Let Me Love You [BakuDeku]

Chapter 28: It's What Friends Are For

Once Yo and Neito were gone, the others noticed that Izuku was hiding against Katsuki's chest since the blonde moved him towards his chest so he could feel more comfortable. The shorter was shaking like a leaf on a windy day or a nervous chihuahua.

"Izuku, you okay?" Katsuki asked lowly, trying his best to be as gentle as possible while rubbing Izuku's back

It sounded a bit odd to the others since they almost never hear the blonde talk so softly. Izuku shakily nodded his head against Katsuki's broad chest just under his neck while gripping the blonde's shirt tightly.

"You sure, 'Zuku?" Ochako asked from across the table

They all look worried for him. Izuku's mostly nervous however it's toned down ever since he hung out with the group and seeing his improvement made the others feel happy, but seeing all their hard work crumble before them when two random boys just came up to their table and disturbed their peaceful gathering. This wasn't just nervousness. It was fear.

"You gotta calm down, Izuku." Katsuki said as he continued to comfort the smaller and rub his hand against Izuku's back while getting him to breathe evenly before he went into a full on panic attack

"O- okay, so- sorry..." Izuku mumbled against Katsuki since he was still holding onto him and the blonde was also protectively holding him

"There's nothing to be sorry for, it's quite alright." Tenya reassured

"Can you tell us what happened?" Ochako carefully asked

"Of course you're not obligated to do so, but... we feel like there's something about those two that makes you very upset." Asui added

Izuku looked over at them, they were looking at him. It kind of made him tense, but realizing that they weren't looking at him with pity or in a judgmental way. They were just genuinely concerned. They were worried that he's hurting or that Yo and Neito did something to him that makes him feel like shit.

"Again, you're not forced to do it Izuku. We just really want to know so we know what to look out for in case we see them again which I hope doesn't happen." Hitoshi said, reassuring the greenette

Izuku pulled away from Katsuki's embrace, but the other kept his hand at the small of his back. The shorter looked down at his lap and fiddled with the fabric of his jeans as he contemplated while the others patiently waited for him.

"C- can I te- tell y- you so- somewhere more pr- private?" Izuku quietly requested

"Sure dude, no problem." Eijirou said

"Yeah, that's totally fine, babes. Let's finish eating first though so you can think about it more." Mina added with a soft smile

They all nodded in agreement as Izuku nodded as well then continued to eat while they talked as if they didn't touch such a delicate topic. Izuku honestly appreciated that. He still feels hesitant about opening up though, sure they've been great, but what if after he tells them the story, they start to get distant? What if they judge him? What if they start to hate him? That's the worst case scenario, he's gained such good friends that treat him so well but what if the thing he's been trying so hard to hide from them would be the reason they walk away from him? He's never told this to someone else before, much more his friends. It makes sense, he's never had real friends before anyways. Not like anyone would be willing to. He's just anxious, the thought of being alone again haunted him.

Before Izuku realized it, they were all done eating and had left the table that they were previously at. He didn't even remember them standing up or him finishing his food.

"What place do you think would be the best place to talk, Izuku?" Katsuki asked Izuku as he walked beside him

"H- huh? O- oh ri- right." Izuku mumbled

"Uh, m- maybe th- the tree w- we s- sat on wh- when I m- met yo- your friends, I- I me- mean b- by the pa- park?" He said

Katsuki nodded as he put his hands in his pockets which he always does.

"Okay then, noted."

"Oi! We're going to that park." Katsuki told the others knowing his friends (he's not going to admit that in front of their faces though) would understand which he was talking about

"We haven't gone there for a while, nice!" Denki stated

"Which park?" Tenya asked

"The closest one here?" Tsuyu added

"The other one, Tsu. It's a lot wider than the nearest one here. It's not that far so don't worry!" Mina told them

"Yeah, let's get going so we can rest after we get there." Eijirou suggested as they agreed and continued to chat away while they walk

~~~~~

They eventually got there. It was windy which was great since it was a bit humid earlier, it caused them to get a bit sweaty but with the wind, it cooled them down just enough as they sat down on the benches so they also got to rest.

Izuku was quiet the whole time and the others didn't press on that fact, they just let him be. He was silently thankful for that since he was thinking the whole time. He ultimately decided that probably telling them was the best choice since they were here already. He'd just feel guilty that they went through all that and waited for so long only to not be told the whole story. He's just going to not tell them some other stuff.

After a while, he decided to speak up.

"U- um..." He said and that got everyone's attention as they looked at him

It was a bit pressuring, but he could handle it, probably.

"A- are yo- you g- guys sure th- that y- you wa- wanna k- know e- everything?" He asked them

"You don't have to tell us everything, Izuku." Katsuki told him

"Yeah, we're fine with whatever you're willing to tell us." Hanta added as the others nodded, agreeing

"We'll also be okay if you decide to not tell us anything, we just want to comfort you." Momo said with a gentle, almost motherly-like smile

Izuku nodded as he stared at his lap.

"I- I wa- wanna s- say it."

"Then take your time babe." Mina told him

They all gave him some time as Izuku composed himself, taking in a deep threat as he gathered up enough courage to tell them.

"S- so..."