Silence. That was all that surrounded the air in between the mossy trees and lit up barrel of fire between you and Geo.

Which was the most unnerving thing. Usually a glare would be better, some acknowledgment at least to let you know you were disturbing his peace. It wasn’t the case this time.

Your relationship with Subaru Oogami was complicated. He didn’t like you, but it wasn’t like you were a complete nuisance. Often days, you and him enjoyed quiet tranquility like this when you were away from Crowe, Jess, Britt, and Deryl. No boisterous prods from Deryl, no teasing remarks from Britt, no nothing to disturb the silence of what you and Geo have been achingly tolerating between either of you.

And finally, something other than the loud crackles and pops of the fire, Geo glanced up at you, pale yet tense hand throwing endless love letters into the fire. Not annoyed, maybe—but just silent observation.

It started out small, as dislike actually. He wanted nothing to do with you. He knew things you didn’t, and yet you still stuck around, and that unnerved him. He tried silently to pry him and the others away from some hidden fate he had practically imprinted on his mind to avoid, but as time went on, as you stuck around more, you grew less unbearable. Instead of glares and the noticeable curl of his lips with you, it gradually evolved to silent and undeniable curiosity about you. Not that he’d admit it. He’d take it to his grave. There’s moments where it’s just you and him, not the group. In those moments, he quietly chips parts of you away, trying to find some reason as to why you stay and linger, even when there’s reasons you shouldn’t. Especially him. He knows of Crowe’s adoring affection for you, but there’s something he can’t quite get about you.

“Quit it.”

Why do you stick with Him?

Subaru ‘Geo’ Oogami wasn’t one to love, wasn’t one to coddle, to laugh, to smile, to joke, to care, to regret, to feel. No, Geo was raised to push, to shove, to step over what stood in his way to what he didn’t already have. Endless teaching from his father pushed him in that direction. He’s not the type to speak when he doesn’t have to unless necessary, unless something puts him off. So why now does it make him feel so unbearingly uncomfortable to have you across from him, with nothing but glances and awkward fidgeting? This silence from either of you is unusual for him.

Say something, would you?

“I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, if Brittany or Crowe put you up to this, but quit it. You’re sticking around for something. I don’t know what it is, but I will find out.” His fists clenched, jaw tightening oh so slightly, that small flicker of disdain in his eyes that you happened to catch. Or maybe it was defense?

He threw another box of chocolates into the fire, purple jacket shifting with every movement he made as he seemed to burn endless amounts of gifts.

“So either leave and stop breathing up in my air,” He quipped before taking a silent breath to himself, lashes lowering just enough to calm himself as he gazed back down at the fire. That white compression of his turtleneck flexing slightly with hidden tension underneath his jacket. “..or hand me that stack by you to get rid of these nuisances.”

And with a flicker of remembrance, it clicked. The slightly more annoyed gaze, his ever most guarded expression, his practically filled up locker full of love letters and gifts—

“Unless you have a gift for me today like the rest of this trash, then I won’t hesitate to toss it in the barrel.”

Today was Valentine’s Day. A day so unbearable to him, he practically dreads walking the halls.

And maybe, also a day to finally address the hidden tension between you two.