Work Text:
Kyouka is scrolling through their Spotify list while walking downstairs, when they run face first into Denki. The blonde stumbles back a step as the bag he's carrying falls to the ground, the contents spilling out onto the landing.
“Ow, shit! Sorry!” Kyouka yelps, putting a hand to their forehead where they'd collided.
“Oof! My bad!” Denki says at the same time, their voices overlapping. He crouches down, picking up what fell from his grip. Kyouka drops down to help, grabbing hold of several—yarn balls? They’re staring at the yarn in confusion, trying to work out why Denki would have yarn, and so much at that, when the blond snatches them out of Kyouka’s hands and shoves them into his tote bag.
Denki jumps up and bows, thanking Kyouka for their help before rushing the rest of the way up to his dorm.
“Wha?” Kyouka asks themself, caught off guard by Denki’s reaction. Why was he in such a rush to get away from them? Why is he hiding the apparent yarn collection he has, and why does he have on at all? Kyouka is standing there, pondering all of this, when something catches their attention just out of sight. Turning, Kyouka sees a fluffy pastel blue ball of yarn that must have escaped either of their notice.
Picking it up, Kyouka decides the glass of water they had been on their way to get can wait, and head back upstairs to return Denki’s yarn and see if they can get some answers.
As they walk, Kyouka begins to fiddle with the ball. They notice how soft it feels, like its meant for a baby blanket or something. Maybe that’s why Denki has them? He’s always been big on textures and self soothing items, ever since they were kids. That doesn’t explain why he has so many though, normally he’d only get one type of fidget tool or whatever the yarn could be. Having an entire tote bag full of yarn implies that the yarn is being used. The question is how, and is it going to be something Denki will get scolded for?
While contemplating all of their questions, Kyouka has made their way to Denki’s door, and knocks swiftly. There’s a sudden crash from inside that makes Kyouka flinch, before Denki is yelling ‘one sec!!’. A moment later the door is almost violently swung open, revealing a flushed, flustered blond. His face is red, and he’s panting as if he’s just run a 10k. Fully registering who stands outside his door, Denki stutters, leaning against the doorframe in attempt to look calm and cool. Kyouka gives him a look that clearly speaks of how little they fall for it. Denki doesn’t let up though, crossing his arms and giving a strained grin.
“H-hey Kyo, what’s up?” he asks, his voice tight. Kyouka doesn’t respond verbally, just holds up the yarn they found. Denki’s façade drops and the color drains form his face.
“O-oh, aha, th-thanks Kyo. I need that- for a prank! Just something fun to annoy Blasty! Aha ha…” Denki tries to say convincingly. Kyouka doesn’t fall for it, shouldering their way into Denki’s room and looking at how different it looks since they did room tours.
“Holy shit.” Is the first thing Kyouka says in a while, turning to look at Denki in shock. “Did you make all of this?!” they ask in wonder.
This is an array if crocheted stuffed animals and blankets, even a sweater if Kyouka isn’t mistaken. There are shelves full of unused yarn, crochet hooks and other things they don’t recognize litter Denki’s desk. There’s even a half-finished project laying on his bed surrounded by different colored bumble bees and other animals. Denki is bright red again, fidgeting with his fingers as he stutters out an explanation.
“W-well, uh, yeah. I mean- yes, but- I know it’s—kind of lame…” Denki says, not looking at his best friend. Kyouka stops inspecting the little yellow spider plushy they had picked up, staring at Denki in shocked confusion.
“Lame? Who told you this was lame? Denki, this is amazing! You’re so talented!” they assert, brandishing the cute spider as if it made their words so much l more obvious. Denki looks stunned, his mouth hanging open.
“I—um, well. You know how my mom is…she just—she thinks it’s a little girly, and doesn’t really want me to keep doing it, so…” he explains, taking the spider and petting it lovingly. He looks sad, and it hurts Kyouka to see their best friend since childhood look so down on himself.
“Yeah, well, your mom is a queerphobic douchebag who refuses to use people’s correct pronouns and threatened to pull you from UA if she thought you were acting out on any ‘inappropriate actions’. That’s why you had Aizawa help you get emancipated and make your sister your caretaker.” Kyouka moved closer, wrapping Denki in their arms and kissing his forehead, despite having to pull him down and stand on their toes. “This whole thing is awesome Denki, and you should be proud.”
Kyouka pulls away, patting Denki’s cheek and pretending not to notice the tears in his eyes. They head back out to the hallway, stopping when Denki calls out to them.
“Thank you.” Is all he says and Kyouka nods with a smile, turning to go back downstairs to finally grab some water.
The next day, Kyouka finds a crocheted pair of old-school headphones in their favorite shades of purple and gray, sitting in front of their door. Smiling, they pick the plushy up, and goes into their room, setting it in pride of place with their favorite guitar.