Work Text:
Katsuki was pretty sure, from the moment he didn’t wake up to his alarm, that he was going to have the worst day of the semester.
He already had a terrible night, where he stayed up way past his designated 8PM bedtime to finish a group paper by himself that was due at 11:59 last night. After sending a shit ton of angry emojis and a rant longer than the actual paper in the group chat, he went to bed. Naive to the thought that when he wakes up the next morning everything will be better.
But first he didn’t hear his alarm and wasn’t able to make it to his 8AM class. Then, he just happened to be the victim of a shitty plumbing system after he himself took a shit; where he had to wait another 30 minutes for maintenance to fix the damn toilet. Finally, some random extra decided that his brand new white and orange hoodie was the perfect canvas for her non-fat, mocha frappuccino, with extra whipped cream and chocolate chips on top.
So here he was, shirtless in the campus Starbucks comfort room, wishing for lightning to strike him so that he could be rid of this horrible life of minor inconveniences.
The coffee stain was mostly washed off after 20 minutes of vicious scrubbing and an unfortunate amount of hand soap. But, Katsuki didn’t have an extra shirt in his backpack. Neither did he have the energy to walk all the way back to his dorm with a sopping wet hoodie with how cold it was getting. His only option was to attempt to dry it with the hand dryer next to the sink.
But before he could even do that, the restroom door opened. Great. He forgot to lock the door too. Katsuki isn’t sure how much more of this he could take in one day.
“Hey, it’s fucking occupied—” His words died in his throat when he looked at the mirror— at the reflection of arguably the most gorgeous man he’s ever seen on campus to this day.
His red and white hair, split neatly down the middle with slightly wavy bangs, didn’t obscure the curious sparkling eyes that were staring at him through the mirror. He wore a thick red scarf loosely draped around his neck above a simple white knit turtleneck sweater.
He looked like he came right out of a Hallmark Christmas special.
And Katsuki found it strangely attractive.
“Um. I just wanted to wash my hands?” Katsuki watched the man’s reflection awkwardly shift from side to side. “We can share the sink if you’re still using it?”
“Uh, no. I’m done with it. I was gonna… dry my hoodie now.” He was able to say without stuttering. Katsuki considered that an absolute win. The man gave him a nod, walking over to the sink to stand next to Katsuki. There wasn’t exactly a lot of space between the sink and the hand dryer so he ended up brushing his bare shoulder against the other’s covered one.
“Were you the one who got coffee spilled on them?” The stranger asks, somehow making washing hands an excruciatingly slow process. Katsuki wonders if he’s doing this on purpose.
“Is there still a smell of mocha frappe mixed with lavender hand soap in the air?” He replied, turning on the hand dryer and immediately being bombarded with the god awful noise that came with it. He shouted over the din, “It’s not my finest moment.”
The stranger gives him a quick once over. Katsuki almost missed the way his eyes lingered on the muscles of his back. His voice came out before he could even stop it.
“Like what you see?”
Maybe it’s the hand dryer or maybe it’s his own sweltering body heat but the restroom feels infinitely warmer all of a sudden. Katsuki turns back to the hand dryer, trying as hard as he could to ignore the onslaught of dumb flirty one liners bouncing around in his head. But before he could say anything else, the stranger giggles, light, airy, and borderline angelic.
“I have a front row seat,” was his breathy response. Katsuki feels a shiver run down his spine. “Might as well enjoy the show.”
Katsuki heard the toilet seat cover go down and a shuffle of fabric behind him, and he was almost too afraid to take a peek or else he might do something he’ll most definitely regret.
“This might take a while.” He manages to say, starting the hand dryer up again.
“I’m planning on cutting my next class anyway.”
“So, me drying my hoodie for the next 10 minutes is more important than your education?”
There’s a short silence in which Katsuki infers that the man did a noncommital shrug. “I would have fallen asleep.”
Katsuki snorts. “Not sure how I feel about enabling you into cutting your classes.”
“The view is way better here anyway.”
Well, that’s just unfair.
“Care to give me your name or am I just gonna refer to you as creepy bathroom guy from Starbucks for the rest of my life?” Somehow, that statement was hilarious to the other man, and the answering laughter he got for it sounded even more intoxicating than his earlier giggle. How was that even possible?
“I don’t know. Will you give me yours or will I have to call you hot shirtless blonde from Starbucks?”
“You flatter me, creepy bathroom guy.”
“Likewise, hot shirtless blonde.”
Somehow, the silence between them became an agreement of sorts. To what, Katsuki wasn’t sure.
Katsuki turns off the dryer after a few minutes, inspecting the fabric of his hoodie for any more wet spots. It was damp at best but he figures he wouldn’t get hypothermia anymore from walking through the winter winds with this on. He pulls his hoodie over his head, imagining the handsome stranger behind him watching his every move, and turns to face him once he was finally fully clothed.
When he turned, oh was he definitely staring at him. His legs were spread and he was leaning forward slightly, his mismatched eyes locked on his torso. Katsuki waited with bated breath for the man’s eyes to finally lock gazes with his.
“I suppose shirtless doesn’t apply anymore.”
Katsuki raises an eyebrow with a slight smirk. “Does creepy still apply to you?”
“Do you want it to?” The man stands up, keeping the distance between them unbearably within arm’s reach. The restraint Katsuki had not to jump this still nameless stranger was cracking with every passing second just looking at each other.
He broke the silence first.
“Shouto,” The man stepped forward, boldly taking the strings of Katsuki’s hoodie and lightly tugging at them. Katsuki, weak-willed from a draining day, finds himself inching closer to him. “You can call me Shouto.”
“So you don’t want creepy bathroom guy anymore?” Was his last retort before a particularly harsh tug of the hoodie strings has Katsuki stumbling forward. Heart pounding, he looked up, and Shouto’s eyes were burning with unspoken desire.
“That’d be too long to yell out in bed, wouldn’t it?”
With a single delicate finger, Shouto lifts Katsuki’s chin up until their faces were only inches from each other’s. Katsuki knew, in that very moment, that he was doomed.
But before he could do anything else, Shouto pulled away, patting off invisible dust from his sweater. Katsuki would have screamed if it weren’t for his voice still being caught in his throat. What the hell was that for?
He was so busy processing the last few seconds that he barely registered wooly fabric wrapping around his neck gently. It was only after he heard the restroom door close behind him that he realized Shouto— that sneaky fucking bastard— left him alone, with the most serious case of blue balls ever known to man.
Just when he thought this day couldn’t get any worse.
“Fucker didn’t even give me his number, what the fuck?” He grumbled, exiting the restroom to try and catch Shouto before he left.
But it was too late. He saw no sign of red and white hair, elegant turtlenecks, or fuzzy red scarves among the dozens of patrons around him. Katsuki pulled at his hair and groaned. Great. Fucking fantastic. This was officially the worst day ever.
It was only after he packed up his things from the corner booth he left his bag at did he finally register the extra fabric around his neck. Katsuki looked down and gripped the soft red scarf that Shouto was wearing minutes ago. His heart started beating faster and he unwrapped the scarf to hold it almost delicately in his hands. Just as he did that, a small paper slipped out from under the folds.
Katsuki wasted no time in opening it.
Keep this until you see me again
-Shouto
Okay. Maybe this day wasn’t so bad.
The next time Katsuki saw Shouto was just outside of his Chemistry lecture hall. He was crouched down by one of the pillars, holding his hand out to something in the grassy area in between the lecture hall building and the faculty. Katsuki instinctively clutched the red scarf he’d been holding onto since that day at Starbucks.
The second he got back to his dorm that day, he was swamped with more deadlines, and looking for the boy who took his breath away in a public restroom had to be pushed down the priority list. But he always wore the scarf. In the days following their first meeting, he’d wear it in the hopes that Shouto might recognize it from a mile away.
But he had no such luck. He didn’t see Shouto around campus for a solid two weeks until today. It was either a majority of Shouto’s classes were on the other side of campus or the guy was actively avoiding him. Which was silly. Katsuki didn’t even tell him his name. For all he knew, Shouto still referred to him as “ hot shirtless blonde from Starbucks.”
At least Shouto thought he was hot.
Shouto turned a bit, allowing Katsuki a better view of his side profile. Katsuki took the time to admire how… pretty he looked. Katsuki’s 90 percent sure it’s illegal to be that fucking pretty. Shouto’s hair was a little messy today, probably a bit damp from the massive cold front they encountered this morning. Katsuki’s fingers twitched around the fabric of his scarf.
Of Shouto’s scarf.
Shouto told him, well wrote him, to give the scarf back the next time they see each other. When’s a better time than right now? He doesn’t have another class until 3PM. Besides, Shouto must be missing his scarf by now right? Who lends a total stranger their scarf for two weeks during winter?
(His brain argues “ who keeps a total stranger’s scarf for two weeks?” But he refuses to listen to his brain.)
Katsuki confidently struts over to where Shouto is still crouched down and is about to speak when a very distinct meow halted his thoughts. Immediately after that, Shouto coos , and it’s quite possibly the most heartwarming sound Katsuki’s ever witnessed come out of another human being.
“It’s okay, baby. I’m not gonna hurt you…” He calls out still with an outstretched hand. Katsuki can’t bring himself to interrupt. “That’s it, baby boy. I got you.”
Frozen in place, Katsuki didn’t have time to turn away when Shouto stood up with a newly acquired snow white kitten in his arms. The little thing buried its face in Shouto’s sweater and it took every single ounce of willpower Katsuki had left not to let out a strangled noise of absolute agony. First, Katsuki witnessed a domineering confident side of Shouto. Now, he’s seeing his soft cat loving side?
When will Katsuki’s torture end?
“Oh, hey there hot shirtless man!”
Apparently, his torture has just begun.
Katsuki locks eyes with Shouto and the boy gives him a warm smile. The scarf around Katsuki’s neck suddenly feels a little tighter.
“Are you busy this afternoon?” Shouto asks, approaching him with the little kitten still nestled happily in Shouto’s arms. “I found this little guy all by his lonesome on the grass and it seems like he’s not accounted for by the school cat registry.”
Katsuki was today years old when he found out that their university has a cat registry. He was also today years old when he learned that Shouto is, indeed, very much a cat person. From his three hour Chemistry lecture to now, Katsuki’s brain has been trying to keep up with processing all this new information.
(It’s not going very well.)
“So you want me to go with you or something?” He manages to ask, adjusting the red scarf around his neck, hoping that Shouto would notice.
“Something like that,” Shouto responds with a giggle as the kitten squirms a bit in his arms. “Mind keeping me company?”
Katsuki reached out to scratch the furball behind the ears before he could stop himself. “I don’t know. There’s a pretty steep price for my company.”
Shouto raises an eyebrow. “Oh? How many of my father’s credit cards will I have to use to buy me some of your time?”
The kitten mewls indignantly, apparently tired of their endless back and forth, and bites Katsuki’s finger with impatience.
“Ow! What the fuck?” Katsuki pulls his hand back, inspecting the bite marks on his finger that was definitely bleeding. “Please tell me that little man has gotten his shots.”
“That’s why I was on my way to register him so he could get shots…” Shouto’s eyes widened in horrific realization and he started fussing over Katsuki’s bleeding finger. He grabs the end of the scarf and presses it against the bite, saying it will have to do until he brings him to the clinic.
So. Now Katsuki might have rabies. What better way to gain the attention of an attractive boy than to suddenly contract a disease from an unregistered kitten? It’s only been his second time seeing Shouto but both have been under… very confusing circumstances.
The universe has a nasty sense of humor.
“Let’s head to the clinic first… um…” Shouto blushed a bit, suddenly jolting his hand away from Katsuki’s own. Even though Katsuki has the scarf on, he’s feeling just a little bit colder without Shouto touching him. “Sorry. I never did actually get your name.”
Katsuki would have reached for his hand if it weren’t for the possibly infected wound on his finger but he does manage to give Shouto a small smile.
“It’s Katsuki.”
After the whole whirlwind that was going to the clinic and the cat registry in one day, by the time Katsuki returned to his dorm, he realized that he didn't give Shouto's scarf back.
Katsuki isn’t sure if he appreciates the universe’s twisted sense of humor now.
It didn't take long for Katsuki to see Shouto again.
Unfortunately, it wasn't the best time for him. He had a huge exam for his biotechnology class at the end of the day, and he was nowhere near finished studying for it. He was barely even halfway through his notes before he was hitting his head repeatedly on the table. He was hoping against all better judgement that the blunt force trauma on his frontal cortex would help the information stick to him somehow.
Of course, all that came out of that was an angry red mark on his forehead and ten minutes well wasted.
It wasn't helping that the pressure of his scholarship was starting to weigh down on him. If his grades weren't good, he can kiss senior year at his dream university goodbye. No one told him that being the smartest kid in high school just meant being just as dumb as everyone else in college. If he were a lesser man, he would have quit by now.
But Katsuki was by no means a quitter. He'd much rather be run over by a truck than voluntarily opt out of the race. With that in mind, Katsuki clapped his face between his hands, feeling the tell tale sting of his skin at the impact, and began diving back into his biotechnology notes with a newfound rigor.
Just as he was making headway with the second chapter covered in the test, someone decided to join him at his table. At first, Katsuki didn't mind. It was an open study area and he was the only one at this corner table. Mainly because it was quiet, serene, and no one usually sits next to him for fear of getting bitten. Not that he's bitten anyone for disturbing his study time… yet.
Thankfully, whoever sat across from him didn't say anything. In his peripheral vision, Katsuki could make out a few new books joining the table as well as a stack of index cards. Good. This guy was just here to study. Katsuki doesn't have to worry about being distracted—
"Hi, Katsuki."
He spoke too soon.
He looked up, half a mind determined to just glare at whoever interrupted him, but immediately felt his cheeks heat up when he saw that his very distraction turned out to be none other than Shouto himself. This is great. This is fine. He just needs to focus on his notes and not the very gorgeous smile that Shouto was giving him. This is fine.
"Sup," He manages to grumble out and Shouto responds with a light giggle. Katsuki looks up to the ceiling, wondering if anyone from above could hear his plea to be struck by lightning right now.
"Nice scarf." Shouto says with a knowing glint in his eye. "It really suits you."
The scarf. Fuck. Of course. Katsuki goes to unwrap it from his neck when Shouto, boldly , places his hand on top of his own. It took all the willpower Katsuki had within him to keep his hand from trembling.
"Don't you want this thing back?" He asked, holding a bit of the fabric between his fingers. "It's been about three weeks already."
"I don't know yet," Shouto gently traced random patterns on the back of Katsuki's hand. "It really looks good on you."
"It's cold in the library so you should have it back—"
"I don't feel cold," Shouto interrupts him and Katsuki only just noticed that the guy isn't even wearing a jacket . Just a long sleeved shirt. "You however…"
Shouto turns Katsuki's hand over and delicately gives his palm a light squeeze. Katsuki feels his head spinning at the contact. Shouto smirks, lifting his hand near his mouth, and blows a puff of warm air onto his slightly shaking fingertips.
"You're freezing."
Oh, Katsuki is frozen alright. Several thoughts were swirling through his head. What did I do to deserve this? Did I kill someone in my past life? If I punch him in the face, is that considered a romantic gesture?
"Keep the scarf for now," Shouto says after a few, very long, agonizing minutes of Shouto warming his hands up. Katsuki's lucky that his palms haven't started sweating at the very intimate contact. "I think you need it more than me."
With that, Shouto lets go and Katsuki has to stop himself from reaching out to hold his hands again.
"I'll let you study. Don't let me be a distraction."
And yet, for the next three hours, Shouto was the biggest distraction of them all. If Katsuki ends up failing his exam later, he's going to blame it all on him.
Katsuki thought he was bereft of awful days but today just seemed to prove him wrong.
First, he spilled cup noodles all over his floor this morning while rushing to get ready. Then, he was late to his first lecture class because he was cleaning the mess off of the floor. Then, he forgot to bring his lab coat and had to sit out of taking his practical lab exam that was worth 20 percent of his grade.
It didn't help that his professor looked at him with pity.
He didn't need pity right now.
"Mr. Bakugou, I won't punish you too severely for forgetting your lab coat. Sometimes, people have bad days."
Some more than others . Katsuki ducked his head and clenched his fists, refusing to see any more of his professor's concerned gaze.
"But I will give you a chance to take the exam at the end of the week. There will be a slight deduction but as long as you perform as well as you always have, it won't be too detrimental to your grade."
With that, his professor pats his shoulder good-naturedly and leaves Katsuki in the lab to stew in his thoughts. He didn't wanna cry. Why the fuck would he feel like crying? This is his fault and he shouldn't have the right to cry.
And yet a few frustrated tears escaped his eyes and he collapsed onto a stool miserably. Katsuki shakily takes Shouto's scarf out of his bag and wraps it around his neck, breathing in the already fading scent of the boy he met at a Starbucks bathroom. He looks and feels ridiculous. But in his vulnerable state, he didn't care even if somebody walked in on him. He was tired, sleep-deprived, and the crashing reality of crippling loneliness was washing over him too.
Just a typical Wednesday afternoon.
He didn't know how long he's been wallowing but by the time he was done, he felt a bit of fur graze his arm.
Fur?
"There you are!"
Maybe it's the universe playing a prank on him. Maybe it's god looking at Katsuki's pathetic state and giving him something to smile at. Or maybe it's a sleep-deprived hallucination. Whatever it is, it didn't explain the immense feeling of relief and joy at hearing his voice. It didn't explain his increased heart rate, his sweating palms, and drying lips.
But if there was ever a time he would have wanted to be discovered sniffling into the scarf of a guy he may or may not have a crush on, Katsuki would have never picked it to be this time.
"Hey, are you okay?"
And there it was, the soft but deep voice that incited goosebumps to run all over his body. Katsuki almost didn't want to look up. Every single time he's met Shouto, he was always in some state of dishevelment or pain. Every single time he's met Shouto, he's always looked impeccable, like he's plucked straight out of a romance novel or movie poster. Katsuki thinks the universe actually might be playing a huge practical joke on him.
And yet, the universe always nudges Shouto to let Katsuki keep his scarf.
He felt that weird sensation of fur rubbing up against his arm a second time, and only then did Katsuki look up to see the kitten that Shouto rescued a few weeks ago staring up at him. And Shouto was also across from him, sitting in the stool on the other side of the table, and staring at him with soft heterochromatic eyes that Katsuki fully thinks he doesn't deserve to look at.
"Hey there, buddy." He manages to croak out, refusing to look at Shouto's concerned face. The kitten meows happily at finally gaining his attention and nudges its little face against Katsuki's hand. There isn't a single bone in his body that would have been able to resist that. Even if he had the energy, none of that would have been wasted by pushing this little angel away.
So, Katsuki allows the kitten to nuzzle his palm, feeling the calming kitten's purr tickle his skin. Shouto across from him remains silent, contemplative, and Katsuki appreciates the quiet. There's a rustling of paper and fabric not a few minutes later, and Katsuki looks up just in time to see Shouto offer him a small packet of gummy bears. Katsuki raises an eyebrow, an unspoken question between them.
Shouro gives him a soft smile.
"Would you like the red ones or the blue ones?" Shouto asks, not a hint of pity in his voice. "Just to let you know, I like the blue ones."
"It seems you didn't really give me a choice there, pretty boy." He smirks, plucking a single red gummy bear from the open packet and plopping it into his mouth. "Lucky for you, I like the red ones."
Shouto smiles at him again and for the few short minutes before the bell rang, they ate their gummy bears in comfortable silence. The little kitten between them found solace in the soft fabric of Shouto's scarf laid out on the table.
For once in his entire college life, the campus Starbucks wasn't filled to the brim with students. It was nearing the end of exam season and Katsuki was finally able to get his bearings back. He only had one exam left to study for and it was for a class he could ace with his eyes closed. So, as an early celebration for surviving hell week, he decided to finally indulge in some overpriced coffee and dry muffins.
Katsuki, as far as he was concerned, was living the fucking life .
Of course, he still had Shouto's scarf. At this point, he isn't sure if Shouto even wants his scarf back. Maybe he decided to go to Starbucks to try and give it back to him but that was nobody else's goddamn business. It was nearing two months now and not once had Shouto reached out to him for his scarf.
It's less of a card game and more of a roulette for him. He's only ever seen Shouto by chance and if he was trying to test fate by going back to the place where they first met, well, Katsuki believes it to just be playing the game. He was contemplating paying someone to spill coffee on him again when a warm body plopped onto his lap and directed his gaze towards a very disheveled Shouto.
Oh how the tables have turned.
"Hey there, gorgeous." Katsuki says, noting the flushed face and slightly parted lips. It's a very delicious sight and one he's very delighted to finally lay eyes upon. "What brings you to this side of Starbucks?"
"Katsuki," Shouto grabbed fistfuls of Katsuki's jacket, pulling their faces close until their lips were only centimeters apart. "Kiss me."
Wait, what?
"Could you repeat that?" He asked, his voice suddenly very hoarse. Shouto groaned and pressed their foreheads together. Katsuki feels like he's on fire.
"Please," Shouto pants, desperate sounding, and just a little bit panicked. "I need you."
Katsuki didn't need to be told twice. His brain shut off and no other rational thought dared to permeate his brain. All that mattered was giving Shouto exactly what he needed and that was to kiss him breathless. Katsuki didn't miss the surprised gasp that left Shouto's lips and he took advantage of the brief moment to deepen the kiss further.
Somewhere along the way, Shouto's hands moved to grab onto his scarf and pull them closer together, if that was even possible. Katsuki didn't complain. Katsuki couldn't complain. Because after a plethora of awful days, he intends to savor every moment of this particularly blissful day. Starting with drinking in every hushed moan, startled gasp, and sweet whimpers of the man who gave him his scarf.
After a few long and heavenly minutes, Shouto pulls away abruptly and looks over his shoulder. Katsuki looked in the same direction, just in time for him to see a group of dejected girls leave the coffee shop. Once they were gone, Shouto relaxed and slumped against Katsuki's body with a heavy sigh. Instinctively, Katsuki ran his fingers through Shouto's hair, allowing himself to bask in their post makeout afterglow.
But something didn't quite sit well with Katsuki.
"Would you like to share something with the class, Shouto?" He asks as nonchalantly as possible. Shouto stiffens in his hold, almost as if he was snapped back into reality.
Shouto sits up, face even redder than it was moments ago. Katsuki raises an eyebrow at him, patiently waiting for him to explain what the fuck that was all about. And who were those girls?
"I have to admit, I didn't picture our first kiss to be like this." He said, trying to look at anywhere else but at Katsuki. "I'm just glad it was you and not some random guy."
"By all intents and purposes, I am some random guy." Shouto looks back at him abruptly, almost as if he was going to correct him but Katsuki interrupts him. "As much as I enjoyed our little makeout session, I think I deserve some form of explanation."
"You do," Shouto says with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry."
"I don't want an apology," Katsuki tucks a few strands of red hair behind Shouto's ear. "I want answers."
"Of course," Shouto nods and tries to get off of Katsuki's lap but Katsuki just keeps his grip on Shouto's waist tight. Shouto tries to protest but with one look from Katsuki, he knew he was gonna be stuck. "The group of girls a while ago were always very… insistent that I go out with them."
" All of them?"
"Well… maybe one at a time but that's besides the point," Shouto shifts to make himself more comfortable, eventually wrapping an arm around Katsuki and tugging at the scarf he gave him. Katsuki didn't miss the knowing smile he gave at the sight of him still wearing it.
"I needed to escape them for once. They were driving me crazy."
"So… you decided to make out with a random stranger to make them think you're taken?"
"Taken and gay. Hit two birds with one stone, right?" Shouto sighs. "Although, I do recognize I should have asked for your permission more clearly."
"S'alright. I enjoyed it," Katsuki smirks and pulls Shouto a little closer. "But now I think you owe me."
"Oh?" The deep blush that formed on Shouto's cheeks was a sight Katsuki doesn't think he'll ever get tired of. "How do I repay you then?"
Katsuki held the hand that was still playing with the scarf around his neck, lacing their fingers together atop the soft fabric. Shouto stared at their fingers intertwined against the deep red of the scarf he let Katsuki keep the past two months. Katsuki stared at him.
"Go on a date with me," Katsuki said, voice unusually soft and almost unsure. But Shouto's eyes lighting up ever so slightly gave him a tiny bit of hope that maybe… maybe Shouto wanted this as much as he did.
"Just one date," He brings their joined hands to his lips to kiss Shouto's knuckles. "And if you don't like it, just ask for your scarf back."
"So that I wouldn't have an excuse to see you again," Shouto finishes his thought perfectly and Katsuki nods. Shouto smiles at him and places his own kiss on Katsuki's knuckles in retaliation. "That's smart."
Shouto's smile widens however and Katsuki doesn't think he'll ever dig himself out of the hole he's fallen into.
[hot shirtless guy from starbucks]
i have a confession to make
i actually have no idea where to bring you for our date
[creepy bathroom guy from starbucks]
lol
im not very picky
you could literally say "my bedroom" and i'd be ALL for that ;)
[hot shirtless guy from starbucks]
oh yeah?
not yet tho ;)
i wanna take you somewhere special
[creepy bathroom guy from starbucks]
is ur bedroom not special :c
[hot shirtless guy from starbucks]
HAHAHAHA
all in due time baby
is there anywhere YOU would like to go?
[creepy bathroom guy from starbucks]
what are my options?
[hot shirtless guy from starbucks]
there's a food fair happening on campus next week
oh theres also a couples holiday discount for the amusement park in the next prefecture
havent been to one of those in Forever
[creepy bathroom guy from starbucks]
its my turn to make a confession
[hot shirtless guy from starbucks]
?
[creepy bathroom guy from starbucks]
i've never been to an amusement park
[hot shirtless guy from starbucks]
…
SERIOUSLY?
[creepy bathroom guy from starbucks]
My dad never let us go
is it fun?
[hot shirtless guy from starbucks]
well, you'll definitely find out this weekend
[creepy bathroom guy from starbucks]
why?
[hot shirtless guy from starbucks]
bc i just booked us tickets to go to the amusement park this saturday
[creepy bathroom guy from starbucks]
:O
FOR REAL?
YAY
i mean
uh
thank you katsuki
[hot shirtless guy from starbucks]
ur allowed to be excited shouto
[creepy bathroom guy from starbucks]
i know i know its just
A REAL AMUSEMENT PARK
:DDDDD
[hot shirtless guy from starbucks]
hehe cute
i'll see you sat?
[creepy bathroom guy from starbucks]
see you then, katsuki <3
To say that Shouto was nervous would be a massive understatement.
One would think that he'd be the one taking the reins, confident smiles and flirtatious one liners locked and loaded, but he couldn't be more terrified . Although he was the one who started flirting with Katsuki, he actually has never been on a real date before. He's familiar with third wheeling, where all he has to do is be a pillar of moral support, and the occasional one night stand. But a romantic date? With someone he is genuinely interested in?
It's all new territory for him.
In a way, Shouto is glad Katsuki has handed him a way out: the scarf. Anything could happen today but whatever he experiences on this date will always lead to Shouto making the decision of whether or not he wants to continue dating Katsuki. It's strangely comforting to know that Katsuki doesn't expect the most. He just wants one date, one Saturday spent together.
And they'll see where it goes from there.
He meets Katsuki at the train station bright and early. He said that if they were going to make the most of the day, they'd have to get to the amusement park right as it opens. Shouto, being absolutely new to this, could only nod and follow along. It didn't really help that Katsuki looked particularly handsome today. And that his outfit just so happened to compliment the red scarf around his neck.
Shouto almost wants to let him keep it just because it looks better on Katsuki.
But there was also this sense of possessiveness that comes over him when he sees Katsuki wear his scarf. It's a faint, fluttery feeling that makes his heart do somersaults every now and then. Shouto wants to think it's silly. But every time Katsuki adjusts the scarf, or wraps it just a little more around his neck, or hides the bottom half of his face in it when he's laughing, he's less inclined to think that this would be a one time thing.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Katsuki's voice echoes through his head just as the train doors open to let in more passengers. Shouto only barely brings himself to look at Katsuki. He can't exactly say that the very thoughts in question are all of him.
"Just… thinking about what to do first when we get there." Nice save, Shouto. He does a little victory fist pump in his head. "Would we be able to try everything today?"
"Well, we can try. It is a Saturday and a lot of people avail of the couples discount." The next stop arrives in a blur, bringing more passengers in, and lessening the space between Katsuki and Shouto. Shouto tries not to think about how nice Katsuki smells now that he's so close.
"Taking advantage of the holiday deals for a date?" Shouto says with a smirk in order to hide the rapid beating of his heart. "You're my kinda man."
Katsuki chuckles, hiding his face beneath the scarf. Shouto has half a mind to yank it away just to get a glimpse of Katsuki's smile. "That's all I wanna be."
"Impress me a little bit more and you might get your wish."
Katsuki raises a brow, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Is that a challenge?"
"If I say yes, would you accept?"
"Oh you're on , pretty boy." The final wave of passengers filter in just in time for Katsuki to lean in and whisper in his ear, making Shouto shiver in anticipated delight. "I'll make sure you never forget this day."
Shouto hopes, no, believes that Katsuki will succeed.
When Shouto was five, he asked his father if they could go to the Wiggly Town Amusement Park for his birthday.
All he got in response was a death glare and a door slammed in his face.
When Shouto was seven, he tried again. This time with a travelling carnival that was only a few miles away from home.
His father just yelled at him to grow up and then grounded him on his birthday.
By the time Shouto was ten years old, he gave up asking for things on his birthday. He gave up searching for the barest hint of a normal childhood. He stopped looking longingly out the window when they'd pass by Wiggly Town on their way to school. He stopped expecting a fun family vacation every Christmas. He just locked himself in his room and hid from the rest of the world behind a wall of books for the next ten years.
So when Shouto finally went to college, away from his home and from his father, he made sure to have the full college experience. From frat boy parties, to one night stands, to a bit of experimental weed smoking, he ticked off everything from his university bucket list. He couldn't bring back a childhood he never had, so instead he decided to make the most out of his time here in university. Because no one can take those memories away from him.
But coming to the amusement park with Katsuki made him feel five years old all over again. This time, he's free of restraint, free to ask for things he normally wouldn't have the guts to ask for. The second they walked through those large gates, Shouto could not have felt more alive.
"Katsuki," He said when he laid eyes on the large castle that towered over everything at the park. His voice was breathless with awe. Shouto turned to Katsuki, eyes sparkling with uncontained joy. "Everything is so beautiful."
He doesn't know how but Katsuki seemed to just understand why he's so unbelievably happy right now. His own eyes were unreadable but the gentle hand that held his own told him that he's not alone in all this. That Katsuki will be there next to him as he takes back a part of his childhood that he wished he had. He'll be there to help him experience everything wonderful that he missed out on and then some.
It started with the funnel cakes, then the seemingly endless roller coaster rides. He even convinced Katsuki to watch the little puppet shows on the cobblestone streets with him. They were the only two young adults in a sea of snot-nosed toddlers but Shouto was laughing alongside them, totally unaware of the way Katsuki has been looking at him all throughout the day.
The crisp winter snow made everything around them look straight out of a christmas card. Shouto would find himself drawing random smiley faces in frosted windows and hearts on the snow beneath them with the toe of his boot. Katsuki would join him, sometimes putting their names in the hearts Shouto would draw. Or when he's feeling particularly mischievous, Shouto would engage in a small snowball fight with Katsuki, leaving them soaking wet and giggling over large mugs of hot chocolate after.
After a particularly brutal snowball fight where they gathered a legion of ten year olds to wage war on each other, Katsuki led him to a more secluded area of the park. The place was a little warmer, with a long winding path between two flower fields covered in a light sheet of snow. It was appropriately named Lover's Garden. If they came here during springtime, the flowers would have been in perfect bloom.
But Shouto doesn't really mind the snow. It gives Katsuki an excuse to hold his hand and huddle a little closer to him. It allows Katsuki to tilt his head up at the sky and be kissed by a flurry of tiny dancing snowflakes. Shouto could watch the cool puff of air that leaves Katsuki's mouth every time he laughs all day. The cold lets Shouto have an opportunity every now and then to adjust the scarf around Katsuki's neck…
His scarf.
In the years he's spent at college, never has he had such an immediate connection with anyone until he met Katsuki. Shirtless and grumbling in a Starbucks bathroom, Shouto first thought that his attraction to him was purely sexual, almost primal in the way he desired him for weeks on end.
But as the days passed without his scarf, he was slowly starting to realize that maybe he let Katsuki keep his scarf for other reasons. Maybe he wanted an excuse to see him again. Maybe he wanted to give Katsuki a part of himself, without the commitment first, and see what will happen next. Maybe he wanted Katsuki to come to him, scarf in hand, and ask for something in return. Whatever that something was, Shouto can't really remember anymore.
But after a long day at the amusement park, Shouto has come to the terrifyingly exhilarating realization that giving Katsuki his scarf was his way of saying that he's ready. Ready for something past drunken one night stands and occasional flirting. Ready for Starbucks study dates and quiet afternoons holding hands in the library. Ready for a chance at a relationship that may last longer than what he's prepared for.
It's scary and his head spins from the onslaught of thoughts and doubts and fears. But if there was one thing he knows for sure…
He doesn't want Katsuki to give him his scarf back.
On the doorstep of his off-campus apartment, the moon was particularly bright that night.
There were barely any cars rushing by or college students stumbling down the block. It was quiet in a way that only got Shouto to be hyper aware of the thunderous beating of his racing heart. There was no one else around them, not even his normally nosy neighbors dared take a peek and ruin the serenity of this moment.
Katsuki was on his phone, talking to one of his group mates for a project that he did most of the work on. Shouto wants to be proud of him for standing his ground. And he is. A man who takes no shit from others is definitely someone he could admire. But Shouto also wants to take that phone away, grab his face, and then kiss him breathless until that project becomes the last thing on Katsuki’s mind.
He thinks it’s because he’s been so spoiled by Katsuki today. His eyes were always on him, whether Shouto caught it or not. And he wants Katsuki to continue looking at him and only him. He wants Katsuki to take his hand, kiss his nose, whisper goodnight into his ear, and tell him that he’ll see him again. It’s the agony of being so close to the moment they were waiting for this whole day. Shouto just wants to tell him right now that he—
“Sorry about that, fucking dumbass thought he could convince me to put his name on our paper last minute.” Katsuki shoved his phone back into his pocket and then finally those ruby red eyes were looking at Shouto again. “But he’s not gonna ruin tonight.”
“I hope so,” Shouto says, stepping closer to Katsuki to place his hands on his chest. Right where the ends of his scarf rests. “I’d hate for your attention to be taken off of me.”
“You sound like a spoiled brat.” Katsuki stepped closer too. Despite the statement, his tone was light, and the tiny smile ghosting his lips told Shouto that he was merely teasing. “I only stopped paying attention to you for a few minutes.”
“That’s a few minutes too long.”
A beat of silence passed between them. Then another. Then another.
Until Katsuki let out a single shaky breath. “And for how much longer should I keep my attention on you until you’re satisfied, your highness?”
Shouto’s fingers twitch against the fabric of the wine red scarf.
Katsuki was looking at him, ruby eyes dark and intense beneath the pale moonlight. An unspoken question was thrown into the air, making it thick with tension. Katsuki kept his hands to himself. Meanwhile Shouto wished to put his hands all over him, fingers through his blonde hair, a thumb swiping across those plump lips. He wants Katsuki to hold him closer so that Shouto could whisper what he wants without the worry of others hearing him.
“You look good in my scarf,” Shouto said, lips curling into a genuinely soft smile. He pulled at the wine red fabric gently, bringing Katsuki’s face closer to his. With their breaths intermingling and their lips mere inches away, Shouto knows instantly what he wants.
“Can I keep it?” Katsuki answered without skipping a beat. Shouto felt a strong arm wrap around his waist and he shuddered. Because it felt like Katsuki’s arms belonged there, wrapped around him, holding him close.
Shouto wants this moment to last forever.
“Yeah,” Shouto whispered, his grip on the scarf tightening. “Yes, you can keep it.”
Without a moment’s hesitation. Katsuki surged forward and captured his lips in a mind blowingly blissful kiss. Shouto kissed back with a fervor, holding onto the scarf— their scarf — and finally allowing himself to fall.
“You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Quit being cheeky and help me with this.”
“Ah, but I’m enjoying the view just fine from over here.”
“If you help me you can do more than just view.”
Shouto gasped, placing his hand on his heart like an 1800’s baroness who just learned the biggest scandal of the century. “Why Mr. Bakugou! I didn’t think you could be so dirty.”
“Says the one who spilled coffee on me in the first place.” Katsuki mock-glared at him through the mirror. “If you wanted to see me without clothes on, you could have just asked.”
“But where’s the fun in that?” Shouto stood up from his nice little front row seat to the Katsuki Bakugou muscle show on the toilet and snaked his arms around his boyfriend’s narrow waist. A deep, shuddering breath escaped Katsuki’s mouth at the skin to skin contact, and Shouto could only smirk as he placed the lightest of kisses on Katsuki’s exposed shoulder.
“Shouto,” Katsuki warned, staring at him intensely through the reflection in the mirror. Shouto just flashed him a bright smile and kissed his shoulder again.
“Katsuki,” he practically purred into his boyfriend’s smooth skin.
Katsuki groaned, hanging his head low before turning around, wrapping his arms around Shouto’s waist, and pulling him flush against his body. “You’re insatiable, baby.”
“I’m adorable,” He corrected with a light giggle. “And you love me.”
Before Katsuki could respond, Shouto reached for the discarded scarf on the counter, and wrapped it around Katsuki’s neck.
“That I do, baby.” Katsuki allowed himself to be pulled even closer. “That I do.”
With a final tug on their scarf, Shouto let Katsuki kiss him, all slow, passionate and dizzying in every aspect. At some point, Katsuki lifted him onto the counter, peppering his face with a million tiny kisses, and Shouto can’t help but smile as wide as his cheeks would allow; forever grateful that his scarf got him one hell of a boyfriend.