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It’s been the same thing for the last three months, Denki comes to his room after their patrols and whines, complains, and pines about TetsuTetsu like Eijirou didn’t just have a six-hour patrol with him. Don’t get Eijirou wrong, he loves his best friend, he does, but patrols take a lot out of him and his socialization meter.
He’s always been the happy one, bright and bubbly with a wide smile, but even he needs a break. Those breaks come as he prepares for bed and gets comfortable under his crocheted comforter, a Crimson Riot weighted blanket. That’s when Eijirou Kirishima breaks in whatever way he needs, so that he can get through the next day. It’s his reset.
For the last three months, Denki has interrupted his reset to talk about his “unrequited” feelings for TetsuTetsu
***
“Eiji, he’s just so amazing and sweet. When I was visiting the B dorms to see Toshi, he invited me to stay for dinner. And he let me have the first go at Mario Kart. He’s thoughtful and adorable when he’s tired. Did you know he likes to cuddle? The other day, when Toshi was helping me with math while Bakubro was on his date, Tetsu came and cuddled with me on the couch!” rambled Denki as he leant against the wall next to Eijirou’s door as Eijirou slotted the key into the knob to unlock the door.
“If he cuddled you, why do you think he doesn’t share your feelings?” asked Eijirou as he opened the door and walked into his room.
“Why don’t you ask yourself that question, Eiji, we’re in the same boat here.” whined Denki with a petulant pout as he followed him in and closed the door behind him to lean against the cool wood.
“Now, you know as well as I do that Hitoshi barely tolerates me. He’s more interested in you and Midobro than anyone else. He only talks to me when he’s greeting me or on squad nights when we both tease you about your dismal card playing.” replied Eijirou as he changed in his attached bathroom, pulling on a loose pair of black shorts.
“And now, I’ll use your words. Hitoshi likes you too, him always sitting next to you when he’s at the dorms or hiding in your room when we get to be too much is way more than a bro thing.” said Denki as he smirked at Eijirou’s eye roll when he comes back into his bedroom.
“Tetsu focuses on you the moment you walk into the room. Don’t try to compare what’s nonexistent to you and Tetsu.” argued Eijirou with a growl as he fell onto his bed, covering his eyes with a hand.
“You’re so grumpy every time I come by your room, Ei. I just wanna talk to someone who won’t make fun of me. You’re so supportive, and I really need that, ya know? I’m sorry, I know I’ve been pretty annoying. It’s just- you’re the only one I can talk to.” rambled Denki apologetically as he rubbed a hand down his arm nervously.
“Denks, I just- I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to jump down your throat, and I wasn’t trying to be a dick either. I’m just really tired, and I had to deal with a lot of people today because of the joint patrol with Lemillion.” explained Eijirou as he pushed himself up to reassure his friend and apologize.
“It’s okay. I get it, Ei. I’m sorry, I should’ve thought about how you’d feel after tonight. I saw how swarmed you got. We can talk more tomorrow since we both have a break day… Oh, did you see the link Tetsu sent of Toshi’s patrol start?” asked Denki softly as he moved away from the door to pull it open.
“I did, but I’ve still gotta check it out. We can definitely talk more tomorrow, Denks, we could make an afternoon of it. I’m gonna check the link out, then crash, but message if you need me.” replied Eijirou with a deep chuckle as Denki stepped into the hall, waving his hand before he pulled the door shut.
***
It’s taken Denki two weeks to visit Eijirou after his patrol again, and he couldn’t have chosen a worse time if he tried. Now, Eijirou is glad that his friend has stopped avoiding him after patrols. He’s ended up getting his updates through texts with Hitoshi which is fairly new and has Eijirou’s heart beating out of his chest every time his name pops up on the screen. So, he’s happy Denki wants to talk to him as he barrels his way into his room with a grunt. But Eijirou is both exhausted and extremely sore as he stumbles to his closet.
“-but I want to ask him out… Even Monoma said I should, Eiji, and yet I still chicken out.” whines Denki as Eijirou focuses in again.
“You know what? I cannot fuckin’ do it again. Hold on.” grumbles Eijirou as he works his phone out of his jeans that are sticky from sweat.
“Eiji, what are you gonna do?” asks Denki worriedly as he wrings his hands together.
Eijirou holds a finger up as he clicks on the name. He shouldn’t do this, but fuck listening to Denki whine about Tetsu when they both like each other. And fuck not being able to tell Tetsu about it.
He’d sworn not to tell Tetsu, so he’s doing the next best thing… calling his own crush.
“Hello?” comes a tired, grumpy voice that sends shivers down Eijirou’s spine.
Eijirou reminds himself to focus as he says, “Hitoshi, I need you to get Tetsu here, now, please.”
“Why? I’m kinda trying to sleep at the moment, and I just kicked him and Neito out.”
He sounds annoyed, whiny, and pouty. Eijirou curses himself for doing this when he can’t see Hitoshi’s face, but he soldiers on.
“Because Denki is whining, and I can’t do it anymore. I can’t tell Tetsu anything, but you can. Please, help me.” Eijirou’s begging, and if he’s gonna beg to anyone, it’s gonna be Hitoshi.
“Fine, but you are gonna owe me for this.” huffs Hitoshi with a defeated sigh.
“Thank you! Just have him come to my room… And I’m sorry for interrupting your sleep.” says Eijirou brightly even as he winces at his own words.
“Yeah, okay… Bye Ei.”
“Bye!”
Click.
“You called your crush because of me and my crush. Holy shit, Tetsu isn’t going to believe it when Hitoshi tells him.” says Denki with a mischievous grin that Eijirou chooses to ignore as he grabs his red U.A. sweatpants.
“Shuddup, I’m tired. And Toshi is the best.” grumbles Eijirou as he walks over to the bathroom door.
“Sorry, man. I shouldn’t have bugged you again.” says Denki with a grimace.
“I don’t mind, Denks, it’s just been a bad week that’s all. But you’re asking Tetsu out when he gets here, fuck that chickening out shit. You’re actually asking him out this time, got it?” replies Eijirou seriously as he looks at Denki.
“You need to just ask Hitoshi out, ya know.” argues Denki with narrowed eyes.
“Yeah, and Hanta is gonna finally tell Momo he loves her. Fuck off. You and Tetsu have a chance. I am not good enough for Toshi, so just leave that alone.” replies Eijirou shortly as he gets into his bathroom, talking through the door as he works on peeling off his sticky clothes.
“Uh- Hi.” comes a voice, moments later, that makes Eijirou stop moving in his bathroom, jeans half-way down his legs.
“Hitoshi! Tetsu! Hi!” exclaims Denki loudly in a high-pitched tone, nervousness sending crackles of electricity into the air.
Eijirou shoves his jeans down, yanking his sweatpants on, and he pulls his door open forcefully.
“Don’t attack my room with your electricity, Denks, I cannot afford to have Aizawa angry with me. He’s already pissed about my patrol tonight.” says Eijirou as he steps out of the bathroom.
“Cause you were dumb tonight. Trying to take on that giant without help.” grumbles Hitoshi as Eijirou’s eyes snap to him in surprise.
“You know about that?” asks Eijirou in a breathless voice.
“Denki, why don’t we go talk about our first date in your room?” asks Tetsu softly, breaking the tension to pull Denki’s attention.
“Oh… OH! Okay!” exclaims Denki excitedly as he lets Tetsu drag him from the room.
It’s an awkward sort of silence as Hitoshi and Eijirou stare at each other with wide eyes and blushes layering over their skin.
“I-uh… I saw it in the common room.” mutters Hitoshi sheepishly as his eyes dart to the floor before meeting Eijirou’s again.
“O-oh. I didn’t even think about everyone watching it.” whispers Eijirou in a gutted tone as he thinks about how everyone hugged him as he came inside.
“Yeah, well, we did. Denki messaged me as soon as he seen you were on TV. I kinda stole the TV during game night.” says Hitoshi as he looks away, this time, in his embarrassment.
“Oh.. Uh- why?” asks Eijirou softly, head tilting curiously to the side.
“Needed to see what was happening, and Denks always texts me about you.” replies Hitoshi in a determined way as he looks at Eijirou again.
“Tetsu does the same for me, and Denks helps.” admits Eijirou quietly, wanting Hitoshi to know he’s not alone.
“Oh.” says Hitoshi breathlessly, soft smile curving his distracting lips.
“Yeah… Umm… Y-You were gonna go to sleep… Do you- uh- I-” stutters Eijirou as he hesitates to ask, knowing he shouldn’t.
“You want cuddles?” asks Hitoshi with a grin, knowingly.
“Yeah, I really kinda do.” murmurs Eijirou nervously.
“Alright, but we’re planning a date in the morning.” replies Hitoshi easily, adding a cheeky wink to his response.
“We can definitely do that… I’d love that…” replies Eijirou with a soft, shy smile.
“Good, cause I’d really like it if you’d be my boyfriend, Ei.” says Hitoshi in a hopeful tone, rubbing his neck with his hand.
“I’d really like that too, Toshi.” says Eijirou excitedly as he steps forward to reach out a hand to Hitoshi, grinning when a cool hand settles in his.
“Great! But I’m tired… So, do you think we can try to go to sleep now?” asks Hitoshi with a soft chuckle, yawn escaping as soon as he finishes speaking.
“Absolutely. I’m starting to feel like I’ll drop again.” replies Eijirou as he guides Hitoshi to his bed.
They lay together under the blankets, curled around each other, fingers intertwined between them. It’s not what Eijirou expected when he called Hitoshi to ask for help, but he’s glad to have Hitoshi in his bed, and his arms, sleeping with him with the planning of their first date leaving him sleeping with a bright smile on his lips. After everything that happened today, this is the perfect way to end his day.