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A yawn escapes a teenaged girl with purple hair, her signature black streak splashed across the side of her head. Her hand follows as soon as the yawn envelopes, her fingers slightly gracing the top of her lip. The heat of her breath contrasted against the cool callused hand. She shook her head, hair rippling over her shoulder, to which she hummed in thought. Maybe she should get a haircut soon?
A yawn startles her thoughts away, her eyes looking to its source. She smirked, warmth swelling within her. As soon as she allowed that warmth to rest comfortably, it quickly was swept off its feet, and dusted away. Her eyes widened just a tad, rolling in suit. Of course.
He tried his best not to fall for the yawn effect, but of course, his body betrayed him. He grumbled, his legs stretching out in front of him, hanging a tad off of Jirou’s bed.
The blonde boy continued to be in his own little world as Jirou fiddled with her laptop, noting how her phone’s charger was also occupying it. He sat there awkwardly, trying his best to keep his eyes on his phone, and not creepily watch her nose scrunch up in focus. Her fingers glided over the keys like a master pianist, begging for his eyes to be its audience. He would occasionally squeeze his eyes shut when he’d catch them attempting a glance. Peering back to the electronic in his hand, he sighed, air bumping past his lips.
He was bored, so she allowed him to accompany her- or rather, he begged until she said yes, but who needs details ?
Now, he was back to feeling bored again. Don’t get him wrong, he loved hanging with Jirou, even being here in the silence was nice. He loved to be near her.
But...
Unnoticed to him, the socks on his feet began to create noise, thanks to them rubbing together. His legs seem to be doing the same action, twitching as an addition.
The girl on the side of him seemed to notice this, her hand bumping against his shoulder, as a wire she had in one of her hands got shoved into his mouth as soon as he turned to attempt a question.
His lids shutter for a few minutes, looking at the wire in his mouth, his eyes practically crossing. Then he looks to the girl on side of him, eyes wide, and brows raised in question, as if to say, “What the heck, Jirou?”
She didn’t even need to look at him to know he was internally screaming for an answer. Jirou mumbled, barely brushing his ears, “You were fidgeting.”
It took a few minutes for his brain to register what she meant, until he looked down to his legs and feet cackling a bit with yellow light. His pants and socks were now stained with burn marks. Realization fills his eyes, glancing from his feet, to Jirou.
He decided to give his thanks silently, looking down at his hands that rested on his thighs, fingers twisting the cloth beneath them. Golden locks fell due to gravity's rule, overshadowing his eyes, and tickling his temples. The phone that once had his attention, fell to the side of his legs, now totally forgotten. He didn’t like having this side effect of his quirk, but it was something he just had to manage with. The thought left a familiar bitter taste in his mouth. He just has so much energy, that his body just doesn’t know what to do with itself. So like earlier, it started to hold his legs and feet hostage, stuck in the cycle of electric static.
That wasn’t going to be much of a problem anymore, thanks to Jirou. His eyes dared a glimpse of her, a smile softly evolving around the wire in his mouth. Part of him wanted to tease her for watching him, but he decided against that, humming tunes to himself instead.
His hums soon merged into thoughts, and those thoughts were back on her. It was like he was a hook to a fishing rod, being shot out to sea, only to be reeled back by her line. He thought about her future. How she’d definitely be an amazing hero someday. She’s worked just as hard as the others, she definitely deserved to be up there with the pros, if he had a say that is.
There was something else though, wasn’t there? Being a hero pays, yes. He isn’t doing this for the money, of course not, but hero work might not be enough. Unfortunately, the world they live in runs on money, and they’d all have to get jobs on the side. He isn’t quite sure what he’d do, but what would Jirou be?
His lips pursed in thought, a finger tapping the side of his cheek. Kaminari’s eyes fell on her once again, observing her. Within that moment, there was one thing that kept popping up in his mind.
“A child’s doctor.”
“Huh?” Her eyes flickered to him, an eyebrow raising, “Did you say something, Kaminari?” Her fingers hovering over the keys, ready for the signal to type again.
He jumped, his eyes fluttering at his name. She didn’t need to know he was staring, then again, it’s kind of obvious that he most definitely was. He chuckled nervously, eyes darting to his legs.
“Um, I was just thinking that you’d make a great child’s doctor. Or really anything to do with kids....” he trailed off.
She stared at him like he was sprouting another head or something. He even touched his shoulders to check. No, he was good, he counted one. Shaking her head, she seemed to finish processing what came out his dumb mouth. Purple hair turned away from golden.
Kaminari noticed how her fingers tensed, still hovering over the keys. She looked like she was still contemplating. Just as he was about to reach out and apologize for saying such things out of the blue, she abruptly answered, doing the work for him, “I’m not good with kids.”
To this, he burst out laughing. That’s what she thinks?
“Wha-“ Her head snapped to his laughing form, irritation and embarrassment flooding her features, “Geez, you don’t have to rub it in!”, her face burned with crimson, scowling, as a jack shot straight to his face, freezing him in motion. His finger guided up, gently pushing back on the dart that was about to hit its bullseye, literally .
“I’m sorry, Jirou.” His hands landed in his lap, fiddling with her wire that spewed out his mouth just a moment ago. “It’s just...” he glanced down at the wire, twirling it back and forth, “I find it funny how you think you aren’t good with kids-“ he shrugs nonchalantly.
“That’s because-“
“-when you seem to do so well with Eri!” His face reminds her of that time during the cultural festival, when he was praising her for being amazing. His words, not hers. Said face turns to her, eyes sparkling, “She seems to really enjoy taking piano lessons from you, too.” His smile stretches from ear to ear, his eyes squinting as an effect.
Jirou quickly looked away, grumbling, “Well that’s just-“ Her head tilts to the piano across the room, a smile icing to show, which she doesn’t allow, “It’s just different, is all!” Her arms fold across her chest, as if that could stop the blooming sensation from growing.
“How so?” He chuckles. He may be treading on thin ice, but he just couldn’t help but push her buttons sometimes. It was cute.
“It just is, okay?!” She argued, turning back to her computer to focus back on her work, shutting this conversation down before it could go any further.
He sighed, turning his body back to face the front. Huh, when did his body turn to face hers? He shrugged, brushing the action off.
“Why do you think that anyway?”
His ears perk up, guess she wasn’t closing off from him after all. He smiled, puffing up his chest a bit, shining a toothy grin, “I mean, you deal with me, don’t you? I’m a man-child, after all!”
One hand flies to her mouth, a snort escaping, “I guess you’re right, you really are a man-child.” She continues to snicker, back hunching over, hair following suit, “Or should I just say child , because I don’t see much man .”
“Hey!!” He shouts, putting a hand to his chest, pouting dramatically. This earned him more giggles from the girl, so he continues, “I’m at least 50% man!” A finger pokes at her shoulder.
Her words are muffled behind her hand trying to stifle her giggles, “Pffft- more like 7% man and 93% child!”
He gasp even louder, acting hurt, his body slamming into hers, back to shoulder. His mouth was about to form words, as an eye peaked open, but those dramatic wines fell numb on his lips.
Her giggles turned into uncontrollable laughter. The pout, slipping to a smile, and warmth spreading within him. He loved her laugh. The sound of it was so calming to him. And when he was the reason for that laughter, it always filled him with warmth, like right now. His soft smile fading into a mesmerized gap the longer he listened.
She was so captivating. He just couldn’t keep his eyes off her, especially now. Her eyes all adorably scrunched up, tears forming at its creases. Yellow eyes watched as soft calloused hands reached to snatch those tears away. He wondered how they’d feel if they snatched up his hands, instead of her tears. If they’d both feel each other’s calluses. Hands formed by the very instruments they put their hearts into, most of all, her. Calluses also from the work outs they have to do in order to keep in shape. Would that feel weird , he wondered. To hold a calloused hand, her calloused hand? Would his feel weird to her?
The boy sat up, pushing off the bed, laying against the wall once more. One glance back at her, had him falling victim to her contagious laughter. His hand brushed back into his golden locks as his laughter intertwined with hers.
The very hand that was once fumbling in his hair, graced down to rest, lying on top of hers, unbeknownst to them both.
Zap
Laughter is quickly abandoned as they jump, eyes shooting down between them. Their hands not budging an inch, as if glued together.
”Did I just?...”
Jirou looked up to him with the same question at the ready, “Did you just shock me?” His eyes closed shut in thought, she didn’t sound mad. His thumb began subconsciously rubbing the back of her hand, his brain too preoccupied to notice. Honestly, he couldn’t really tell what she was feeling. Hurt? Confused? Nervous?
" Why would she be nervous?” He shook his head, getting rid of that assumption. Focusing back on her, her cheeks seemed to be dusted with a pretty pink. He followed her gaze down, as if now realizing where his hand was, and what he was doing was just as bad. As if Todoroki just burned his hand, he pulled instantly away, his cheeks beginning to flare up as well, both rivaling the other. His mouth hissed out an apology.
Kaminari’s other hand caressed his burning one, eyes straining to not look at her as he replied to her question, “I-I-” he curses to himself internally, swallowing back those aggravating stutters, “-don’t think I did? I mean, I’m pretty sure charging your phone earlier helped me...” he trailed, zoning out for a split second. The blonde’s burnt hand reached to rub at the nap of his neck, eyes boring into the sheets between his legs. If it wasn’t him, then what was that?
Most of all, “Why didn’t she pull back then, or even now?!” She looked uncomfortable, so why didn’t she? Why didn’t she jab him with her jack? That was always her first reaction, yet, she didn’t.
“Ugh, just forget it, Kaminari, you know she doesn’t see you that way!” He scolded himself, both hands rushing up to squish his cheeks, his lips pursing like a fish.
“Kaminari.”
At the mention of his name, his head jerks her way, hands still smashed against his cheeks. The hum he sends her way comes out all strangled, and just a tad muffled. He didn’t seem to notice, his eyes widening in surprise as he noticed her hidden form beside him. Did she move further from him? He tried his best to ignore that factor, focusing on the sight in front of him.
Jirou was curled up into a tiny ball, knees tucked to her chest, arms locking around them. What fascinated him most of all was the blush from earlier, which seemed to travel to rest upon the bridge of her nose, sending his heart into flight, running on autopilot without his steer. He could feel his chest boiling, along with his tingling face. In summary: he wanted to scream .
“Pffttt!” Jirou, on the other hand, thought this was funny. Or rather, his face sent her into a fit of laughter.
“Oh my gosh, Kaminari! Look at your fac- PFFF!!!”
The curtain that once hid her, was now drawn up, revealing the beauty it was hiding from him. He’d never get tired of hearing her laugh. Never. The snorts that would sneak it’s way out between the fit of giggles, will remain endearing to him. A lop-sided smile built upon his lips, hands being guided down to his lap, making sure they didn’t stray this time. His eyes remained glued on her, not once flickering to anywhere else. She had his full undivided attention. Then again, she always did.
He could feel the bubbles starting to guide up from his stomach, and all the way to his throat, laughter beginning to rupture, But is soon deflated by the very girl that poked at his insides. Her own coming to a complete rest, her eyes boring into his, her face emotionless now. How could she do that? She’d be feeling something one minute, and completely back to normal the next. How? He’d like to learn this method.
He tried his best to stand his ground, his eyes softening into hers, until they ruffled up, straining, burning even. So he bolted away, like the coward he was. She always seemed to beat him at this, didn’t she? He chuckled internally.
His head hung low, hair brushing past his face, and trickling over his forehead. His shoulders tensed, bracing himself. The silence was starting to get a bit unbearable. He squirmed under her hardened gaze, what was she doing? His finger hooked on a loose string on her comforter. Huh. Burning fingers following their curiosity, like a cat, toying with the loose piece of the covers. She’ll probably scold him about this later, but that was the least of his worries right now. That very question he ditched earlier, kept climbing its way back up to the forefront of his thoughts. Every time he’d knock it down, it would just force its way back up. It was really starting to tick him off. Head frozen in place, his eyes tested a glance her way, the girl now back in her previous position, closed behind that curtain once again. Air blew out of his mouth in defeat, eyes drifting back to his nimble fingers, shoulders slacking. Fine.
A breath in, held, then released through words, sweat forming on the side of his face, the back of his neck was on fire, along with the rest of him. He released the question that’s been nagging him,
“Why...” He brought his hands together, one squeezing the other a bit too tightly. “Why didn’t you pull away?” Yellow eyes slowly reached onyx ones, bangs sliding out of the way. Her eyes glanced to the hand that once caressed her own, then quickly back to him.
Those onyx eyes widened, and startled back, looking at her jacks that began to tap against one another. Her fingers playfully drummed along her knees to a silent melody. He watched as she shrugged, faded cheeks infecting with another round of warmth, her lips moving to answer,
“Why would I?”