Work Text:
“And then he did this little smirk, and I was just like AWW THAT'S SO CUUUUUTE!! And, anyway, I'm definitely going to show him more cat videos. Like, all the time now. I mean he hardly ever smiles, and all it took was a video of a cat playing with a toy! And I was the one who showed Him, so that pretty much means I was the one who made him smile like that, right?!”
“Hizashi, dude, you need to take a breath,” Oboro chuckled. “And you might want to watch the volume if you don't want the whole neighborhood to hear your gay panicking.”
“But you don't understand,” Hizashi rolled on his bed while his friend watched from a nearby desk chair. “He smiled because of me.”
“I'm pretty sure he smiles at you more than you realize,” Oboro said under his breath.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Hizashi sat upright and stared at the other.
“Oh nothing,” Oboro shrugged. “I just don't get why you don't just say something already. You've been pining for months, even before you were actually friends.”
“That's exactly why I won't say anything. We haven't even been friends for that long. I'm not going to ruin that now. Or ever.”
“Look,” Oboro gave Hizashi a deadpan look. “It's saying a lot just how easily he became friends with you. Shouta doesn't even like talking to people. He talks to you willingly.”
“Stop trying to make me feel better,” Hizashi waved dismissively. “You'll only get my hopes up and then I'll be disappointed when I get rejected AND lose him as a friend.”
“I don't know, man. You could spend the rest of your life pining when you could have what you want,” he rebutted.
“Yeah yeah, I'll just suffer in peace,” Hizashi dramatically wrapped himself in a blanket.
“Your choice, man.” Oboro stood up and slung his backpack over his shoulder. “Anyway, I should be getting home. It's almost dinner time.”
“Oh yeah! I'm hungry!” The ever excitable boy jumped up, making Oboro laugh. Hizashi led him to the door to say his goodbyes.
“See you tomorrow at school,” Oboro left with a wave.
“See ya!”
Little did Hizashi know that Oboro had a plan brewing.
As much as Oboro loved his friends, he was getting tired of the constant pining. Hizashi did it constantly, but Shouta did it too in his own quiet way, usually with small comments and a gooey, lovestruck expression on his face. Oboro tried to tell them both to just take the chance and confess, but he wasn't getting anywhere.
Thankfully, Oboro did have one little trick up his sleeve, and that trick was called his senpai, Kayama. She had also been frequently subjected to the love-woes of the pair. While at first, she treated things like a dramatic soap opera, it had become a bit much, even for her. But Kayama was a bit more mischievous. She didn't have many qualms with meddling in her friends’ love lives. She saw it as a favor; a way to bring about their happiness. And she was good at coming up with schemes.
“Okay, I have the perfect idea,” Kayama said over the phone while painting her nails.
“I'm listening,” Oboro hummed. It had been a while since his conversation with Hizashi and He and Kayama had tried everything from putting fake love letters in each of the boys’ shoe lockers to teasing them about sounding like an old married couple.
“It's time for a little sleepover! We order some take out, gossip a little,” Kayama paused for dramatic effect. “Play a little seven minutes in heaven and lock those two in the closet.”
Oboro let out a loud laugh. “I don't know if they'll agree to that game, especially with just the four of us.”
“That's why we don't tell them,” Kayama answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “We just push them.”
Oboro hummed for a moment, thinking it over. “I feel like I should disagree with that, based on principle, buuuut it's not that bad of an idea.”
Kayama smirked as she inspected her shiny red nails. “I knew you would see it my way.”
Oboro chuckled at her antics. Kayama definitely had her own way of doing things. He had to admit, her headstrong attitude was respectable.
“I'll send a message in the group chat,” Oboro said excitedly.
---
Over at his house, Hizashi was working on his homework. He wanted to just put it off until later, but he knew he would get scolded by Shouta if he waited until right before class started to hastily scribble down what he could, again.
A loud buzz of Hizashi's cell phone against his wooden desk caught him by surprise, causing him to nearly topple out of his seat. He laughed at his own reaction, catching his breath before picking up his phone.
Oboro: sleepover at my house fri. be there!
Hizashi began typing a reply immediately. He didn’t want to get distracted from his assignment, but one little response couldn’t hurt.
Hizashi: say less. im in
Putting down his phone, Hizashi looked back at the paper on his desk. Math wasn’t exactly his best subject, but the formulas looked simple enough if he just focused.
The phone buzzed again before he could even find what question he had left off on. Naturally, he had to check what was said. After that, he would just silence his phone and get back to work.
Oboro: i knew i could count on you (⌐▰U▰)
Kayama: You already know I’ll be there! I’ll bring some movies!!!
Shouta: I don’t think you should be the one in charge of the movies after last time…
Oboro: does that mean ur in?
Kayama: Of course he’s in
Shouta: I never said that
Oboro: ( •̯́ ^ •̯̀)
Kayama: ( •̯́ ₃ •̯̀)
Kayama: You know you want to ¬‿¬
Shouta: Do I really?
Oboro: um… yeah??
Shouta: I don’t know. I might be busy that night.
Hizashi chuckled to himself. It was just like Shouta to make his friends beg. Hizashi knew he would end up saying yes, but the pushing was always fun. He couldn’t help but join in.
Hizashi: (｡•́︿•̀｡)
Hizashi: please?
Shouta: …fine
Shouta: But I’m in charge of picking the movies.
Oboro: dang bro caved so easily when hizashi asked
Hizashi felt his face heat up as he read Oboro’s message. On one hand, he wanted to yell at his friend for saying something like that. On the other hand, Hizashi did like the idea of Shouta agreeing specifically because he was the one to ask. He couldn’t let himself get his hopes up, though.
Shouta: (^◔ᴥ◔^)
Oboro: did my bro just-
Kayama: I can’t believe we just got a sassy cat kaomoji from Shouta.
Kayama: Screenshotting this for proof that it happened.
Oboro: same
Hizashi: same
Shouta: ଲ(ⓛ ω ⓛ)ଲ
Oboro: ok thats just terrifying
Hizashi squealed in delight. Shouta never used kaomojies. Of course he would go with cat ones. Did he even realize how cute he was?
Hizashi watched as the messages continued in a similar fashion, frequently adding his own input. His friends were hilarious. Several times, he thought about messaging Shouta privately, but ultimately decided against it.
Before Hizashi knew it, his mother was calling him to come out for dinner. He looked down at his unfinished homework, guilt and regret sinking in. He let himself get distracted again. He was already lamenting the sleep he would lose out on by staying up late to finish it.
---
Kayama and Oboro were giddy. They had been scheming and waiting for their chance to finally get their two friends together, and it was finally going to happen. It was Friday, and that night would be the sleepover that would surely change everything.
Oboro had told Shouta and Hizashi to come over two hours after school let out. Kayama, however, was asked to be there right away. The two still had some last minute preparation to do.
“Okay,” Oboro started once they entered his house. “I stocked up on all kinds of snacks and drinks, my mom left us money so we can get something delivered, and every pillow and blanket in the house is in the living room. Am I missing anything?”
Kayama held her chin between her index finger and thumb, humming as she thought. “Well, we promised that Shouta could pick the movies.”
“Well, I didn't. That was all on Hizashi. I don't know why we even have to work this hard when they're clearly in love with each other,” Oboro rolled his eyes.
“Oh, sweetie,” Kayama tutted. “It's because boys are stupid.”
“Yeah, I guess that makes- wait, what?!” Oboro squawked once he realized the slight towards his gender.
Kayama bent over, laughing. “I'm sorry, that was just too easy. But for real, they're just oblivious and need a little push.”
“Tonight is the night,” Oboro declared, hands on his hips in a dramatic pose. “I can feel it!”
“What are you feeling in here? Should I leave?” A third voice unexpectedly joined in.
Oboro and Kayama both jumped in surprise.
“Shouta! I really wish you would knock. You're gonna give me a heart attack one of these days,” Oboro chastised his friend.
“If you want people to knock, you should lock your door,” Shouta shrugged his shoulders, holding onto a backpack slung over one arm.
“You really are quiet,” Kayama agreed. “I wonder if there's anything that could make you scream.”
“Kayama, if you go there, I will leave,” Shouta responded, looking her dead in the eyes.
“Shouta's leaving? But I just got here!” Hizashi ran into the room to see what was happening.
“Tell that to her,” Shouta nodded toward Kayama.
“I didn't do anything wrong. I just asked a simple, hypothetical question,” Kayama reasoned.
“Doesn't anyone knock anymore?” Oboro asked, trying to get a word in over the bickering.
“You ask that like you do.” Hizashi poked Oboro in the chest, a shit eating grin on his face. “Besides, your door was unlocked.”
“That's what I said,” Shouta backed his friend up.
“Men,” Kayama sighed with an eye roll. Anyway, let's see what movies Shouta brought!”
Shouta sat down on the couch, unzipping his backpack and pulling out a small stack of DVDs before laying them on the coffee table in front of him.
“I wanted a range of options, so I brought The Exorcist, Moulin Rouge!, John Wick, Ghostbusters, and a few others. You guys can pick from there.”
“This is definitely a range,” Oboro said with a snicker as he looked through the stack.
“Romance and prostitutes?” Kayama raised an eyebrow as she read the back cover of Moulin Rouge!. “This one already sounds like a winner to me.”
“Have you never seen it?” Hizashi asked, a look of shock written on his face. “It's a musical, and one of the best love stories of all time! Shouta, I can't believe you brought this!”
“I knew you liked it.” Shouta tried to act nonchalant, but his cheeks held a faint pink glow. “It's pretty good.”
“I think we know what to watch first, then,” Oboro said. “Let's get some snacks and put it on!”
The rest of the group nodded in agreement before following Oboro into the kitchen. Once their arms were loaded with food and drinks, they returned to the living room. They laid out their spoils and got comfortable.
Oboro and Kayama shared a knowing look before picking their spots for the night. They sat together on the couch, stretched out so that no room was left for the other two.
“There's plenty of blankets and stuff,” Oboro gestured to a large, fluffy stack next to where he sat. “You two will be perfectly comfortable on the floor.”
Hizashi stuck out his tongue in retaliation, but went for the stack of blankets anyway. He couldn't deny how badly he wanted to make a big floor-nest to share with his crush. Shouta didn't comment, just grabbed some pillows and helped make the space comfortable.
Oboro discretely pulled out his phone to send Kayama a thumbs up, which she returned immediately as they both stifled giggles.
Luckily for Oboro and Kayama, it was still early in the night when the first movie ended. The group had joked and laughed at the beginning, but they became so enthralled that they ceased talking by the second half. The two schemers had planned to start leading the conversation towards their own romantic interests to trap Shouta and Hizashi. A romance movie seemed like it should have been the perfect opportunity. It was fine, though. They still had plenty of time to get there before the night ended.
“Okay, I think we need something that isn't going to rip my heart out after that one,” Oboro laughed, trying to pretend that he hadn't just been weeping.
“How about a horror movie,” Kayama suggested.
“Wait, what?!” Hizashi's head jerked up in surprise. “I thought you weren't allowed to bring any movies.”
“I said horror,” Kayama repeated the word slowly, heavily emphasizing each syllable.
“Oh.”
It took a second more for the other two boys to realize what Hizashi had thought she said, but the group dissolved into a fit of giggles once they did.
“I'm always good with horror,” Shouta said, carefully emphasizing the word as well.
Hizashi laughed, playfully shoving Shouta by the arm. “Fine, smart-ass. Just don't be mean to me if I get scared.”
“I won't,” Shouta assured Hizashi with a soft look on his face. “Besides, I'm right here if you get scared. Nothing bad will happen.”
Oboro's mouth fell open in shock at his friend's statement.
“Okay, that was pretty gay. Just saying,” Kayama broke the mood shift.
“Oh, shut up,” Shouta rolled his eyes at her as he popped the movie in the DVD player.
Hizashi's mouth opened and closed a couple times, unsure of what to say. After an awkward pause, he finally mumbled out a “Thanks, Shou.”
“If it's too scary, we can always play a game,” Kayama suggested, giving Oboro a knowing look.
“What kind of game?” Hizashi and Shouta asked simultaneously, one curious and one skeptical.
“Maybe something like… truth or dare?” Oboro answered with a wry smile.
“Oh, I am so in,” Hizashi grinned.
“No,” Shouta deadpanned.
“Aww, come on Shouta! It’ll be fun,” Kayame prodded.
“Please, Shou?” Hizashi gave his friend his best pout and puppy dog eyes.
“Ugh, fine,” Shouta relented with a roll of his eyes.
“There he goes again,” Oboro teased. “Always giving in for Hizashi.”
“I just don’t want to hear any more whining,” Shouta tried to play it off.
“Mhm, sure,” Kayama grinned.
“Okay, enough with the teasing,” Hizashi waved his hand at the others. “Let’s just get to playing.”
“Fine. I’ll go first,” Kayama said, looking towards Oboro. She wanted to get right down to the point, but knew it would be better to build up to anything too crazy. “Oboro, truth or dare?”
Oboro hummed in thought for a moment before answering, “Dare.”
“Right off the bat! Make it good!” Hizashi cheered.
“I dare you too… take every condiment in your fridge, mix them in a bowl, and eat a spoonful.”
All three boys grimaced at the thought, wondering how Kayama could even think of such a thing.
“Fine, you’re on.” Oboro made his way to the kitchen, friends in tow. He grabbed a bowl and a spoon while the others thoroughly searched the fridge and anything that sat on the countertops, making sure they didn’t miss anything. Oboro ended up with a mixture of soy sauce, ponzu, rice vinegar, wasabi, mayonnaise, hot mustard, ginger paste, and chili oil.
“This smells so bad,” Kayama groaned and held her nose.
“Don’t make this harder for me,” Oboro whined.
“Eat it! Eat it! Eat it!” Hizashi chanted.
“Okay, I can do this,” Oboro said to himself under his breath. He eyed his spoonful for only a second before shoving it in his mouth and swallowing quickly.
“Hey!!!” Hizashi and Kayama cheered.
“I can’t believe you actually did it,” Shouta added, wrinkling his nose in disgust.
“Thank you, thank you.” Oboro bowed dramatically before rushing to the sink. “Bad idea. I think I’m gonna be sick.”
“Drink some water,” Shouta tried to instruct Oboro as he spat repeatedly into the sink. Meanwhile, Kayama and Hizashi just laughed.
Eventually, the group settled down enough to go back to the living room where the long forgotten movie still played in the background.
“Your turn, Oboro,” Kayama smirked at him.
“You’re so lucky I can’t pick you this time,” Oboro gave his senpai a dirty look. “I promise I’ll get you back for that.”
Hizashi let out a loud “OOOOH!” before Shouta shushed him for being too loud.
“Okay, then,” Oboro glanced at the other two. “Hizashi, since you’re so enthusiastic, I’ll choose you. Truth or dare?”
“I think I need to pick truth after that one,” Hizashi decided with a shudder.
“Probably a wise choice,” Oboro chuckled. “Okay, we’ll start off simple. Do you have a crush?” Oboro wiggled his eyebrows.
“Yep,” Hizashi admitted quickly, popping the ‘p’ sound.
“Tell us who it is!” Kayama squealed,
“Nope! The question was if I have one, not who it is!”
“Damn, he’s good,” Oboro admitted.
“My turn now!” Hizashi exclaimed. “Shouta, tell us who your crush is!”
“You have to ask truth or dare first, you know,” Shouta reminded his excitable friend.
“Oops,” Hizashi said with a sheepish smile. “Truth or dare?”
“Well, I know not to pick truth, now.” Shouta deadpanned. “Dare.”
“You're no fun,” Hizashi teased. “I dare you to lick Oboro’s elbow.”
“Dude you just wasted your opportunity!” Oboro shouted out.
“What? What should I have dared him to do?” Hizashi asked, confused.
“You should've just dared him to tell you who his crush is!”
“Listen,” Hizashi stuck his hand out in front of himself. “I never claimed to be smart.”
“Future pro heroes of Japan, ladies and gentlemen,” Kayama laughed.
“I'm smart where it counts!” Hizashi protested.
“Have you forgotten that you always complain to me about how bad your grades are?” Shouta’s face was serious, but Hizashi could make out the way the corner of his mouth twitched, fighting a smile.
“Why did you have to bring that up?” Hizashi whined as Shouta and Kayama laughed.
“Yo, have you forgotten the dare?” Oboro pointed out.
“Wow, Oboro, you kind of sound like you want to get your elbow licked,” Hizashi teased.
“I just want to get around to my next victim,” Oboro responded with a devious grin.
“Fine,” Shouta sighed, walking over to the boy. “I hope you’ve showered recently.”
Oboro stuck out his elbow, which Shouta barely touched with his tongue, before saying “It’s been a couple days.”
The other three let out various comments on how gross and disgusting Oboro was, while he just laughed.
“I’m just kidding, guys. I took a shower today.”
“I’m never licking anything Hizashi tells me to even again,” Shouta said, his arms crossed over his chest.
“I wouldn’t be too sure about that,” Kayama mumbled.
“What was that?” Shouta asked.
“I just said that it’s your turn!” Kayama answered cheerfully.
“Right.” Shouta squinted his eyes at her before choosing the next victim. “Oboro, truth or dare?”
“Dare,” he responded with a shit eating grin. “I ain’t no coward.”
“I dare you to walk around and cluck like a chicken-”
“That’s so easy!” Oboro exclaimed, cutting Shouta off.
“I wasn’t finished,” Shouta said, clearing his throat. “Walk around and cluck like a chicken in the middle of the street.”
“Aww, come one, man,” Oboro whined. “What if someone sees me? It's barely even dark outside!”
“What happened to ‘I ain’t no coward’?” Shouta challenged, one eyebrow raised. Hizashi and Kayama ‘oooh’ing in the background.
“Fine.” Oboro took a deep breath, marched to the front door, slipped his shoes on without tying them, and walked outside with his friends in tow.
“I’m so recording this,” Kayama murmured, pulling out her phone and pulling up the camera.
Instead of backing down, Oboro decided to go all out with his dare. He made a display of stretching out his arms before going out into the empty street. He bent his arms so that his fists were curled by his shoulders as wings, which he flapped while strutting, moving his head forwards and back rhythmically and making clucking noises. He let out one final loud ‘BAWK’ before stopping and bowing deeply. The others applauded him, whooping and hollering before running back inside.
“Alright, my turn,” Oboro said the second he plopped back down on the couch. “Hizashi, truth or dare?”
“If it’s as fun as the one you got, I think I need to go with dare,” Hizashi laughed.
Oboro looked at Kayama, one eyebrow raised in question. She nodded in confirmation.
“I dare you to play seven minutes in heaven with Shouta.”
The room was silent for a moment.
“Pfft, what? That’s all you’ve got?” Hizashi tried to challenge his friend to give him a ‘harder’ dare, but it was clear that he was just panicking.
“Welllll,” Oboro drawled. “I could just dare you to kiss him right here.”
“Seven minutes in heaven it is!” Hizashi confirmed, his voice cracking at the end.
“Wait, why is his dare affecting me?” Shouta asked, but went ignored.
“You can use the closet by the front door, it’s pretty empty,” Oboro explained as if he and Kayama hadn’t cleaned the closet out before the other two arrived. “But don’t try to get out early. I’m setting a timer and we’ll be watching!”
“Fine,” Hizashi grumbled. He grabbed Shouta by the wrist and headed for the closet. “Let’s go. It’s not like we have to do anything weird. We can just stand there.”
Oboro and Kayama giggled excitedly as their friends entered the closet and shut the door behind them.
“Timer starts now!” Oboro called after them.
“I can’t believe they went this far,” Shouta whispered with a grin.
“Right? I can’t believe they haven’t figured it out yet,” Hizashi said back with a matching grin.
“Maybe we should just tell them.”
“I don’t know,” Hizashi hummed. “The longer it goes the funnier it gets. It’s not like we didn’t try to tell them right away.”
“Fair, but it’s almost getting sad at this point. We’ve been dating for almost four months now.” Shouta’s smile turned softer, still getting used to the fact that he had a boyfriend. His first boyfriend. One that was cute and funny and balanced him out so perfectly.
“Three months and twenty-seven days,” Hizashi responded, wrapping his arms around Shouta’s neck.
“Sap,” Shouta chuckled as if he hadn’t been counting the hours.
“Well, since we’re playing seven minutes in heaven, why don’t we take advantage of our little situation?” Hizashi spoke in a lover octave, wiggling his eyebrows comically.
Shouta playfully shoved against his boyfriend’s chest. “I don’t think you even know how un-seductive that was.”
Hizashi laughed, trying not to be so loud that their friends could hear him. “You know you love me.”
Shouta was thankful that it was dark inside the closet; his face was surely bright red with the way he felt his face burning. He really did love Hizashi. Maybe more than he should. They had only recently started telling each other, however. “Yeah, I do,” he answered with a sigh. He grabbed the other by the waist and held him close.
“For real though,” Hizashi’s face turned serious. “I really wanna kiss you right now.”
Shouta eagerly leaned forward to connect their lips. There was no need to tell him twice. Kissing Hizashi had quickly become his favorite activity. His lips were always soft and tasted like strawberry lip balm. Shouta idly wondered if his frequent use of the stuff had anything to do with his quirk. Or just wanting to be ready for more kissing.
Hizashi slid his hands up, tangling his fingers in Shouta’s long hair. He loved the feeling of those soft tresses and gripping them tight as he moved to deepen the kiss. He couldn’t help but let out a pleased sigh as Shouta kissed him breathless.
*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*
The sudden pounding on the door made the two jump apart.
Seven minutes are up, lovebirds,” Oboro called before opening the door. “So, how was it?”
“Oh, me and Shouta are dating,” Hizashi said nonchalantly as he walked back to the living room and plopped down in his spot on the floor.
“WHAT?!” Kayama screeched.
Oboro looked at Hizashi in shock, then at Shouta who just nodded in confirmation.
“Oboro!” Kayama yelled. “Our plan finally worked!”
“Oh, no it didn’t” Shouta smirked. “What do you mean?” Kayama asked, her head tilted in confusion.
“Shouta asked me out like four months ago,” Hizashi shrugged as if he hadn’t just totally shocked his friends.
“And you didn’t tell us?!” Oboro asked, scandalized.
“We tried,” Shouta supplied. “You two aren’t the best listeners.”
“I can’t believe this,” Oboro sat next to Kayama, sighing dramatically.
“Four whole months,” Kayama said, letting out a fake sob.
“Three months and twenty-seven days, actually,” Shouta clarified.
“Sap,” Hizashi echoed his boyfriend’s earlier comment with a fond smile.
“We spent so long trying to get them together that we didn’t see what was happening right in front of us,” Oboro said with a thousand-yard stare.
“I’m hungry,” Hizashi said, rubbing his stomach. “Let’s order some pizza.”
“Then maybe we can actually watch that horror movie,” Shouta added.
“Guys?” Hizashi waved a hand in front of Kayama’s eyes. “Does that sound good?”
Oboro answered with a ‘yes’ so quietly that Hizashi wouldn’t have heard him if he wasn’t trying.
“Sweet! I want Hawaiian!” Hizashi pulled out his phone to put in an order.
“Absolutely not! There will be no pineapple on pizza in my house!” Oboro shot up from the couch to protest.
“There he is,” Shouta chuckled.
“It’s my house, I’m the one paying, what I say goes!” Oboro continued.
“I want sausage,” Kayama called out over the yelling.
“Shouta, you want peppers and mushrooms?” Hizashi asked, trying to keep his phone out of Oboro’s reach.
“You know me,” Shouta smiled.
“Hey, no sappy romantic stuff in my house either!”
“You won’t be saying that when you finally get in a relationship,” Hizashi laughed, bent over with his phone tucked against his stomach. “Help me, Shou!”
“I’m good,” Shouta answered, getting out of the way of the brawl and joining Kayama on the couch.
“Ouch, trouble in paradise already?” Kayama elbowed Shouta in the ribs in a playful manner.
“Just because we’re dating, doesn’t mean I have to protect him from all his problems,” Shouta shrugged. “He has to learn on his own.”
“The betrayal!” Hizashi cried. “Why can’t we all just get our own pizza? You don’t have to eat it!”
“Pineapple on pizza is an abomination!” Oboro continued fighting.
“It really is,” Kayama agreed.
“Just let him get it before the pizza place closes,” Shouta tried to reason.
“I knew you loved me!” Hizashi cheered.
“You’re such a simp, man!” Oboro sighed, getting off of Hizashi’s back.
“I don’t know which is worse,” Kayama said. “This or the pining.”
“Well, you’re stuck with this,” Hizashi said back, sticking out his tongue.
“Yep, because nothing’s going to change,” Shouta added, and he meant it.