With a Strum of My Heart Strings

I've Got Chains and You've Got Wings

A/N: I'm back!!

Shinsou had expected so many things when he walked through the door to Sero's cafe. After that phone call with Kaminari, he had expected him to be stomping around the cafe with one of his friends trying to talk to him or calm him down as he stirred a coffee a little too harshly, spilling it. He had expected him to be sitting in the corner of the back of the shop, out of sight, with tears streaming down his face and whimpers escaping him. He'd expected Denki to be completely fine, too. Like nothing had ever happened, or maybe like it was just a small outburst, he didn't mean it, and he'd be fine now. Hell, he even expected to see Monoma back, feeding the blond lies about him that would surely upset him enough to make that phone call.

But never did Hitoshi ever expect to see his blond boyfriend making out with his best friend.

Again.

Every instinct in his body was screaming at him to run, to flee from the scene, and never so much as think about it again. He'd never wanted to retreat so much in his entire life. But he stayed strong, frozen in place, despite his growing panic.

"Denki?" he called when the blond hadn't even noticed him enter. The expression that flashed across Kaminari's face at being caught would be ingrained in Shinsou's mind forever. He looked so scared. Terrified. Shame and guilt were written in his features beneath the fear of what was to come.

"Hitoshi..." he heard Denki whisper as he jerked away from Sero. A pit was forming at the bottom of Shinsou's stomach. He backed up as Denki took a step forward, which caused him to stop, looking hurt. "I-I can explain," he stuttered out.

Hitoshi just looked away, saying, "What is there to explain, Denki?" He glanced up to meet the blond's eyes. He felt numb inside. Like every single negative emotion he had were all blended together. He couldn't name the sensation. It was like he was feeling everything and nothing at the same time. "Are you telling me this isn't exactly what it looks like?"

Kaminari remained silent, which was enough of an answer for Shinsou. He sighed, glancing at Sero who was just staring at the ground in front of him. Hitoshi wondered what exactly happened here. How long had this been going on? Who made the first move? And what the hell drove them to this?

The tension was thick, too thick, and the silence hanging in the air was deafening. Shinsou couldn't stay here like this. He turned on his heel and walked towards the exit. What else was there to say? Denki had cheated on him. Knowingly, apparently. That was enough to make him leave.

Or, at least, attempt to leave.

"Please, wait!" Denki called after him, rushing to catch up. He grabbed his hand and, even as Shinsou flinched and tried to pull it away, didn't let go. "Hitoshi, let me..." he trailed off as he met Shinsou's eyes, filled with anger, now. But Denki's grip remained on his boyfriend.

"Let go of me," he seethed, continuing to try to pull away. Denki still didn't let up, shaking his head.

"Don't go," Kaminari pleaded. He was still obviously terrified, but Shinsou didn't really care anymore. He didn't want to deal with this. He wanted to forget it ever happened and go home. He wanted to make dinner, cuddle up in a blanket on the couch, and watch his favorite TV shows; not this. The last thing he wanted was to be here right now. But he knew he would get nowhere if he just left.

"You have five minutes," he said. Denki breathed a sigh of relief and reluctantly let go of his hand as if he were still scared that Shinsou might bolt back out the door if given the chance. Shinsou would be the first to admit that he still wanted to.

Hitoshi hesitantly sat down on one of the stools at the counter, Sero and Kaminari standing behind it. Shinsou folded his arms defensively in front of him while Denki looked like he was trying to find the right words.