Enlighten Me (Avery)

[HIRO JUN MIZUSHIMA]

Hiro was coming down from his bedroom after changing into some more casual comfortable clothes. Dusk was upon Maple Hallow and the sunset could be seeing fading in the horizon behind the Mizushima mansion. A dinner time and Hiro was off to make dinner. Cooking at had been something that he picked up a bit from his mother but began to perfect it after he took the responsibility of raising his sister Isabella. Home-cooked meals had been an important thing to his mother and thus believed it was important to continue that mentality. So after choosing a bottle of red wine he got straight to making lasagna for the evening.

Everything was nearly ready. The salad was done and the lasagna was in the oven just about then when his sister came down the stairs with a bag on her shoulder. He looked her with a questioning stare. "Where exactly do you think you're going?" he questioned. One of my friends just had a bad break-up and she needs a girl's night. A sleepover basically. I know it's last minute but please? she pleaded. "But dinners almost ready." he stated and she only nodded her head. I know, I know and I'm sorry but please. I already told her my super awesome brother would be okay with it. Wouldn't want to make me a liar would you? He gave her another questioning look before sighing in defeat. "Text me as soon as you get there." he said as she let out a small squeal of delight before giving him a hug and kiss and was off. Sometimes he just couldn't say no to her.

So now Hiro was alone with enough food to feed at least two people. Looked like there would be plenty of leftovers. He poured himself a glass of wine and began to pull the lasagna out of the oven when suddenly there was a knock on the door. Who could that be? As the the food was cooling off he walked down the hall towards the door to open it and was surprised by who was standing there. "Avery. What a pleasant surprise and perfect timing. Come in. I just finished making dinner and Isabella's left me to eat alone. I hope you'll join me." he asked hopefully. What better companion to eat with than a friend.

[AVERY JUNNOSUKE KAEL]

Things were crazy. Avery felt crazy. The things around him were crazy. Everything was crazy.

But of course, as always, he put it all on himself.

He didn’t hate it. Rather, it was a nice change from his boring lifestyle. Avery just wished it didn’t come at him all at once—it made him confused and flustered and he just didn’t know what to do anymore. It felt like his head was exploding with his tendency to over think, so he thought it was a good idea to pay a visit to a friend he felt like he hadn’t visited in months. Days translated into an eternity in Avery’s book, so he was eager to visit Hiro as fast as he could. He just needed someone to talk to. Or rather, rant to. Even if Hiro had no advice to give in return, Avery would just feel grateful for having Hiro listen to him and his crazy world.

One of the crazies was Mickey. They had reconnected and become friends again, something the nurse appreciated. They were close. But just sometimes it felt… more than close. Something Avery wasn’t very familiar with and maybe Hiro could help him out with that—save all the sarcastic and jabbing comments. He knew Hiro and Mickey didn’t have a… pleasant relationship. Dating back since high school, there was a hostility that wasn’t quite settled and Avery was in the middle of it. This he didn’t like. Despite their past, he and Hiro got along very well now, best friends even. And then there was Mickey, who he’s been able to get close with. Among other feelings. Like the kiss. Long story short, he didn’t like them hating each other. It made him feel torn. Avery didn’t want to pick between them, even if he had to.

And so Avery was now in front of Hiro’s house, breathless from his fast-walking. He didn’t want to drive there because he knew he wouldn’t be able to concentrate on the road. Hell, he probably would’ve killed himself on the way. Avery rang the doorbell a few times, bouncing impatiently on the heels on his feet, sighing in relief when the door opened and light streamed onto his face. Truthfully, he ignored Hiro at first, going inside without waiting for him to finish. His stomach did growl, though, as he smelled the lasagna wafting in from the dining room and he whined softly, flopping down onto the couch, sprawled out as he started up at the ceiling. “Hiro,” Avery started forlornly, tracing circles with his eyes at the empty space. “I feel like I’m about to explode.”

But maybe he should hold out on the lasagna before that happened. He didn’t want to stain his friend’s walls with tomato sauce.

[HIRO JUN MIZUSHIMA]

Hiro had known Avery for years now. Their relationship had not started off easy. Far from it and Hiro takes full responsibility for that. After all Hiro had been the big bad monster and Avery the victim. Then it all changed and now they were here. Years later and despite the dark beginnings the two were able to manage to form a friendship. Hiro never asked Avery to forget and to be honest he really didn't expect to be forgiven. It wouldn't be that surprising if he hadn't but the water elemental did. He forgave Hiro and from a friendship was born and Hiro found himself a best friend in the least likely of places.

That was why when opened the door and began to speak he began to notice that not all was well with the male nurse. Avery was bascially bursting through the door after Hiro had opened and was walking straight into the living room. Hiro questioned whether Avery had heard anything he had even said. He watched as Avery unceremoniously flopped onto his couch. Hiro closed the door behind him and walked the same path Avery had just practically ran across, crossing his arms and looking at the water elemental with a questioning look and a bit of concern. It had felt like a long while since the two were together like this and talked about....anything really. Life became busy they each had their responsibilities.

"Should I be worried?" the concern unmissable in his words. He hadn't realized that his home had become a psychiatrist's office but if his friend needed someone to listen to him then Hiro was his guy. Hiro dragged over a seat closer to the couch before sitting down and turning his attention back to Avery. "All right, spill. What's going on?" he encouraged. There was something Avery wanted to get off his chest and Hiro would see too it that he did. They could warm up the food later. Priorities. A million thoughts as to what could be bothering Avery so much. There was someone that popped into his head as he thought. To be perfectly honest not someone he really wanted to think about but for whatever reason the idea of this person just kept standing out. Mickey. Ever since that they of the little sparring session between him and Mickey that had been interrupted by Avery things had been slightly different. He knew that Avery and Mickey had once been closed but he also knew that they had drifted apart. Yet that day it hadn't just been Hiro that Avery had been concerned about, it was also Mickey. Hiro couldn't help but feel perhaps a little more so. The way the two spoke also hadn't gone unnoticed and Hiro hadn't been aware that the two had been talking again. Were the two getting close again? How would this affect their own friendship? "Would it have anything to do with Mickey?"

[AVERY JUNNOSUKE KAEL]

Avery sighed, lowering his eyes to look at the Fire. It always surprised him when he felt concern from Hiro—even after all these years of friendship. He guessed no matter how many times he tried to bury the past, he still lived in it; his very own grave. Avery replied nonetheless, his brain still frazzled and confused and just a total mess. “I don’t… think so?” he said, though he lifted the tone at the end of the sentence because he didn’t know himself. Things became hectic the last time they talked and he knew how Hiro felt about Mickey—so he had no idea how he’d react to the idea of him being… romantically involved with the Wind. Was romantically involved the correct words to describe this? They kissed. They had dinner. And that… was pretty much it. There wasn’t a confirmation of returned feelings; at least, he didn’t think there were. That, or he was just oblivious to it. To be fair, Mickey was a hard person to read. No one could blame the nurse for being confused.

He turned his whole body towards Hiro, hugging a pillow to his chest. He parted his lips to say something, anything, though nothing much came out except a sigh of frustration. What was there to spill? He pursed his lips, suddenly contemplating whether or not he should tell Hiro. They were friends, of course, but the whole romantic deal… could he even help the nurse? And so he stayed silent until Hiro brought up Mickey, the sudden bring up of the topic made Avery blush—a rare sight to see—and buried his face into the pillow he was clutching. “… yes,” he finally said, his reply muffled by the pillow. He peeked out, trying to study Hiro’s face for any kind of reaction. Avery slightly braced for a bad one, too, and sat up slowly, hair ruffled. “We had dinner.” That was a good way to start into a topic like this, right? Slowly yet surely. It set up the topic. Didn’t go straight into the climax. It made sure that Hiro wasn’t about to suffer from a heart attack.

“We… I…” Avery stuttered until he groaned loudly, falling back onto the couch as he kicked his legs in frustration. “I don’t know how… he… ugh!” Geez, he felt beyond suffocated. He couldn’t go beyond “we had dinner” in fear of Hiro suddenly going off on him. He and Mickey had leftover hostility for each other and Avery was stuck in the middle. He wasn’t going to choose—hell no—and with the sudden… kiss, everything just became more complicated than he liked. Avery liked simplicity. It made his life easier. “Hiro,” he started tentatively, fiddling with the pillow in his hands. “If… if I told you I… sorta, kinda, have… feelings for someone, what would you say?” A good, simple hypothetical question. But then again, it wasn’t hypothetical. Because he had feelings for Mickey. Right? Right. God, he probably sounded like an idiot right now who wasn’t even able to string together a proper sentence. C’mon, just say it. It wasn’t hard. Hiro wasn’t going to judge him. Avery was having an internal battle and it wasn’t like telling his best friend was going to have any consequences. He can do it… he can do it… he can— “OKAY. We kissed! Mickey and I kissed!” Avery finally exploded, throwing his hands into the air, the pillow flying along with them, and it landed perfectly against his chest again.

Yup. This was going well.

[HIRO JUN MIZUSHIMA]

Okay, well to say that his nerves were calmed would be a lie. If anything Avery's tone only made them worse. Worried was not something that he liked to feel. It was something that had been thrown upon him when his parents died. Worry about how he would raise his sister and what would be in their future. There weren't many things he worried about, not many people that he worried about. Isabella and Avery basically made up the list of the people he'd be pulling his hair out in concern for. So his concern only remained evident on his face, waiting for Avery to give him something that to know what exactly he should be worried about.

The question about Mickey had really come out of it's own accord and as he watched Avery move on the sofa a part of him thought he knew the answer to it. It was just in the way Avery looked. Things had been a little off ever since that day on campus between the two of them and Mickey. Things were just different. And even though they hadn't talked much since Hiro couldn't come up with anything that could possibly have this affect on the water. Then Hiro easily spotted the blush that grew on Avery when he asked about Mickey. Was this going where he thought it was going? Yes. He confirmed it as soon as the word left Avery's lip. The worry only remained on his face. He wasn't sure if he wanted to know the rest. "You had...dinner?" the word came out in a bit of a stun tone. Since when were those two getting so close.

Okay, Hiro had to keep himself calm and from hyperventilating. Avery was an adult. He could make his own decisions and that included who he spent his time with. Hiro knew this yet why was he getting so worked up inside. Was because he was jealous? "Why do I have a feeling that there's more?"he said cautiously. Maybe it was because a part of him was worried that if Mickey and Avery got close again, he'd loose his best friend. It was a miracle the nurse had forgiven him and thus being able to form their relationship but if Mickey, Avery's former protector, came into the picture again where would that leave Hiro?

Hiro just remained silent and still, watching Avery. Trying to take in what had already been said and what would come but nothing would probably prepare him for what was to come. Hiro's looked turned to one of confusion. Feelings? He should be happy right? Supportive? Then why was he only feeling dread? By this point Hiro just wanted to be put out of his misery and is if on cue Avery. Hiro's confusion turned into bewilderment. "You...kissed?" he shook his head trying to make sure he heard right. "I think I need a drink." he said getting up from his chair and heading to the kitchen to poor himself another glass of wine. This was not what he had been expecting from tonight.

[AVERY JUNNOSUKE KAEL]

The house seemed so unfamiliar to him, even though he went to Hiro’s place plenty of times before. His mind was in such a cluster fuck that he could barely remember the most recent time he visited—if there were any recent ones. Maybe Avery was letting this get the better of him. He was thinking too much, exaggerating, and… and… and what? He was making excuses. He could’ve gone straight to his friend the moment it happened (well, not the exact moment, because that would’ve been awkward) and told him. Clean and simple. There was no need for Avery to fuss over this situation—but it had been years since his last involvement with anything… romantic. The last one ended when he was still in medical school, trying to find his goals in life. He didn’t have any room or time for romance. He didn’t want to settle down. He wasn’t ready.

But what made Mickey any different?

Things have settled down significantly since medical school. Avery had a stable job, a roof over his head, and he was sure of his direction in life. Was he ready? He didn’t know the answer to that question, actually. He fiddled with that thought in his mind as he tried to gauge Hiro’s reaction. Avery quickly covered his cheeks though as he felt the warmth rushing to his cheeks. God, he felt like a little school girl getting all flustered over something as simple as kiss—but that was the problem. It was a kiss. Something he hadn’t had in years. The burning feeling on his lips, too. That was most definitely something he never felt. Ever. It scared him, actually. Avery’s views on love were so screwed up that he avoided any topic of it, so this, right now, was just agonizing. Not to mention, he had no idea what Hiro was thinking right now. He groaned, though, and shoved a pillow onto his face in an attempt to hide it. “Yes. We did. Sort of.” Sort of. They… kind of deviated off their original plans to actually go out for dinner. They stayed at Avery’s apartment after they got distracted. And yes, everything was PG-13, you pervert. But he wouldn’t say anything else until Hiro questioned him. The nurse did not want to blurt out unwanted details. “We… kind of stayed at my apartment.”

“… because there is,” he said, his voice muffled from the pillow on top of his face. A lot more, actually. But he’ll wait until Hiro asked for them; Avery wanted to be specific to his best friend, but not to the point where he was cringing with the details. It was all that bad, to be honest. He just wasn’t able to directly speak to the Fire without feeling like he did something wrong. Avery tensed as he repeated his words, peeking out from under the pillow as if he was afraid of the other man’s reaction. And somewhere deep inside, he was, but he wouldn’t express that vocally. Lately their friendship just seemed too fragile for that. “Ugh, no drinks! Drinks are bad!” Avery exclaimed, throwing the pillow at Hiro to prevent him from getting any. Alcohol. Big no-no, but the nurse was secretly relieved. “Hiro,” he started cautiously, though loudly enough for the Fire to hear him from the kitchen as he sat up slowly. “Do you… maybe…” Avery fiddled with the bottom of his shirt, his fingers fidgeting nervously. He spoke again, quietly, as he lowered his gaze. “Do you hate me?”

[HIRO JUN MIZUSHIMA]

They sort of had dinner. They stayed at his apartment. Okay, just how much did Hiro want to know about this? Was he suppose to ask for more details or was suppose to only listen to what Avery said without question? He wasn't sure. In the few years since their friendship had begun there wasn't really a time where they had a serious issue or anything. Things just seemed to be easy for both of them. Or at least that was what he thought. Yeah, maybe a few times that Hiro went to talk to Avery about something or vice versa but nothing like this. At least from Avery. Hiro never really had to deal with Avery's love life because there really wasn't anything to talk about, or at least nothing that Avery ever told him about. Perhaps he always thought that maybe someday it would happen and yet he was completely unprepared for this. Perhaps it wasn't the fact that it was happening but of who it involved.

And thus the wine. Hiro was getting far too worked up inside and he felt that if he was going to be able to give Avery what he wanted and listen to him then he needed to relax and right now the alcohol was doing just that. Of course he had to make sure not to over do it because it would only do the opposite and cloud his judgement and maybe make him do something he didn't want to. At a time like this he had to make sure he could think about what he was doing and saying unless he wanted to ruin things which he could not do. Despite the fact that Avery had been telling him otherwise and even threw the pillow at him he had to. At least if the water wanted him to try and remain sane he had to.

Hiro was drinking from his glass when he heard Avery's voice again. He slightly turned his attention to the water when he heard the question. Hate Avery? Hiro was trying to question how Avery could fall for someone Hiro really did not in any way shape or form like. That thought only earned him a mental slap. The fact that Hiro even thought for a second that Avery was doing this to hurt him was idiotic. He let out a soft chuckle. "How could I ever hate my best friend? I'm just...." could he finish that sentence? Should he? Hiro wasn't one that often was very good a voicing his emotions. Happiness, sure. Anger, of course. Fear, now that was a whole different thing. Not something he liked feeling and even harder to show it but he carefully thought about it. Avery came here tonight to be completely honest with Hiro and he deserved the same. So with a heavy sigh he looked at his glass and finished voicing his true feelings. "I'm just scared." There, he said it. More wine.

[AVERY JUNNOSUKE KAEL]

God, the silence was killing Avery. Was it that hard to respond? To give a reaction? To say something so he’d know if Hiro was about to collapse from a heart attack? Anything. Anything at all. Avery would happily accept, because the only thing he’s dealt with for the past few days were silence and he did not come to Hiro’s house to be greeted by more silence. A presence, maybe, to comfort him and tell him he wasn’t crazy and that it was normal to develop feelings for a person. Even for Avery, probably the biggest flirt that anyone had ever known—yes, he could… grow fond feelings. He didn’t want to say love. It was too soon; way, way too soon. Just the thought of it scared him—loving someone. It wasn’t all sweet like Hollywood liked to make it out to be. It was much, much, more complicated than that.

Avery gave up alcohol a long time ago. A decade, even, and there were times where he craved it—craved the feeling of numbness, the feeling of letting go. All of it. But he resisted, because he knew he’d fall right back into its trap and he’d never be able to get out again. That’s why he resisted on Hiro getting some because he’d be so, so tempted. And so when the Fire returned with his glass he tried not to look at it, instead focused on Hiro’s shoes and how they looked expensive. Something Avery probably couldn’t afford, but hey, they were nice to look at from this point of view.

He sighed in relief when Hiro spoke again, though he quickly adverted his gaze elsewhere, suddenly feeling as if he had no right to look at him in the eyes, even though he did no wrong. Avery didn’t betray his friend. He wasn’t picking any sides to begin with, considering the hostility between Hiro and Mickey. The nurse would rather not get involved in such things, though he was already in so deep. “I…” he trailed off, suddenly forgetting what he was going to say. He was never the one to outwardly express his feelings anyways, so this was just ten times harder than he liked it to be. “Why… why are you scared?” he asked quietly, his eyes burning with curiosity. They’d always be friends, he wanted to say. He wasn’t going to leave him behind, he wanted to say. But he stayed silent, watching his friend curious eyes. “I’m not… taking his side, you know. I’m not taking anyone’s side. I just…” he trailed off again, but this time he was determined. “I can’t help it.” Can’t help what? Taking sides? Developing feelings for a man he hadn’t seen in nearly a decade? He didn’t know.

He just didn’t know anymore.

[HIRO JUN MIZUSHIMA]

So perhaps the alcohol wasn't exactly the best decision but it had been unfortunately the first thing he thought of through this thing. He didn't even think about what the alcohol would mean to Avery. Not that he didn't know about Avery's past with drinking. He taunted him about it most of the time when they were younger. He never brought it up now nor did he ever ask. In the years since they became friends Hiro couldn't remember a time he'd ever see Avery drink. Wasn't a bad thing of course. The problem was mainly that the alcohol was used as an excuse to excuse himself from the living room. He needed that escape.

When he did finally talk he would have been surprised if Avery had been surprised. The nurse would be well aware that Hiro didn't exactly share his feelings and yet here he was. He'd blame the alcohol later but for now it was okay, at least a tiny bit. How would Avery take it though? Neither of them were exactly the sharing feelings type. He finished his glass as Avery asked why he would he be scared? Why wouldn't he? "Well, the guy you're telling me you have feelings for doesn't exactly like me. With good reason. He used to protect you from me. Not something you get over right away." That was basically the gist of it. Both of them had come a long way since those high school days and although their relationship had not started with rainbows and butterflies it had become something that Hiro believed both very much cherished. So yes, Hiro was a bit tentative to the idea of loosing it. It scared him. Avery's words of reassurance floated into Hiro's head. At the end of the day he had to be able to trust Avery, which he did completely. He'd just have to hold onto that feeling and take the leap of faith. "No, I expect you can't." he said with a soft smile and sigh. He shook his hair again before walking over to the water and kneeling down in front of him.

He took a moment to take a breath before trying to get the water's attention. He looked onto Avery with a soft, reassuring look of his own. "If what you came for tonight was my support, well....you have it." He said with a soft gaze. He knew that coming here tonight must not have been easy for Avery. Telling your friend that you like someone isn't something that is very easy on people, especially when that someone is both another guy and someone that you're not exactly fond of. That just made it a thousand times more difficult. "We may not be very fond of each other but if he's the one you like and you want to be with him then you have my blessing. You are my best friend after all." He said with a light smirk, ruffling Avery's hair. "But if he hurts you I will kick his ass." he said with a playful tone but he did mean it. Call him overbearing but oh well. Mickey may be two years older but he wasn't all that much stronger, especially with that leg of his.

"So how about we go eat now huh?" he asked as he got up and began making his way to the kitchen when a thought crossed him and made him stop mid-stride. "Actually..." he said turning to face Avery. "Before we eat, there's probably something I should mention." Okay, so how to say this. Best thing would be to come out right with it. No point in trying to change it or anything. "A few weeks ago....I, I kissed Yuki. Also, I had dinner with her the other night." there it was. Well, it wasn't the whole truth but the rest was merely details. Details that Avery didn't really need to know.

[AVERY JUNNOSUKE KAEL]

Avery sighed to himself, his eyes lowering as Hiro listed off the reasons. He should’ve expected that—but he didn’t know what to expect, honestly, and hearing them aloud put everything into a different perspective. He never thought the Fire would be capable to harbor such feelings; as, although they were friends, they didn’t share much with each other. Avery couldn’t help but think it was mostly because of himself. It was a complex of his; sharing personal life was never an appealing thought. He tried to put most things behind him, so talking about his past wasn’t going to help that process. “He’s not a bad guy.” And neither are you, he wanted to add. But instead, Avery kept his mouth closed again, as he always did. It was a bad habit of is. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly, staring at the Fire that was now kneeling in front of him, offering a small smile in return. They were friends. They were going to stay friends. Not much was going to change that.

The small smile on his face grew wider, refraining from doing any heavy signs of affection. Hiro probably still needed some time and space to process what the nurse just said, so Avery was going to do so. “Thank you,” he breathed out, relieved. It was honestly a big deal for him, considering both Hiro and Mickey harbored negative feelings toward each other, even after all these years. Over a decade. He wanted them to get over it, but that was easier said than done. Avery grimaced slightly when the Fire brought up violence, though he chuckled a bit, patting his shoulder. “I wouldn’t expect anything less,” he admitted, though another small smile spread on his lips. “But don’t worry. I don’t think you’ll be kicking anybody’s balls anytime soon,” he laughed; and he honestly believed that Mickey wouldn’t hurt him. The problem was just first establishing what they had. Whatever it was.

Avery nodded, jumping up from his seat. His stomach growled in compliance and he chuckled. “I get to have the honor of eating genuine Mizushima home cooking? I’m touched~” he joked, settling down onto the chair at the end of the dining table, about ready to dig in when Hiro spoke again. He looked up curiously, forking a mouthful of lasagna into his mouth. “What is it?” Avery asked through his mouthful of food, chewing thoughtfully as he was about ready to shovel in another mouthful—well, that is until Hiro spoke and he spewed out chunks of lasagna from his mouth, choking and coughing as he processed what the Fire said. “Wh-what?” he sputtered between coughs, trying to swallow what was left of the lasagna. Yeesh. They were both hiding way too many secrets from each other.

[HIRO JUN MIZUSHIMA]

"No, he isn't a bad guy." he said softly. That doesn't mean he liked him. A deep dislike was not something you can always just overcome but here was a situation where was showing that perhaps it was about time to begin to let go. Letting go was not something Hiro was always very good at but this wasn't a normal situation was it? Not in his opinion. "No need to apologize. There's no reason to fight what you're feeling." All this meant was that things would have to be changing for Hiro. It just meant he'd have to get over himself long enough to play nice with Mickey.

Although Hiro still was going to need some time to really let this information sink in seeing Avery's expression made him feel better. He wasn't doing leaps of joy over the fact but he would eventually accept the idea. The happiness of the people he cared about came first. Did that mean that he'd always be completely happy with the way things worked out no but it didn't matter as long as they were happy. He'd just have to suck up his pride and ego for Avery. Was it wise to add in the promise of violence probably not but he wouldn't really be Hiro if he didn't say it. He really didn't think it would come to that though.

All seemed relatively fine now and it was time to eat. At least Hiro thought so before he realized that he too had something that he needed to tell his friend. There wasn't really any easy way to say it without making it sound bad but he had no choice. He grabbed a glass and filled it up with some water for Avery to drink before he took a seat. It was his turn to explain things. "A couple of weeks ago we were at this event and, well, you know how we are. We can barely stand being in the same room. Next thing I know she nearly dumps her drink on me and I do the one thing I knew she'd hate. I... kissed her." he said hesitantly. What was it and these two kissing? "Then she got that ankle sprain at work and asked me to do her the favor of taking her home. And as repayment, I basically made her have dinner with me." Wow, this was...interesting to say the least.

[AVERY JUNNOSUKE KAEL]

Avery chewed on the inside of his cheek as the Fire spoke, a small feeling of shock settling into him. Did Hiro just agree with him? Maybe he was just hearing things, but there was no trace of bitterness on Hiro’s face. “Then… then why don’t you like him?” the nurse blurted out, though he shrank back shortly afterwards, unsure if he wanted to hear the reason. He was sure it was a good one—but… he didn’t want to hear it. He didn’t want to hear about their long history of dislike for one another, because Avery knew it was because of him that made them like this towards each other. He just hated how torn he was about the situation. “I know…” he said softly, looking at his friend before him. “I just can’t help but feel guilty.” Guilty about what? It’s not like he was lying or hiding anything from the history teacher—but perhaps, deep in the back of his head, he knew he was taking sides of a story he didn’t understand.

The nurse settled in the wooden chair, downing down the glass of water Hiro handed him gratefully as it was his turn to let the information thrown at him to sink in. Goodness. They’ve been way to busy lately for their own goods—all these confessions just made him want to lay on the floor and just contemplate on life in general. He half expected Isabella to trot downstairs and make a confession of her own. “B-but you guys are like—” Avery sputtered after his coughs settled down, making random hand motions as if Hiro would understand any of them. “—arch enemies,” he finally got out, scratching his head in confusion, forgetting the plate of food in front of him at the moment. This was way more important.

“Well… I guess I can’t really say much but congrats.” He looked up at Hiro, smiling slightly at his friend. “You and Yuki… a thing now? Like, together? For real?” Because gossiping about relationships was Avery’s thing, and after getting over the initial shock, he was kind of happy for Hiro. Scratch that—ecstatic. Mostly because he hadn’t seen Hiro in a relationship for a long time. Maybe this was good for him.

[HIRO JUN MIZUSHIMA]

"Uh, well, it's a bit complicated. At least on my part." He couldn't speak for Mickey for he didn't know his reasons. When you had a strong dislike it was difficult to overcome it sometimes. Some could question why he was able to swallow his pride for Avery and yet still held a grudge towards Mickey. The main difference being that Avery had simply been a victim towards Hiro, the water didn't fight back. He was easy picking for the high school jerk that Hiro was. Avery's only shield had been Mickey. That were the grudge stood. The water's protector that had been willing to fight back and not be brought down. Hiro gave the water a reassuring smile. "You have nothing to feel guilty for. This is a good thing." he said warmingly. "Perhaps this means that is time to bury the hatchet. For you, that would be something I'd be willing to do." Hiro had once swallowed his pride long enough to apologize to Avery. From that moment a friendship was born that he does not take lightly. He may not be fond of Mickey but for Avery the fire believed that he had enough in him to let go of the grudge. He didn't want to be the reason his friend's happiness was ruined, over such a trivial matter.

So, perhaps Hiro didn't have the best timing with his own news but then again Avery had surprised him with his own updates. Proof that two had spent far too much time from each other's company. He couldn't help a small chuckle release from his lips at the way Avery reacted to Hiro's confession. It was a bit amusing minus the coughing. "Believe me my friend, even I am still wrapping my head around the idea." Despite telling Avery of his now relationship with Yuki, he was still leaving out one important detail in the matter. One that he could not share with his friend. He smiled at his friend. "I believe it is safe to say yes. Although, we're both still treading carefully." Well, more like Yuki was the one being all cautious, which wasn't hard to understand. He'd give her the time to give in, they tend to do so anyways at some point. He just had to be patient. "It seems like we've both taken interesting turns in our love lives as of late." he said with a soft smile as he sat down across from Avery. "Perhaps from now on we won't wait so long until get to talk to each other like this again."