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Katsuki wasn't sure why he was even here, he had always said that he wasn't much of a party person, but felt it necessary to come along. If anyone were to ask him directly, it was Eijirou's fault for needing a lift here and back.
It was also Eijirou's fault for talking him into coming in the first place, convincing him that everyone was hoping to see him there because it'd been a while, and he hadn't been able to come celebrate Christmas with them this year.
Here he was, a grown ass adult, and still refusing to admit that he cared a lot about his friends. It was normal, though, or so he'd insist.
This was the New Year's Eve party hosted by Momo and Jirou at their stupidly big house. As Katsuki walked along the hallways, trying to find where Eijirou had vanished to, he couldn't help but think that the large home could pass for its own country. Okay, maybe he was exaggerating a lot there, but who could really blame him for thinking that way?
He'd eventually come across Eijirou, speaking to a few people. Mina, Shouto and Hanta. Katsuki couldn't help but notice someone missing, the one and only person he actually looked forward to seeing.
Where the hell was Denki?
"Oh! Kacchan! Hey, I didn't think you'd come."
Katsuki looked around until his gaze landed on Izuku, offering a brief smile, something he'd been working on rather than meeting everyone with a scowl on his face. "Of course I came… Shitty Hair needed a lift. Don't see why you couldn't have brought him, you idiots are dating after all…"
"Uh-huh, you know… It's okay to say you came with him because you wanted to see everyone, too." Izuku laughed and gave a sheepish look. "Well, I was busy doing a couple of things and didn't want to make him late to the party as well."
"Shut up, nerd… and you know you should be relaxing more, I doubt Aizawa is doing work right now."
Izuku coughed into a closed fist, totally caught red-handed. "You may be right… Anyway! Were you looking for Eijirou?"
"Nah… found his lousy ass, don't see Denki though…" his tone had a hint of disappointment, which didn't go unnoticed by Izuku, who instantly perked up.
"OH! He went outside. I think there's a delivery due, so he went to help with it. If you're quick, maybe you'll catch him."
"Huh? Delivery?"
"Yeah, apparently, pizza got ordered. Also… are you still into him? Denki, I mean?"
Katsuki didn't reply straight away, as if he was thinking it over. He'd liked him since midway through the first year, but instead of doing anything about it, he ignored it. It got increasingly worse during their second year, and by the time their third year rolled around, it had not got any better.
His pining had gotten way worse, he was aware that a couple of his friends knew, but only Eijirou and Izuku had ever confronted him about it.
He felt like he'd missed his chance after graduation, as he and Denki lost contact for a good few months and saw each other way less after that. Despite the lack of contact, neither acted like a stranger when they did get to meet again at the events their friends held.
The more that he thought about it, he'd never once stopped thinking about Denki. Always wondering how he was doing, if he was happy. Any time he caught wind that Denki was out on a mission, he worried for him even though he knew the electric wielder was more than capable. He missed him. A lot more than he would ever let on.
Of course Izuku would be the one to notice that he still felt something for the idiot.
"You know, maybe you should talk to him about how you feel." Izuku prompted after the moment of silence had stretched on long enough.
"Huh?! What makes you think that I'm… still int-"
"Oh, please, Kacchan… drop the act." Izuku let an exasperated sigh slip from his lips. "I'm not stupid. You still have that same pining look now as you did back in school. I don't think you knew, but he did try dating not long after we all graduated. It fell apart real damn quick."
Izuku didn't miss that slight flinch from his friend, that brief look of worry. He decided to add on a little tidbit that he heard in passing, too… he knew what he was doing. "Also, I heard not too long ago that one of his interns is, uh, rather interested in him. So you know, if you're not as bo-"
"Where the fuck is he?" Katsuki asked, cutting Izuku off before he could even finish that sentence.
"Check out front, if he's not there, then look in the kitchen or main hall."
Katsuki stuffed his hands into his trousers' pockets and powered on ahead, not thanking Izuku verbally. He didn't need to. Izuku understood him enough that he never expected Katsuki to say that out loud.
He also knew what Izuku was doing, trying to help him in the only way he knew how. Now all he had to do was to find Denki and set things straight with him. He wasn't about to let some nobody Extra think that he had even a sliver of a chance with Denki Kaminari.
Katsuki eventually managed to hunt the other vibrant blonde down, his jealousy reared its ugly head the moment he noticed Denki talking to some guy he didn't know, hugging the fuck out of them too. It made him feel like blasting the stranger away from him… of course, all was well when he learned through hearing the conversation as he got closer, that the person in question was someone else's boyfriend that Denki had merely worked alongside.
Totally not embarrassing for him at all.
He had it bad, and it'd only get worse if he didn't do something about it.
Denki had just waved off the people he'd been talking to before Katsuki had approached him fully.
"The hell have you been?" Katsuki huffed at the smaller male, making him jump slightly.
"Dude, Kacchan! Why do you do that to me…" Denki huffed, though grinned lightly after, like he usually would.
"Whatever…"
"Good to see you too~" mused the other blonde, rolling his eyes at Katsuki fondly before eyeing him curiously and offering a more genuine smile. "You've been looking for me?"
"Mm, didn't see you with the others so…"
'Ah, yes, great job at talking like a normal fucking human being, Katsuki. This is your one chance, or you're going to lose him to some wannabe fucking Extra! '
Katsuki's self-lecture was interrupted by Denki nudging his arm with his, that usual smug ass grin on his face, and naturally following said expression was a taunt. "Awe~ Kacchan, I wasn't aware that you cared~!"
"Fucking… of course I fucking care, idiot…" he'd mutter quietly.
Denki laughed at that. It was nice to hear that again, especially when the last time he'd even seen Denki was just before Poni's Halloween party. Too damn long.
"Sooooo… you wanna hang out or something?" asked Denki after a moment.
"Don't you have some boyfriend or girlfriend to get back to?" Katsuki could slap himself. Why was that the first thing to come out of his mouth when all he wanted to say was a simple 'Yes'. Holy shit, he was beyond pathetic right now.
He allowed himself to glance towards Denki when he didn't hear anything, and he was met with a bewildered look from the electric blonde.
"You sure you're okay, man? I didn't come with anyone… and I'm not dating anyone." Denki's reply was sheepish towards the end, Katsuki could pick up on that at least. They started walking, just enjoying the party as well as each other's company.
"You aren't?"
"Nah, I mean, I tried once, but the dude was a fucking moron… you'd have probably killed him." He also hadn't been Katsuki. It didn't feel right at all.
"Hah?! The fuck did they do?"
"Turned out to be one of those classic manipulative types…"
"I need names…"
Denki chuckled and shook his head. "It's all good, Kacchan… the guy is long gone, he was from overseas. Moved back home a couple of years ago now."
"Good riddance then,"
A couple of hours pass by, all too quickly for Katsuki's liking. He didn't want the party to end. They'd been walking about and talking with others, catching up. They ended up outside eventually with a few others before they ventured back inside to avoid the cold. And now, it was just him and Denki outside, in the bitter cold under the clear night sky. It'd be midnight in an hour. They were leaning against one of the low walls, looking over it at the pond.
"So. What's your type?" Katsuki asked suddenly, not meaning to cut Denki's current rambling off, but if he was honest, he hadn't been listening since thoughts had plagued his mind over the last few minutes.
"My type?"
"Yeah, if you're into anyone that is."
"Oh, I am into someone… but uh, I doubt he's into me." Denki shrugged his shoulder before taking a pointedly long sip from his glass. He didn't mind being cut off like that, it reminded him of years ago, back when Katsuki used to do that if something had been lingering on his mind and had to get it off his chest.
"Eh? Who do you like?"
Denki found it slightly amusing all of a sudden, wondering why Katsuki was suddenly so keen on knowing about his dating life and love interests. He wished he'd been as curious back at school when he was pining for him. Not that the pining had ever stopped. He'd just learned how to deal with it.
"Just… someone."
"Do I know them?" Katsuki asked, trying not to sound jealous or something, he could feel that horrible emotion lurking about inside himself. He hated feeling jealous. The last thing he wanted was to drive Denki away. He just had to know if there was anyone else on his mind first. If there ever had been. He glanced towards Denki after a moment.
"I think you do, actually. And, if you wanted me to describe him, then he's tall, very handsome… has a bit of an ego complex still, but overall is an awesome guy that I doubt I've ever stood a chance with." Denki eyed Katsuki, although he gave him a confused look when the ashen blonde's quirk popped off in soft crackles around his hands. "Wha-?"
"You like glasses!?!"
Denki was beginning to wonder if Katsuki was listening properly or if he was just being that level of stupid right now, because that was… something. He stared at Katsuki, brow raising and his shorter bangs shifting as he tilted his head slightly. "Dude… he's dating Ochako… where the hell did you even get that idea from what I said?"
"Tch, like I would know who's dating who other than Izuku and Eijirou, Momo and Jirou… Shouto and Hanta… bastards like to make it known." Katsuki rolled his eyes then shrugged. "Besides, glasses' ego has gotten way out of hand over the years."
"I'm… sure it has…" Denki blinked, even though he knew that Tenya didn't have one that rivalled Katsuki's. "But, no… him. Try again."
"Mmm… mind fucker?"
"Hitoshi? Nah… dating Neito… thought you'd have known that considering you hang around with them enough."
"Like I pay attention!"
"Wait… it's not Tetsutetsu, is it…"
Denki groaned, laughing a moment later and shook his head. "No, not him either… I mean, sure, he's hot as fuck and stuff, but… nope. Besides, I have a sneaking suspicion that he and Kendo are finally dating."
Katsuki huffed, grumbling as he thought more… but came up blank. "Then who?"
"Seriously? You're not able to get it?"
"I don't know, Denki, okay?" Katsuki sighed heavily. Not once had he considered himself in the lineup, mostly because he didn't think he'd be an option.
"Wow… okay, maybe I should add on that he can sometimes be a bit of a clueless idiot…" Denki casually added after a small, amused grin spread over his face.
"Fuck off, that could literally be anyone we know!"
"Uh-huh! Even you."
"HAH!? The fuck do you mean by that?!" Katsuki snapped as he set a glare on Denki after noting that look on his face. "I am not clueless, so don't even think about lumping me in with those idiots!"
Denki eyed Katsuki again, judging him so hard right now. He really was horribly clueless. It was kind of adorable… maybe he should have said something back in school… but, who was he kidding? There was no way he was ever in Katsuki's league.
"Well, who do you like? Surely there's someone who catches your eye."
Katsuki stared at him like he'd suddenly grown a third head or something, choosing to stay silent for a moment and turn his head away to look at something else in the garden. He wasn't sure what to say to that. "I… well, guess there's been someone…"
"Yeah?" Denki perked right up, wanting to try and guess who it was that occupied his mind, nudging Katsuki's arm while giggling. "C'mon, dude, don't keep me waiting, tell meeee."
"Right, like I'd straight up tell you his name!"
"So it is a guy! Hah, Hanta owes me cash!"
"Of course it's a guy, when have I ever shown interest in girls?" Katsuki scoffed. A moment later, he stared at Denki. "The fuck do you mean he owes you cash?"
"You have no idea how many people thought you were into girls, even after Izuku tried to tell them you weren't." Denki shrugged. "Anyway! Give me stuff to work with."
"You guys suck…" Katsuki shook his head… his friends were unbelievable at times. "I suppose… well, he's smarter than he gives himself credit for."
"Huh… well, that can apply to anyone… give me something else?"
"He's… humorous, likes to crack jokes… underestimates himself a lot. Pretty fucking clueless most of the time."
"Wow, Katsuki… dude, the guy sounds cool! You sure I know him? I'd say Eijirou, but we all know he's with Izuku and there's no way in hell separating those two is a good idea." Denki replied while tapping his chin thoughtfully, just who… this was so much harder than he thought it'd be.
Denki did his best, though, going through every single person he knew from his old class as well as those he knew of from other classes in their year… even ones from lower years who had stupid crushes on Katsuki… living through those moments was absolute hell back then. Eijirou had tried to coax him into saying something back then, but he was adamant that Katsuki didn't like him.
Each of his suggestions was met with a look of 'Who the fuck even is that' or an offended 'Fuck no!', and none of those helped to get him any closer.
That list of guesses seemed to go on forever before he sighed heavily in defeat and peered up at Katsuki with a pout. "Dude, I'm all out of guesses."
"I'd seriously fucking hope so, you went through everyone in our fucking year, asshole!"
"Almost… I did think about some in other years, too, you know."
"That's besides the point!"
"Well, you could just… y'know tell me…?" Denki tried, squinting up at him briefly.
"Just like you could have told me…" Katsuki retorted, huffing slightly before asking something that had been eating away at the back of his mind. "Why did you leave yourself out of those guesses?"
"Wait, what?"
"You think I didn't notice that you never once mentioned yourself, Denki. Why is that?"
"Oh… well, uh, you seeeeee… I didn't think I'd ever you know, be a choice?" Denki replied, his tone faltering slightly from his usual happy-go-lucky to outright miserable for just a split second. "Didn't think I'd ever be in your league, really, got told that by some as well, so… didn't think to mention myself, I guess? Although, dude… You didn't exactly guess yourself either."
Katsuki stared at him in disbelief, thinking back on it, Denki would usually get flirtatious with everyone… everyone but him. Almost like he was avoiding him, or had been too scared to. And, now that he thought about the last part Denki had said, he supposed he overall felt that way too.
"Yeah, well… didn't exactly see myself being the kind of guy you'd be into… or anyone would be into for that matter."
"You're definitely an idiot…" Denki said suddenly, chuckling a little. It was almost like he'd managed to figure something out before Katsuki had… and that's exactly what had just happened.
"Why am I an idiot?" Katsuki asked, leaning away slightly as Denki decided that moment would be perfect to get up close and personal with him.
"Because, I'm pretty sure I know something that you don't yet and that when you get it, you're gonna be kicking yourself for not getting it before me."
"You… have been hanging out with Izuku too long…"
That made Denki laugh, casually smacking Katsuki's shoulder with his hand, that bright, happy grin in place on his face. "Izuku has nothing to do with it, I promise… we're… probably as dumb as each other really."
A sigh from Katsuki had him grinning wider. He shouldn't tease him too long, that'd be cruel. Instead, he'd shift back to where he was and hum curiously. "Is the guy you like… me?"
A moment of choking on air and spluttering seemed to confirm what he was thinking. It had taken him all but a minute or two to figure things out… because why would Katsuki care that much that he hadn't mentioned himself? Had he been hoping for him to mention himself?
"It is, isn't it?" Denki mused, looking at him and revelled in the fact that Katsuki was blushing so damn hard. Of course, he had to stop himself from being too hopeful at the same time. Just in case he had actually gotten this wrong. When he hadn't heard anything from Katsuki still, he huffed and moved his hand over to poke him on the cheek. "C'mon, dude, I'm dying of suspense here…"
"It… it is."
"What? I can't hear you, Kacchan~"
"It is!" Katsuki huffed, trying to hide his face. He felt so damn embarrassed right now, and Denki's smugness wasn't helping him at all. "I like you, alright!?"
Denki grinned wider than he possibly already was, even pinched his own arm to be sure he wasn't dreaming or hallucinating this. He had to be sure. "You… really mean that? Me?"
Katsuki turned to look at him, disbelief taking him over once more. "Why the fuck do you think I'd make that up, asshat!"
"Dude!" Denki raised both hands defensively, "I just wanted to make sure!"
"Why? So you can laugh at me for it?"
"…Why would you assume I'd laugh at you?" he asked, a frown forming over his features as he curiously eyed Katsuki. "I… just didn't really expect to be right? Why would you be interested in me when there are so many better options out there?"
"I-seriously… Are you being for real right now?"
"I mean… yeah?"
"Don't ever fucking think you'd never be good enough!" Katsuki snipped at him. There were so many thoughts swirling around in his mind right now, he wasn't even sure what to say. "I lik-no… love you, Denki, it's always been you! Even during school, it was you. I've never stopped being in love with you…"
It was Denki's turn to fall silent and blush like mad. They really were idiots…
"I… wow… we're both fucking stupid, huh?" Denki tried to laugh off the high level of embarrassment surging through him right now.
"What do you mean…" Katsuki muttered. It seemed like he hadn't quite clicked yet.
"I feel the same way… I'm in love with you, too, fucking dumbass…" replied Denki, his emotional state getting the better of him as he was letting tears fall through his laughing.
It was almost as if a lightbulb went on in Katsuki's head as soon as Denki uttered his confession as well. He felt incredibly stupid right now, just as embarrassed that it had taken so damn long.
"Why didn't you ever say anything?" Denki asked, wondering if it indeed had been the same for him.
"I… guess I didn't think you were into me either?"
The two took a moment to just stare each other down before laughing, both of them silently agreeing that they were just as ridiculous as each other and that both of them could have been happy years ago. Denki took it upon himself to hug Katsuki after a few minutes, hugging him tighter when he received a hug back.
"We are so fucking stupid…" Katsuki muttered.
"Right? We have so many years to make up for… don't you think?"
"Wh-huh? What do you m-"
"Katsuki, I fucking swear if you think for a moment that you and I are just to continue to remain just friends after that amazingly botched confession…" Denki stared at him. Oh, there was no way in hell they were just remaining friends after that! Not if he had anything to say about it.
Katsuki looked sheepish for a moment, right… that made sense. They both just… confessed, or whatever the fuck that moment just was. All he knew was that it was far from how he had ever thought about confessing to him. It was also obvious that they still liked each other. He looked at Denki, meeting his gaze.
"Then… be my boyfriend."
Denki perked up, offering a grin as he fisted his hands into Katsuki's jacket and tugged him closer, brushing their lips together. "About time you asked…"
Before Katsuki could say anything to try and defend himself, Denki closed the remaining gap and crashed their lips together for a kiss that should have happened years ago.
Neither of them had noticed a couple of their friends not too far from them, just watching and waiting for the outcome. They let them have their moment for now.
"Well, that was both painful to watch and hilarious to witness…" Hanta muttered in amusement.
"I'm happy for them," Eijirou shrugged, "But I wonder what prompted it all to unfold… at least we're free of them both pining for each other."
"I think I may know what got it going…" Izuku chuckled, looking up to see the curious looks he was getting. "I may have told Kacchan that one of Denki's interns was interested in him?"
"Izuku!"
"What? You think I really wanted to hear them pining on for the entirety of next year as well? I had to give Kacchan a little push!"
"I mean, fair… but still!" Eijirou laughed, ruffling Izuku's hair fondly before looking back at the two lovebirds in the garden. "I'll go get 'em in then. It would be mean of us to leave them outside and let them miss the countdown!"
"You do that, I'm staying at a safe distance." Hanta waved him off.
Eijirou laughed again, wandering past the two to approach Katsuki and Denki, clearing his throat to announce his presence, effectively startling the hell out of his two friends, who immediately pulled apart like they'd been caught red-handed doing something they shouldn't.
"Well, well… I see that you guys have finally manned up and sorted your shit out, huh?" Eijirou mused as he eyed the two over, grinning widely at the glowering look Katsuki gave him. His own expression was a clear 'I told you so'.
"The fuck do you want, Shitty hair!? Couldn't you tell I was busy!?"
"Right… busy. Thought you guys would want in for the countdown, so we came to get you."
Katsuki stared at his best friend… wait… 'we'? He shifted to stare past him and spotted Izuku and Hanta, who promptly decided to bail on Eijirou.
"How much did you bastards see!?"
"Enough to know that we no longer have to listen to either of you pine your asses off about each other anymore… seriously, you both suck for not listening to me way back." The redhead merely shrugged, that smug grin still on his face as he glanced between the two. "Anyyyyway! Come on, guys, you can suck each other's faces off later, it's countdown time!"
Denki blinked as Eijirou wandered off without a care, even as Katsuki was throwing empty threats at him for the remark he'd just made. Maybe he really should have listened to his friends all those years ago. His sudden chuckling stopped Katsuki from cussing out Eijirou and made him refocus his attention.
"The fuck is so funny?"
"Nothing really," Denki mused, taking Katsuki's hand to lead him into the house. "Come on, we're gonna be late for this."
Katsuki let him, he really couldn't complain… he looked forward to it, knowing that he'd be starting the New Year off with someone he should have been with from the start.