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The phone in his pocket was still buzzing, but Hitoshi purposely ignored it, not wanting to give his friend the benefit of knowing his location when he was already a block away from the restaurant. He was already running late, and the five times he had to stop while getting ready and check his phone just to reassure Monoma that he was in fact on his way and would be there within the next twenty minutes was only preventing him from actually leaving his apartment. Usually, Hitoshi wouldn't have been so peeved about Monoma's constant pestering if he at least had a few seconds to pet his cat before fleeing through the door.
But nope, Hitoshi didn't even have enough time for that, never mind drying his hair or even tightening his tie, both of which he had to do on the street as he walked towards the restaurant.
As Hitoshi carded his hands through his hair, trying to let the sun hit the wet strands nearer to his scalp, he turned left and moved through the front door of the agreed-upon brunch spot Monoma had insisted on. Immediately, he found his friend standing beside the hostess stand, blonde eyebrows furrowed together as he held a phone to his ear, only placing the cell in his pocket once he noticed Hitoshi standing in the doorway. Hitoshi walked across the waiting area, moving up to Monoma with half-tired eyes and an unimpressed frown.
"There you are," Monoma pointed out, coming in for a hug.
Hitoshi reluctantly complied, wrapping a hand around Monoma as he mumbled, "I told you I was already on my way-" He leaned back- "You should've expected me to be here soon."
Monoma waved his hand at Hitoshi, "Yes, yes, you're very responsible - let's eat, I'm starved."
As Monoma motioned for a hostess, recalling a reservation he made for this exact time, Hitoshi looked around the restaurant. Honestly, he wasn't expecting it to be just the two of them, when Monoma mentioned birthday brunch he thought he meant the whole friend group, not just him and Monoma. Before he could voice his concerns, Monoma was being lead through the restaurant and Hitoshi was quickly catching up with them as to not be left behind.
They were settled at a table within the back section, a conservatory attached to the rest of the restaurant, giving the guests a chance to view the garden outside without the threat of pollen and direct sunlight. The restaurant was nice, nicer than anything Hitoshi would've chosen, working as a bartender in a sports bar gave Hitoshi low expectations of restaurants as a whole, but this brunch spot managed to change that for him. In fact, everything about it would've been perfect if it weren't for the familiar head of golden hair that immediately caught Hitoshi's attention in his assessment of the space around him.
If the one second Hitoshi caught sight of Denki's bright hair wasn't enough time for him to recognize the other guy, then the many seconds he was given as Denki made a direct beeline for his table was plenty of time.
"Welcome in," Denki said with a hardened voice, and a passive aggressive smack of menus against the table between Hitoshi and Monoma, "I'm Denki, I'll be your waiter - can I get you any drinks?"
Hitoshi didn't bother even glancing at the menus in front of him, his eyes transfixed on the blonde, "I'll have a-"
"I'm not talking to you," Denki quickly responded, only looking at Hitoshi to furrow his eyebrows right in his face, his mouth pulled into an adorable pout - lips that Hitoshi had just kissed only the morning before. The words would've hurt more if Hitoshi wasn't so distracted by him standing there, looking down at Hitoshi like he was scum at the bottom of his shoe, and Hitoshi for the life of him couldn't figure out why. Thinking back on their night together, was it not nice for him? Did Denki not enjoy the time they shared as much as Hitoshi had?
"Oh wow," Monoma mumbled, managing to interrupt the looks Hitoshi and Denki shared, "I guess I'll have a mimosa, if that's allowed."
Denki nodded at Monoma, writing his order down in his notebook, "I'll go get that for you-" He turned on his heel, but before he could even move an inch, Monoma was stopping him.
"And Hitoshi will have a coffee," Monoma spoke up, a devilish grin across his lips where he looked at the side of Denki's face.
Denki didn't bother turning around, just mumbling, "Got it."
With that, Denki walked away, and if Hitoshi hadn't been staring at his back, he would've completely missed the way Denki rolled his shoulders after the interaction. Hitoshi couldn't help how his eyebrows pulled down after that shit show, he kept repeating scenes of Denki's birthday; remembering how they'd spent the night talking with his friends over cake and ice cream, and then he watched as Denki opened presents all while leaning against his side and then - once everyone had left - Hitoshi and Denki hid away from the rest of the world in his bedroom. It was a night that Hitoshi held dearly, one he caught himself thinking about when he looked at the barstool Denki sat in, or even when he was in the shower or when he was simply breathing, and it hurt that Denki maybe felt aggravated by the memory.
"So," Monoma said, leaning forward and pulling Hitoshi's gaze from Denki's back, "How do you know the waiter?" Hitoshi opened his mouth, wanting to respond but in the second it took him to think of what him and Denki were considered - friends, past lovers, just two horny people who ran into each other at the right time? - Monoma was continuing, laughing to himself, "Because that was so unprofessional, I mean, who does this guy think he is? If he doesn't know you, then I'd consider a restraining order."
Hitoshi shook his head, knowing a restraining order was the last thing he wanted, he didn't want more distance from Denki, he wanted so much less, "No, no, I just met him the other night is all."
"And," Monoma added, raising his eyebrows at Hitoshi, "You hit him with a car? Why does he hate you?"
"We-" Hitoshi's face lit up with heat, his cheeks burning with the revelation that sat on the tip of his tongue- "Well, we-"
"Oh," Monoma said through a laugh, "Oh, okay - so he's jealous."
"What?" Hitoshi shook his head frantically, knowing Denki and knowing he wouldn't get jealous. They didn't need to talk about it, Denki made it clear from the beginning that he was only interested in sex and nothing more, wanting Hitoshi's body to help him forget the way his friends - seemingly - forgot his birthday. There wasn't a reality where Denki could be jealous of Monoma and him, not only would it go against everything Denki intended since the beginning, but there was nothing between him and Monoma to be jealous of, "He wouldn't be."
"Hitoshi," Monoma said his name like it was an insult, condescension radiating off of him in waves, "He's so obviously jealous, it might as well be on his name-tag-" Still, Hitoshi shook his head, not believing a word Monoma said because sometimes people weren't as dramatic as he was, sometimes people were straight up and Denki was definitely straight up about what they were. Monoma though didn't accept that, glancing towards the waiter that made his way back to the table, and turning back to Hitoshi with a grin- "Fine, I'll prove it to you."
If Denki weren't there, if he'd have taken a single second longer to give them their drinks, Hitoshi could've asked Monoma what he even meant by that, and then asked him to please not do whatever he's thinking. Instead, Denki returned to the table, placing a mimosa in a champagne flute in front of Monoma before turning to Hitoshi with a mug of coffee, and placing that on the table as well.
"Baby, you're so funny," Monoma suddenly and loudly shouted, grabbing Hitoshi's hand from the table, and wrapping grimy little fingers around his palm just as Denki set the coffee in front Hitoshi, only an inch from the table cloth. Hitoshi supposed the sudden - and loud - adoration from Monoma shocked something within Denki, his hand fumbling and boiling hot coffee came tipping over the top to land across his wrist.
"Ah fuck," Denki muttered, dropping the mug quick and taking his hand back to his side immediately, "Uh, did you have a chance to go over the menu?" His voice was smaller than it had been earlier; where he had completely ignored Hitoshi earlier, only looking at him to express his aggravation, now Denki avoided both of their eyes, looking to the untouched menus on the table and then to his notepad.
Hitoshi shook his head lightly, dipping it towards the waiter in an attempt to catch his gaze, "Oh uh, no we haven't."
"Not yet," Monoma added in a dramatically dreamy voice, "Cuddle bunny and I still need a few minutes."
At that, Denki finally looked at Monoma, crinkling his nose at the other blonde before mumbling a quick, "Fine." Then, he turned on his heel and stormed away from the table as quickly as he possibly could, his head bent towards the floor.
"See?" Hitoshi turned back to Monoma, frowning at the man who looked much too satisfied with himself, his hand thrusted towards the fleeing waiter, and a smug grin across his lips. "That was jealousy."
"Or," Hitoshi suggested, "He's disgusted you called me cuddle bunny."
Monoma rolled his eyes, grabbing at a menu as he groaned, "Seriously?" He flipped open the cover, looking over the options half-heartedly. "Do I need to do that again?"
Hitoshi shook his head, "Don't call me cuddle bunny, please."
"Alright," Monoma muttered, "What about something a bit more scandalous?" With a grin, Monoma added, "I have a few ideas."
"Whatever you're thinking-" Hitoshi pointed a finger in Monoma's face, his gaze narrowed at his table-mate- "Don't."
Sure, it could've looked like jealousy to Monoma, but he didn't know Denki outside of the last fifteen minutes. Really, Hitoshi didn't know him either, Denki was someone Hitoshi didn't know existed before the other day, not just literally, but because he was so different from everyone else Hitoshi has ever known. Denki was bold, and flirty, and even when he was sad and disappointed, he was still the loudest and brightest person in the room. Hitoshi could remember the exact moment Denki walked into the bar, a frown on his lips and the dim lights overhead reflecting off his golden hair, moving towards the last free barstool. From then, Hitoshi was intrigued by him, swarming him like a hawk and refilling his martinis like he was paid to only serve Denki specifically.
When Denki had so openly flirted with him, calling him hot, asking for his number, inviting him back to his place, something came over Hitoshi. It was something he wouldn't normally do before, he didn't like going home with random strangers, but he found himself agreeing before his brain could work itself into overthinking. Then, all he could remember was kissing the guy in an empty bar, being dragged down the street back to his apartment, and then meeting all of his closest friends before ending up in bed with him for twelve hours, kissing and partly sleeping. Now, he didn't want just a one-night stand with Denki, he'd like to see him again, but lightning only really struck once, and he wasn't stupid enough to wait for Denki to notice him again.
Until now, now Denki was right in front of him, upset about something, and even though Monoma claimed it was jealousy, Hitoshi couldn't help but wonder if it was something deeper. Such as, maybe Hitoshi was just bad in bed and Denki didn't want to be reminded of that disappointment.
Despite the way his brain was unhelpfully jumping to conclusions, Hitoshi grabbed his menu and flipped through his options. Even as his eyes desperately scanned each menu item he actually found appetizing, he didn't feel hungry; instead Hitoshi realized he was only looking at this menu desperate to make a choice in hopes he could finally talk to Denki again - even if it was just him ordering a stack of pancakes.
As if the thought of him made him appear, Denki stood at the side of the table, "Can I get you guys some food?" He seemed slightly better this time, but he still avoided Hitoshi's waiting gaze, only meeting his eyes for a second and quickly looking away right after.
Monoma nodded, "I think so, I think we're gonna share the short stack-"
"No we're not," Hitoshi quickly cut in, furrowing his eyebrows at Monoma.
"Fine," Monoma groaned, "I'll have the short stack, and Hitoshi-baby here, will-"
"Order for himself," Hitoshi interrupted yet again, raising his hand as a way to silently encourage Monoma to stop talking, "I'll have uh-" He looked up at Denki, meeting his bright eyes and forgetting exactly what he wanted to order only a second ago- "Uh, the- french toast." It wasn't what he wanted, but it was the only breakfast food that came to mind at the moment.
Denki nodded, "Okay, I'll have that out for you in a minute." He turned on his heel, but before he could make it even a step towards the kitchen, Monoma was adding to their order.
"And," Monoma added, in much too loud of a voice, "Whipped cream to-go, if you know what I mean." Hitoshi watched as Denki's body stiffened at the comment, but other than that small move, he made no other indication he even heard Monoma, leaving without so much as pretending to write it down in his notepad. "Hm, he must not have heard me, there goes that idea."
Hitoshi turned to Monoma with wide eyes, "Why did you say that?"
"I said I was gonna try something more scandalous-" Monoma shrugged- "What's more scandalous than that?"
"Enough of this," Hitoshi mumbled, rubbing at his forehead, trying to physically push back the headache that he felt beginning to form, "Fine, maybe he's jealous - I don't see why he would be jealous of you - but maybe. I don't want him to think we're in a relationship, I don't want him to think we're on a date because I want to go on a real date with him, okay?"
After that confession, Hitoshi met Monoma's waiting gaze, his eyes narrowed at the smug grin across his lips, "Finally you said it, it's so obvious. I've known since-"
"It's cool you guys have an open relationship or whatever," Denki suddenly said, back at the side of the table, no food in sight but his notepad gripped so tightly within his hands, his knuckles looked white, and his eyes were focused on Monoma, "But Hitoshi didn't even tell me he had a boyfriend, which is really weird, and such a red flag. I think you two should have a talk about rules." Everyone sat there, silent, but before Hitoshi could so much as take a breath, Denki was continuing, "Unless it's not an open relationship, and I'm telling you that he cheated on you. Then, I'm sorry."
"Denki-" Hitoshi begun, but Monoma was unfortunately quicker, gasping as he slammed a hand against chest.
"Cuddle bunny?" He looked at Hitoshi with wide eyes full of fake tears. "You- you cheated?"
"Monoma, seriously-" Hitoshi started again, but Denki cut in.
"You used me to cheat on him?" Denki's eyes were also looking Hitoshi's way, wide and full of - most likely - real tears.
Hitoshi frantically waved his hands, "Denki, no no no, hold on, let me explain-"
"Thank you," A new voice suddenly said, one Hitoshi immediately recognized as Izuku - who must've also been invited - thanking the hostess before taking the third chair at the table, suddenly noticing the scene in front of him that had gone quiet with his arrival, "Uh, sorry I'm late."
Denki furrowed his golden eyebrows at Izuku, then turned back to Hitoshi with a look closer to anger, "You have two boyfriends and used me to cheat on both of them?"
"No no," Hitoshi again began pleading Denki, "No, they're not, I'm not- I'm single."
"But-" Denki just blinked at Hitoshi, and Hitoshi was watching as his brain lacked in processing whatever was going on at this table with these three men, and who of all of them he could trust to tell the truth- "He called you cuddle bunny."
Hitoshi took a deep breath, "Can we go somewhere to talk?" He glanced at Monoma, noticing the grin on his lips, and quickly adding, "Far away from him?"
Reluctantly, Denki nodded slightly, "Fine, yeah, follow me." He lead Hitoshi through the restaurant, down a hallway, past the bathrooms, out of a backdoor, and into an alley that was completely empty except a dumpster and an ashtray on the ground. Once the door shut behind Hitoshi, he leaned against it, watching as Denki turned around and leaning against the opposite building's brick wall. He looked nervous, his bottom lip between his teeth and his eyebrows furrowed at Hitoshi, and Hitoshi was sure Denki had a million questions, yet he stayed quiet, allowing Hitoshi to start.
"I didn't cheat on anyone," Hitoshi said, because he thought that was the most important detail to address before all of the little stuff, "I'm not dating anyone, not Monoma or Izuku, I'm single, I was single two days ago as well."
Denki sighed, "So, all of that cuddle bunny stuff?" He tilted his head, and the very thought of Monoma calling Hitoshi the pet-name made Denki's nose crinkle. "Do you two just have a very weird friendship?"
"No," Hitoshi mumbled, "He noticed how I was acting with you, and wanted to see if you would be upset if I had a boyfriend, so he was pretending." And, he supposed him and Monoma did have a bit of an odd friendship, but that's to be expected from anything with Monoma involved.
"How you were acting with me," Denki repeated, slower than how Hitoshi had said it, "How were you acting with me?"
Hitoshi looked away from Denki, knowing he couldn't hide anything if Denki was looking at him with that intense stare, "It's embarrassing, but if I didn't have to leave yesterday, I wouldn't have, and I think Monoma noticed that." It was true, Hitoshi had unfortunately made early-birthday breakfast plans with his dads and little sister, and slipped out the front door of Denki's apartment only leaving a note on his fridge behind. Sure, he was upset he didn't get an immediate text - understanding that that must mean Denki didn't care to see him again - but he got over it quickly, until he saw Denki in front of him, asking him what he wants to drink.
"Why did you leave?" Denki took a step towards Hitoshi, moving from the wall. "And, without a note or anything?"
"I left a note-" Hitoshi furrowed his eyebrows at Denki, also moving from the door- "It's on your fridge."
Denki's eyes widened, "I missed your note- fuck, I'm an idiot." He started laughing, but the sound was emotionless as he dragged his hand down his face. "I thought you left without waking me up, and didn't leave your number, and then I see you here with a guy, and I realized you two were probably dating. I just thought you were the biggest asshole in the world, but I'm kind of dick for not texting you."
Hitoshi shook his head frantically, "It's alright, it's fine now." It might've hurt for the last day that Hitoshi had never gotten a single text from Denki, but knowing this, knowing there's a chance he could have that night back, over and over and over again, he didn't care about any of that.
"It is," Denki agreed, taking another step towards Hitoshi, "It's fine now." Denki was close to him again, and he smelled briefly of a greasy kitchen, but Hitoshi didn't care, so long as he was close. With a gentle touch, Denki placed his hand on Hitoshi's cheek, only waiting for a second of silent confirmation before pulling him into a gentle kiss. This touch of lips was all Hitoshi had been thinking of for the last day, wanting it again but not knowing how he could ever find it. But here it was, right in front of him in the shape of a golden-haired waiter with a tendency to graze his biceps whenever he was within reach. Hitoshi reveled in the kiss, even chasing Denki with his lips when he leaned back to whisper, "Wait, why are you here with him then? Is it just a friend date?"
Hitoshi's cheeks lit up with heat as he mumbled, "It's my birthday."
"It's your birthday," Denki repeated much louder, leaning back completely and then pushing him towards the door, "Go back inside, go sit down, and always tell your waiter it's your birthday." So, he did as he was told, Hitoshi went inside and split apart from Denki just to move back across the restaurant, and find his friends still at the table.
Surprisingly, Izuku and Monoma didn't ask about the conversation, though their cautious glances and cocky grins gave Hitoshi the impression they could read the answers on his face. Then, as they went on and on about updates on everyday life, there was sudden shouting, and Hitoshi was horrified to see that Denki was leading the chorus of waiters in a birthday song as Denki held onto a slice of cake with a lit candle sticking out of it.
As the song came to an end, Denki set the cake in front of Hitoshi, and the entire restaurant seemed to clap once Hitoshi blew the candle out. Then, the waiters went back to their tasks and tables, ignoring Hitoshi for the rest of the brunch, except Denki who continued to stand at the side of their table in wait. Hitoshi looked up at Denki, the man who would finally see the note he left on his fridge and actually message him with details of how they could go on a real date, without birthdays involved.
"Thank you Denki," Hitoshi mumbled, his voice flat in a way to show how much he hated being the center of attention, even though Monoma thrived under the weight of everyone's eyes on their table.
Denki smiled, "Happy birthday, Hitoshi."