over her shoulder. She beamed as she met up with him. "Hey, Shu! Long time no see."

He couldn't believe his eyes. He was quiet. Finally, he choked out something. "Yeah."

Y/n fumbled with her bag's strap. "Have you been good?"

Hearing her voice again made him feel warm inside. "Yeah."

"That's good. After you dropped out, I got really worried." Shuichi wanted to apologize, but he couldn't force out the words.

Y/n smiled at him. "Hey, would you wanna get coffee sometime? We should catch up."

Pure excitement ran through his veins, making his body tremble. "Yeah! okay. We should."

🍬🦎 Words: 4,991 🦎🍬

Author's note:

I did a lot of googling for this one to try to guess why he called himself Spinner. I thought maybe it had to do with a breed of Gecko, maybe. So I looked up Gecko breeds.

Then, I found this super edgy Gecko:

The Satanic Leaf-Tail Gecko

Look at these little edge lords

🥺 I love them, they're adorable.