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Tamaki was not having a good time. Mirio had promised him they would have a good time, and he wasn’t. He had no idea where the extroverted blond had gone, and he was starting to freak out. He could feel anxious tears starting to gather at the corners of his eyes, arms crossing over his stomach, trying to hold himself together.
And the girl that was trying to get his attention was not letting up. She was almost as insistent as Neijire, but unlike the bubbly girl, this one wasn’t getting the hint and just thought he was adorable.
He flinched when an arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him against another body, flushing when he felt lips brushing against the shell of his ear, “Relax, I got you,” a voice murmured to him before the voice said more loudly, leaning away slightly, “Hey babe, sorry I’m late. Who’s this?”
The girl looked between the two, disgust on her face at the new man’s presence, “Leaving.” she spat, walking away.
Tamaki flinched away from her as well, further into the comfort of that solid chest, so much narrower than Mirio’s. He glanced up into smiling golden eyes, “Hey, Amajiki. Thought you could use the save.”
Tamaki wracked his brain trying to remember who this man was, catching a glimpse of the lightning bolt in his yellow hair, “K-Kaminari?” he croaked.
Denki’s grin grew a little larger, “Awww, you remember me? That’s good to hear.” he said, glancing down and retracting his arm, “Oh, sorry, man. You doing okay?”
Tamaki nodded, then hesitated and shook his head, “No, I want to go home.” he mumbled.
Denki laughed softly, setting his arm around him again, “Is that your regular nerves getting the better of you, or are you actually really overwhelmed right now.”
“The… the second.” Tamaki mumbled, hiding in his shoulder. Denki was a friend, someone he could trust. He’d be okay with the electric blond.
Denki nodded, rubbing his arm, and gently guided him out of the club into the quiet alleyway behind it, loosening his hold when the door closed and the loud music was muffled, “Hey, you doing any better, man?” Denki asked softly, rubbing his shoulders.
Tamaki continued to hide his face in Denki’s chest, his arms tucked into his own chest. He shook his head, not ready to face the world again yet.
Denki hugged him gently, wrapping his arms around him, “It’s okay, man. Take as long as you need. Did you come here with someone?” he asked softly, ignoring the piles of trash around them.
Tamaki nodded slowly against him, “Mirio.” he murmured, not sure the other could even hear him.
“Mirio’s here too, huh? Want me to go tell him you’re leaving early so he doesn’t worry?” Denki murmured, grip tightening a little more.
Tamaki shook his head this time, slowly lowering his hand to pull his phone out of his pocket, unlocking it and pressing it into Denki’s chest before hiding again, “Please… please tell him. Just… just a text is fine. Don’t… want to ruin his night.”
Denki took the phone, releasing the hug but letting Tamaki continue to pretend he was a corner he was hiding in, texting the other hero before slipping the phone into his own pocket, “I’m gonna take you home.” he declared, “Would… would that be okay?”
Tamaki nodded. He just wanted to go home, but he wasn’t sure he could get himself there right now.
And he really didn’t want to be alone.
Denki smiled above him, “Can you walk or do you want me to try and carry you? It probably wouldn’t go well, but I’m happy to try.” he laughed.
Tamaki smiled slightly at the playfulness of the serious offer, “I… I can walk. Just… make sure I don’t run into anything?”
Denki nodded sharply above him, “Yeah! Definitely! Although…” he looked around the alleyway, “Could you come out just enough to keep yourself from stumbling into the trash? I can take care of the rest of the way back to my place, just…”
Tamaki peaked out and saw their predicament. He nodded slowly, stepping away from Denki slightly, but taking his hand in a death grip as they walked.
They were out on the sidewalk, Tamaki once again hiding in Denki’s shoulder, when the blond spoke next, “Does your quirk usually activate when you’re nervous?”
Tamaki blushed, looking down at their joined hands where his fingers had manifested as tentacles again, wrapping around Denki’s hand and wrist, disappearing up his sweatshirt sleeve, “Not… not usually.” he mumbled. He tried to get them to release, for the suckers to just
let go
, but it just wasn’t working, “I… I’m sorry.” he said, looking up with wide, violet eyes, “I can’t stop it.” he really wanted to go home and hide now.
Denki smiled, squeezing back with a tiny electric shock, “It’s okay, I’m nervous too.” he admitted, “I don’t mind. It actually feels kinda nice. I just wasn’t sure if you were doing this on purpose or not.”
Tamaki flushed even darker, once again hiding in Denki’s shoulder, making the blond laugh, loud and bright in the dim glow of the streetlights. The violet-haired man smiled slightly at the sound, relaxing again. Soon he was finally calm enough to really walk beside Denki, tentacles still pulsing and hugging tight, “Why… why did you save me back there?” he asked as they turned down another street.
“What?” Denki asked, not really processing the question, “Oh, you looked like you needed an out, and I’ve been on both sides of that situation. Just… it’s a really shitty thing to do, backing someone into the corner like that. I didn’t expect her to be homophobic trash, but still. Fake dating is usually a safe bet. Speaking of, I’m not going to get my ass handed to me for this, am I? I really don’t usually pick up taken guys, but you really looked like you were starting to break down, and no one wants that.”
Tamaki shook his head, “No… No one.” he murmured, a slight blush on his cheeks again, “You’re safe.” he said with an aborted laugh, “No one would want to date me anyway.”
Denki huffed, “now that’s just not true, my man. I’m sure a lot of people would want to date you.” he squeezed his tentacle hand a little tighter for a moment, “And your habit of popping a tentacle when you’re anxious.” he teased, giving him a sideways crooked grin.
Tamaki hid his blushing face in his free hand, “Your words only drag me deeper into despair.”
Denki smiled, rolling his eyes, “I’d date you.” he pressed, “Though I know that’s not really a plausible arrangement. I’d probably just overwhelm you. Speaking of, do you want the couch? You can steal my bed if you want, I really don’t mind, either way.”
It took Tamaki a minute to loop back around to the conversation at hand, brain stalled on Denki’s confession, “I… the couch is fine.” he mumbled, not looking over, “Thank you…. For doing this for me. And letting me stay the night.”
Denki waved him off, “It’s nothing. I wasn’t really feeling the bar scene tonight. anyway. You gave me an excuse to come home early and game.”
Tamaki nodded slowly in acceptance, “Oh… okay.” he mumbled, letting them walk in comfortable silence, unconsciously pressing closer to the blond’s side for the rest of the journey, his eyes focused on their feet and the lights reflected in puddles. It must have rained while they were at the bar, he hadn’t noticed.
Denki squeezed his hand when they got to his building, bringing Tamaki out of his mind, “Hey, we’re going in here.” he murmured, not wanting to scare him with sudden noise.
Tamaki hummed slightly, looking up. It was a nice enough building, definitely within the budget of a young pro just starting out on his own, “Which one’s yours?” he asked softly.
Denki pointed up to one of the higher floors, “Second from the top. It’s got a pretty nice view, actually. Come on, let’s get inside so you can sleep.” he said, tugging Tamaki up the front steps through the doors and toward the stairs, since the elevator was out again.
Tamaki looked around as they went, staying close, quirk still clinging to the electric blond, subdued for everyone asleep at the late hour.
Denki opened his front door and let Tamaki enter first, though he didn’t get very far before he was pulling in as well.
Tamaki flushed when he still couldn’t let go, “I’m really sorry about this.” he mumbled.
Denki laughed, “Don’t be, it’s fine! Just means you’re gonna have to come to bed with me, cause I really don’t think the couch would hold us both.”
Tamaki flushed darker, “You’re… You’re taking me to bed?”
Denki took the lead, heading to the bedroom, “Really, man, it’s no big deal. Just two dudes being bros, if that’s all you want it to be.”
Tamaki trailed after him like a lost puppy, curling into himself, not really sure how this was goind to work, given their position his quirk had gotten them into.
Once in the bedroom, and Denki had kicked some dirty clothes under his bed, earning a soft smile from Tamaki, the blond gently pushed him toward the bed to climb in first, he would follow once Tamaki had gotten settled in.
They lay there awkwardly for a little while after that, as far away from each other as their joined hands would allow. Tamaki’s tentacles were as stuck as they’d ever been, gently massaging at Denki’s flesh, “I’m really sorry about this, I don’t know what’s come over me.”
Denki chuckled, shaking his head, “It’s fine, really. Getting massaged by an octopus has got to be more comfortable than dealing with my static during a thunderstorm. We all have our little problemts.”
Tamaki chewed his bottom lip but nodded, “Yeah… I guess you’re right.”
Denki shifted closer, tugging Tamaki toward the center of the bed as well, their joined hands tucked into their chests as Denki tangled their legs, “Come on, it’s late anyway. Maybe if you get some sleep, you’ll calm down enough for your quirk to turn off.” he mumbled.
Tamaki nodded, accidentally bumping their foreheads together softly, “Ye-yeah. Maybe.” he agreed, feeling that familiar flush crawling up his neck again. This was so embarassing.
Denki raised his free hand and brushed his thumb over Tamaki’s cheek, “you’re really adorable when you’re flustered, you know that?” he murmured.
“I’m always flustered.” Tamaki said, brows furrowing in confusion.
“You’re always adorable.” Denki murmured, leaning in to brush a soft kiss against his lips.
Tamaki stiffened, not having any idea what to do. It wasn’t bad, or really unwelcome , but it was new and confusing, and Tamaki didn’t do well with either of those things.
Denki winced at the flinch, “Sorry, I… I thought…” he drew back, “I misread the moment, I’m sorry.”
Tamaki shook his head, “No!” He nearly shouted, “No, it’s okay. It… it was nice. I don’t mind. I was just… surprised. You can… do it again, if you want.” he was so red, he was sure of it.
Denki slowly moved closer again, watching Tamaki incase he changed his mind, and cupped his cheek again, “You’re sure?”
Tamaki chewed his lip and nodded.
“Vocal confirmation, Amajiki.” Denki murmured, “I don’t want to mess up again.”
“Yes…. please.” Tamaki whispered, barely louder than a breath.
Denki closed the distance for another slow, sweet kiss, barely more than a press of lips before breaking it off again, pressing another kiss to Tamaki’s forehead before tucking the violet head under his chin, “Get some sleep. If you still want, I can kiss you again in the morning.” he murmured, rubbing his back, trying to get Tamaki to settle and rest.
Tamaki, for his part, pressed ever so slightly closer, first in the front of Denki’s hoodie, and was asleep between one breath and the next, feeling… safe.