Chapter 5: Pain And Love Coexist
Bullied A.U. (no quirk)

No gore...so I guess its fine for everyone though I prefer you read slowly

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Shouto is walking along the shore of a beach nearby their house. His bare feet touching the warm rough sand and his uneven eyes stared ahead, lost in thought.

He is in deep shit because of a performance mistake in his academy and his father is going to strangle him to death if he saw him, that's why he is there...relaxing and thinking calmly.

Mostly, the beach is always empty except for Saturdays and Sundays that's why he was surprised to found someone sitting between two coconut trees.

He stopped and squinted his eyes to look at the teen closer. He has dirty spiky ash blonde hair, red watery eyes and pale bruised skin. One look and he can tell that the teen is abused.

Shouto hesitated but then he has nothing important to do and he doesn't feel like going home, so he approached the blonde guy.

He stood by him but the guy seemed too deep in thought to notice him, so he simply sat a meter next to him and watched the sun slowly sink over the horizon.

After what felt like five minutes, the silence finally broke.

"Hi" Shouto heard a voice from his side.

He wasn't really paying attention because the scenery before him is too beautiful. But he tilted his head to the side and found the blonde teen looking back at him.

He found his red eyes mesmerizing; the dawn illuminating his eyes, mixing orange and yellow. It was breath taking actually, like looking on a pool of red orange glistening under the sun.

When he realizes he is staring, he immediately averted his eyes back to the scenery. "Hell...o? I guess" he mumbled awkwardly.

The blonde teen didn't say anything after that, they just watched together until the sun finally disappeared, replaced by countless of stars. Shouto was too engrossed of star gazing that he forgot his own curfew, that's when his phone rang.

Both of the boys jolted in surprise. He blushed in embarrassment and excused himself, "I'll get going then, my mother is concerned" he explained before looking at the blonde teen once more.

Again, he found him quite amazing. How he looked longingly on the stars and how his lips stretched in a small smile...he can't describe the feeling inside his chest.

"Go on"

Shouto stood up, kind of sad for leaving a new company. Just before he can get any further, he froze, realizing how dumb he is. He turned around and jogged back towards the two coconut trees.

"Can I have your name?" He asked, visibly surprising the blonde.

"Just call me Katsuki"

"Then, please call me Shouto...nice to meet you"

Katsuki only nodded and shooed him away, "I don't want you staying here late at night so get moving" he commanded.

Shouto smirked, "well, how about you then?" He asked.

The blonde shook his head, "I don't want to go home yet" he said before looking back at the dark water, sparkling under the moonlight.

"Then I'll stay with you until you decided to go home...I can't let you stay here late at night too, don't I?"

Katsuki sighed and shrugged, a cue for him to do whatever he want, and so he did.

He sat at his usual spot and eyed the stars with a guy he just met until they finally said their goodbyes.

Shouto didn't care when his father scolded him, he just wanted to meet Katsuki again and if possible, talk to him and actually hang out as friends.

He didn't know why but he felt comfortable with him. Maybe because he didn't have any true friends or maybe because he just felt lonely.

Yes, he is a socially awkward guy and yes, he is emotionless but he wanted to open up to Katsuki.

Everyday they met and finally converse. Laughing casually while exchanging stories. A week is all it takes for them to know each other: what they like, what they hate, their personalities, their families, etc.

The sad part is that, Shouto found out Katsuki is bullied by the students in his school.

"I used to be an arrogant and prideful bastard back when I was in elementary, but then everything changed as soon as I stepped in highschool. There are people stronger than me, more prideful than me and slowly I just became their foot rug..." Katsuki laughed weakly, "I'm so pathetic"

Shouto reached out, his arms wanting to engulf the suffering blonde teen in a big warm hug; but he stopped midway and pulled away. "Don't think like that, no one is pathetic"

A month passed and December came rolling down, the sea started to freeze because of snow but that didn't stop them from meeting up between the two coconut trees. They built a bench together right on their usual spot and sat there with thick clothes wrapped around them.

December 24...

Shouto sat patiently on the bench, the snow pouring slowly over the frozen blue sea. No matter what, the sea is as mesmerizing as ever, its perfect except for one thing...Katsuki isn't there yet.

Honestly, he liked him...

More than friends...

He wanted to hug him, hold his hands, cuddle with him, laugh with him, protect him...he is actually planning to confess on December 25, exactly Christmas.

The thought made him smile, but it instantly turned into worry when Katsuki approached the bench with tears on his eyes.

He stood up in shock and ran after him. "What happened?!" He asked, multiple emotions pouring out of his system. His heart felt like it will gonna explode because of worry.

The blonde teen closed his eyes, his lips are trembling and bleeding, his left arm hung motionless on his side and his body is full of bruises. He leaned on Shouto and sobbed on his chest.

The taller man bit his lower lip in anger, he gently hugged Katsuki and leaned on his blonde hair, trying his best to calm him down.

They sat on the bench and Shouto fetched a first aid as fast as he can in their house. He treated his wounds and looked at him, "who did this to you?" He asked seriously.

But Katsuki avoided his eyes and looked at the frozen scenery before him. "Its none of your business" he growled weakly.

Shouto sighed in exasperation, "then how can we report this to the police?"

But the blonde is really stubborn, "I don't need them..." He spatted. "No one would care if I die anyways" he whispered.

Shouto's eyes widened in shock as he stood up and walked in front of Katsuki, blocking the beautiful scenery. He placed his hands on the blonde's shoulder and eyed him; "don't you ever say that again Katsuki...if you die..."

Tears slowly rolled down his eyes, he kneeled before the boy he loved and his arms slowly wrapped around Katsuki's torso. The sudden action surprised the blonde but at the same time, it made him happy and sad.

"I swear... I'll never smile again"

Katsuki sighed and placed a hand over Shouto's head. "Don't be like that Shouto...you look more handsome when you smile, I swear if you stopped smiling. I'll slap your face and stretch your annoying mouth"

They laughed weakly together and again they watched the white scenery together. Hands clasped and shoulders touching. They didn't care anymore, no matter how cold it is...they only need each other.

They stayed together until 12 of midnight, exactly Christmas. Shouto snaked a hand on Katsuki's hips and pulled him closer. "You sneaky bastard" the blonde said, nonetheless he didn't resist.

"I know its really sudden, but I really like you Katsuki" Shouto said, eyes gleaming as he watched the blonde blush. "How cliché, I feel the same" he mumbled.

They watched the snow flakes drop by slowly and silently, contented of each other...

The days went by and they exchanged gifts and hugs like normal friends. They spent Christmas walking around town, eating together and playing on the arcades. Despite of Katsuki's broken left arm, he still managed to beat Shouto on some of the games.

They teased each other, laughed and smiled. They felt real happiness when they are together.

December 29...

"I'll come home before New Year" Shouto said then planted a small kiss on the blonde's forehead.

"I'll see you tomorrow night...please wait for me" he said.

Katsuki smiled, "yeah, I'll see you" he said then pulled the taller teen into a light kiss. Shouto seemed stunned after the sudden kiss, but he regained his nerves and chuckled lightly.

"Your sneaky too aren't you" he said.

They said goodbye and Shouto went away for his family dinner. Honestly, he didn't even want to go but his father warned him that it was mandatory.

He just needed to attend this party and be patient. Its just one day...

Just a day without Katsuki...

December 30, 11:55 p.m.

Shouto ran towards the beach, his small smile back on his face.

He is excited to meet the blonde again, he wanted to hold his hands and feel his warmth then plant a kiss on his lips.

The night is dark yet the full moon was just overhead. Uncountable stars lingered above and the cool breeze made him shiver. The snow crunched under his boots and the silent beach was very relaxing.

He finally reached the bench, but it was empty except for a mound of snow.

Worry was etched on his face when he looked around. He tried to think that maybe it was just some family dinner or problems, or maybe he is just late. But his other side told him he is bleeding somewhere, abused and left.

Shouto panicked, he ran everywhere looking for him.

Katsuki's house, the park, the arcade, the school, the streets, yet he found none.

He came back running towards the shore where the bench sit still, facing the frozen water. He sat and looked at his watch; Jan. 01, 2:55 a.m.

Unexpectedly his phone vibrated.

He looked at the caller I.D. and collapsed. He slid open his phone and answered it hastily.

"S-Shouto" his weak and in pain voice made him cry.

The tears started to fall and his hands trembled. "Where are you Katsuki?" He asked, voice cracking uncontrollably.

"Its best if you don't found me" that's when he realized something.

Shouto stood up and started running towards that's certain place. Almost slipping and tripping on the snow every time. Your running towards me aren't you?" The weak voice asked from the other line.

He turned left and dodged the cars, "Shouto, I really thank you for everything..."

He didn't stop, he didn't slow down. He just simply ran as fast as he can towards the shrine. "...thank you for being my friend and lover"

He took the stairs two at a time, "When we first met, I was supposed to drown myself-" Katsuki's voice is barely audible. "But you stayed there with me everyday and I can't manage to harm myself now that you are here"

Shouto pushed through the crowds and rushed towards the back of the shrine where a small forest is located. "But it looks like I wont stay for so long" the signal disconnected.

He searched and searched thoroughly until finally, he reached a clearing.

The scenery broke his heart.

There lie Katsuki, holding a phone. He is barely breathing and the amount of blood the wound on his chest gives off is too much.

Shouto ran towards him and cradled his head. "K-Katsuki hang in there" he called out before calling the emergency number. "Please stay with me" he sobbed.

The blonde reached out his left hand and used it to caress his cheek, then wiped his tears away. "Don't cry Shouto" he mumbled weakly before coughing violently.

The taller teen can't take it anymore, he slowly lifted the wounded blonde bridal style and ran towards the shrine exactly where the ambulance is.

The nurse and doctors carried Katsuki on a stretcher and tool him inside the car. Shouto stepped in, still holding his hand.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked.

The doctor connected some sort of machine on his wrist. "I don't want you to get involved..." Katsuki whispered, his eyes slowly closing.

The ambulance turned, tilting the stretcher slightly. The doctor and the nurses moved fast, they cleaned the blood, inspected the wound and tried his best yo stop the bleeding. But Katsuki looked very pale and his lively eyes were already slowly getting dark.

"But why? I should have protected you...I should have saved you before it's too late" he said, blaming himself.

"Nothing here is your fault Shouto..."

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.

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"I just did what I can do to protect you" Katsuki smiled,

.

.

"I'm so glad that I met you Shouto...you brightened up my life and you gave me hope"

.

.

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"I love you...and even if I didn't here you say it...I can feel that you love me too"

.

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Then his eyes closed, a small smile frozen on his lips and a last drop of tear slid down his eye.

Shouto went on the beach after the burial. The sun is back but the sea is still frozen and some of the snow is not yet melted. He sat on the bench and watched the sun rose up over the horizon, the orange, red, ams yellow always reminding him of Katsuki in every way.

He sucked in the air and sighed, a smile forming on his lips. "I miss you already... Katsuki"

...
Finished! The longest chapter of this book!

Next week would be suicidal A.U. as someone suggested.

See ya!