Archive of Our Own

Bakugo Katsuki has never been the jealous type. Well, okay, that is a total lie. He’s never really been the jealous friend type. His only friend before U.A. had been Izuku and the nerd didn’t really have other friends. So, he never really had anything to be jealous of. Sure, he had people that hung around him growing up, but he’s never really cared enough.

So he’s confused as to why seeing that damn shitty haired bastard—his Eijiro-proclaimed best friend—snuggling Dunce Face in the common room makes his stomach drop.

He quickly shakes the feeling away, telling himself that it's just stupid Kaminari and he’s seen them hug before so this shouldn’t be a surprise.

Eijiro has tried to hug him before, but the closest he’s ever allowed is wrapping an arm around him while they walk or stand somewhere. 

He can’t forget the light embrace he elbowed himself out of after Kamino, when Eijiro had tears down his cheeks with a small smile on his face. He looked like he couldn’t believe he was standing there, all these damn colors in his eyes because of all the annoying ass lights in the city. Katsuki couldn’t believe how bright Eijiro looked amongst everything else and he couldn’t handle looking at him, so he pushed him away. 

He wanted to say “Later”. He wanted to say “Not in front of the nerd and the others”.

But, there hadn’t been a chance as he was whisked away to the police and then damn house arrest until the dorms came in place.

He guesses he could have hugged him when he definitely did not thank him for coming to save him outside the dorms that first day. But, everyone was outside and being irritating as hell now that he had made Dunce Face go in his dumb mode.

Maybe he could’ve hugged him after they helped clean and decorate each other’s dorms.

Maybe he could’ve taken him in a proud embrace when came back from his debut sidekick fight. When he had excitedly ran into his dorm and said that he had used his unbreakable form for the first time in a fight. 

Maybe he could’ve hugged him after they saw each other when they came back from their work studies. They talked on the phone every night they were away from each other, Eijiro claiming that he was feeling lonely, but he knew he only called for his sake. He didn’t really like to stay in unfamiliar places by himself ever since Kamino. Even though the nerd and his best friend were there, he knew he wouldn’t be able to fall asleep without Eijiro talking his ear off before bed. 

Either way, since Kamino, Eijiro had never tried again.

“Hey bud! Come sit, we’re gonna watch something on the TV with Hanta and Mina!” Kaminari raised his head from the crook of Eijiro’s arm.

Eijiro went red at the sight of him, a small smile on his face as he glanced up to greet him.

“Yeah man, come join! It’ll be fun.”

He grumbled down at the sight of the two, Eijiro's arm wrapped around Kaminari’s shoulders and Kaminari basically resting his head on his chest.

He stuck up his nose at the both of them “I don’t fucking have time for fun, I have homework to do. Which, you morons should be doing too.”

“Aw, you’re such a nerd, Kats. It’s okay! Go do your homework.” Eijiro gave him a blinding smile, his eyes crinkled up in a way he could only describe as cute. 

“Lame.” Kaminari drawled, sinking further into Eijiro.

He definitely couldn’t handle looking at that bullshit for hours on end. With a dramatic turn of his heel, he stormed off to the elevators without a goodbye.

The second time he felt his stomach pull to his heart, was when Eijiro was sitting with Mina on the common room sofas.

It shouldn’t be unusual to see Mina leaning or touching someone in the common room. It’s a known rule—and damn warning—that if you were sitting anywhere in the vicinity of Racoon Eyes, she’ll lean up on you somehow. 

No one could even complain, as she would threaten you with “Move and I’ll burn your arm off!” with a scarily cheerful tone. So, Pinky has even had her head on his shoulder a couple times. 

Seeing Eijiro with his fingers intertwined with Mina’s as he nodded along to whatever gossip she was saying shouldn’t be out of the ordinary. He had just fallen victim to someone you couldn’t really say no to.

“Hey, Kats!” Eijiro said to him as he walked closer.

Mina used their joined arms to elbow Eijiro on his side.

He smiled down at her with a blush, mumbling something he couldn’t hear.

“Aw, come on!” Mina shouted, glancing up at him.

He came closer, wondering why the hell it looked like they were talking about him.

“Well! I’m off to my dorm to take a nap. Thanks for listening, Kiri!” Mina made a dramatic move to release their hands and Eijiro chuckled.

“Of course, Mina. Anytime!” He gave her a shy smile, waving goodbye as he did so.

“Sofa’s free Bakugo!”

“I can see that, Racoon Eyes.”

“Uh huh.” She winked at him for whatever damn reason before she left for the elevators.

“So, homework?” Eijiro patted the cushion next to him and he turned his chin away.

“Yeah, come do it with me, hair for brains.”

“Alright!” 

Eijiro bounced off the sofa, coming up to bump his hip as he walked away without him.

The third time was Pink Cheeks. She was leaning her head on his shoulder while she played with Eijiro’s fingers.

“Well, that’s okay. It’s super manly to have feelings! Nothing wrong with liking anyone!”

“But, I don’t know. Crushes are… funny.”

“Anyone would be lucky to be crushed on by you!”

“You really think so?”

“Yeah, dude! You’re super smart and really cute!” Eijiro’s eyes darted to his, “Oh, hey Kats!”

Uraraka chuckled, looking at them both with a knowing smile. So what if Eijiro was his only damn friend, she doesn’t have to fucking smile and know that.

“Sup, Eiji.”

“Homework?”

“Dinner.”

“Cool! I’ll help.”

He didn’t help. All he was allowed to do was stare at him while he made food for them both. 

Eijiro had given him a smile that made his heart jump in a dumb, funny way. “Thanks Kats. I’m glad you're my best friend.”

“Why the hell are you saying sappy ass shit for? It’s just fucking meat and potatoes.”

“Yeah, but it’s your meat and potatoes, so it’s special!”

“Special my ass, just eat you moron!” He grunted, hiding his face as he felt it heat.

The fourth time had been with Elbows.

“Yeah! But, it’s Denki, man. Denki!”

“Yeah! It’s Denki, man! He’s your best friend!”

“You really think it’s okay to tell him? I mean, he’s my best friend! What if it gets all weird? Is it weird?”

“Ha, you know I don’t think it’s weird. You know me and my big fat cr—“ Eijiro’s eyes grew wide at the sight of him. “He-hey, Kats!”

Sero let out a loud laugh, sputtering.

“What the fuck is so funny?” He rolled his eyes with the cross of his arms.

“Ah, nothing!” Eijiro’s voice sounded two octaves higher than usual, his ears all pink and pretty.

Pretty uh—dumb, that is. 

“Speaking of best friends, I’ll catch you later! Still good for Smash?”

“Yeah! See you then!” 

“Join us Bakugo?“ Sero gave him a smile, eyeing Eijiro as he did.

“Whatever.”

“Okay, see you later too, then.” Sero left with a wave.

The fifth time, he had had enough.

He walked into the common room seeing Eijiro with IcyHot practically on his damn lap.

“Hey, Kats.” He whispered, leading his fingers to his lips to tell him to keep quiet.

He just rolled his eyes with a shrug of his shoulders, not even bothering to greet him.

Todoroki was fast asleep on his leg, a blanket over him as Eijiro had an arm resting on top of him.

“Hey, Kacchan, have you seen Todoroki?”

He didn’t even bother answering the nerd as he came behind him.

“Oh! Um—hi Kirishima.”

“Quiet the fuck down, you’ll wake up the idiot.” He whispered.

“Oh, sorry!” Izuku whispered back.

“Wanna trade?” Eijiro asked with a sly smile on his face. 

“Ah—um. Yeah!” 

With careful movements, Eijiro got up and let IcyHot’s head fall on the sofa cushion. 

The nerd looked like he used his dumb quirk the way he sat and pulled Todoroki on his lap with super speed.

“Midoriya?” Todoroki mumbled.

“Yeah, hey.” The nerd smiled down at him, moving to where Todoroki was actually on his lap. 

“Thank you for listening to my troubles, Kirishima. You’re a great friend.” Half and Half said with a yawn.

“Of course, man! Anytime.”

As they both turned to go do homework, away from the sight of those two pains in his ass, Eijiro gave him a thumbs up.

He gestured to ask what.

“Just call me matchmaker Kiri!”

Matchmaker? Did the nerd—ha!

“The nerd likes Todoroki?”

Eijiro nodded enthusiastically as they stepped onto the elevator.

“Does Todoroki have a crush back?” He sure as hell didn’t feel any big brother protectiveness stir in his gut. 

Eijiro nodded slower this time.

“Is that what the bastard was leaning on your damn lap to talk about?”

“Aw, you jealous?” Eijiro wiggled his eyebrows.

“Psh! In your dreams, Shitty Hair! Why the hell would I be jealous of the nerd and Todoroki?!”

“Not ‘cause of—hah! Anyway, nah, he was talking about staying on with Endeavor.”

“Don’t tell me the bastard is gonna ditch us.” The elevator door dinged as it reached their floor.

“Oh no, he just was telling me how it’s hard sometimes.”

“Oh, yeah I can see that.” He gave a sigh of sympathy.

The sixth time, he was definitely at his limit.

Tails, of all people, was resting his stupid head on Eijiro’s shoulder in the common room.

“Your tail is cool, man! Don’t listen to anyone.”

“Yeah, I mean, yeah.” Tails shrugged. 

“Don’t listen to people, Ojiro. Some people are jerks to people with animalistic quirks like ours.” Froggy was sitting close to them with Uraraka nearby nodding along.

“Hey, Kats!” Eijiro beamed up at him, his eyes crinkling in that cute way again, his face all full of a…pretty shade of pink. He didn’t know cheeks could look so damn pretty.

Uraraka chuckled again as she had before, glancing at Eijiro with a grin.

“Another damn therapy session?” He rolled his eyes, feeling his face get all stupid and hot.

“What do you expect? Kirishima is the designated class cuddler.” Froggy said this like it wasn’t supposed to be brand new information to him.

“Yeah!” Pink Cheeks agreed.

“The damn what?” He felt jealousy bubble in his throat. 

“Well, I gotta go. I’m going to see—uh meet with Hagakure. Thanks again, Kirishima.”

“Anytime!”

“Hah!” The sound burst out of him without restraint.

Everyone’s heads darted to him as his face flamed.

“What the hell are you looking at, huh? Come on, Ei. Homework.”

“Okay!” Eijiro jumped up from the sofa, moving to wrap an arm around his shoulder. He immediately shrugged it off as it made every nerve in his body spring to life.

Eijiro just smiled at him, starting to walk ahead to the elevators.

His work study had kicked his damn ass today. Villain after damn villain coming at him as they tried to fight their way out of an arrest for stealing some bullshit.

Endeavor, per fucking usual, didn’t give them a chance to rest as he pulled them to trouble after trouble.

He was getting better at keeping up with the old fart, but he was the number one hero after all.

It also didn’t help that he noticed everything about the two lovebirds now that he knew they liked each other. They were both terrible at having crushes.

The nerd would say, “You did really good today, Todoroki! No one stood a chance against your ice!”

IcyHot’s face would turn bright red.

In turn, IcyHot would make his way to walk closer to Izuku, both of them dumb and blushing as they did so. 

Todoroki would offer a hand to Izuku, spewing some bullshit about how they should keep close.

Endeavor would look at them both funny, but his other sidekicks would look at the two lovesick idiots and smile.

He would just keep his distance with his arms crossed in front of him. 

He walked into the empty common room late, everyone probably in bed at this point.

He missed his usual greeting and his heart stupidly ached that he didn’t get to see Eijiro after school today.

With a sigh, pushing away that thought, he made his way to his dorm.

Once there, he heard Eijiro’s knob turn after he stepped onto their floor with a dramatic sigh. If he did it to get Eijiro’s attention, it would never be something he’d admit outloud. 

“Hey, Kats! There you are!”

Eijiro’s forehead wrinkled in concern, “Hey, man. You look exhausted. You okay?”

“Work study kicked my ass today.”

“Wanna hang out, watch a movie on my laptop?”

He just shrugged, moving to open his door to place his backpack in his dorm before closing it back up.

He followed Eijiro into his dorm, letting the wall hit his back as he sat on his bed.

Eijiro looked at him with a careful, kind, handsome, smile.

“Come on man, you look like you need one of these.” 

Eijiro held his arms wide open, his smile looking even more handsome as he did so. If he’d line up all the other extras in the school, he was sure Eijiro took the place of the most damn handsome guy at U.A. He wasn’t too afraid to admit that, as it was the straight up truth. There was nothing wrong with thinking your best friend was handsome. 

Right? 

Right. Fuck. 

“No way, class cuddler. ” He teased, his jealousy spinning at just the thought.

“That’s stupid, I’m not the class cuddler. Come on, bring it here!”

He clicked his teeth, staring straight at him as his smile faded. Eijiro seemed to be falling in on himself, his arms closing in as he frowned.

“Oh yeah, forgot. You don’t like hugs. It’s alright, nevermind.”

“Huh? Who the hell said that? Just never had anyone I’ve wanted to hug before.” He admitted.

“Oh.” Eijiro’s arms finally closed, his hands tucking on his lap.

“Don’t be dumb, come here.” Katsuki opened his own arms this time, inviting Eijiro in.

Eijiro blinked at him, a smile spilling on his face as he came to close their gap.

It was like a weight had fallen off his shoulders when Eijiro wrapped his arms around him. Every nerve in his body came to life as he squeezed him tight, letting his chin rest on his now tingling shoulder.

The weight of him held him down to earth as he felt like he was floating, the butterflies in his stomach rumbling their way up to his throat.

Eijiro sighed a beautiful sigh and he didn’t even know how a breath of air could sound so wonderful.

He never wanted to let go. He never wanted to be without this. He can’t believe he denied himself the privilege of being held by his best friend.

He felt Eijiro’s grip loosen and he tightened his in retaliation.

“Can’t let go of me now, Shitty Hair.”

“Okay.” He chuckled, now wrapping his legs around him. “Too much?“ 

“You’re not asking me that, are you?” He scoffs.

He feels Eijiro shake his head before he squeezes him tight once again.

He doesn’t know how long they stay like that and honestly he wouldn’t mind staying there for hours.

But, eventually, he lets up. He feels so relaxed, so comfortable, and he already misses hugging him.

“Movie?”

“Yeah.” He yawns, already feeling the tiredness of the day catching up.

“You sure?”

He didn’t know what to say, so instead, he moved next to Eijiro on the bed. 

He wasn’t prepared for that barrier to break, but once it was gone, he didn’t mind having one of Eijiro’s arms wrapped around his as they balanced the laptop on their joined knees. 

As the first scene of the movie played out, he felt like he was nodding off, his head unable to hold itself up as he watched. Eijiro definitely noticed, as his knee would jerk every time his head would move. 

“You’re gonna break my laptop, Kats.” He laughed, placing it in front of them instead. “You tired? Wanna go back to your dorm?” 

“Nah, I kinda missed your dumb face today.” 

“I missed you too!” 

It was hard not to smile at his excitement. 

“I have an idea, look. Come here.” 

Eijiro opened his arms once more. 

“Are you gonna hug me to sleep?” He genuinely asked. 

“No, look! If you lay on my uh—chest, you can watch the movie and if you fall asleep, I can just…wake you up? And that way you don’t hit your head or break any laptops.” 

He gave him a confused look, trying to work through his logic. 

He can blame his agreement on his tiredness. 

“You can like, put your back on my chest, do you get it?” 

“Yeah.” He mentally shrugged as he did so. 

He felt his insides jolt as Eijiro wrapped his arms around his waist, reaching to the laptop in front of him to unpause it. 

“How are you gonna see, dummy?” 

“Like this!” 

Eijiro hugged him that much tighter, resting his chin on his shoulder. 

He had to admit that it felt really nice. He had never been so close to a person, both physically and mentally. 

“Too much?” 

Katsuki shook his head, letting himself lean on his best friend further, closing his eyes as he did so. 

“Night, Kats.” 

“Whatever, I’m not sleeping. Just resting my damn eyes.” 

“Night, Kats.” He said once more. 

The movie faded to the background, only the sound of Eijiro’s close breaths in his ears. He had no idea what he was laughing at, but it sounded like pure music. 

The tingle, the tickle, the sensation of his cheek pressed against him made his limbs swirl with something he could only qualify as heaven. 

He knew his face was hot, he knew he was blushing, he knew he probably looked like an idiot with his eyes closed in absolute bliss, but he didn’t mind. 

He was 100 percent sure he was one of those lovesick idiots now. 

“Hey, Kats!” Eijiro was, surprisingly, by himself now as he made his way to the common room couch. 

“Hey. Eiji.” 

“Sit with me?” 

“Uh—I, yeah sure.” 

“Don’t worry, the “class cuddler” isn’t gonna attack you.” 

“You really don’t like that nickname, do you?” 

“I don’t know, it just makes me feel kinda silly. It sorta bothered me when Tsuyu said it, though. I like being there for people, it's not anything special.” 

Eijiro sighs, “Besides, I really only like cuddling one person.” Eijiro pushed him on his shoulder as he sat. 

“Shut up, you dumbass.” He laughed. “We should uh—maybe do…watch a movie again?” 

“Yeah?” A burst of color flooded Eijiro’s cheeks. 

“Yeah.” 

“Right now?” He smiled, nudging his arm. 

“Sure, dummy. But homework after.” 

“Sounds like a plan!” 

They made their way to Eijiro’s dorm, both shyly avoiding each other’s gaze as they did. 

Katsuki was the first to sit, arms crossed over his legs while he pressed them to his chest. 

Eijiro took his place beside him slowly, shooting him a close-mouthed grin. 

“Uh, wanna…?” Eijiro held out an arm, offering the open space. He didn’t even take a second before he moved to lean into him. 

Eijiro chuckled, a hint of disbelief in that wonderful, raspy laugh. 

“Do that thing like last time.” He said before he could think. 

“Which thing?” 

“Don’t make me spell it out for you, Ei. You know what thing.” 

He turned to look at Eijiro, blinking at him as he waited for him to get the hint. Eijiro seemed to be lost in thought, looking directly into his eyes with a lidded glance and slow blinks. He pursed his lips, his brows furrowing, darting his cherry red eyes across his face. He felt the heat radiate off his skin, so close he could see the tickle of his eyelashes. The light freckles that dusted his face. The swirl and twirl of his eyes that were literally sparkling. 

“Fine, I’ll fucking do it myself.” He grunted, shaking away the moment as Eijiro was taking his sweet ass time. 

He moved himself to Eijiro’s chest, reaching for both of his arms to forcefully wrap his arms around him. It seemed that Eijiro finally fell out of his trance as he physically shook his head. He tightened his grip around him, letting out an amused hum. 

“You can lean back a little more if you want.” Eijiro moved them both across his pillows, making his back more comfortable so he could actually do it. 

He did as he was told, letting his weight fall completely on his best friend and his apparent fucking crush. 

Once he was settled, Eijiro moved his arms back and forth, giving his stomach a slight rub with his hands. Every movement caused his insides to flutter, the ends of his nerves sparking with static. 

“Comfy?” 

“What do you think?” 

Eijiro laughed his beautiful laugh, moving to rest his chin on his shoulder. 

He knew Eijiro could feel his cheeks heat as he pressed their faces together. 

In a panic, and to distract himself, he pulled out his phone. 

“Look at this old Crimson Riot compilation I found the other day. Thought you would like it.” 

Eijiro leaned forward even more to glance at his screen. 

“Oh hey, I’ve actually never seen that one before!” He beamed, moving to press play himself. 

He didn’t know how he had never realized he had a crush on him before. He found himself not even watching the dumb Crimsion Riot video that he totally did-fucking-not spend hours looking for. Instead, he watched Eijiro’s eyes light up as he held his phone close to their faces. He knew he was smiling like a damn dork as he laughed at Eijiro’s small sounds of awe. He let one of his arms fall, feeling it get tired as the video was well over five minutes. As the action happened, he felt the tips of his fingers bump the top of Eijiro’s palm. He quickly moved his hand away as he felt electrocuted, the touch making him see stars. 

He looked up at Eijiro to gauge his reaction and found his pretty ruby red eyes were already looking into his. 

Quietly, Eijiro moved to grab his hand, intertwining their fingers and moving them back on his stomach. 

That’s how they stayed for the whole night, not even a semblance of homework being done. 

“Hey, Kats! Missed you today!” Eijiro smiled his breathtaking smile as he made his way to the common room after school. 

“What for? You’re the one that left to your damn work study without telling me.” He grumbled. 

There was no way in hell he was gonna admit to missing Eijiro, too. He felt himself aching like a stupid idiot when he was nowhere to be found in class. 

Aizawa had informed them that Kirishima was out for the day and he grew angry at the fact that he hadn’t even bothered to tell him. 

“I’m sorry, Kats. Fat just called and picked me up. I had to get ready in a rush.” 

He rolled his eyes, giving him a glare and totally not a fucking pout as he stared down at him. 

“Hey, I’ll text you next time, okay? Sorry to worry you.” 

“I wasn’t worried, moron. Just thought you’d have the courtesy to tell your damn best friend that you weren’t gonna be in class today. Made an extra lunch for fucking nothing.” 

He narrowed his eyes even further, trying not to say how worried he actually was. The last time Eijiro had left to a work study without telling him was when he got into that fight with that dumb overpowered bastard that left him all cut up and bandaged. 

He couldn’t get that image out of his head the whole entire day, even more irritable than usual. 

The sound of the nerd’s breathing set him off, especially when he got in his face and touched his arm and said “I’m sure Kirishima is going to be okay!” He had physically recoiled, flinching away harshly from his touch and crossing his arms in front of him. 

He swears he could hear Dunce Face’s electricity bouncing off of him, buzzing in his ear like a damn bee when he forcefully sat with him at lunch. He pulled him close, wrapping an arm around his shoulder and pressing their cheeks together. Dunce Face let go as soon as he heard the small sparks coming from his hands, laughing as he did so. 

“Sorry, my dude. You just look so upset, I mean, more than usual. Thought a hug would make you feel better.”

“Yeah, Bakugo, I’m sure Ei is fine!” Sero gave him a smile, handing him a bottle of water. He had shaken his head at the offer. 

Even Tape Arms, the smarter of the pair, had an obvious death wish as he pulled him out of the classroom after the day ended. 

He had taken him aside, asking if Eijiro had texted him at all. 

“Why the fuck would he text me?” 

“Because you guys are best friends?” Sero placed his hand on his arm and he immediately flicked it off. 

“Fuck that, best friends tell each other shit and obviously—” He cut himself off, feeling that he would probably blurt out something like being in love with that shitty haired bastard. 

“Oh. Okay, well if you want someone to hang with until he comes back, Denks and I are gonna play Smash again?” 

“I’m not gonna fucking invade on your dumb video game date, Tape Arms.” 

“Oh! No it’s not—me and Denki are just ha—you know it's not a date!” Tape Arms’s face went red. Serves the moron right for pulling him out of the classroom and acting like he needed sympathy. 

“Hah, whatever.” He scoffed, thinking that was a goodbye enough as he made his way to the gym to train. 

He wasn’t expecting Eijiro to be back so soon and he wasn’t going to acknowledge the relief that flooded his senses as he saw him sitting on the common room sofa, waiting for him like he always did. 

“Aw, you didn’t have to make me lunch, bro!” 

“Obviously fucking not.” 

Eijiro frowned, “I really am sorry, Kats. Sero told me how worried you were all day.” 

“I wasn’t fucking worried.” He said once more. 

“Okay. Well, I missed you anyways. I thought about hugging you all day.”

“Then why the hell haven’t you done it?” 

“Uh—well, you look pretty scary mad at me right now, Kats. And plus, you don’t like to be touched when you’re upset.”

He let his face soften with a sigh, seeing how sorry Eijiro looked, a small pout prominent in his features. 

Eijiro opened his arms, looking so soft and inviting, he absolutely had to fucking give in. 

He bent over to meet his open arms, only going to give him a one armed hug as the position was awkward. 

Eijiro had his own damn plans, however, as he pulled him forward, letting him fall on top of him as he laughed. 

“Hey, you fucking asshole!” 

He tried to get up, but the dumbass used his quirk to keep him there.

“Thought you wanted a hug, Blasty?” 

“Not that fucking nickname again.” 

“Aw what? You don’t like it?” 

“You fucking know I don’t like it, moron.”

Eijiro laughed, loosening his hold around him and letting his quirk deactivate. 

“Want me to call you something else then?” Eijiro looked into his eyes with a smirk he could only interpret as flirtatious. 

He heard himself audibly gulp as Eijiro reached up to trace the angry wrinkle in his brow. 

Eijiro’s eyes looked absolutely blazing as he peered into him, a warm kindle of fire lacing in his gaze. 

Katsuki reached up to do the same, letting his finger trace the softness of his brow. 

He sighed, “Glad you’re okay, Ei.” 

He traced his finger over Eijiro’s scar and he shivered underneath him.

Eijiro moved the hand that was resting on the small of his back to push his head down, encouraging him to fall in the crook of his neck. He let his nose bury itself in the corner, taking in the feeling that was Eijiro.

He smelt so much like him, sweat and sweetness and beauty. 

All he wanted to do at that moment was kiss that expanse of skin, to taste the salt and strength that he held within him.

He didn’t even bother to blink away the tears that sprouted in his eyes as he took in Eijiro fully.

“Don’t ever fucking worry me like that again, you ass.” If his voice broke just a little, neither of them acknowledged it. 

“I promise I’ll try not to, Kats.” He felt warmth press against his temple. Not a kiss, but the silk of Eijiro’s lips against his skin. 

And in that moment, he knew. He knew that he was in love with his stupidly sweet, handsome, terribly strong best friend.

“Tell me why you never bring shit to drink.”

“I just forget!” 

Eijiro was out of breath after their sparring, both of them standing at their lockers and changing for class.

“Dumbass.” He said, fondly.

Eijiro smiled, putting the last of his hero costume away and beginning to pull on his shirt.

Granted, he’s seen Eijiro shirtless plenty of times. The moron was shirtless all the time during training. 

But, that didn’t stop the air leaving his lungs as his eyes followed the slow movements of Eijiro’s fingers buttoning his school shirt. 

He looked so determined, gaze downward and forehead crinkled as he carefully made his way down his shirt.

Katsuki couldn’t stop staring at his hands, so strong and gentle all at the same time. He couldn’t help but think of how he wanted those hands all over him, touching him in places only he could reach. Caressing him in ways only he could. Comforting him with a softness only he possessed.

To distract himself, he went into his locker to grab a sports drink, taking a swig before placing it back in his locker.

Taking a second to let his thoughts fall away from basically thirsting over his best friend, he glanced back over at him. 

He was thankfully done, so he grabbed the bottle of sports drink and went over to Eijiro’s side. 

“Hey, here.” He twisted the top off the bottle, placing the drink in Eijiro’s hand. 

“Thanks, man!”

He watched Eijiro’s lips wrap around the top, his throat moving as he took generous gulps and— fuck, he really needed to get a damn grip.

Eijiro handed him back the bottle that was now only half full. And he really must be in love with the idiot because that didn’t even make him upset.

His best friend sighed contentedly, glancing around the locker room that was now bordering on empty.

So quickly, Eijiro wrapped his arms around his waist, the strength of them making him breathless once more.

He squeezed him tight, Katsuki’s arms still dumbly in the air as he held the cap in one hand and the bottle in the other.

In a swift motion, he closed the bottle and placed it in Eijiro’s open locker, letting himself fall into his embrace. 

The sensation was there again, the warmth, as he felt Eijiro’s lips press against his temple. 

He doesn’t even know how they got here, hugging and pressed against each other in the locker room of all places. He doesn’t know when Eijiro’s arms became such a source of comfort. He longed for his hugs, his soft touches, the warmth of him, even when he was seconds away from letting go. 

Katsuki never wanted to go back. He never wanted to be in Eijiro’s space without touching him somehow. 

Fucking literal hell, he was so in love with his goddamn best friend. 

As soon as the heat of him was gone, he felt his heart ache. Which was so damn stupid; he was right there. But, he felt as though he couldn’t be without him anymore. It had been three damn years and he was at a loss without him. He couldn’t believe that he’s denied himself the simplicity of hugging his best friend, the person he’s been in love with since before he realized. 

“Hey, ready?” Eijiro gave him one last squeeze like he was the one craving more. 

Katsuki shrugged his shoulders, making Eijiro smile. 

He could never get enough of that damn smile. 

Shit fucking dammit he wanted to kiss him so much. Take him in his arms and just kiss him and press against that pretty mouth and fucking kiss him. 

But—well—they were in the middle of the damn locker room. 

Before he could actually lose all self control, he pulled Eijiro by his arm and to the classrooms.

He doesn’t know why he hauled his ass back to his dorm as Eijiro offered to let him spend the night. It's not like they hadn’t shared a bed before, both of them sleeping on opposite ends to keep that space, that barrier. 

But, things are different now. They broke whatever was holding them back. And, if he was being honest, he was the one holding them back. What would he do now that he allowed himself the privilege of being held by the person he loved? How would he feel being wrapped up in that embrace, knowing that he wanted more, that he longed for more? 

He knew Eijiro was still awake, as he could hear the faint sound of music coming from the side of the wall. But, he texted him anyway. 

KATSUKI: Are you awake?

EIJIRO: Yup! How about you? 

EIJIRO: Lol wait I mean duh. You okay? 

KATSUKI: Can’t sleep. 

EIJIRO: Aw man, that’s too bad :( 

EIJIRO: Wanna come back? I’m not sleepy yet either! 

EIJIRO: Annnd tomorrow is a weekend so we can pull an all nighter! 

KATSUKI: No

EIJIRO: Aw that's okay then. Do you want to just text then? 

KATSUKI: No all nighter, dumbass. 

EIJIRO: Booo why not, we can play video games and watch movies

EIJIRO: Annnd maybe do what we do when we watch movies :) 

KATSUKI: Are you fucking coming on to me hair for brains? 

EIJIRO: Maybe ;) 

EIJIRO: Haha jk i just like cuddling with you Kats :D

KATSUKI: Fucking hell, Ei. Unlock your damn door, then 

EIJIRO: It's always open for you, bro! 

KATSUKI: You’re gonna get robbed one day, dumbass 

EIJIRO: We’re all heroes no one in this school would rob me, silly lol

KATSUKI: I’ll steal all your crimson riot merch just to teach you a damn lesson 

EIJIRO: You sure you just don’t want to steal my clothes, Kats? 

KATSUKI: Fucking stop it. 

EIJIRO: ;) 

Eijiro was still laughing by the time he came to his room with one of his own pillows, an amused smile on his face that made him look unfairly gorgeous. The room was now silent as the Eijiro had turned his music off. So, all he heard was the sound of his breaths and Eijiro's laughter. He obviously wasn’t a blushing mess like he was, so much so he had to take a literal five minutes to calm the hell down. 

Who the hell just tells their best friend that they like to cuddle with them and teases them about stealing clothes and says that they’re maybe flirting with them? Kirishima fucking Eijiro that is, a person who obviously wants to give him an early death. 

Is death by fucking flirting at thing? Katsuki was sure he'd be a victim of it. 

“Hey, cuddle buddy!” Eijiro said as he reached the bed, arms crossed with one of his stupid pretty heart stopping smiles that made his eyes crinkle in that stupidly cute way. 

“Fucking quit it!” He threw the pillow he was holding in his arms to his face, his own now angrily flushed. 

“Aw, sorry, Kats. I’m just playing.” 

He jumped on the bed with a huff, trying to hide the blush that hadn’t really left his face all day. 

He apparently wasn’t doing a very good job of it as Eijiro, the damn flirty fucker, reached up to cup his cheek. 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you upset. I was just playing, man.” His voice was away from all that humor, then, an apologetic tone in its place. 

“I’m not upset.” Everything in his brain was telling him to move away from his touch, but his heart kept him there. That mushy bastard. 

“Wanna watch a movie?” Eijiro asked. He squeezed his cheek before letting go, and already he felt freezing. 

“You can just ask if I want to cuddle, Eiji.” 

“Do you?” Eijiro beamed. 

“What the hell do you think?” 

Eijiro’s smile somehow grew even bigger as he opened his arms for him to fall into. 

He let out a sigh of relief, contentment, adoration, as he wrapped his arms around Eijiro. He waited for the warmth against his temple, but Eijiro pressed his chin against his shoulder, letting out a satisfied breath. 

Katsuki took the initiative himself, turning his head to press his mouth gently against Eijiro’s temple. It would be so easy to just move his lips, to just show his affection in another way. Friends did that all the time, right? 

Before he could move his lips against his skin again, Eijiro laughed. 

“You were gone for 10 minutes but I missed you like crazy.”

“Did you now?” 

“Yeah, man! Of course I missed my best friend.” 

“Hah, whatever, idiot.” 

“No, really!” 

The conversation fell after that, Eijiro letting go from their embrace to lay down properly. He was quick to follow and even quicker to roll into Eijiro’s side.

“Hey, come here often?” Eijiro said with a smug grin. 

“I already told you to stop being a little flirty shit.” 

“Am I flirting? Hmm, didn’t notice.” Eijiro said as he moved to wrap his arms around him. 

“Night Kats.”

“What happened to your stupid all nighter?” 

“Eh, you’re too comfortable not to fall asleep with.” He laughed. 

“What the hell is up with you tonight?” 

Eijiro just laughed his pretty laugh, coming to press his warm nose against his cheek. 

“Sorry, I’m being too much, aren’t I?”

“Never.” He whispered, overwhelmed with the feeling of Eijiro rubbing his nose up and down his cheek. 

“Hey, I’m glad you’re my best friend, Kats.” 

He turned to face him then, moving to wrap his arms around his waist. 

“I guess I am too.”

After a beat of silence, he spoke once more. 

“Ei, this is fucking stupid.” 

“What is?” He had a hint of fear in his voice with the smallest tone of sadness. 

“Is it stupid that I don’t want you doing this shit with anyone else?” 

“What do you mean, Kats?” Eijiro looked directly into his eyes, making him forget his thought process for a whole minute.

“Uh—I mean cuddling and shit. Is it dumb that I want this to be just…”

“A thing that we do?” 

“Yeah..” He admitted. 

“I don’t think it's dumb.” Eijiro assured, emphasizing his reassurance with a squeeze to his waist. 

“It's dumb.” And pretty damn selfish.

“It's okay, I don’t think so. I already told you, I only like cuddling with one person.”

“Is that…?”

“Of course its you, Kats!” Eijiro squeezed him once more, moving to press his mouth against his temple. 

The action made his heart beat ten times over, pounding in his ears as Eijiro moved his face to brush against his skin. 

“What the hell are you doing?” He laughed, the contact tickling. 

Eijiro just hummed, continuing on. 

He felt his heart jump to his throat as Eijiro moved him to rest on top of his chest, pressing their foreheads together. 

“I’ll stop. I don’t mind stopping.” 

“Stopping what?” 

Eijiro didn’t answer. Instead he hugged him tight. 

And right there, his love for his best friend so desperately wanted to spill out of his heart. 

As he had his head laying on Eijiro’s legs, his arms on top of his chest as he showed him a video, Eijiro’s door opened without prompt. 

He honestly didn’t care if anyone saw them that way, but Eijiro’s arms moved away instantly.

“Hey, Ei! You coming to movie…” Dunce Face took in the sight of them. 

“Oh, hey Blasty. Finally fell victim to Ei’s awesome cuddles? Ya know, the girls are calling him the class—” 

“Shut up, Dunce Face! He knows.” 

Kaminari didn’t even flinch at his shout. 

“I guess I should ask if you both are coming to movie night?” 

“No.” He said automatically. 

“I don’t really feel up to it either.” 

“Okay, fine! Be hermits in your little cuddle circle!” 

Kaminari smiled, that dumb smile that made him call him Dunce Face in the first place, “Can I join?” 

“Ah—um…” 

“No, shithead, go to your stupid movie night.” 

“Hey, thought I would ask!” Kaminari laughed like he had made the best joke in the world, “Bye then!” 

With Dunce Face gone, he felt the awkwardness of what they were doing, the bliss he had found gone. 

“You don’t have to miss your precious movie nights for my sake, Eiji.”

“Hey, I’ve gone to plenty. Besides, I’d rather just watch stuff here.” 

Katsuki pursed his lips, “If you want, I can go with you?” 

“What, really?” 

“Yeah, never been.” 

“You’ll have fun, I promise! You can bring one of your blankets or pillows or whatever you want. The sofas are probably already taken.” 

“Let’s bring yours. I’m not gonna get my shit dirty.” 

“Okay! I don’t mind.” 

Despite it being movie night, that didn’t mean the common room was any less loud. Eijiro was right, the sofas were packed with everyone, the only space left was literally the floor. 

He ignored the excited greetings from his classmates while Eijiro greeted them all with a smile.

They had only brought one pillow, one blanket. 

He tossed it on the floor with a slight blush to his cheeks, trying to avoid the eyes of everyone as he did so. 

“Bakugo! What brings you here?” Sero said from the other side of the room, walking to take a seat next to Kaminari. 

“Ei, obviously.” Kaminari jokes. 

“Are you guys—” Todoroki didn’t have a chance to finish whatever idiotic question he had as Izuku nudged him on his side. If the dumbasses were trying to hide their crushes on each other, they were doing a pretty shit job. They were both under the same blanket, shoulders pressed together as the nerd moved his head to rest on Half and Half’s arm. 

He wondered if he looked that stupidly starstruck when he was around Eijiro. 

“Hello class, It is time to start our movie! Remember our rules about quietness.” Four Eyes came to the front of the room with Ponytail. 

“Make sure everyone has gone to the bathroom and has all their snacks! Seems like we have everyone here this time around! So, no pauses!” Yaoyorozu smiled at everyone while grabbing the remote to start whatever movie they had decided to show. 

Katsuki didn’t really care what they were seeing. 

All he cared about was Eijiro linking their arms together under the blanket, pulling him that much closer to where his back was resting on his arm. Quietly, he brought their arms apart, moving his arm to wrap around his waist. 

He felt his heartbeat ten miles a minute as he tangled their legs together. 

“Comfy? Too much?”

“Why the hell do you always ask that?” 

“Well, I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.” 

“Not possible, moron.” 

“Kirishima. Bakugo. Remember the rule.” Iida whispered. 

Katsuki rolled his eyes at him in response, moving further into Eijiro as the movie began. 

Eijiro tossed him a sheepish smile, his smile flickering in the darkness of the common room. The colors of the screen flashed across his face as they were the closest to it.

He felt a breath apart from Eijiro as they looked into each other’s eyes. He could see the whole world turning in Eijiro’s glance as he inched his face that much closer.

His breaths started to come in heavy as Eijiro pressed his lips together, eyes darting to his mouth.

All he wanted to do was close that space, to bridge that gap, to make the whole world melt away as they placed their lips together.

He wanted to whisper his name, he wanted to ask, but they had that stupid be quiet rule.

Katsuki hoped he was asking with his eyes as he looked down at Eijiro’s lips, so pink and irresistible.

He glanced back up into his best friend’s eyes and with that minuscule nod, he knew he wanted the same.

But, he didn’t want their first to be in front of everyone where anyone could see.

He wanted it to be special.

With a quick movement, he placed his lips on Eijiro’s cheek giving him a small peck.

Eijiro, the dumb perfect idiot he was, let out a loud “Ah!”

His face turned bright red as everyone’s heads darted towards them, the movie being paused. 

“What the hell are you idiots looking at?” He whispered through clenched teeth. Yeah, kissing Eijiro fully would’ve been a stupid as shit idea.

“Sorry, sorry. The movie scared me!” Eijiro whisper-shouted.

He glanced at the screen and they were in fact watching some lame horror movie.

“I’ve already told you two to keep quiet. And everyone else, it would be kind to mind your own business.” Iida chastised like a dumb dad.

Iida nodded at them both before the movie was resumed.

Katsuki was surprised he didn’t let out a shout of his own as Eijiro kissed his nose before turning his head to the movie.

He was sure he was gonna go into some form of overdrive as Eijiro found one of his hands, intertwining their fingers and bringing them over the blanket.

⋆ ⭑ ⋆

Eijiro never let go of his hand as they picked up the blanket and pillow from the floor. He threw the blanket across his shoulders as Eijiro held the pillow in the bend of his arm.

He could feel eyes on them as they walked to the elevators hand in hand, but he could give less than two shits.

“Wanna go to my room?“ Eijiro whispered in his ear, placing a light kiss on his cheek as he did so.

His face was blazing, the nerves in the tips of his fingers shaking.

“Yeah, yeah. Uh, yeah sounds good.”

Eijiro let out a warm chuckle, giving him a kiss on his forehead.

“Okay. Um—can you meet me there? I wanna get some snacks.”

“Sure, Ei.” He held out his hand for his pillow.

Eijiro gave him it with a smile, pressing the elevator button for him.

As he stepped on, the doors didn’t close quick enough as he saw Eijiro bury his face in his hands, letting out a small “Did that just…huh?” as tears sprouted in his eyes.

He was only able to see that beautiful sight for a second as the small sliver of the door closed.

Katsuki made his way to Eijiro’s dorm, sitting on his bed anxiously as he did so. He placed his blanket back on his bed, scrunching his nose at the fact that it was on the floor. He wouldn’t be able to sleep on that, at least. But, Eijiro is Eijiro and he doesn’t seem to mind the smaller things. 

Now with the blanket fixed, his legs began to shake with anticipation, knowing that him and Eijiro alone in a room would definitely make him want to kiss him right. 

As the door opened with a small click, he felt his breath leave his body. He laughed at himself, how ridiculously dumb is his damn crush? The red-headed bastard opens a door and he already turns to absolute mush. 

“Hey, Kats.” Eijiro says this so softly as he makes his way to him, a beautiful, prince-like smile on his face. He tosses a bag of chips on his desk, pausing to look at him. 

He smiles back, moving further back on Eijiro’s bed to make space for him. 

“So…uh.” Eijiro laughs out as he sits, blushing as he does. 

“Yeah…” Katsuki says back. 

“I um—really liked kissing you…your uh—cheek and stuff.” Eijiro mumbles, avoiding his gaze as he did so. 

He was annoyed at that, wanting to look into those captivating cherry red eyes, so he reached over to pull Eijiro’s chin up and towards him. 

“I really liked kissing you, too.” He admitted, the words leaving him easily despite the panic going on his brain. Maybe because he was speaking the straight goddamn truth. 

“Um, so? Do you wanna maybe…we can do it some more? I mean if you’re comfortable with it? I mean ahh…I’m not sure if. Well, um can I—” 

Katsuki rolls his eyes, letting the tips of his fingers find Eijiro’s jaw to pull him forward. 

With a slow, careful motion he placed his lips on Eijiro’s nose. 

Eijiro stopped his babbling with that, a lovely smile halting his words. 

“Kats, can I…tell you something?” Eijiro’s smile was quickly replaced by seriousness. 

He ghosted a thumb over his cheek, nodding and letting his hand fall as Eijiro came closer. 

“I um…kind of have a really big crush on you. So, I ah—wanted to tell you that before you, well. You know?” Eijiro sounded so…small. Like his confession was supposed to offend him somehow. 

“Do you think I’d have a problem with that?” He asked, his voice sounding out how ridiculous he found that. 

“Ah, well. I don’t know. I’m not kidding, Kats. I like, really like you.” 

“Okay? And?” He furrows his brow, genuinely confused as to why Eijiro was making this sound like such a problem. 

“I’ve liked you since first year, you know? But, I didn’t…it's okay if you don’t feel the same.” 

“Ei? Where is all this dumb stuff coming from? I like you too, idiot.” 

“You do?” 

“Yeah, dummy. Wasn’t I the one to kiss you first?” 

“Oh, yeah. I was kinda surprised at that!” 

“I know, shithead, you screamed.” He teased. 

“Only because the super handsome guy I like just kissed me out of nowhere!” 

“You think I’m handsome, Shitty Hair?” He smirked. 

“Yeah, man! You’re like the most handsome guy on campus!” 

“Bullshit.” He scoffs. 

“No, really! I mean, dude. I am so out of your league, it’s.…” 

“Bullshit. You’re the most handsome guy at this school.” 

“Ah—um. Well, you don't have to lie to me, Kats.” 

“You’re being stupid, Ei.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s just that, I have such a big crush on you, man.” Eijiro laughs. 

“Stop being dumb, Eijiro. I like you alot, too. You’re not out of my damn “league” whatever the fuck means.” 

“You really think so?” 

“Its an idiotic thing to even think about.” 

“Can I kiss you now?” 

Katsuki smirks, “Do you even have to fucking ask?” 

Eijiro’s eyes light up with all the stars in the night sky, “Really?” 

“What the hell do you think?” 

In a sudden motion, Eijiro tackles him, pressing their lips together in a gentle, but passionate kiss. It felt like every wish come true, every dream come to life, a comet rising from his heart to spark out of his lips. 

They both pulled apart, breathless, before coming together again. Their lips touched quickly and lovingly and Katsuki never wanted to be apart from his embrace, his lips, his breaths. 

He woke with a text, bright in the morning, Eijiro gone from his dorm and Katsuki in the bed alone. 

EIJIRO: Hey Kats :) Good morning <3 Didn’t want to wake you up but I got called out to my work study again and I know you were worried last time so I wanted to tell you. 

EIJIRO: I’ll miss you :D Kiss you later? :) <3

Katsuki immediately felt his heart jolt at his text, the memory of his lips on his sending tingles down his spine. 

It had been two days since their first kiss, a day since Eijiro, the dorky cheesy idiot he was, pulled him into his dorm without a word. 

“So, Kats. I have a question to ask you.” 

Katsuki had rolled his eyes, already feeling irritated by the day. He wanted to get the rest of the damn night over with so he could change and get comfortable and not worry about anything until tomorrow. 

“What?” He said in a gruff tone, making Eijiro chuckle. 

“Aw, someone's grumpy.” Eijiro reached to pinch his nose, pulling him forward by his hip to place a kiss on his forehead. 

“Not grumpy, just tired.” He admitted. 

“Aw, okay. Well I promise after I ask you, we can cuddle and all that!”

“All that?” He smirked. 

“Yeah, all that.” 

Katsuki reached up to flick his forehead, Eijiro’s arms moving to circle around his waist. 

“Ask me then, idiot.” 

Eijiro practically jumped, his smile bright and large and endearing. He instructed him to sit on his bed and to close his eyes. 

“Okay, so I called my moms and asked them about, you know, how to ask someone this. And my mama told me that when she—hey! No peeking!” Eijiro exclaimed as he let one eye squint open. 

“As I was saying, my mama told me that I should just do something that feels like us, you know? Feels like you!” 

He resisted the urge to ask Eijiro to blurt out what the hell he was on about. 

“I know this is probably kinda stupid and silly and dumb, but it’s the only thing I could think of. You’re probably gonna think I’m some dummy out of a romance movie but, I—” 

“Ei…” He warned, clenching his eyes shut even harder as the temptation to look grew even further. 

“Okay. Okay. So this is kinda dumb. But can you open your hands and like…hold them out?” 

Katsuki did what he was told, smirking as he did so, more so at the fact that he did the action without a second of hesitation. 

He felt something soft pressed into his palms, something that smelled completely and totally like Eijiro. 

“Okay, you can open them now.” 

His eyes immediately fixed on Eijiro, a nervous smile overtaking his features. 

“Well, you gotta look down, Kats.” He chuckled, as Katsuki felt like was staring into those wonderful crimson eyes for a full minute. 

In his hands was a hoodie, black and worn. He didn’t even have to look at it to know it was the one Eijiro wore all the time when he actually managed to wear sweaters. 

“I know it's dumb, but it was the only thing I could think of! And I thought it would be kinda cute, you know? A way I could—uh…hug you even when I’m not here? You know?” 

Eijiro flashed him a smile, “But, the only way you can keep that is if you answer my next question.” 

Katsuki glared, waiting.

“Do you wanna be my boyfriend, Kats?”  He sounded so breathless, like the question took everything out of him.

He didn’t even bother responding to something that didn’t even need to be answered, an unspoken agreement between them both. 

Instead, he had pulled Eijiro forward, bringing his lips into a kiss that sealed it all. 

He texted him back, even though he probably wouldn’t see it until he came back. 

KATSUKI: Hurry back, Eiji. Stay safe, you idiot. 

He took a second before texting him a heart back like a lovesick fool. 

The day was pretty uneventful, just catching up on homework and eating and lazing around his dorm. 

Eventually, around the end of the night, Kaminari somehow convinced him to come out of the his room to watch him play some dumb game in the common room. 

So, there he was, in his boyfriend’s hoodie because what the fuck else would he be wearing? 

And if he didn’t have enough of the lovebirds already, they came to plop down on the floor in front of him, draping a blanket over their legs before joining Kaminari in whatever game he was playing. 

“Hey, Bakugo.” Todoroki greeted with his version of a smile. 

“Hey Kacchan!” The nerd beamed, like seeing him was such a source of joy. “Think Kirishima is coming back soon?”

He just clicked his teeth, “I don’t know.” 

“Oh, well, I'm sure he’ll be home soon!” Izuku placed a hand on his knee before turning to grab a controller. 

“Ah, Roki! Take my place, I gotta go use the bathroom.” Kaminari rose, tossing the three a thumbs up before heading off. 

After a minute of watching the…not adorable sight of the two lovebirds playing a game with each other, he felt his heart pulse in double time. His limbs tingle, his senses flood. 

And somehow, he knew before the door even opened. Something was wrong. Something was wrong with Eijiro. 

A second after he heard the doors to the common room open, Eijiro came in with his eyes darting around, bandages on his arms, and he could tell he’d been crying. 

He got up in a flash and like they were in tune to each other, Eijiro’s eyes darted to him in relief. 

“Kats!” He shouted, all his love and adoration in a simple utterance of his name. 

“Eiji? Hey you okay?” 

He pulled him into a corner away from everyone else, Eijiro’s arms immediately wrapping around him. 

It was like he was waiting for the contact, the way his body automatically relaxed into his. 

“Hey, Eiji?” He turned to place a kiss on his cheek. 

Eijiro sniffed, “Sorry, sorry. I’m just so tired after today. Villains were…”

“Your arms okay?”

“Yeah, just overworked them trying to protect Amajiki and Tetsu.” 

Katsuki hummed, hugging him tighter. Eijiro pulled himself from his shoulder, letting out a light laugh as he did so. 

“You’re wearing my hoodie.” 

“Of course I am.” He smiled, pulling Eijiro’s chin forward for a kiss. 

Eijiro grinned into their kiss, hands sliding underneath his hoodie to the small of his back. 

His boyfriend’s lips found his ear, his words tickling his skin as he said “I love you, Katsuki.” 

He began to rub circles up and down his back, “Sorry, is that too soon?” He chuckled. 

Katsuki chuckled, “Love you too, Eijiro. Always have.” 

He felt Eijiro’s fingers harden just a bit and he had to laugh, “You dummy, you already overworked your quirk."

They made their way back to the common room, walking hand in hand as they sat. 

Eijiro’s back automatically found his chest as he wrapped his arms around his waist, pulling him close and making sure no one was looking as he placed a kiss on his head. 

Sero was now there, a controller in his hand as he was playing a game against Izuku. 

“Ei!” He grinned at him before turning to the game. 

“Hey Kiri!” Midoriya grinned, waving as he turned back just as quickly.

“Hello, Kirishima. Your arms alright?” Todoroki turned to them fully, his brows crinkling.

“Yup! Just overworked my quirk a little.”

“Ah, hope you’re okay.” 

No one even mentioned their position, staring back at them like it was a normal thing, like the two were always like this. 

He counted his luck too soon, however, as Kaminari stood in front of them with a pout. 

“Hey! How come Blasty still gets cuddle privileges?” 

“You can snuggle with me, bro!” Sero shouted, the damn obvious idiot. 

“Sorry, man. Only got room for my guy.” Eijiro chuckled fondly, warmth in his tone. 

“Your guy, huh?” Kaminari grinned, widely. 

“Yup!” Eijiro turned to place a kiss on his cheek, making Katsuki’s face flame. 

“Wait, sorry Kats. I didn’t ask if—” 

Katsuki just shook his head, planting his own, shy kiss on his temple. 

“That’s awesome! I’m happy for you guys!” And Dunce Face actually looked ecstatic, eyes shining with joy. He gave them a final smile before sitting in front of Sero, Tape Arms wrapping an arm around him with a grin as he settled. 

Hah, wonder how long that’s gonna take?

Several games were offered to Eijiro, but he refused them with a sleepy frown, giving out the occasional yawn. He seemed to be satisfied in everyone’s presence, eyes drooping with a smile. 

“Wanna go back to your dorm, Eiji?” He asked, rubbing his hands across his stomach. 

Eijiro gave him a slow blink while shaking his head. 

“You can fall asleep on me, if you want?” He gave Eijiro a kiss to his ear. 

“Okay.” His boyfriend yawned once more before letting his weight fall on him. He moved them to where they were both comfortable, Katsuki’s back now resting on the arm rest of the sofa. 

“Oh here, Kacchan! Me and Sho are gonna head back anyways.” The nerd tossed a blanket on his lap with a small smile. 

“Thanks, nerd.” 

Izuku gave him a quiet laugh before rising up and offering a hand to the half asleep Half and Half. 

Denki and Sero were still fixed on the game as Eijiro’s breaths started to slow, his mouth smacking as he turned to bury his face into the blanket. 

“Night, Ei.” 

“G’night, baby.” 

Katsuki felt all the color leave his face as he registered what had just left his boyfriend’s lips. He grinned, despite his shock, and decided that Eijiro could never call him anything else. 

He chuckled then, his joy unable to encompass itself.

“Sleep good, alright?” 

“Alright, love you.” Eijiro said through another yawn.

“Love you too.” 

⋆ ⭑ ⋆

He hadn’t even felt himself drift off, but he knew it was well into the next morning as the light was coming into the common room windows. 

He heard giggles coming from the sides of them, sounding a lot like Racoon Eyes and Pink Cheeks. 

“Oh no! Shit, Kats. I made you fall asleep. I’m sorry, baby. What time is it?” Eijiro darted up, the blanket falling off their laps. 

“Good morning to you, too.” 

“Hey! Good morning!” Eijiro turned to give him an excited kiss on the cheek. 

“Well, if anyone saw us, I guess the cat’s out of the bag!” 

“Like I give a crap.” 

“Yeah, I don’t really care either.” Eijiro stretched, making his limbs tingle by tossing him one of his wonderful, heartstopping Eijiro grins. 

The sounds of the elevators dinging and footsteps approaching made them pull up quickly despite that. Fully knowing that if more than the pink twins saw them, they’d never hear the end of it. 

Even so, they got off of the sofa hand in hand, Katsuki feeling his back crack as he stretched. He fully felt the soreness of sleeping on a sofa as he let go of Eijiro’s hand to circle his arms. 

“Sorry, babe.” Eijiro looked at him with an apologetic glance.

“It's fine. Don’t worry about it.” He shrugged, tickled at how quick Eijiro had fallen into pet names. 

He heard the crowd and mumble of their classmates coming close as he grabbed Eijiro’s hand. 

“Lets go sleep in my dorm, yeah?” 

“Sure, baby!” 

Katsuki groaned despite his smile, “You’re not gonna let up with those, aren’t you?”

“Nope! Sorry!” Eijiro let out one of his pretty laughs, rough and raspy from the morning. 

As their classmates came into the common room—not even being subtle about staring at them from the side of their eyes—he took hold of both his hands, intertwining their fingers. 

Eijiro didn’t even take a second to pull them into a kiss, closing the gap sweetly as their lips touched, his kiss pouring out all his love. 

Their kiss was brief, a small brush more than anything. 

But, that was enough, enough to show everyone they were now each other’s.

He was sure they always had been.