Work Text:
Ball Pit
The McDonald’s buzzed with chaotic energy, packed with families, screaming kids, and the greasy scent of fries. Enji Todoroki - Endeavor, the Number One Hero - crouched awkwardly in the PlayPlace’s ball pit, his massive frame sinking into a sea of red, blue, and yellow plastic balls. His hero costume, singed from a recent skirmish, was swapped for a ill-fitting civilian jacket and slacks, but his scowl and fiery red hair screamed “hero.”
Beside him, Keigo Takami - Hawks, Number Two, winged prodigy, and relentless nuisance - sprawled among the balls. His red wings were tucked tightly, and he held a half-eaten McNugget in hand. They were hiding from a low-tier villain with a grudge, spotted tailing them after a patrol gone sideways.
Endeavor’s turquoise eyes glared through the ball pit’s netting, scanning the dining area. This is undignified, he thought. They’d ducked into the McDonald’s to regroup, but when Hawks spotted the villain lurking outside, he’d dragged Enji into the PlayPlace with that infuriating grin. “Ball pit’s the last place they’ll look, big guy,” he’d said, as if this wasn’t a humiliation. Now, buried in balls, Enji’s patience was fraying.
Hawks popped a nugget in his mouth, golden eyes glinting as he peered through the netting. “No sign of our buddy yet,” he whispered, voice light but sharp. His wings twitched, brushing Enji’s arm, a jolt sparking through Keigo’s chest. Too close, he thought, heart racing. Every brush, every moment in Enji’s orbit, was a risk he craved, like soaring into the sun.
Endeavor growled, shifting, balls rustling loudly. “This is absurd,” he muttered, voice a low rumble. “We’re heroes, not children.”
Keigo smirked, tossing a plastic ball at Enji’s chest. “Lighten up, Number One. We’re undercover. Play the part.” He scooped a handful of balls, tossing them lightly, wings fluttering to stir the pit. “C’mon, big guy, live a little.”
Endeavor swatted a ball away, scowl deepening. “Focus, Hawks. The villain’s still out there.” But the absurdity - two top heroes in a ball pit - cracked his resolve. He grabbed a ball, tossing it back with more force, hitting Keigo’s shoulder with a WHAP. Keigo laughed, a bright sound that tightened Enji’s chest, and retaliated with a flurry of balls, wings adding a playful gust.
“Careful, you’ll start a war!” Keigo teased, diving under the balls, wings peeking out. Enji, against his better judgment, lobbed an armful at Keigo’s emerging head, aim precise, expression still a scowl. The play was strategic: they had to stay low and hidden, but Keigo’s grin pulled Enji in, a rare lapse in discipline. Damn him.
Keigo popped up, closer, eyes glinting. “Not bad, big guy. Got a playful side?”
Endeavor froze. His eyes caught movement through the netting: the villain, a fat eye-masked man with a hat and a black-and-white striped shirt, lazily scanned the PlayPlace. His gaze drifted their way after snatching an order of burgers on the counter.
Instinct kicked in. “Down!” Enji hissed, grabbing Keigo by the shoulders and bodychecking him back into the balls, wings pinned down to hide their distinctive red. The force buried Keigo beneath the plastic, Enji’s hands still gripping him, holding him low to keep him unrecognizable.
Keigo gasped, shocked, face inches from Enji’s, golden eyes wide, cheeks flushing. The sudden slam, Enji’s weight pinning him, sent his heart into overdrive. He’s so damn strong, Keigo thought, flustered. Enji’s hands, firm on his shoulders, were a grounding heat, and Keigo’s wings twitched under the balls, trapped but tingling with adrenaline.
Endeavor’s expression turned serious, his voice gruff and urgent. “We have to hide our hero identities,” he whispered, eyes locked on Keigo’s. “No suspicion. Blend in.”
“You’re right,” he whispered, voice low, teasing. “We just gotta look like a normal pair of gays wrestling in the ball pit.”
Enji busted up laughing - a low, rumbling sound, raw and unguarded, sparked by the sheer stupidity of Keigo’s words. “This is idiotic,” he whispered, voice laced with disbelief and amusement, his scowl shattering as he shook his head. It was absurd, and the adrenaline made it hilarious. His turquoise eyes glinted, a warmth breaking through.
Keigo’s breath hitched, Enji’s laugh hitting him like a shockwave. A giggle escaped, his lips twitching into a grin. “keep it down Endeavor, you're blowing our cover” he managed, voice shaky, another giggle slipping out as he squirmed under his hold, wings rustling balls. Enji’s rare laughter was infectious, and Keigo tried to stop, biting his lip, but failed, giggles bubbling up.
Endeavor’s laughter grew, quieter but uncontrollable, Keigo’s helpless grin in the ball pit - flushed cheeks, balls bouncing around him - too much to resist. “Shut up,” Enji choked between bouts of laughter, leaning closer, pressing his forehead to Keigo’s to quiet him, a bold move to muffle the sound. “Shut the hell up, Hawks.” His own laughter betrayed him, shaking his frame. “Be quiet, damn it,” he tried, voice breaking as Keigo’s giggles fueled his own, the sight of Number Two unraveling in plastic balls utterly hilarious.
Keigo tried, he really tried, to stop laughing, his body trembling with effort, but his insistence that they act professional in the ball pit - it was overwhelming. “S-sorry,” he gasped, voice trembling, smile unstoppable as he shook under Enji’s grip, balls rustling. He’s laughing with me, Keigo thought, heart pounding, his infatuation blazing brighter.
Enji’s eyes softened, Keigo’s giggling grin stirring that endearing spark he wouldn’t name. Exasperated, he continued his hold on him until they were clear. The villain turned away, and Enji pulled back, releasing Keigo. “He’s gone,” he whispered, voice steadier but warm from laughter. “We move now.”
Hawks nodded, scrambling up, wings shaking off balls, his grin lingering, softened by the moment. “You got it, Number One,” he said, voice warm, eyes lingering on Endeavor. They burst from the pit, ready to end the chase.
Enji couldn’t shake the absurdity of all of it, but he hadn't felt such joy in years.