Chapter Text
Freshly showered, Tamaki entered his kitchen dressed in black trousers and a long-sleeved black shirt with a towel loosely wrapped around his shoulders. To his surprise the kitchen wasn’t as empty as he expected. A hulking figure sat hunched over his kitchen counter but the slumped posture wasn’t enough to hide the muscular form of one of his best friends, Togata Mirio.
In fact, the cloud of despondency surrounding Mirio was so thick that it took a moment for Tamaki to notice anything odd about his attire. They’d been friends since childhood and in the years he’d known him, Tamaki had never seen Mirio like this. Concern couldn’t begin to describe what Tamaki was feeling and he froze in place, mind racing through various possibilities of what could have happened, each scenario more dire than the last.
Eventually the sadness emanating from his friend prompted Tamaki into action and he hastily began searching for supplies in his kitchen cupboards. His mother had always told him a good host showed hospitality regardless of their guest’s identity. She had also taught him that a hot drink was always a good way to soothe an upset friend.
“Uh, here you go,” Tamaki mumbled, carefully placing a mug of coffee by Mirio’s side.
The smile he received in response was strained. “I think I need something a little stronger to be honest.”
“I’m sorry. Are you feeling that bad?”
“Yeah.”
“W-want to talk about it?”
Pushing the words out felt almost physically painful. Though Tamaki felt comfortable around Mirio, much more so than around most other people, he knew his social limitations. Their mutual friend, Neijre, would be much better. He desperately wished she was here. When Mirio lifted his head, Tamaki’s already elevated heart rate picked up even more. Mirio was opening his mouth. Oh God. Tamaki hoped he’d be able to say the right thing to support his friend...maybe it would be something practical then he could just leave and fix it without interacting with anybody -
“No.”
Relief coursed through him making Tamaki instantly feel guilty. He might not particularly want to endure the social pressure of such a serious conversation but at the same time he did genuinely want to help and he couldn’t do that if Mirio didn’t tell him what the problem was.
“But thanks.”
Mirio’s next words were so quiet, Tamaki almost missed them. If he hadn’t been staring at his friend he probably would have. Tamaki noticed a smile playing around Mirio’s lips, which suggested he understood how difficult it was for Tamaki to make the offer to talk. Tamaki smiled slightly too until he realised that this was the happiest he’d seen his friend since walking in. After a moment’s hesitation, Tamaki sat down on the stool next to his friend. They sat in companionable silence as Mirio sipped at his coffee. Eventually Tamaki steeled himself. He just had to get something off his chest.
“I-I don’t suppose you feel up to putting some clothes on?”
Mirio looked down at himself. A mild flash of surprise crossed his face but he seemed utterly unconcerned by his nudity.
“Sure.”
Mirio sighed as he stood and Tamaki pointedly looked away. Mirio trudged towards the Tamaki’s bedroom, his movements imbued with an apathy foreign to the usual bright demeanour of his friend. It was unnatural and it made Tamaki anxious.
Tamaki briefly considered contacting Nejire for advice but was distracted by the arrival of another visitor at his door. When he answered the door he found Kirishima who was wearing his hero costume with a satchel casually slung over one shoulder. Kirishima hadn’t updated his costume much since becoming a Pro Hero. Little was left to the imagination with Kirishima’s bare chest and muscular arms prominently on display. Immediately Tamaki averted his eyes but he couldn’t prevent his face from warming or the butterflies in his stomach from dancing around. Kirishima always looked so gorgeous. Of course Tamaki tried not to get distracted whenever they worked together, but seeing Kirishima in this unexpected context had caught him off guard.
“Hi! Good to see you. How are you doing?”
“...Thank you,” Tamaki whispered.
Internally Tamaki winced. That wasn't quite correct. Clearly the brightness of Kirishima’s smile had made him even more tongue-tied than usual. Despite his social faux pas, Kirishima continued to smile as if Tamaki’s response had been completely normal. Tamaki always appreciated the way Kirishima would ignore any social blunders.
“C-come in?” Tamaki stuttered.
“Thanks man!” Kirishima exclaimed brightly.
He brought Kirishima inside with his gaze fixed on the ground, unable to stare any longer at the bright, shining man in front of him.
“I saw a blue butterfly on my way here and thought of you.” Kirishima told him.
The sentiment was sweet and Tamaki felt warmth blooming in his chest and spreading across his cheeks. The memory of their date the previous night caused him to shiver but it also sent another wave of guilt crashing through him. He still felt bad about being too shy to accept Kirishima’s kiss at the end of the night and then being too tongue-tied to explain. He desperately hoped Kirishima didn’t think he’s actions indicated he was uninterested.
“T-thank you.”
That still didn’t seem like quite the right response.
Unperturbed, Kirishima reached into his bag and held out a thick folder for Tamaki to take. “This is the updated folder that Fat Gum messaged us about earlier this morning.”
“Not that I’m not happy to see you but you didn’t have to go out of your way to bring it, I could have just got it at the agency later,” Tamaki mumbled.
“Unfortunately there’s another missing child. I know you aren’t coming in ‘til later but Fat Gum wants you to be updated before you arrive.”
Gingerly, Tamaki took the brown file from the younger man and held it to his chest like a shield. The fingers that had brushed Kirishima’s callused fingertips still tingled.
“Another? That brings us to nine in less than three months.”
“Yes...I thought I had a lead but it didn’t pan out. I know we’ll get him though.”
Kirishima’s energy and positivity was so similar to Mirio, perhaps that’s why he had warmed up to the younger man so quickly. As they grew closer, Kirishima had shared some of his struggles with him and when he did, Tamaki found he was genuinely inspired by how Kirishima remained so positive despite his insecurities.
“Yeah,” Tamaki quietly agreed.
They were interrupted by Mirio’s noisy reappearance. Tamaki was supremely thankful that his friend was no longer naked. Dressed in sweats and vibrant pink boxers, it seemed Mirio had found the clothes he kept at Tamaki’s home for any impromptu visits. Tamaki could immediately tell the boxers peeking out from underneath Mirio's sweatpants belonged to Mirio. Anyone who knew Tamaki was well aware of his desire to stay out of the limelight. Hence, he himself would never wear anything that bright, not even underwear which was usually kept hidden underneath clothes. Additionally, for some unknown reason Mirio had decided to wear one of Tamaki’s oversized t-shirts and was in the process of pulling it over his head as he entered. Tamaki couldn’t help but notice the way Kirishima’s eyes lingered on the flex of Mirio’s abdominal muscles before they were hidden from view. Almost instantly, jealousy, hot and uncomfortable flooded through Tamaki and coiled in his gut. Utterly oblivious to his friend's distress, Mirio greeted Kirishima enthusiastically and expressed delighted surprise at his presence in the apartment.
Tamaki noted that both of them seemed down, despite the cheerful facade they were presenting to each other.
“Kirishima came by to drop off some paperwork that Fat Gum needs me to get back to him about,” Tamaki explained quickly. He didn’t want anyone to know about this burgeoning thing he had with Kirishima, at least not yet. Though Kirishima’s reaction to Mirio made him wonder if this thing between them would end up being short-lived. The longer they conversed the more despondent Tamaki felt. Kirishima hadn't even looked at him since Mirio had entered, his gaze remaining firmly fixed over Tamaki's shoulder even when Kirishima finally said his goodbyes and left.
“He likes you,” Mirio told him following Kirishima’s departure. “It’s obvious, his face just lights up whenever you are around.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“Um, my eyes?”