Chapter Text
Touya scowled at the email missive he’d just received from his father. The employee holiday party had been delegated to him because both of his brothers and his sister were doing things that had been deigned more important. Touya wasn’t sure if the insult was meant for him, the employees, or both.
Touya went to the breakroom, made a coffee with far too much sugar in it, and carried it to his best friend and roommate’s desk. Keigo was on a call, wide smile fixed on his face because he learned that it made his voice more inviting in some marketing class in college. Once Touya’d placed the coffee on Kei’s desk, he flopped down on the chair next to the desk, face contorted in his best I’m so fucking done with everything face.
“Uh-huh….You got it gorgeous, nice doing business with you.” Keigo clicked off the call and reached for his coffee. “How’d you know this was exactly what I needed, hot stuff?”
“Because if you don’t have caffeine constantly entering your body you fall into a torpor, birdie,” Touya replied with a smirk.
“Rude.” Keigo closed his eyes as he took a long drink from the mug emblazoned with Endeavor Advertising in gold script. “So what brings you here slumming it in my office, oh Mr. High-and-Mighty-Vice-President?”
Touya gagged. “I have to plan the employee holiday party. I don’t know what dear old Dad was thinking.”
“I think he was thinking that you don’t have nearly enough to do, what with managing the Toga Blood Banks, Compress Jewelers, Twice Streaming, and Kurogiri Press accounts,” Keigo said dryly. “And aren’t you also close to getting Overhaul Pharmaceuticals to sign on the dotted line?”
“Yes, but Natsu’s working a deal with Shigaraki LLC, which is a more prestigious account than any of mine. Yumi is planning the actually important holiday party for the clients. And the golden boy is in high school—and when he’s not, he’s playing footsie with both the heirs of One-for-All charities and the Bakugou fashion empire. And to add insult to injury, look at the miserly budget for the party.”
Touya pulled up the email on his phone and handed it to Kei, who winced.
“I take it you need my help?” Keigo smirked and batted his eyes at Touya.
Touya made a point of rolling his eyes. “Obviously. I wouldn’t be bothering you in the middle of the day otherwise.”
Keigo barely avoided snorting his coffee through his nose. “Liar.”
Perhaps Kei did have a valid point there. But who else understood Touya like Keigo? They’d bonded in elementary school—the pauper and the prince, as one teacher had once called them. Keigo’s scholarship status hadn’t mattered one bit. Touya learned that Keigo could tell stories that had everyone laughing, but reserved his funniest for Touya alone. Touya’s avoidance of loud crowds had meant he often hid in a closet to eat lunch. Keigo had sought him out and kept him company despite having an open invitation from every table.
In high school Enji had given up on Touya. He wasn't as athletic and popular as his younger brother, already playing on an advanced kabaddi team. Nor did he have Fuyumi’s social skills; she could make a princess and the maid find common ground to bond over. Little Shouto who’d managed to make best friends with three or four of the wealthiest kids in his kindergarten class despite his reserved exterior? Already setting up Endeavor Advertising with new clients at five, thanks to those friendships.
Kei had been the one to keep Touya from dropping out in order to become the public embarrassment of the family. He’d pointed out that being a disappointment would give Enji just what he wanted—justification for giving up on his oldest. He was guaranteed a position at Endeavor Enterprises—all he had to do was make his father see him. Touya had graduated second in the class after Kei.
They’d gone to get tattoos together to celebrate their graduation, each getting a variation on red feathers and blue flames. Touya had always had an affinity to fire—learning how to work the family fireplace in the living room, and constantly burning candles in his room—and blue flames were the hottest. Keigo had always wished he could fly away from his cold, small apartment and his apathetic alcoholic mother. Red was his favorite color. Touya’s tattoos were small—one red feather behind his left ear and a blue flame behind his right. Keigo had gone all in, getting giant red wings on his back, and blue flames twisting up his left thigh to his groin.
They’d been college roommates. Both had majored in marketing, and Touya had completed a double major in business. They’d chosen to together four years post college, despite both of them having the financial capability to live on their own for which Touya was grateful. He couldn't imagine living somewhere without Keigo.
Touya moved fast to tousle Keigo’s hair. Keigo, as usual, was faster and dodged with a smirk.
“Todoroki. Stop harassing your employees. Takami has a pitch to prepare for Aoyama Cheese tomorrow.” Kaina Tsutsumi stood in the door, purple suit immaculate, pink and purple hair pinned back in a bun, white heel tapping. “Save the homoerotic pushy-shovey for home.”
“Sorry, Tsutsumi-san,” Keigo said, cowed.
“What he said. Kei, we’re leaving at seven, so be sure that you’re done by then,” he tossed over his shoulder as he left, Tsutsumi’s cool gaze following him as he approached the elevator.
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While Touya whipped up dinner Keigo got started brainstorming potential themes that they could do on a dime. Which was shameful. Endeavor Advertising had been around for over a hundred years, snagging some of the highest prestige clients along the way. There was so much money that even after the business had been fully invested in, and the profits were divided between his family, everyone had a net worth in the low ten digits. They could throw a massive party and never notice the cost.
Once the food had been plated and laid on the table, Touya went to get his best friend. When he saw the website Keigo was skimming, he hummed and plucked the laptop off Keigo’s lap.
“Ugly sweaters? Can you imagine Enji wearing—” Touya’s voice trailed off thoughtfully.
Keigo snatched the laptop back. “Touya, no.”
Touya cackled. “Touya, YES!”
“You can’t seriously ask everyone down to the janitors to buy an ugly sweater just because you want to tease your siblings and torment your father. Touya, c’mon!”
Touya suddenly knew what the Grinch had been feeling when he’d gotten a terrible idea coupled with the moment his heart grew three sizes. He was going to end of the cartoon Grinch this shit. A gleeful, evil smile curled his lips. “Fuck the budget. I’ll buy all the sweaters. I’m sure Aizawa would be happy to write whatever code is needed to do it so everyone can buy one without needing to wait to get reimbursed. We can pick my family’s sweaters.”
Keigo’s smirk matched Touya’s. “Have I told you recently how much I love your petty streak?”
They planned into the night. Touya reached out to Fukukado Emi, the owner of Nailed It! He arranged for there to be a giant sweater shaped cake that would taste delicious despite the world’s tackiest, ugliest design thanks to Sato-san, the professional cake chef affiliated with the brand. They would give employees the chance to play a holiday version of Nailed It! with test kitchens set up all over the large facility Touya had rented and guest judges a plenty. There were ten websites with tons of holiday sweaters, all of them size-inclusive.
They created lists of furniture rentals and companies specializing in custom events. Touya remembered that Yumi had once hosted an event with machines that blew bubbles full of smoke—when popped, a small bit of smoke floated in the air before dissipating. Christmas trees would be done up in clashing colors—mixing real trees (employees could put their name in a jar to win the tree delivered to their house sans ornaments) in with the most garish fake ones. Giant nutcrackers covered in glitter would be moved outside the agency after the party in the dead of night and smaller ones in a variety of options would be a take home gift. The food would be top notch. Keigo emailed the manager of a band he insisted would be perfect for the event.
By the end of the week Touya had a killer event planned. Aizawa had set up the website. Touya had prepared the invitations. Before everyone left on Friday, they knew that Touya was throwing a blowout for them—Touya specifically. Aizawa had made it known who was funding the party.
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“I think you’ll find based on our work with other pharmaceutical companies and the campaign Takami and I have presented that we could provide the most lucrative advertising for Overhaul Pharmaceuticals,” Touya finished. Keigo sat next to him, having pitched the slick images and taglines they’d come up with for the Pharmaceutical company.
“I think we could come to an…arrangement. Perhaps you could finish convincing me over dinner,” Kai said, eyes hungrily roaming Touya’s body.
Touya had never got the ick so fast in his life.
“I’m sure Touya wouldn’t mind,” Enji said from behind him, having just entered the room. His meaty hand squeezed Touya’s shoulder.
“I can’t because—” Please forgive me for this. “—Kei and I have a date tonight.”
Kei’s eyes widened before they shuttered. He nodded, playing along.
The hand on his shoulder tightened, painfully. “I’m sure your roommate can do without you for one night.”
“Perhaps, but I doubt my boyfriend can. I’m sure Chisaki-san can relate,” Touya said. Boyfriend. He hadn’t had one of those in a long time. Neither Tinder or Grindr had produced anyone Touya was interested in longer than a night. He was certain Kei was single—the man was practically a monk, despite his flirtatious exterior. “But we could do a lunch meeting next week? My assistant can reach out to you with some dates and times?”
Chisaki-san looked annoyed. “I suppose. In the meantime I’ll also be meeting with the Hands Up! Agency.”
The hiss of air filled his right ear. “I’m sure that my son can deliver on his promises,” Enji said, voice tight with unsaid (unyelled) words.
The hand remained on his shoulder until Chisaki and his execs were on the elevator. Enji’s hand slid to his bicep and yanked Touya around to face him. Piercing blue eyes, ones his own matched perfectly, bore into him.
“Boyfriend?” Enji bellowed.
Touya forced his spine to straighten and shoulders to square. “I’m sorry, how is this a surprise? I’ve been pining after him since at least sixth grade.”
Touya’s eyes flicked to Keigo, who was mouthing “What the fuck, dude?” from behind Enji’s back.
Enji growled, but released Touya. “At least do yourself a favor and get a pre-nup,” he snapped. On the way out of the room, he rolled his eyes at Keigo. “You could do better than Touya, boy. Be smart.”
At that insult to Touya, Keigo shot to his feet. “All due respect, Endeavor-san, but Touya is the only man I’ve ever wanted. Everyone else is a distant second.”
Heat rose in Touya’s cheeks. His father waved off Keigo dismissively and left the two friends alone in the conference room. Keigo’s golden eyes met his as the tip of his tongue swiped across his lower lip. The silence engulfed the room, louder than the last rock concert Touya had dragged Keigo to.
“Um, I need to wrap up a few things. Don’t wait for me—I’ll see you at home,” Keigo blurted out before snatching up his laptop and leaving the room at a jog.
Touya sank down in the chair nearest to him. “What was that?”
The room had no answers.
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It was nearly midnight before Kei got home. Touya tossed the book his mother had recommended to him off to the side and stood up. “I—uh—I made food. I put yours in the fridge.”
“I ate out, sorry. But I’ll warm it up and feast at some point this weekend.” Kei wouldn’t meet his eyes as he unlaced his boots and put on his house slippers. “I’m pretty exhausted. Night, Tou.”
“Keigo. C’mon, just wait a second. We need to talk—you’re my best friend, and I’d rather go out with Chisaki than lose you. I’m sorry, Birdie. Please don’t shut me out.” Touya’s eyes were burning. Keigo had been his north star—ever present and comforting–for twenty-odd years.
His bird was the only long term person that didn’t involve his daddy issues or distant relationship with Yumi, Sho and his mother. He got along with Natsu, but the five years difference and shared childhood trauma made it a very different relationship than his and Keigo’s. His life without Keigo would be pretty empty—something he hadn’t ever considered as a possibility until he was seemingly on the verge of losing him.
“It’s all good, man,” Keigo chirped at him, fake smile plastered across his face as he walked backward towards his bedroom door. “I’m meeting Rumi for a hike at seven, so I really need to crash. We’ll talk soon, promise. But we’re good—we’re great!”
Miserable, Touya buried his face in his hands. “Fuck.”
Touya had plans with Natsuo on Saturday. His brother confessed that he’d applied to Tokyo University’s Medical School last fall and had been accepted. They’d strategized ways that Natsu could tell their father without his fiery temper burning everyone around him. After a late dinner, they’d migrated to a bar where one of Natsu’s friends was playing in a band.
Touya lost himself in vodka, pounding bass, and pointless attempts to flirt with other men—all of whom were blond, and none of whom he wanted to shove into a dark corner or a bathroom to defile. Not like he wanted to do to Keigo. Like he what? He switched to tequila to make the voices in his head shut up. It didn’t even make sense—he and Kei weren’t like that!
When the world stopped spinning, Touya’s found himself at home, head hanging over the lip of the porcelain god in his en suite bathroom. Someone brushed a cool washcloth over the back of his neck.
“What am I going to do with you, Hot Stuff?” Keigo’s voice was hard to make out due to the ringing in his ears.
“Sorry I’m such a mess, Birdie,” Touya slurred.
“Shhh. Do you want to throw up more, or are you ready for me to shove you in the shower and get you pajamas?”
Touya gestured vaguely toward the shower. Keigo helped him to his feet once the bathroom was full of steam. Touya groaned as he washed off the reek of alcohol wafting from every pore. When he was done, he found a water bottle full of icy water, Tylenol, and soft pajamas waiting for him next to the sink. He downed the Tylenol and water, refilling the water bottle in the bathroom sink so he could continue to hydrate.
Rather than pull on clothes, Touya dried off and headed into his bedroom.
“Feeling bet—” Kei froze, eyes darting between Touya’s face, chest, and dick. He shot to his feet from where he'd been sitting on the bed. “Touya!” Keigo’s voice had gone high, cracking on the last syllable.
“What the fuck? You’ve seen it a million times. Stop being fucking weird. Get in—want cuddles.” Touya grumbled, moving to the other side of the bed and climbing in between the blissfully cool sheets. He rolled to face Keigo and made grabby hands at his best friend.
Touya pouted when Keigo didn’t move. The shorter man stood, frozen, eyes wide, kissable lips slightly parted.
“Birdie, c’mooooon,” Touya whined.
“You’re not even sober! I want—I can’t—I shouldn’t. Bye!” Keigo squeaked before dashing out of the room.
Touya’s lower lip pushed out further as he pulled the blanket higher. It wasn't long before dreams of golden eyes, sturdy arms, and a flat ass dragged him under.
The billionaire greeted Sunday with a hangover that wasn’t quite as bad as it would’ve been were it not for Keigo’s help the previous evening. Speaking of the bird, Touya felt like there was something he should remember, but couldn’t.
When he knocked on Kei’s door, Touya winced. Perhaps he hadn’t hydrated nearly enough—the headache had grown exponentially with each knock.
“You look like shit,” Touya said, shocked at the deep bags beneath Keigo's eyes.
“Keep giving me compliments like that and I don’t know how I’ll prevent myself from falling to my knees,” Keigo snarked before yawning.
Fire flashed through Touya’s blood. Something about his dreams…and cuddles? He wasn’t sure what it was, but the more he tried to make the images clear, the blurrier they became. “I–um–eggs?”
“Sure, baby,” Kei said with a wink.
Flummoxed by Kei’s flirting, Touya cooked a greasy American-style breakfast with eggs and bacon while Keigo made toast. Sitting across from Kei made his roiling stomach calm, though.
“You decide what kind of ugly Christmas sweater you’re wearing?”
Kei arched an eyebrow. “We’re not going to surprise each other, Hot Stuff?”
“I thought we could do complementary ones. My father thinks we’re a couple, so we should cover our bases.”
“Only your father thinks that?” Pearly teeth bit into a plush lower lip, sending that unfamiliar heat through Touya’s blood again.
Thrown off guard by this second random occurrence of that phenomena, Touya wondered exactly how long it had been since he’d gotten that blasted. Thoughtfully he nodded. “You’re right—he’s told my mother and siblings by now.”
His best friend closed his eyes and let out a slow breath. Keigo didn’t speak, but his lips formed the words fuck my life.
“I’m sorry you got sucked into this. Are you done avoiding me, though? I’ve got Chisaki on speed dial if that would help. I could tell my father it was all a joke, or something,” Touya said, knocking his Adam from Hazbin Hotel themed slippers against Kei’s Lucifer themed ones. They’d gifted them to each other last Valentine’s Day and re-watched all of Season 1 rather than date what Shouto’s boyfriend Katsuki called “extras.” A bro date. Right? Right.
“I can handle it. I don’t like the way he looked at you,” the blond said. Having finished adding jelly to his toast, Keigo licked the blade of the butter knife clean in a slow, deliberate manner. “The next time you and Natsu decide to go drink so much you barely know your own name, you should bring me as your designated driver. Don’t worry, you took a cab home. But it’s a miracle your wallet, phone, and keys made it with you. Someone might’ve tried to seduce you into making them your sugar baby.”
The memory of an ex trying to set themselves up as exactly that made Touya shudder. “Not funny.”
“What, no interest in being called Daddy?” The stupid sexy smirk was doing things to Touya’s still jumbled up brain.
“Shut. Up.”
Keigo snickered. “But you’re so easy to poke.”
“I suppose that if either of us is going to be doing the poking, it’s you,” Touya snarked back. Two could play this flirty bullshit game.
“Good that we have an understanding, pillow princess.”
Mind suddenly filled with thoughts he couldn’t recall ever having, Touya had no response apart from an unfamiliar flutter in his chest and twitch in his dick.
The rest of the day was blissful in its return to normalcy after Keigo’s weirdness. Touya must have made some brilliant argument while drunk–he did always have a certain eloquence when inebriated. He patted himself on the back–vodka plus tequila must be a magic combination.
After so many days of weirdness and distance, Keigo was back to normal. Close to normal, at least. When they watched the newest Miyazaki movie, Keigo swung his legs over Touya’s lap. He’d been massaging Kei’s calves for some amount of time before Touya even realized that he was doing so. Keigo had done yoga in the living room “for a change of scenery” in only black joggers. The tattooed wings on his back flexed as if he were really flying as he stretched and flowed through positions. Static filled Touya’s head, which was unfortunate as he’d thought he was recovered from his hangover but clearly he wasn’t.
During their second marathon of Hazbin Hotel season four this month, Touya’s eyes grew heavy. He leaned into Keigo’s side and let his eyes close, drifting. When Keigo sang along to Hell’s Greatest Dad, Touya’s lips curved. This was perfect. Maybe he’d convince Kei to never get married. They could grow old together bathed in the warmth of their friendship. When Kei put an arm around him, Touya lost the battle and fell into dreams that made no sense–apart from the fact that it had been a long time since he’d gotten laid.
Some time later Touya blearily resurfaced into wakefulness. It was too bad he and Keigo had never been into each other like that. The bird would’ve been a perfect husband. But he was lucky to have him as a best friend and roommate.
The doorbell shattered Touya’s peace. A groan filled his ears, although it was unclear who had made the noise. As Touya sat up, a blanket slid to the floor. He was annoyed by the cool air as Keigo left the couch and opened the front door.
“Is Touya here?” It was Shinji–a former hook-up who had never quite gotten that Touya was done with him. He’d been average at best in bed, and had only ever talked about environmentalism, which was an engaging topic–but not on every date.
A chilly “no” followed by the door closing with a noise just below a slam was the only response.
“Hot.” Heat infused Touya’s face. What the fuck was wrong with him today? When Keigo tossed a wink over his shoulder, he barely managed to swallow a whimper.
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A few days before the party a large package arrived at Touya and Keigo’s apartment. Keigo had begged Touya to pick out their sweaters since Touya had to pick out the ones for his family. His birdie happily agreed.
Kei gestured to open the package. The first sweater was Darth Vader with the words “I find your lack of cheer disturbing” embroidered on it—perfect for Enji. His mother got a blue and white one with Belle reading a book, embroidered with “Three ghosts will visit you tonight.” Fuyumi had been tricky, but he’d gone with one printed with Santa riding a t-rex past Saturn. Natsuo, a massive sci-fi nerd got “Trek the Halls” with Data looking inquisitively at a decorated tree. Shouto got a green sweater with ugly garlands and lights. When a button in the cuff was pressed the lights would flicker in time to Oh Christmas Tree playing loudly from the sweater. It would entertain him to annoy his father just as it would Touya. Izuku got a sweater with a narwhal quoting from Elf. And Katsuki got one with an annoyed looking Grinch on it that read “Is this jolly enough yet?”
Eager to see what Keigo had gotten them, Touya pulled the last(?) sweater out of the bag. “Fuck. Kei we’re short one.”
Kei took a swig of canned coffee. “Just open it, Touya. Trust in me.”
Touya did so, while shooting suspicious looks at his friend. His really gorgeous friend. Had his eyeliner always been so sexy?
The sweater opened…and opened until he was looking at one massive sweater with two neck holes and two arms. For two people. One would provide the head for the elf on one side, the other for Santa on the other. It took Touya a moment to process before he laughed so hard he had to lean against the wall.
“You–” gasp “—I can’t believe you—” gasp “Fuck, Keigo, I love you.”
As the truth of it hit him like a train, he stopped laughing abruptly. He looked up at his birdie, who wasn’t laughing, his eyes so full of longing that Touya kicked himself for being oblivious for so long. He dropped the sweater, took the three steps to Keigo and swallowed.
“If you don’t want me to kiss you, tell me now, Kei.”
Kei’s large hand wrapped around the back of his neck and yanked his head down to meet the shorter man’s lips. Their mutual enthusiasm made the first kiss more of a mashing of mouths than anything else. When Kei tilted his head, though, there was a click as the kiss transformed from hungry and inelegant to a passionate dance of lips. Touya’s tongue darted out to invite Keigo to take the kiss even deeper. Touya surrendered to the feelings he’d been dancing around for easily a decade if not longer and pulled his oldest and best friend/love of his life closer.
Before he registered that they were moving, Touya was overbalanced and landed on their couch with his eager bird on top of him, knees bracketing his hips. When had they turned up the thermostat? The room was so hot he was burning up with flames from the inside. His heart sent his pulse galloping through his veins, echoing in his ears.
“–Wanted you for so long,” Keigo’s breath was hot against the shell of Touya’s ear. Despite the overwhelming heat of the room, Touya shivered.
“Fuck, Kei.” Without any regard for the absurd amount of time Keigo put into his hair, Touya’s fingers twisted in his silky blond hair. “Was so dumb.” Touya licked up Keigo’s neck, pulling a needy whine from the other man as he sucked a bruise into his skin. It was vital that there be proof this wasn’t a fever dream that would evaporate the moment his eyes opened. “S’always been you.” He felt Kei’s cock, hard as iron, against his when Kei rolled his hips down. “My pretty bird.”
“About.” Kei’s golden eyes reflected the light as their eyes locked. “Fucking.” Kei’s tongue plundered Touya’s mouth, drawing forth treasure in the form of moans and whines. “Time.” His hips set a rhythm that Touya eagerly met. “Idiot.” Touya’s eyes slipped closed as their touches and the emotions blasting forth from whatever cave in his brain he’d suppressed them into. “I fucking love you, Hot Stuff.”
“I love you so much. My pretty bird.”
It was hours before they left the couch, stumbling to Keigo’s room. They showered together, removing the sweat and sticky consequences of the actions they regretted not one bit. Naked, they collapsed into the bed.
“All things considered, you can have cuddles tonight.”
Touya narrowed his eyes. He’d managed to piece that part of his bender together, although much was still a blur. “I deserve cuddles every night. Pamper me.”
Kei chuckled. “Yes, my pillow princess.”
“Damn right.”