Work Text:
Keigo waited by the hotel room door while shuffling sounded on the other side.
It seemed Endeavor had heard the soft taps; he wasn’t sure if he had... he wasn’t sure if he had wanted him to, but relief flooded through him as the other man came into view. Large, shirtless, and as handsome as ever... it was just too bad Keigo wasn’t in the right mindset to enjoy it.
“H-hey,” Keigo said meekly, curling in on himself as he lost the words he had practiced before coming over. But somehow Endeavor knew without them
“Would you like to stay here tonight?” Endeavor asked, his voice softer than Keigo was used to. The wing hero only nodding before a large hand on his shoulder lead him inside.
Keigo stood quietly, watching Endeavor slip under the covers and lay on his side; eyes glancing up to meet his before tossing open the blankets in a silent invitation.
Keigo crawled into the bed, curling onto his side while Endeavor covered him with the blankets and relaxed into his side of the bed.
“It’s not your fault,” Endeavor said softly.
“I should have been faster,” Keigo whispered, unable to meet his eyes. What use was it to be named the fastest hero if he was too slow to save everyone.
“You did your best, and you saved a lot of people. We wouldn’t have been able to save any of them without you,” Endeavor explained with a gentleness that Keigo hadn’t expected.
“Does it get easier?”
“For some.”
“For you?”
“Not really. I remember all the people I couldn’t save, but the only thing I can do for them is my best to save as many others as I can.”
“You’re amazing Endeavor,” Keigo smiled. "truly."
He had looked up to this man since he was a small child, but it was nice to be given a reminder of why once in a while.
“Haven’t I told you to call me Enji when we’re off duty?” He asked, avoiding the compliment as he usually did; no doubt with the usual accompanying blush hidden in the dim light.
“Sorry, you’re amazing Enji,” Keigo said, laughing at the awkward grunt Enji let out. This man was truly adorable and Keigo felt privileged to be one of very few to know this side of him.
“Thank you for making me feel better... and letting me stay here.”
“Any time,” Enji smiled softly as a mischievous grin spread over Keigo’s face,
“Is that any time for both?”
“Go to sleep little bird,” Enji rolled his eyes with a huff and shifted onto his back to get comfortable for sleep.
Keigo stared at him through the darkness for a long moment; the soft glow of the outside city lights illuminating his profile in the most gorgeous way. He was so close, merely inches apart, and Keigo would give anything to touch him. Just to reach out and run his fingers through the patch of red hair on his chest, or over the slope of his perfect nose, maybe even curl into his side as he fell asleep.
“Hey Enji...” He whispered with a surge of courage, though barely loud enough to hear in a shy hope that the older man was already asleep.
“Mmm?” Enji hummed.
“I... um... forget it,” Keigo said, losing his nerve like he had every time before.
“Tell me,” Enji said, turning back to his side to face him; a little closer than before and Keigo could only hope he could hear his heart beating.
“I like you... a lot,” he said, holding his breath for the adverse reaction, but it never came; just Enji’s fallen gaze.
“I know you do.”
“No, I really like you,” Keigo insisted. If he was finally going to confess, he might as well do it right.
“I know, but I don’t know why,” Enji whispered, “I’m not a good man.”
“I don’t believe that at all!”
“You have me on this pedestal that I don’t deserve, you don’t see the things I’ve done.”
“That’s not true! Yeah, maybe when I was a kid, but I know you now. I know you’ve made mistakes. Big ones. But you’re making up for them. You're trying to be a better person.”
Enji only nodded in response, not meeting Keigo’s eyes.
“Do you... um... you haven’t kicked me out of bed yet. Does that mean you might consider... accepting my feelings?” Keigo asked, breaking the silence while trying not to sound too hopeful but the lack of rejection was making his heart race even more.
“I accept that you have them, but I can’t return them.” Enji said softly.
“Oh... I’m sorry,” Keigo whispered as his heart began to crumble and vision blur, “I hope this won’t affect our friendship.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for,” Enji said, lifting Keigo’s chin with his finger and looking into his eyes, “You are so beautiful and fun to be around. Anyone would consider themselves lucky to have your affection. I consider myself lucky to have it and I will be selfishly sad to see it go when you find someone else to give it to.”
“If you want it, then why can’t you accept it? What are you afraid of?” Keigo whispered.
“I’m afraid that if I let myself fall for you that you’ll realize that I’m not worth it,” Enji sighed as tucked some stray hair behind Keigo’s ear. The touch so intimate it made Keigo’s heart ache and yearn for more.
“That wouldn’t happen.”
“How do you know that?
“How do you know you’d fall for me?” Keigo countered.
“Because I think I already have.” Enji’s words knocking the air from Keigo’s lungs as he stared wide eyed at the older hero.
Enji stared back, his hand holding Keigo face while his thumb ran softly over his cheek. “I suppose I shouldn’t have said that while trying to convince you why you shouldn’t want me,” he chuckled.
“You’ll never convince me not to want you. You’re all I’ve ever wanted and all I will ever want. Whether you accept me or not, that’s never going to change,” Keigo explained as tears pickled in his eyes.
Enji’s smile faded but he didn’t look away; just continued to stare into Keigo’s eyes with turmoil passing through his own. As if trying to decide between what he should do and what he desired.
“Would it be okay if I kissed you?” Enji asked, barely loud enough to hear, but like music to Keigo’s ears after an eternity of silence (or so it seemed)
“Please,” Keigo almost whimpered before he felt soft, warm lips press against his own.
It was slow and quiet, there was no urgency or desperation; nothing like what Keigo had thought his first kiss with Enji would be like, but so much more perfect that he could have possibly imagined. Just their mouths moving together as though it was what they were made to do.
“When we get home,” Enji began after they parted, leaning back onto his pillow and pulling Keigo into him, “I’d like to take you out.”
“On a date?” Keigo grinned as he cuddled into Enji’s side and tucked his head under his chin; a position he had always dreamed about.
“Yeah. If we’re going to do this, I want to do it right.”
“I’d like that a lot.”
“Me too,” Enji said and Keigo could feel his smile as he kissed the top of his head.
“Good night, Enji.”
“Good night, Little Bird .”