Chapter Text
Miles of trees blur out the window. Deeper and deeper the van trundles down a remote road, hours away from the city. Not like that matters. Your racing thoughts bridge the gap between there and here.
You shouldn’t be here. Not in a van with your friends en route to a remote lodge in the woods. But back in the city to update your resume, to job hunt, to plan out the next month or so without one.
Instead, you went ahead with the trip. Planned months in advance, back when things were different.
When you were employed.
When you were in a relationship…
Then everything fell apart. No more job. No more boyfriend. Back-to-back misfortunes that have left you freshly embittered and contemplating what you’re even doing here.
You turn away from the window for a distraction.
At the front, Katsuki scowls behind the wheel, while Izuku navigates in the passenger seat. Kyoka and Denki huddle around an old iPod, taking turns playing DJ in the first row of seats. Behind them, Himiko leans on Ochako’s shoulder, trading idle chat that you don’t care to catch. And in the back of the van, you’re sitting by the window when a light nudge to your shoulder grabs your attention.
“Thirsty?” From the next seat over, Shouto offers you a bottle of water.
“A little, but I'll wait until we’re there.” You take the drink anyway and thank him.
“We’re almost there!” Izuku chimes at the front. “About forty-five minutes left.”
You bite back a groan. As much as you’d like to get this weekend over with, you also dread returning home, to face reality again. You’re stuck in limbo with no third option.
“What about Touya and the others?" Himiko peers over the seat. "Are they already there?”
Shouto shrugs. “Doubt it. They left a while after us, so they’ll probably be there later."
Your fingers stiffen around the bottle. That means…“Keigo’s still coming?” You try to sound indifferent, but you hear the displeasure in your voice.
Shouto gives you a sidelong look, and you’re grateful that he doesn’t probe, only appears sympathetic. “He and Jin are riding with my brother.”
Irritated, you take refuge in a sip of water. You knew it was unlikely, but the offhand chance that your now ex-boyfriend, Keigo wouldn’t make it was a fantasy you had hoped to manifest. But even as you toss your gaze back to the window, you know it’s more than too late to turn back now.
An entire weekend with Keigo around. As if you two didn't just break up two weeks ago. Soon to be reunited under the same roof. What was meant to be a spring getaway is starting to feel like a prison sentence.
You did this to yourself, logic reminds you. Because you could have stayed home instead.
You’re stubborn, you suppose. Too damn proud to let the break-up dictate your emotions. But so far, you’re on the losing end of that. As much as you try to find another distraction on the road, you can't help but wonder how you’ll survive.
Or if Keigo’s lucky, how he’ll survive.
It’s late afternoon when you all arrive at the destination. The dipping sun casts the top of the forest on fire, as a chill begins to nip at the spring air. At a distance, the lake shimmers with the fading sun rays.
You’re the last to hop out of the van, weekend bag in tow, as you and your friends wait outside your home away from home for the weekend.
The lodge rests in a large clearing. A rustic, two-story with a wraparound patio lofted from the ground. From the outside, it fits the woodsy aesthetic, blending in with the wilderness, a perfect hideaway. But according to Katsuki, it's up-to-date with central heating and air. And somewhere on the property, you heard there's a jacuzzi, a modern addition you wouldn't mind testing out later.
"It looks really cozy! I can't wait to see the inside," Ochako says.
"Same, I need to sprawl out my legs after that drive," Kyoka yawns.
“And we need to get a bed.” Denki winks, wrapping an arm around Kyoka’s shoulder. "Kacchan, hurry it up."
Sorting through the keys, Katsuki clicks his tongue. "Shut it or you're sleeping outside."
You sigh, taking stock of the area as you wait. Best to whet your appetite for nature now.
Tall trees, bushes, and dirt trails that lead to the lake. It's been years since you went off grid like this. Sometime in your childhood, you vaguely recall attending summer camp and feeling out of place in nature. Even now as an adult, the forest dwelling intimidates you. Vast and endless, like anything could be lurking within. Poison oak, bugs, animals.
Your ex-boyfriend…
On impulse, you turn to where the van's parked. Keigo and his dumb friends aren't here yet, so if you wanted to, there might still be time to turn back? Perhaps when Katsuki isn't looking, you could rob him of the van's keys…
"Coming inside?"
You blink, unaware that everyone had already ventured into the lodge. All except Shouto, waiting for you by the door. Forcing a nod, you follow after him.
Inside, the lodge meets most of your expectations. Its quaint interior, although humble in size, guarantees enough space for everyone. Arranged at the center of the living room—a couch, a recliner, and a coffee table. From the doors' vantage point, you spot the wooden staircase, scaling up to the second floor that overlooks the main room.
Instead of animal hide or stuffed birds, the wooden walls carry a few framed landscape paintings and windows that bring in plenty of daylight, along with a stunning view of the lake.
In the kitchen, you can hear Izuku and Katsuki talking, likely organizing snacks and drinks. Shouto’s disappeared down the hall, you assume to join them, leaving you in the main room alone for a bit.
Your weekend bag slides from your shoulder, dropping unceremoniously on the floor. There’s still more to the lodge that you could explore, but you lack the energy. More drawn to the leather couch, you sink into the center cushion with a deep sigh.
For a beat, you fish your phone out with no real purchase. Its battery is full, but no signal, therefore useless as a distraction.
You stare up at the ceiling. You just got here and already the weekend feels too long. And despite how drained you are from the ride, your mind won’t shut up, bracing your body for the moment you see Keigo again.
Footsteps approach and Kyoka appears, meeting your upside down stare. “Here.” She extends an offering in her hand.
You straighten, eyeing the can of hard seltzer. You don’t give it a second thought. “You know my love language,” you say as thanks.
Kyoka takes the recliner, holding her own drink. “You looked like you could use one.”
“Probably gonna need more than this,” you mumble, cracking the can open. The sip fizzes on your tongue, restoring you with some semblance of calm, though you’re sure that won’t last. For now, you savor it.
“The night is young.” Kyoka shrugs. “No Keigo yet, so let yourself chill.”
You grimace. “Who?”
Kyoka puffs out a laugh. “That’s the spirit. Pretend he doesn’t exist.”
You say nothing, knowing that's only wishful thinking.
At your silence, Kyoka starts, like she’s watching how her words land. “Listen. If you do want to talk about it, I’m all ears. I know you might not want to right now, but whatever happened, whatever he did—fuck him.” Her voice drips with disdain.
You smile ruefully. While it doesn’t change the circumstances, you appreciate your best friend rallying to your side, even though she doesn't know the details.
You had mentioned the break-up in passing only a few days ago, while out with Kyoka and Denki. They were hyped about the upcoming trip, and when Denki asked about your plans with Keigo, your mood shifted, stiffly answering, “we broke up”, before changing the subject. No surprise that the news traveled throughout the friend group.
And because it’s so recent, you don’t feel comfortable talking openly about it. No one else needs to know the details, or how ugly the break-up really was.
“Don’t let him ruin your weekend,” Kyoka says.
“Who? Keigo?”
Himiko wanders in, joining you on the couch.
Ochako appears soon after, a thick deck of cards in her possession. She settles on the rug, fiddling with the deck. “Who are we talking about?”
“Keigo, right?” Himiko turns to Kyoka, then to you.
Call it best friend intuition, but you’re grateful when Kyoka changes the subject. “Is that a tarot deck?”
Ochako’s cards are now fanned out, displaying various medieval images.
“What do those really do?” you say.
Ochako perks up. "You've never had a reading, have you?"
You have vague knowledge of tarot. Arcanas—major and minor—reversals, yet you don’t understand any of that esoteric stuff.
“Never?” Himiko’s voice colors with interest.
You shake your head. “Do they predict the future?”
“They offer guidance through introspection,” Ochako explains. “Depending on what you’re fixated on at the moment, the cards can help point out a problem and provide clarity. While they can’t predict the future in a typical sense, they offer insight into what could happen. But nothing’s fixed. Things can always change.”
You hum, halfhearted, still clueless. But to each their own, you suppose.
Himiko’s eyes light up. "Ochako, give her a reading!"
You slump deeper into the couch. “I’m alright.”
“Why not?” Himiko presses.
You shrug. “I just don’t know if it’d work on me. No offense, I don’t really believe in that.”
Ochako, ever the saint, smiles, unbothered by that. “None taken. But if you change your mind, I can read for you. It could be a general reading, just for fun.”
Kyoka turns to you. “It's cool. It doesn’t have to be taken seriously.”
Himiko nods. “Ochako gave me a reading before. And she gave Katsuki one the other week.”
You snort at that. “How did that go?”
“He was bored the entire time.” Ochako rolls her eyes before meeting yours. The corner of her lips curve. “So, you interested?”
If Katsuki was a good sport about it then nothing’s stopping you from part taking. You sigh, straightening on the couch. “Alright.”
Your friends are more enthused about this than you are. But as Ochako shuffles the cards, you steal a few more sips of the hard seltzer.
After a moment, Ochako splits the deck into three stacks. “Okay, pick a card from any stack. The first card will represent your past. Second, your present, and third, a possible outcome."
You reach for the middle without reverie. Flipping it over, you scan the image of a burning stone column. The Tower, it reads, and you look to Ochako for clarification.
“Well…” she preempts, breathing a nervous laugh.
Not comprehending, you prompt, “Well?”
“It means an ending happened,” Kyoka supplies, turning to Ochako. “Right?”
Right…
Ochako nods. “Can mean an ending or an upheaval.” She holds up the card and taps on it. “That’s why the tower’s on fire; something’s happened that forced sudden change. Can be a good thing,” she quickly adds the last part.
You chew on this information. It’s either coincidental or accurate. Both eerie. Before you can think further, Ochako gestures to the remaining stacks.
This time you swipe from the left—a man weighed down by swords, all blades close to spearing through him.
Ochako frowns. “Seven of Swords…”
“What’s it mean?”
“Is it bad?” Himiko tilts her head.
“Not always…” Ochako’s lips purse together, gaze fixed on the damn card. Is the card speaking to her? Is there a hidden message within it that you’re too dense to figure out?
A knot ties in your stomach, and you can’t place why.
“There’s someone around you that might not be trustworthy,” Ochako finally says. “The card upright represents some kind of deception. Someone in your orbit is keeping secrets. Or you might discover a secret soon."
“Like what?” Kyoka says.
Ochako carries on. “It could be about anything. Can be about someone or the Seven of Swords can be about self-preservation, whether it does involve someone or not, that’s another way to interpret it." She looks up at you. "If there's anything you're considering, like taking a risk, the card is saying proceed with caution."
That’s what you’re already doing. Breaking up with Keigo, job hunting, not disclosing the dirty details of your personal life while you sort everything out.
Ochako slides the final deck towards you.
You flip the card, met with an upside down image of a horned something. Despite that, you read the text.
The Devil—
An obnoxious pounding at the door snares everyone's attention.
Katsuki emerges from the kitchen, with Izuku, Shouto, and Denki in tow.
“The three stooges are here,” Katsuki remarks, peering out the window.
Izuku hurries over to open the door and put an end to the noise. He lists to the side to welcome the guests in.
Stepping in first is Shouto's older brother, Touya. Messy white hair, ears adorned with silver jewelry at the cartilage, and a smile that loves to cause a ruckus.
He pats Izuku on the head lazily, striding past. "Appreciate you, kid." He doesn't bother with either Katsuki or Denki, only giving Shouto a brief nod in greeting.
"Where's your stuff?" Shouto raises a brow at Touya's empty hands.
"In the car, I'll get it later." Touya shrugs before he spots you on the couch. The corner of his mouth curves upwards, a sight that grates your nerves.
You had been dreading seeing Keigo this whole time, that you almost forgot how much you can’t stand Touya either.
Why did he have to come too?
"Hey, sorry we're late." An older man with light blond hair, cut short, appears at the door. A duffel in hand, he wipes his feet on the welcome mat.
"Jin!" Himiko waves at him like an old friend.
He beams, giving everyone a warm smile. "Made a few stops after we left, and traffic out of the city caught up with us…"
Whatever Jin says next, you don't bother to catch. Instead, you cut a glance at the front. For a long moment, the open door stands empty, nothing but the pitch black forest on the other side.
Your breath snags in your chest, waiting, hoping, dreading…
You wait, hoping either Touya or Jin will shut the door. For it to be revealed that it’s just them that made the trip out here with some kind of brief mention of Keigo’s absence.
He couldn’t make it.
He didn’t feel like coming anymore.
He died…
But when you hazard another look, all hope is gunned down.
Your pulse skips a beat at the handsome figure hovering the doorframe.
Duffel bag hauled over his shoulder, Keigo runs a hand through his dirty blond hair. He steps in fully, kicking the door shut behind him with a cocksure swagger. “Cozy getaway…”
His words trail off, amber eyes connecting with yours for a split-second, before an impish smile crosses his face.
Motioning closer, he utters your name with a casual, “Hey.”
It's amazing how much the room can change now that Keigo’s here. Moments ago, the lodge felt light and peaceful. And now, the atmosphere shifts, tense and stifling, warming your blood.
“Good to see you here,” Keigo says. “Was hoping you’d still come.”
You can feel the others glance over, witnessing the awkward reunion. While you feel the effects of the break-up rattle your senses, Keigo’s unbothered.
Relaxed, unapologetic, standing with his hands in his pockets, like he just came over to shoot the breeze. And it only irritates you more that you refuse to give him the satisfaction of a response.
It’s immature, but seeing him again has stirred up that rage inside of you, there’s no trusting what you’ll say to him.
At your silence, Keigo turns his attention elsewhere. "Ooh, are we reading each other’s energies? That an oracle deck?"
Ochako gathers her cards, a flush of pink tinging her ears. "No, it's tarot."
Keigo hums, gesturing to the table. "Mind if I get a reading? What's your price?"
"No," Kyoka answers.
Keigo's brows rise. He turns to her with a humored look. "Sorry, Kyoka, were these your cards?"
Your hand settles on her knee to stop her from rising to Keigo's bait. She folds her arms with a peeved stare, falling silent.
Touya snorts. "Careful, Takami…you might be inviting something in from the other side."
"That's not how tarot works, stupid," Himiko scoffs, though it appears to be in good nature. How she's friendly with Touya, you'll never understand.
"Compared to you, Touya, nothing could be worse." Keigo remarks, flitting you a look, then back at Ochako. "What'd you say?"
Ochako frowns, arranging her cards back in one neat stack. "Um…"
You rise to your feet, skirting past the couch. It's getting too crowded here. You need air, you need space, you need to escape.
Keigo sighs. “She still hates me.”
You pause at the bottom of the stairs, gripping the banister so tight it could splinter.
Ignore him.
Taking a deep breath, you take a step, dragging the weight of everyone’s attention on your back.
“Aww…don’t leave the guy hanging.” A drawl chases after you.
Turning over your shoulder, Touya grins from across the room.
The urge to say something, anything, to spare your ego in front of everyone rises with every passing second. So does the will to stay quiet. Both desires clash together.
Let it go.
But I don't want to.
"C'mon, guys, let's figure out the sleeping arrangement. We can all catch up later."
The tension softens, thanks to Jin's friendly intervention. The room feels less stagnant as you hear Keigo and Touya exchange voices of agreement, along with your friends moving around the lodge.
Yet, before you can make it to the second floor landing, you steal another look over your shoulder.
Touya and Jin are playing rock, paper, scissors to determine who gets the couch, disinterested in everything else. But it's Keigo who looks over, meeting your eyes.
He holds your stare for a moment, then winks.
Steeling your jaw, you escape upstairs, only to realize you have nowhere to go.
The entire time you've been here, you had forgotten to get a bed. So, your mind scrambles for a solution when Kyoka arrives at the top of the stairs.
You reach for her arm. "Can I sleep with you?"
She blinks, shifting her gaze to Denki as he catches up.
He beams, tossing his arm over Kyoka’s shoulder. "What's going on?"
You and Kyoka trade looks with you silently begging before she turns to her boyfriend.
"She's sleeping in our room."
You shift under the covers but even after the tenth time doing it makes no difference.
On the other side of the bed, Kyoka’s passed out. And from the light snoring on the floor, you’re sure Denki is too.
The bed’s comfy, the room is neither too hot nor too cold. Yet sleep eludes you anyway, and you know exactly who to blame.
Because Keigo’s downstairs rather than the moon or somewhere else far away has you too keyed up.
It’s too soon to be around him. The break-up’s too fresh and raw, your ire scalding hot. Hearing his voice, seeing his face, let alone breathing the same air triggers your scorn. While he's at ease, probably sleeping like a baby on the couch right now.
Why are you the one that's hurt? Why do you have to bear the anger? Why can't you sleep peacefully?
As you shift again, aiming to remain still, you hear something from outside.
A faint shrill passes in a breeze. Here and gone in a blink. Far yet near enough to have you squint past the window.
From the bed, you see leaves, barely bristling from the night air. You haven’t spent much time in the wilderness to familiarize yourself with its noise. Whatever it was, must have been an animal, and therefore you lie back.
But it’s useless. You can’t sleep. At least not yet and tossing around in the bed isn’t helping. You don’t want to risk waking Kyoka or Denki, so you sneak off.
Padding along the aged floorboards, you stub your toe at the corner of Denki’s futon. He’s none the wiser, splayed on his back, snoring away, you can't help feeling jealous as you carefully slip out of the room.
Thankfully the kitchen has two points of entry. One from the hall and the other from the living room.
You don't bother with the lights, taking a clean glass from the cupboard and move to the sink. Two fills are gone with separate long gulps, and you reach the faucet for a third.
You stop, catching the same noise from earlier echo outside.
You peer out the window, met with the darkened forest vista. The lake lurks somewhere beyond all that, you’re sure, but you don’t see it. You don’t see anything aside from trees and dirt. Not even an animal…
Except it must be. Something nocturnal. A bird? An owl? What makes a sound like that?
Leaning closer to the glass, something lingers between the trees. It’s hard to discern, but it takes shape in a pair of glowing eyes.
You watch it for a moment, unable to look away. It could be sleep deprivation or the dark, but you swear it's gazing directly onto the window. Holding your breath, you expect it to emerge fully, not for something featherlight to brush the side of your neck.
Startled, you spin around, backhanding someone's shoulder.
Touya winces despite the telltale smirk. “My bad…It's just your back was turned, it's dark…" he shrugs, "couldn't resist the sneak attack."
Like hell, 'he couldn't resist'. If not for the others fast asleep, you would have shattered the glass over Touya's head. However, that doesn't stop you from shoving past him without a word.
Back upstairs, Kyoka and Denki haven’t budged, sound asleep and unburdened. While you slip back into bed, fuming.
You can’t even get a drink of water without Touya finding a way to irritate you. Regardless, you’re relieved to be back in the room before your patience snapped.
And to be away from the glowing eyes.
Or you think that's what you saw. The dark forest could be playing tricks on you.
Still, on top of everything else from today, you're a little more than unnerved.
As you lie there, waiting to fall asleep, you hear something.
Your eyes dart to the window, seeing nothing, only hearing it again more clearly. It's different from before.
Skrrrt…Skrrrt…
Without moving, you try to pinpoint the sound, and your gaze draws up to the ceiling.
It’s coming from above, grazing the rooftop, slow yet purposeful, like it's right over the bed.
“What…?” you whisper. Another animal perhaps. Another bird? But it sounds…bigger.
You hear it shuffle, rocks and debris crunching softly beneath its steps.
Skrrrt…Skrrrt…
Holding your breath, you continue to listen closely, fingers curled into the bedsheet.
Skrrrt…Skrrrt…
Is it scratching or walking?
Skrrrt…Skrrrt… Skrrrt…
The pattern is slow, stopping then starting again. After a couple of seconds, then after a minute then two, lacking any urgency.
Skrrrt…Skrrrt…
You glance over at your bedside. Kyoka’s still fast asleep, deaf to this noise too.
You can’t help but fixate on it, unable to close your eyes. Every scratch, although faint, makes you wince. Back in your city apartment, you’re used to hearing footsteps, the occasional slam of a door from the tenants above.
Skrrrt…Skrrrt…
But you’re not in the city. There isn't another floor above. Only the roof, and whatever's up there.
Time crawls, but you don’t keep track. Instead, you wait and listen until a long silence follows and your head becomes heavy.
You drift off with the sound scratching at your skull.