Chapter Text
I've been in love with my best friend for nine years.
He's been missing for two. And.. I don't know how to move on.
I mean, How can I? We basically grew up together, And 3 months after that stupid argument, He disappears. No note, No text. Hell, I'd even accept a letter in the mail, At this point.
Everybody else has let it go, At least somewhat, Even Izuku. But I can't. I want to know what was wrong with him so badly, Why he shuts me and everyone else out.
I searched every inch of his apartment a long time ago. I still go there sometimes, Just to clean, And make sure there's nobody squatting there.
So why is he staring back at me as I open the door?
And when I was alone
I would think of you
In the hopes
You would see me
In the same light
As I see you
Two years after abruptly disappearing, Noah has been led right back to where he doesn't want to be. Back into his previous spotlight as a hero, As Japan's former #32 pro, But now, Everything was.. Different.
The country he had left behind at 24 years old was hardly the same, Aside from one thing.
The memories.
They made him sick.
Or, Maybe it was just a side effect of being on a plane for fourteen hours.
Either way, He didn't want to be here.
He took the job to get away, And instead, It had brought him right back to square one.
Avoiding Katsuki Bakugo. And by extension, All of their friends.
God deliver me
The pain I seek to be freed
Cursed by the love of another
In my restless dreams
Comes the light I cannot see
Waiting for the acceptance of my mother
Until I breathe my last breath
I will not be free
As this weight anchors me
One pointless stakeout, A fourteen hour flight, And an hour on the train later, Noah let his worries go. Even if it was just for a moment.
Stepping out of Masuo Station was a breath of fresh air, And watching the sun rise as he walks back to his old apartment made the exhaustion worth it.
Deep down in his chest, Worry gnawed. His friends live near, And the possibility of running into one or multiple of them made him spiral.
Or.. God, He didn't know what to think. What would he say?? No, Don't go there. Definitely do not go there.
Okay, Maybe he should apologize to them at the very least. But that was a future problem. Right now, All he wanted to do was go home and take a very cold shower, Followed by wound care, A nap, And something to eat.
New problem. He has not done grocery shopping in two years. Does he even HAVE anything that's edible?
"What are you so afraid of?"
They ask me
I do not answer
I do not answer
They ask me
"What are you so afraid of?"
Finally at his door, Noah fumbles with his keys momentarily, Cycling through them in search of the correct one.
"Oh for fucks sake.."
He grumbles, And finally gets his door open, Shutting it behind himself. He kicks his shoes off, Not caring where they land.
He drags himself upstairs, Stepping into his bedroom. He drops his bags at the foot of his bed, And quickly leaves for the bathroom.
He turns the shower on, And as the water cools down, Noah stands staring back at his reflection in his bathroom mirror for a long moment. He finally pivots, Back facing the mirror as he strips down to his boxers.
He takes a shaky breath, And slowly turns.
White bandages cover his body, Most splotched with blood. He takes in the uncomfortable sight, Head tilting slightly. He can't remember the last time he looked at his reflection, And didn't feel.. wrong.
In a moment of clarity, He picks his phone up off the counter, Re visiting his text from Sero.
Sero
Hey man. Happy early 27th birthday. Always thinking about you, I hope you're doing well. I'm still holding up our agreement, Haven't told a soul. I doubt you'll be available, But, We're having a class reunion on your birthday.
It'd be great to see you. Bakugo and Midoriya seem sad around this time of year. They miss you, All of us do. Text me back, K? Even if it's just a thumbs up, Gotta know if you're alive, lol.
Also, I think Midoriya invited Tsukauchi. He said you knew each other before the war?
Okay, So, We're going there now.
Fuck.
The only thing I can find is sorrow
When they task me
With ridding this evil from within me
With mis placed anger
Do they carve
This shame beneath me
And wonder
Why I do not ask
For them to help me
Sampled from BlueGaxlaxyCat's "When I Was A Child"