"Kacchan?"

"Deku, let me in I need to ask you something," I said, crossing my arms over my chest and he blinked a few times before opening the door and stepping aside. He glanced around the hall before shutting it. I could tell he was confused, as was I, and I felt at the disadvantage in Deku's room over my own.

"What seems to be the issue Kacchan?" he asked, keeping a good distance away from me. In this situation, me approaching him was probably the scariest thing I could do.

"You..." I let out a breath. Just get your shit together Katsuki, it's not that hard. "You know (y/n) well right?"

"Well yeah of course," he replied. I glanced around the room, not really wanting to look directly at the nerd. Everything in here was covered in All Might. My hands were shoved deep into my pockets and instead of awkward silence in between our dialogue it was filled with the sound of violent rain.

"I fucked up Deku."

"How?" he asked, seating himself. It seemed now that he knew I had come for help he had let his guard down a little and I took this opportunity to follow in suit. I walked further into the room, sitting myself in his desk chair. He seemed to respond positively to this, knowing that I too had let my guard down a little more.

"Did you know she liked me?" I asked and his eyes widened.

"Oh...yeah I did," he replied, wringing his hands. I could tell the idiot was holding back from mumbling to himself as he assessed the situation, which I considered a good gesture considering how annoying I found his muttering.

"She told me earlier, at the dance. I didn't react well."

"I see..." I let out a heavy sigh.

"What do I do if I said some mean things I didn't mean?" I asked. "You know...since you know her or fucking whatever."

"Do you like her?"

"That's...that's too fucking complicated to get into right now," I said, crossing my arms again. "I just...I don't know how to get her to talk to me."

"Have you...tried?" I glanced up at him and shook my head no.

"That would be the first step," he said. "Honestly...knowing (y/n)...she's probably with someone she trusts right now and she's probably swearing you out of her life." Deku noticed the drop in my attitude when he said it. "She thinks she can swear you out, but she can't."

"Yeah right."

"I don't know what you want me to say Kacchan."

"Tell me how to fix it dumbass." He frowned at me and sighed, leaning back into the bed slightly.

"You must really be serious if you came to me," he said and I glanced over at him, my eyes dark and my eyebrows furrowed. I didn't say anything, confirming that he was indeed right. "Kacchan you are really good at a lot of things, and one of those things is the fact that you're brave. You're not scared of a lot and honestly it gets you into trouble a lot. So...you're not used to the whole conquering fears thing because you've never really had to do it before. I know you're scared to say anything to her or you're scared of this kind of relationship."

I didn't even bother arguing the fact that I wasn't scared.

I was terrified.

I had a few fears in life and this was one of them. I was afraid to lose. Lose her.

"I know (y/n) and she's the type who just wants to hear what you're thinking Kacchan. She spends a lot of time guessing...and with you she's willing to do that. But she's not going to keep guessing around you forever Kacchan. You have to conquer your fear...let her know what you're thinking and I'd start with an apology for whatever you said. Get her to open back up to you and show her that you can be open to. It doesn't have to be this huge thing that will change you completely, but I can guarantee after all you two have been through that when she hears you open up to her it won't matter how big or small it is."

"But what if I..." I looked to Deku, seeing that he was quiet and awaited my answer. "Okay."

"You've faced scarier Kacchan and with a calm front. She just wants to hear you," Deku said, nodding to me. He stood up and let out a sigh, smiling slightly. I scowled at him, though he must've known I meant well. "So go find her. Let her know you're thinking of her."

"You must be goddamn crazy Deku."

"Why's that Kacchan?"

"To let me anywhere near your best friend," I said simply and he smiled wider.

"Maybe I am," he said, glancing at the door. "Maybe not."

I left then without saying anything more, knowing in some weird kind of way Deku had given me his blessing and that I could fix this. I still felt deeply that (y/n) deserved much better, and she probably did but instead of pushing her away I was going to tell her that.

I can do that.

It's simple.

I headed past the hallway monitors quietly so that I could make it to her room. I would talk to her now and she could see the urgency of the situation and that she was on my mind. I didn't want to think of what else I was afraid of, though the idea was creeping into my mind as I made my way to her door.

When I knocked, distracted by the thought, I realized I hadn't even planned out what I was to say. Maybe that was for the better, but the panic set in as the door opened. To my relief it was just Mina. Her face was bitter and tired.

"What do you want?"

Clearly she knew and she had heard the most bitter rendition of it, having been the first person to clean up my mess.

"I need to talk to her," I said and she sighed, crossing her arms.

"Well good luck with that because she snuck out when I was sleeping, so we're both at a loss as to where she is," she said, placing a hand over her eyes. "As if I should let you talk to her."

"I'm not here to make the situation worse."

"I know, but you probably will," she said, which burned slightly in my chest. My actions had caused a ripple in my friendships I supposed. "She might be with Deku."

"She's not."

"What you checked there?"

"I just talked to the nerd," I said and she eyed me. I could tell her mind was racing at the notion, before it clicked that I had asked him for help in this situation. The gravity of her bitterness towards me moments before began to set in.

"Well why don't you check with some of the guys she's friends with and I'll check the girl hallway," she said. "She's bound to be somewhere and I hope you find her."

She walked away and I began my way back to the boys hallway. This was turning into a scavenger hunt I hadn't signed up for but it at least gave me a little time to control the racing beat of my heart against my rib cage. The turbulent spray of water outside didn't seem to be helping either and I thought it ironic that a rainstorm came after the storm I had caused earlier. I went to Kirishima first, desperately hoping that she was not there. I knew she felt comfort in him, however, so it was likely she was here. At least it was a little better than her turning up at half n half's door. I think. I rapped on the door, wondering how exactly I hadn't been caught by hallway patrol.

"Open up Kirishima," I warned. I heard whispers on the other side of the door and I knew for a fact she was there. Of course she was. The door swung open and Kirishima smiled at me awkwardly.

"What's up bro?"

"Have you seen slip n slide?" I asked. He glanced around nervously for a moment before I realized she was listening from behind the open door.

"Nope, sorry dude! Why are you looking for her?" he asked, placing a protective hand on the door to keep it open and to keep it concealing her. I let out a breath, glancing at the door. I knew she didn't want to talk to me, but I'd get her to open up eventually.

"Just...if you see her. Tell her Mina's looking for her and that..." Kirishima awaited my answer, tapping his foot nervously. I knew this last part she would hear and know it was directed at her. She would know that I could sense her there. "That I'm an idiot. I want to talk to her, really talk, and give her a little peace of mind. Tell her I'm looking for her and I really want to talk to her. As soon as possible."

"Alright man...I will," he said and I nodded, placing my hands in my pockets.

"Night," I replied, and he nodded. I let him shut the door and I stood there for a second before walking off. She knew now that I was thinking of her and I hoped that would be enough to lull her to sleep tonight. That was a small piece of what would be the beginning of making it up to her.

~Calymari