Solstice and Eclipse: Part II

Chapter XIV: Trust

"No." (L/N) shook his head. "It's not. I shouldn't have allowed myself to lose control of my emotions. It's too dangerous."

Yaoyorozu scoffed at his admittedly pathetic attempt at an apology. It seemed he was more upset with himself and his anger than he was apologetic for the way he'd shouted at her.

"And I shouldn't have lost my patience with you." He continued, his hands twisting around the neck of his cane. "Especially considering how patient you've been with me. Forgive me, please."

It wasn't the greatest apology in the world, but, she supposed, it was sincere. And given how unsocial he was, this was probably his equivalent of begging on fallen knees. An amused breath escaped her lips, and with a small shake of her head and an equally small smile, she reached out to him and placed her hands over his, the gesture an offer to put away his cane and allow her to guide him. A way to signal her forgiveness.

Something almost a smile briefly touched his lips. Folding up his cane, he placed his hand upon her upper arm where she covered it with her own and the two resumed their journey.

"(L/N)," she began to ask, pausing only to let him know they were coming up on a set of stairs, "do you mind if I ask you a question?"

He said nothing but motioned for her to continue.

"It's just, before the sports festival, when I asked, you told me you didn't want to be a hero."

He nodded. "What's your question?"

"I suppose I was just wondering..."

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" A taunting voice interrupted. "Two buffoons from Class 1A wandering the halls by themselves. And at a time like this?"

Monoma pretended to look at a nonexistent watch on his wrist as he continued his tirade. Trailing not far behind him was the rest of Class 1B. It almost appeared as if he had rushed ahead of his class just to belittle them.

"Don't tell me you're cutting class." He feigned surprise. "I guess you're not as perfect as you'd all like us to think!"

Just as the blonde was about to begin his next sentence, no doubt a continuation on their many flaws and shortcomings, a sharp chop to the back of his next caused him to double over, seemingly unconscious.

"Cut it out, Monoma." Kendo said, grabbing him by the collar before his face hit the floor. "Sorry about him." She said apologetically. "I hope he didn't give you too much trouble."

"Uh, no, not at all." Yaoyorozu said, warily eying Monoma's slumped form. "Er, is he going to be...?"

"Hmm? Oh, yeah, don't worry about him." She said dismissively. "Anyway, how have you two been?"

"We're well, thank you." Momo smiled. "We..."

"Are running a little late to class, actually." (L/N) cut across. "As your... colleague... so kindly pointed out. We should be going now."

Hand on the small of her back, (L/N) gave Yaoyorozu a gentle push to encourage her to move along, but they had barely taken three steps when they were stopped again.

"Wait!" Kendo said, hastily stepping forward. She took hold of (L/N)'s free hand to stop them from continuing. His body became suddenly rigid, his hand clenching into a fist. Noticing this, Kendo quickly released his wrist. "Sorry." She muttered. "I just... after last week... are you feeling alright, (F/N)?"

The muscles in his face twitched as he masked the hint of disdain. "I'm fine." He said curtly.

"O-Okay." Kendo stuttered. "I was just scared you might have overexerted yourself."

"I said I'm fine." He repeated. "If you'll excuse us."

"Er, right. Sorry."

As she watched the backs of their retreating figures, she noticed wistfully the propinquity between the raven-haired girl and the boy she once called her best friend. The way she offered to him her arm, and more importantly, the way he took it without hesitation. To anyone else watching, the action was probably mundane, not something worth noticing, but to Kendo it spoke volumes.

She knew (L/N) better than anyone, and she didn't take that lightly. Because for someone to say that they knew (L/N), anything about him really, meant that he had given them some portion of his trust, and that was not something he gave out freely. He had been hurt in the past, and as a result, had built many walls to protect himself. Kendo had worked hard to be allowed past those walls. For someone like (L/N), to know him meant his trust. And his trust meant his heart. So, for her to be able to say she knew him better than anyone, well, if you felt the way she felt about (L/N), it meant everything.

So then, who was she? Who was this girl who so casually offered her arm? Who was this girl that he accepted? Did he really trust her that much after only three months? To be his eyes. To safely guide him to his destination. And the immediacy with which he took her arm. That was a level of trust unfamiliar to even Kendo.