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“Would you still love me if I were a worm?”
Shouto pauses his reading, eyes drifting from the book in his hands and up to his boyfriend. They’ve been peacefully reading in their living room, different books, but still side by side, sitting in complete silence. What could’ve brought up such a question? What book is Denki reading again?
Shouto glances down at the book in Denki’s hands. Hamlet. He can’t say he recalls such an idea being brought up in the play.
Hesitantly dog earring the page he’s left off on (he doesn't care that such a thing damages the book, he bought it with his money and is allowed to do what he wants with it, thank you very much), Shouto shoots his boyfriend a curious look.
“If you were… a worm? I’m sorry?”
Denki huffs playfully at Shouto, “Yes, a worm.”
Shouto stares at Denki blankly, “I’m sorry, I think I’m failing to understand this. Why is this important..? Are you going to turn into a worm soon?”
Denki outright laughs this time, “No you goofball. It’s just hypothetical. It’s a silly question, you don’t have to take it seriously. I’m mostly joking.”
Shouto blinks slowly at the man, before nodding along. “Ooookay… then, probably not, I guess..?”
Denki slams his book shut (without marking his page, Shouto notes) before gasping in offense.
“No? What do you mean, ‘no’? If I turned into a worm right now you just wouldn’t love me anymore? What if I get into some quirk accident that actually turns me into a worm, huh?”
Shouto double takes, “I thought you said you were joking?!”
“Yeah, mostly!”
Shouto throws his hands up, “Worms are gross! Plus, their brains are super small, you probably wouldn’t even be Denki anymore! You’d just be some worm!”
“Oh, so that’s it, huh? I’m just some worm now?”
“Denki-”
“No no no, I get it. I see where I’m wanted.”
The man stands up from his seat on the couch, book in hand, and begins making his way to their shared bedroom.
“And by the way, if you got turned into a worm, I would still love you. I’d even get you a kickass worm house. Just saying.”
And with a huff, Denki turns on his heel and storms into their room, shutting the door harshly behind him.
Shouto merely stares at the direction he left blankly. This is the man he said he wants to spend the rest of his life with.
Heaving a big sigh, and checking the watch on his wrist, Shouto stands up and begins making his way to the kitchen, planning what he’s going to do for dinner in his head.
“Denki, dinner’s ready!” Shouto shouts as he knocks on their bedroom door (which is not something he typically does, but, playfully upset or not, he is not willing to further worsen the mood of an upset Denki).
“I’m not hungry!”
Shouto grumbles to himself. “I’m not letting you skip meals Denki! Come on, it’s getting cold!”
“I don’t want it!”
Shouto sighs and leans his head against their door. Really? He’s going to have to say it, isn’t he?
“Denki,” Shouto begins, “I… would still love you, if you turned into a worm. I was joking.”
He hears vague movement on the other side, something similar to shifting bed sheets, signaling that Denki has stood up from his seat on their bed.
“...Would you get me a cool worm house?”
“We’re super rich pro heroes Denki. I’d get you a cool worm mansion.”
He hears movement somewhere from within the room again, before the latch clicks and the door swings open. Shouto lets out a huff as Denki suddenly hugs him hard, wrapping his arms around the smaller boy in turn.
“I was still mostly joking by the way, I wasn’t actually mad. I don’t plan on turning into a worm anytime soon.”
Shouto smiles warmly at the boy against his chest and brushes a strand of blonde hair away from his eyes, “I know you were. Cmon, while it’s still warm.”
As they sit at the table, playfully poking at each other and laughing, Shouto is once again reminded that this is the man he chose to spend the rest of his life with.
And, remembering the box he has stashed away in his bedside table drawer, he thinks it’s about time he turns that into a promise.