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Summer, huh? It’s happy? Warm weather, people outside living their best life. Everyone’s just generally content during this time.
Then why, on this rare warm yet rainy Tuesday, was Katsuki sitting on the edge of a bridge…
He’d thought of this day, really thought. He went to school, acted fine, then went to the corner store on the way home and sat on this bridge. Legs dangling off the edge, he was thinking about something stupid like soulmates and how they definitely don’t exist…
He was so close to doing it, but something—or rather someone—stopped him.
He was staring at the void below, minding his business, when a boy maybe his age sat down next to him.
He had red and white hair with a scar on his face and this somber expression. His eyes looked as if they could tell his deepest fears and desires, yet at the same time they were so dull—just like Katsuki’s…
“Hey,” the guy said softly. “Mind if I sit here?”
“Sure. It’s not like I own the bridge,” Katsuki said sarcastically.
“Right…” the guy looked away. “Pretty high, huh?” he said, staring down with this longing in his eyes…a dangerous one, like he could break at any moment.
Katsuki understood that. Why wouldn’t he? He was the one sitting on a bridge every day thinking about ending his life.
But hey, at least he wasn’t alone now, ‘cause for some reason he just kept coming back…
“So what’s your name anyway?” Katsuki asked about three days later.
“Shoto…what’s yours?” Shoto asked, taking a seat closer to the edge. He had this little habit of scooting closer to the edge gradually when they spoke, like he was tempted to go, yet something made him hold on.
“I’m Katsuki…why do you come here every day?” Katsuki asked softly.
“I dunno. Guess you’re pretty good company…” Shoto said, looking at him with those dying eyes.
“You aren’t half bad either, Shoto,” Katsuki said, elbowing him.
⸻
The next day was cloudy and warm. It was like autumn was taunting them, and yet summer would still come back.
Katsuki sat down on the bridge next to Shoto in their usual spot.
“Hey…” he said quietly.
“Hi…you know, I really like this weather,” Shoto said, his voice monotone as usual.
“Oh? And why’s that?” Katsuki asked, smiling slightly.
“I guess it’s like the clouds are holding back tears, or their real emotions…but it always rains eventually,” Shoto said, staring up at the sky.
“Yeah…you’re right,” Katsuki said, looking away.
He felt different. His face heated up and he felt warm, almost fluffy in a way.
This new feeling made him wanna launch himself off the bridge where they sat. But looking at Shoto made him wanna hold him close and never let go.
Looking at Shoto gave him hope. Just a little bit of faith in himself…in the world. Maybe he could heal? Maybe he could leave this godforsaken town behind and start fresh, with Shoto by his side?
But the world was cruel and fate had a sense of humor. There was nothing he could do now…he was just a broke 16-year-old with all these dreams he knew he’d never actually achieve.
But for once, he didn’t lose hope.
Seeing the way Shoto’s eyes lit up when he talked about his dreams melted his heart. He wanted to feel that every day. He wanted to be by Shoto’s side forever…but how do you tell someone that?
Most common answer is—you don’t. But Katsuki was determined, and he wouldn’t go until he found the courage to tell him.
“Katsuki? Katsuki, you good?” Shoto asked, frowning slightly.
“Oh uh, yeah. I’m good, just zoned out,” Katsuki said quickly.
“This old bridge is getting pretty unstable, huh?” Shoto said, giving the bridge a little pat.
“Yeah…it might not be safe soon,” Katsuki said, sounding concerned.
“Well, we should just be careful,” Shoto said, smiling slightly and standing up.
“Going already?” Katsuki asked, pretending to sound upset, standing up with him and taking both his hands.
“Yeah…last time I was home late, my father got mad,” Shoto said, blushing slightly.
“Ugh, fuck that guy. He’s an asshole!” Katsuki said, pulling Shoto into a hug.
“I agree…but I really do need to go,” Shoto said, staring at the floor.
“Aw, ok…I’ll see you tomorrow, Icy Hot,” he said teasingly.
“See ya,” Shoto said, blushing and walking away.
⸻
The next day, he didn’t show up…
It was a perfect day, warm and sunny, but there was one thing missing—Shoto.
Katsuki didn’t understand why, and he was genuinely worried.
He didn’t show up the next day, or the day after. It was like he disappeared…
But finally, after three days, there he was walking towards the bridge. He was a little shy of Katsuki, but he ran up to him and hugged him from behind.
But Shoto didn’t hug him back like normal…he just stood there.
“Shoto, what happened? You were gone for like three days!” Katsuki said, sounding relieved and worried.
“I’m fine…” Shoto said coldly, pushing Katsuki away and continuing towards the bridge.
Katsuki felt hurt and shocked…this wasn’t like Shoto at all! He was usually so clingy and kind, but now he was cold. But he also looked like he was hurting.
Katsuki caught up to him again.
“Shoto, what’s going on?” he asked gently.
“Nothing! I’m fine…can’t you just leave?” Shoto said, avoiding eye contact.
“No! Not until you tell me what’s gotten into you!” Katsuki said, raising his voice slightly.
“I told you I’m fine!” Shoto said, matching his volume.
“You clearly aren’t! Just tell me what’s going on! Please!” Katsuki said, stepping closer.
“You wanna know what the problem is?! It’s you! I heard you were leaving next week, and you don’t think to tell me? Or maybe, I don’t know, bring me with you?! We talked about running away together so many times!! But you’re throwing that all away and leaving me here…” Shoto took a deep breath. “If you really never cared, then it’s fine. I’ll just go home!” Shoto said, storming onto the bridge.
There was a crack…then another.
The bridge was collapsing all around Shoto, and Katsuki could either watch it happen or act fast.
So he held his hand out.
“Shoto, I need you to jump…” he said calmly.
“What?! No, I’ll die!!” Shoto said, looking panicked.
“Do you have a better idea? Just fucking jump!!” he shouted desperately.
“Fine…” Shoto went to the furthest spot he could, ran up, and jumped…
They say moments of pure adrenaline tend to go slower…this was one of those times.
Shoto jumped and just missed the edge, but managed to grab Katsuki’s hand.
“Fuck!! I’m gonna die…” Shoto said, holding his hand tight.
“No…no you’re not, I promise,” Katsuki said, pulling him up as much as he could.
Shoto climbed the last little bit and bolted to Katsuki the moment he got to safety.
They held each other for a while, both silently crying in the other’s arms.
“Shh, you’re safe,” Katsuki kept whispering.
“I’m so sorry,” Shoto said softly.
“It’s ok, I forgive you…you know I bought you a train ticket outta here too,” Katsuki mumbled.
Shoto sniffled. “Y-you did?”
“Yeah. You think I’ma leave you here without me?” Katsuki said, kissing his forehead.
“Thank you…” Shoto mumbled softly, pressing his lips against Katsuki’s.
“Of course…now come on, we got a train to catch!!” Katsuki said, taking Shoto’s hand.
They both ran to the train station, smiling at the thought of leaving, but also at each other…the look of pure love in their eyes was beautiful.
Maybe soulmates do exist. But maybe the heart’s the one that decides who’s the one…
End