Work Text:
Denki groaned as he watched a group of kids absolutely annihilate a game display he had just fixed. He made a face and looked to his manager, Kyoka, who just snickered at him.
“If you keep making faces like that, they might just stick,” she joked. Denki stuck his tongue out at her.
“Okay, mom!” He walked over to the display and started fixing it. Alphabetical order would be his downfall.
“Oh, I talked to Shoto this morning. He’s looking forward to that game with the workshop and stuff. He told me all about it, but I still can’t remember what the hell it’s all about. Anyway, he’ll be here after his shift, which ends in,” she glanced at her watch, “half an hour.”
“Kyoka! You’re the best wingwoman a man could ask for!” Denki grinned at his manager, hoping his gratitude would show through.
“It helps that I’m roommates with the guy you’re into. Speaking of, wanna come play Mario Kart with us Friday night?” Kyoka offered, stocking some new board games.
“A chance to be near that work of art? How could I refuse?” Denki glanced over at Kyoka. “And my best friend!”
“Nice save,” Kyoka muttered.
“Thanks babe!” Denki winked at his friend before startling at a low voice behind them.
“Babe? Did the bisexual wonder finally take a lover?”
“As if! Denki’s even gayer than Eijiro, and that’s saying something,” Kyoka snorted. “Anyway, why are you here so early? Thought you didn’t get off for a while yet.” She kicked Denki, who had stopped moving in shock. He quickly resumed reordering the games.
“You know, I’m really not sure. My boss just told me to go home early. Probably something to do with Eijiro, actually. I don’t want to think about what’s going on in the back room,” Shoto muttered.
“Wait, you don’t mean Katsuki has a thing for Eijiro?” Denki muttered.
“You’re such an idiot, Denki. A lovable idiot, but an idiot.” Kyoka shook her head slightly. “Wanna pick up your game, Shoto?”
“Please. I need something to distract me from the crap day I’ve had.”
“Something happen?” Kyoka nudged Denki. “Hey, I’ll finish this up, you go get his game.” Denki stood up and walked with Shoto towards the registers.
“I swear, my store attracts the worst kind of people. I love working there, but there’s so many entitled people. I had to grab security earlier because a girl was screaming that she absolutely needed this shirt that was out of stock. She actually threatened to meet me out back with her knife collection.” Shoto shook his head. “Watch out for a crazy blonde chick with two messy buns. Anyway, after that, this group of kids came in and absolutely destroyed the display table in the front of the store. I had to fold so many shirts,” Shoto whined, getting his wallet out of his pants.
“Ugh, that sucks. Some kids just destroyed that display too.” Denki gestured to the stand Kyoka was fixing. “You think that chick’s gonna hang around?” he asked, retrieving Shoto’s game from a drawer.
“Ugh, I’m not sure. Mind if I hang around for one of you guys to get off before I go out there?” Denki slid Shoto the game and moved back around the counter.
“Denki’s getting off first. Actually, his shift ends in about 10 minutes.” Denki gave her a confused look, since he was supposed to be working for another 45 minutes at least. She tried to stealthily convey that he should just go along with it. “Oh, do you mind if he stays the night? We were just talking and he wants to watch that movie that just came out on Netflix.”
“Yeah, sure. When are you getting home?”
“I’ll be home late. I’ve got that totally not a date thing with Momo. Go ahead and watch the movie without me, I may have watched it without you guys.” Both boys glared at Kyoka.
“How could you betray me like this?” Denki whined.
“Yeah, Kyoka! Rude.” Shoto stuck his tongue out at his roommate. “Come on, Denki. Let’s leave Miss Forgets Her Friends to the horrors of retail.” Shoto threw his arm over Denki’s shoulders. Denki shot a glance over at Kyoka.
“Go on, I’ll clock you out. Have fun!” Kyoka waved as Shoto led Denki out of the store, a mischievous grin on her face. Denki swore he could hear her mutter "Thanks, Katsuki," as he left.
The two walked into the parking lot, their eyes shifting around and watching for the girl who had threatened Shoto.
“I’ll walk you to your car first. Meet at your place?” Denki waited for Shoto to answer, but all he received was a nod. The two wordlessly proceeded to their cars and drove to Shoto and Kyoka’s house.
When Denki arrived at the house, he parked out front so Kyoka could pull into the driveway when she got home. He locked his car up and let himself in. He set himself down on the couch and waited for Shoto to appear. It only took a few minutes for him to arrive, changed out of his uniform and into pajamas. He tossed a pair of sweatpants and an old t shirt at Denki.
“You’ve got work tomorrow, right? Go take a shower. I’ll fix us some dinner and we can watch the movie.” Shoto left the room and moved to the kitchen. Denki quickly got up and headed to the guest bathroom, he didn’t want to make Shoto wait too long. He smiled at the thought that Shoto was making him dinner. He’d really have to confess to him soon, but for now, he was content with just being good friends with him.
After he finished drying off and getting dressed, Denki returned to the living room. He found Shoto sitting on the couch, already nibbling on his food. There was an identical plate on the coffee table. Denki sat down next to Shoto and began eating, enjoying the comfortable silence that fell between them. Once their meal was finished, Shoto wordlessly took the plates to the kitchen. Once he returned, he started up the movie. As the opening credits played, Denki decided to speak.
“Thanks, Shoto.” Denki knew he didn’t have to say anymore. Shoto would understand exactly what he meant. They were perfect that way, always knowing what the other meant. The two settled in to watch the movie, silence overtaking them once more.
About halfway through the movie, Denki began getting sleepy. He had a long day, after all. He yawned a few times before Shoto appeared to take notice.
“Sleepy?” Denki simply nodded in reply. “Did you just wanna crash on the couch tonight?” Denki nodded again. Shoto grabbed the remote and paused the movie. “Go brush your teeth. I’ll set up the couch and we can watch the movie until you fall asleep. Deal?” Denki smiled as he stood.
“Have I ever told you that you’re amazing?”
Once Denki was finished, he wandered back into the living room. Shoto had set up the couch with a soft blanket and a pillow on one side, and shut off the light. Shoto himself was sitting on the floor, leaning against the couch and playing his new game on his Switch. Denki couldn’t help but admire how beautiful he was with the soft glow of the screen lighting up his features. He didn’t stare for too long, though, and sat down on the couch next to the pillow.
“What are you doing down there?” He smiled down at his friend.
“Letting you take the couch?”
“Get up here. I’m not going to be responsible for you being sore in the morning if you fall asleep there.”
“Kyoka would wake me up.”
“Do you really think she’s coming home from her totally not a date? We both know she’s gonna stay at Momo’s.”
“You’re persistent.”
“I know.” Denki grinned at Shoto as he climbed up on the couch. Denki laid down as Shoto turned the movie back on, curling his legs a bit as there wasn’t enough room.
“You can put your feet on my lap,” Shoto deadpanned. Denki hoped his blush was hidden by the darkness of the room as he slowly moved his feet onto his friend’s lap. He mumbled a small thanks as he turned his attention back to the movie. After a few minutes, he felt Shoto shiver.
“Are you cold?”
“A little. It’s fine though.” Shoto glanced at Denki, a smile on his face.
“Then come under the blanket.” Denki knew he was taking a huge risk, but he didn’t really care. “Here, just lay down behind me.” He scooched forward a little bit so Shoto would have room.
“You sure this is okay?” Shoto asked, his voice quieter than usual.
“I’m sure.” Shoto slowly moved to lay behind Denki, giving him time to change his mind. Once he was laying down, he pulled the blanket so it covered both of them. Denki let himself relax. Even though they were barely touching, it still felt amazing being so close to Shoto. He let his eyes slip closed as the sound of Shoto’s breathing and the movie brought him closer to sleep.
Just as he was about to fall asleep, he felt an arm slip around his waist, pulling him into Shoto’s chest. He smiled to himself as he basked in the feeling. Shoto sighed to himself before burying his face in Denki’s hair.
“Oh, Denki. You drive me crazy, you know? I really wish I could hold you like this all the time. I love you. I wish I had the courage to say it to your face.” There was a small pause as Shoto took a breath. “Maybe we could go to Hanta’s sandwich shop after work soon. I’ll ask you tomorrow.” Shoto lightly kissed the top of Denki’s head. Denki figured if there was any time to speak, it was now.
“You know I’m a slut for Hanta’s sandwiches.” He felt Shoto tense behind him.
“You heard all of that.” There was no questioning in his tone. There was only fear. Denki reached down and grabbed the hand that was around his waist.
“I love you too.” He squeezed Shoto’s hand as he felt the other relax. “Now, sleep. We’ll talk in the morning. Goodnight, Shoto.” There was another light kiss to the top of his head.
“Goodnight, Denki.”
The two fell asleep, happier than they had ever been.