Work Text:
“Do I have to go on this mission?” Shinsou said flatly; a little bit of attitude slipped through his tone as he talked to his supervisor over the phone.
“Yes, we need you there. Your quirk would be very helpful.”
“But I'm an underground hero; I only work after midnight,” Shinsou said back, beginning to put his gear on anyway before he left the house.
“NightHide, this is serious. Some of our older pro heroes are on a mission in the United States. The heroes you will be accompanying will be some of your old alumni. Including Deku, Dynamite, Red Riot, ChargeBolt–”
“Okay, I understand,” Shinsou cut the man off, trying to remain respectful, “I'll be there.”
“Okay, NightHide, I'm surprised you didn't want to go at first; you never turn down a mission.”
Shinsou sighs, “It's fine, I'll be there; send coordinates for the meetup.” he hung up the phone, continuing to wrap his binding scarf around his neck, then reaching for his boots and slipping those on too. He felt his phone vibrate, his boss sending him the coordinates to the surprise mission and the place to meet everyone in one hour.
The problem wasn't the mission itself; all they had to do was take down a building and the thugs inside it that are transporting drugs. The problem was who was on the mission with him.
He hasn't seen Denki since graduation, a whole year ago, when they broke up. And a year might not seem like a lot, but in his heart, and the way they ended, it stings to have to see him after going no contact and purposely avoiding group hangouts with the rest of his graduating class because he will always be there.
He’ll be there with his friends, all flirty, putting his arms around Sero like they're together, and shit, they probably are. Denki’s never had a problem obtaining a boyfriend or girlfriend, for that matter. But it hurts to see your ex so happy when you're still replaying your last argument with them in your head, wondering where things went wrong.
Before graduation, they dated for two years after they met at training. They grew closer than they imagined themselves to. And just because it was a high school relationship, it doesn't make it hurt any less. Denki was the first person that spoke so freely around Shinsou, the first person to say he trusted him, the first person Shinsou told about his past, the first person he's ever slept with–
And the list goes on. Denki was all of Shinsou's first. So yes, after they broke up, it hurt. It hurt to know that they weren't going to move in together anymore; it hurt to know that they weren't going to adopt a million cats, and it hurt to see him all cuddled up with Sero on Mina’s private Instagram, Sero placing a kiss on a sleepy Denki's forehead, arms wrapped around him so tight, cigarette between Sero's fingers.
That used to be them, that used to be him.
But now, it's not.
And although Shinsou is mature, he doesn't know if he can even look at Denki without either getting mad or sick to his stomach.
But he's a hero, and heroes answer any call;
Even if they have to see their ex in the process.
–
“Shin- I mean, NightHide, over here!” an enthusiastic Midoriya says, waving a hand over to where some of the heroes on the mission gathered to plan before they go in. Midoriya always looked so happy, even right before they're about to go bust some serious drug lords.
Shinsou jogged over, seeing Bakugo leaning against the front of the Best Jeanist hero agency where he worked, Kirishima and Midoriya next to him in their hero costumes. The March breeze was lighter than usual, but Bakugo still had his winter uniform on. No sign of the electric blonde anywhere, good.
“Hey,” Shinsou said plainly, Kirishima turning around, his eyes widening likes hes seen a ghost.
“Whoa, no way, Shinsou? Is that you? I didn't know you'd be here. Haven't seen you in a hot minute,” Kirishima said, looking Shinsou up and down like he's waiting for him to disappear.
Shinsou was actually really close to the Bakusquad. After dating one of their members, he was always roped into their hangouts, and he kind of feels bad for ghosting them. But he couldn't hang out with them and Denki not be there; he would rather exclude himself than exclude the blonde from hangouts. They were his friends first, and even though they're not together and they ended on bad terms, he doesn't necessarily feel malice towards the blonde.
Before Shinsou could reply, Bakugo rolled his eyes. “Did you not even read the file? His name is literally on it, and so is fucking Pikachu; he's late again. That idiot has no concept of time,” the ash blonde said, annoyed.
And again, before Shinsou could get a word in, the person in question ran up behind them. “I'm here, I'm here, sorry, I got lost,” Denki said, looking around at his friends before his eyes landed on Shinsou, who was secretly wishing he could crawl in a hole and die at this point.
Denki's eyes widened like saucers, “Toshi-? I mean-, Shinsou? What…what are you doing here?” he stuttered on his words.
Shinsou didn't even make eye contact. “Working,” he spat out.
The blonde almost flinched at the tone, “Oh- well-”
“Listen, could you idiots rekindle your broken relationship another time? We have work to do,” Bakugo said, standing up straight.
Deku looked at his friends and scrambled with the papers in his hands, “I wouldn't have worded it like that, but yes, we do have work to do, but it's nice to see you, Shinsou. It's been a while.”
They all walk into the building, quickly going to a meeting room to discuss the plan of the mission, Shinsou and Denki pretending the other doesn't even exist.
It has been a while; Shinsou has completely stopped hanging out with everyone other than Tokoyami since he works with him. Tokoyami is really the only reason they know he's alive. Shinsou ignores every message and call he gets from his friends and the group chat where they plan hangouts often.
Denki tries to shy his eyes away from the taller, still, sometimes peaking at Shinsou. The way his hair got longer and is pulled back in a rough ponytail, his eyebrow is pierced, his eye bags are still the same, the milky skin that he used to kiss–
“...Dunce Face!” Bakugo's cruel nickname snaps him out of his thoughts.
“Um…yes?” he says, trying to pretend like he's been paying attention to the debrief of the mission. The sun is starting to set; it's almost go time.
“Listen, can you bone each other later? Fucking hell, we're working!” Bakugo shouts.
Denki’s eyes focus, and he sees that Shinsou’s been looking at him too.
Both of them switch their gazes quickly, Denki pretending that the ground is interesting, Shinsou deciding that he’ll count every single dot on the ceiling, pretending to adjust his mask. They finish quickly, walk back outside, and their ride pulls up. All five pro heroes fit into the car to get to their mission since it's about thirty minutes away, and they can't all fly like Deku and Bakugo.
“Think they'll be okay?” Deku whispers to Kirishima as they get into the car.
“I hope so.”
—
“Where have you been?” Denkis asks Shinsou quietly, on the roof of a building next to the one they're raiding. Of course, they have to be partners, and the other three get to actually go in the building, and they have to wait it out until they get a signal.
Shinsou sighs and lowers his binoculars. “We’re not doing this right now, ChargeBolt,” Shinsou punctuates Denki's hero name, trying to keep this as professional as possible.
“Well, when someone you care about falls off the face of the earth for a year, you tend to ask questions,” Denki said sarcastically, eyes attempting to focus on the building in front of him and not drift off to the man beside him.
Shinsou almost cringes. “I didn't fall off the face of the earth; I've been busy, and by the looks of Mina’s social media, so have you,” he says passive-aggressively, shaking off the feeling that he just wants to run and go home. Focus, you're on a mission.
“Oh, have I? So you haven’t changed a bit, NightHide, still the same man that doesn't know the difference between friendship and a relationship,” Denki rolls his eyes.
Shinsou mocks a laugh, “Oh yeah, sorry, I forgot I kiss all my friends too,” his voice filled with venom.
“Yeah, maybe you should start! And while you're at it, stop being such a dick because you couldn't handle your boyfriend, well, ex-boyfriend, love language being touch,” Denki’s voice lowered.
“That's funny, sorry I'm just an insecure boyfriend that doesn't like when his boyfriend, well, ex-boyfriend, gets shotgunned by their ‘bestfriend’.” Shinsou finally darts his eyes to Denki, who almost looks like he wants to cry.
“We were high, will you just let that go already!” Denki says between gritted teeth, “I don't know how many times you want me to apologize.”
“I don't want your apologies at all,” Shinsou's face was stoic, “You're with him now anyway. Who cares what I think?”
Denki’s face contorts into confusion, “What? I'm not with–”
“Hey, um…you guys know your in-ear mics are on…right?” Kirishima says, embarrassed like he's caught in the middle of a fight, “Deku and Dynamite are about to engage; be ready.”
Shinsou and Denki both give each other one last look before attempting to turn all of their focus to the mission.
“Copy, Red Riot,” Shinsou sighs, eyes going back to looking at his binoculars.
They don't talk for the rest of the mission.
–
“Fuck guys, I want him back soooo bad,” Denki whines out, lying on Mina’s cheetah print couch, a joint in his hand that he's been hogging.
“Didn't you see him like, two days ago? Why didn't you tell him that?” Mina asked, attempting to take the weed from Denki's hand, who tugged it back to his own mouth.
“I tried! He wouldn't let me get a word in! And we were on a mission; it's not like I can explain to my ex that I'm still in love with him and that pothead in the corner was just a stupid rebound,” Denki sighed, taking another inhale.
“Okay, not too much on me; we slept together once, nothing wrong with a little homo-homie action,” Sero said, rolling up another joint on the coffee table since Denki won't share.
The Bakusquad is having one of their weekly hangouts at Mina’s this time. They all sit and talk shit and smoke and drink their hearts out with cheap booze. Background music plays in the back as they wait for Jirou to join them so they can finally order pizza. Jirou joins here and there. Today, she's running late since she was helping Eri practice guitar. It's around ten pm, so she should be here soon.
“Can you both shut the fuck up? That would be very helpful. Nobody cares about your sex schedules,” Bakugo said, annoyed, sparking up his bong with a lighter, sitting on the carpet.
“You only don't care anymore because you get dicked down every day. Speaking of which, does Zuku even know you're here?” Denki asks, sitting up a little, using his own lighter to spark his joint that went out, and finally passing it to Mina.
Bakugo blew out a cloud of smoke, “Of course he does; he doesn't come because, ‘Kacchan! Smoking is bad! Your heart is already weak! I don't want to watch you die again!” Bakugo says, mocking his boyfriend's voice.
“Yeah, Zuku has always been a goody-two-shoes,” Krishima said, holding a beer in his hand, sitting next to Bakugo. He's the only one in their group who doesn't smoke.
“Talk bad about him, and I will kill you,” Bakugo gritted his teeth. Everyone laughed at how protective Bakugo is towards Izuku as he took another rip from his bong.
The doorbell rang, and Mina went to get it, seeing as it was probably Jirou.
“Anyway, back to my sob story, how am I supposed to talk to him if he ignores everyone?” Denki huffed out, “He doesn't even come to group hangouts, or pro-hero gatherings!”
“Oh, hey guys, what did I miss?” Jirou said, taking his guitar off her back and plopping down next to Denki, stealing Sero’s new joint right after he lit it.
“Sparky can't grow any balls and talk to his ex; that's what's happening,” Bakugo said a little calmer than before; the weed always tends to mellow his bite.
“You don't understand! He doesn't want to talk! How am I going to contact a ghost?” Denki whined.
“It's okay, babe, we have a group hangout with the class coming up in a month at that bar downtown; maybe we could get someone to drag him there,” Mina said with a smile, trying to give her best friend hope.
“Yeah, no offense, but that man is like a hermit; who can really drag him there, and he won't put up a fight?” Jirou said.
Kirshima took a swing of his beer, “Oh wait! Why don't we let Izuku do it? Nobody can deny precious Zuku! And they were pretty close in high school.” The redhead wiped the corner of his mouth.
“Yeah, all he has to do is bat those little eyelashes and give his puppydog eyes, I mean, that's what gets BakuBro,” Sero laughed.
“Do you want me to plan your funeral now, or after I kill you?” Bakugo threatened, although it was a pretty empty one since he was now so far gone in his head and sprawled out on the floor.
“Even if Zuku does get him there, the second he sees me, he’ll either run away or ignore me, like I need to do a romantic gesture or something to get his attention!” Denki sighs, head falling back on the couch.
“I don't know, aren't you like an emo? Wip out your guitar and serenade him or something,” Sero shrugs his shoulders, and Mina barks out a laugh.
“Well, there is a stage at the bar, you could…I don't know, sing him a song? That’ll get his attention,” Jirou says.
“Yeah, he did always like it when you would sing,” Mina said.
That is true; Shinsou would always pique interest when Denki would show him his electric guitar and sometimes sing to the insomniac softly to help him fall asleep at night.
“That's so cheesy,” Bakugo rolled on his side, “Can we order food now? I'm fucking starving,”
“I think it's manly as hell! It'll be even manlier if you write your own song,” Krishima grinned.
“I mean…I might have a thing or two in my notebook I can put together. But I’d need backup!” Denki said; he won't lie, he may have a couple of love songs written, well, heartbreak songs is more of the word. He still does play guitar with Eri and Jirou sometimes when he's free, “Jirou, can you back me up on guitar, and Bakugo, can you–”
“Fuck no,” Bakugo cut him off.
“Come on, Bakubabe, help him! You still play the drums sometimes!” Mina said, putting out the burnt-out joint in her ashtray.
“Yeah, I mean, I don't see why we shouldn't get the band back together, isn't it like our first anniversary for us all graduating and your birthday is coming up? I'm pretty sure even Ochaco made time in her schedule to be there,” Jirou said.
“Pleaseee, Kats, I'll do anything, please! I miss him so much!” Denki begged the explosive blonde, even attempting to mimic Izuku's puppy eyes.
“If I say yes, will you order me my fucking large bacon and sausage pizza with a side of garlic butter and ranch?” Bakugo sighed; even though he pretends to be a hardass, he does want to see his friends happy. Also, his high brain is craving food.
“Yes! Of course! Anything you ask!” Denki gets his phone out of his pocket quickly and runs to the kitchen to get the number from Mina’s fridge.
Sero laughs lightly, “You gave in quicker than I thought you would.”
“I know what it's like to be in love with someone but feel like you're not able to have them,” Bakugo says quietly.
“Yeah, you're a big softy when you're high,” Kirishima laughed, but understood. Bakugo pined over Deku for years until they both got their heads out of their asses and decided to have a conversation that didn't involve fighting.
“Whatever, Kiri,” Bakugo groaned, finding a comfortable spot to rest his limp and high body into so he could sleep before the food came.
“Yeah, call Izuku to come get him; he just called you by your actual name,” Sero shook his head with a smile.
“Guess some of the band is getting back together,” Jirou smiled as well.
–
Izuku Midoriya is on a mission, and he takes missions very seriously, especially if they are for his friends.
“Oh, Kacchan's birthday is coming up; I'd love for you to be there,” Izuku says, on the roof where Shinsou is patrolling. He may or may not have begged Tokoyami to call in sick so he could sub in for him to be Shinsou's partner for the night.
Shinsou pulled out a flask from his utility belt, loosened his mask, letting it fall into his scarf to take a sip of his hot coffee. “I don't know, Deku; it's been a while since I've seen everyone,” he said quietly. Shinsou isn't stupid. Izuku must have some sort of plan here. Izuku doesn't even patrol in this area and definitely doesn't work this late at night.
“That's exactly my point! It would be great! It's been a whole year, and Kacchan's birthday is coming up too! It's perfect,” Izuku chirped, a bright smile on his face, “Kacchan would really be happy; he always says he misses you,” the green-haired man lied. Well, it's like a half lie; Bakugo never explicitly said he missed Shinsou, but he was saying how he missed the old times.
“I don't know if I'm ready to see…him,” Shinsou sighed. He hasn't talked or seen Denki on any missions since two and a half weeks ago. That didn't mean it still didn't hurt. He does secretly wish he had worded their conversation better.
Shinsou has never been good with words.
“If you're going to sit on other boys' laps and share joints with them, then I'm not doing this with you,” Shinsou shouted out after he dragged Denki back to his dorm room after he caught the blonde and Sero being a little too close for comfort in Mina’s room. Their last Bakusquad hangout in the dorms since graduation was just a couple of days away. He had gone to join them a little late since he had slipped in an extra training session with Aizawa one more time before he graduated.
“He's just my best friend. You know I love you!” Denki shouted back, tears threatening to breach his glossy irises.
“Do you know how embarrassing it is to have to sit there and watch that! You're all over everyone! Boys and girls. How do you think that makes me feel, huh?” Shinsou got louder.
“I've always been that way! I'm just a touchy person; it doesn't mean anything to them!” Denki argued back. That much is true. Denki has always been touchy around his friends. He didn't know why Shinsou was acting like this.
“Well, I don't like it, and I don't want you doing it anymore,” Shinsou sighed, sitting on his bed and running a frantic hand through his hair.
“So you're controlling me now, huh? What do you think of me? That I'm just a slut?” Denki cried.
“I’m not doing this. If you want to twist my words, then fine!” Shinsou got loud again, “I'm not going to be with someone whom I can't trust!” Shinsou wanted to take that back. He trusted Denki with his life, but no, he's insecure, and Denki is too good for him anyway. It's a matter of time before he leaves himself. Might as well rip the Band-Aid off.
“Then fine! Don't be with me! I guess my love for you means nothing!” Denki yelled as hot tears ran down his cheeks. “I don't want to be with someone that doesn't trust me,” he said quietly.
“So I guess we're not together anymore.” Shinsou felt sick to the stomach: two years of a relationship going down the drain because they're in the heat of the moment, and Shinsou feels insecure.
“Then we’re not together anymore,” Denki's voice broke as he whispered, before turning around and walking out the door, slamming it behind him.
Nobody really knew the details of why and how the pair broke up. But nobody blamed either party. But Shinsou did distance himself. After graduation, he did indeed fall off the map.
But it's not like Denki called him either.
“Look, I know you guys aren't necessarily on good terms, but I can tell Denki wants to make things right. And you don’t need to talk to him if you don't want to; you don't even have to stay for long. We’re just going to the one bar downtown by Mina’s since they serve people over eighteen. Just have a drink with us and celebrate Kacchan for a little while,” Deku said in a soothing voice, trying not to put too much pressure on Shinsou. He still does have a heart, and it's probably hard to see your ex in a setting like that.
But Deku is on a mission, so he’ll pull out his last party trick. He turns his head to Shinsou and gives the biggest puppy eyes he can muster, “Please, it'll be fun.”
God, Shinsou hates when Deku does that; it's so similar to when Denki would beg him to brainwash him into doing his English homework. He sighs, “Fine, I'll come for a little just to say hi to everyone so they stop texting me asking if I'm dead,” he sighs out.
Deku smiles brightly, “Yes, you won't regret it!”
Shinsou doesn't know if that's true or not, but out of everyone in his life, Izuku has never lied to him.
—
Shinsou walks into the bar a week later, coming about twenty minutes late, so he's not the first one there. He wears just a simple black long-sleeve V-neck shirt with his silver necklaces and rings, and some slightly baggy black jeans. His hair is down as he waltzes in, keeping his head a little low but attempting to be conscious of his surroundings. But the bar is pretty empty from what he's allowing himself to see.
“Shinsou, over here!” Izuku calls, raising a hand to where some of the class is. He only sees Mina, Sero, and Kirishima here so far. Did he get the time wrong? He doesn't even see Bakugo or Denki.
Shinsou walks over, “Am I super early?” he asks.
“Nope, you're actually right on time,” Deku attempts to give him a little wink, but fails miserably.
“Um, okay– where is–” Shinsou's cut off.
“Let me go get you a drink!” Izuku rushes out; Kirshima and Mina giggle as they watch a frantic Midoriya run away to the bar, giving Sero a look.
“Hey man,” Sero gives a friendly wave at Shinsou's confused expression.
“Um, hey,” Shinsou looks at the ground, “Where is your boyfriend?” he says, pretending not to be passive-aggressive with his words.
Sero laughs, which gets Shinsou's attention immediately, looking at the other, “Oh, Denki? He's up there,” Sero points to the stage that Shinsou completely missed due to trying to stay low-key and not really look at the place. Shinsou glances up and sees Bakugo spinning drumsticks between his fingers and Jirou putting her electric guitar strap over her chest. Then he sees Denki, with his golden blonde hair that's grown just below his shoulders, the black choker that he always wears. Those tight leather pants. His red and black striped long-sleeve shirt with Denki’s favorite band tee pulled on top. The little bit of eyeliner that's on his waterline. He looks mesmerizing. Denki pulls his guitar strap over his chest, too, and adjusts the microphone in front of him.
Shinsou is snapped out of his intense gaze when Izuku places a drink in his hand, and Sero nudges him with his elbow. “Oh, and by the way, Shinsou,” he waits for the purple-haired man to look at him, “Denki is not my boyfriend.” Sero smirks.
And then, he hears his voice;
Comparisons are easily done
Once you've had a taste of perfection
Like an apple hanging from a tree
I picked the ripest one
I still got the seed
And as much as Shinsou wants to run away, his feet stay right where they are; his eyes can't help but lock on the beautiful blonde that is singing, his black painted nails strumming lightly at his guitar, and he hears the drums start to play behind Denki’s vocals.
You said move on, where do I go?
I guess second best is all I will know
Shinsou also wants to believe these lyrics might mean something…maybe there for someone special, maybe someone else in this bar, maybe they're even for Sero.
But Shinsou’s not that stupid, because right when Jirou starts to strum on her electric and the beat drops, Denki's eyes are only focused on him.
'Cause when I'm with him
I am thinking of you
Thinking of you
What you would do if you were the one
Who was spending the night
Oh, I wish that I
Was looking into your eyes, eyes
And the way Denki's body is swaying slightly, the way he can feel the love but pain that also drips in mild regret in his voice, Shinsou has always loved when Denki would sing. Whether it be in the dorm showers while he's bathing or sweet little songs to help Shinsou shut his eyes so he can finally get some rest after days of his insomnia keeping him awake, he's always loved it.
He's always loved Denki.
You're like an Indian summer in the middle of winter
Like a hard candy with a surprise center
How do I get better once I've had the best?
You said, there's tons of fish in the water
So the waters I will test
And Shinsou doesn't know why, but he feels like this song isn't for Sero.
He kissed my lips, I taste your mouth
He pulled me in, I was disgusted with myself
And Shinsou doesn't know why, but his eyes start to gloss over just slightly.
Cause when I'm with him
I am thinking of you
Thinking of you
What you would do if you were the one
Who was spending the night
Oh, I wish that I
Was looking into
Memories start to fill Shinsou's head, the times when they were silly with each other, attempting to bake brownies in the dorm kitchen without burning it down, wiping batter on each other's faces. The times when they would cry into each other's arms about things neither of them could control. When their lips would brush against each other in the middle of the night, when it was way past dorm curfew, and everyone was supposed to be in their own rooms. The hushed pants and moans that would break free from their lips as they made love.
You're the best
And yes, I do regret
How I could let myself let you go
Now, now the lesson's learned
I touched it, I was burned
Oh, I think you should know
Regret? Denki regrets letting Shinsou go? Because if anything, it was Shinsou who gave up. He didn't take time to talk about boundaries, or try to diffuse the situation, or even run after Denki when the blonde stormed out of his room sobbing.
If anyone regrets anything, it's Shinsou. Shinsou’s not the best, but Denki definitely is.
'Cause when I'm with him
I am thinking of you
Thinking of you
What you would do if you were the one
Who was spending the night
Oh, I wish that I
Was looking into your, your eyes
Shinsou finally knows that this song is for him. Why? Because Denki points right at him while he sings, and Shinsou also notices he's not the only one with faint tears in his eyes.
Looking into your eyes
Looking into your eyes
Oh, won't you walk through
And bust in the door and take me away?
Oh, no more mistakes
'Cause in your eyes, I'd like to stay, stay
And the song finally finishes. Shinsou hears claps and cheers, but his gaze is still stuck on the blonde who's breathing a little heavy. He notices the drink in his hand is completely untouched, and his feet want to move forward, but they can't move until he feels a little push on the back. Shinsou finally breaks his eyes away from the stage for the first time in almost four consecutive minutes.
“Go get your man,” Sero said with a cheeky grin, Izuku also behind him, giving an eager double thumbs up with the biggest smile.
So he does exactly that; he hands his drink to Izuku, and his feet feel almost heavy as he walks closer to the stage, but good thing he doesn't have to walk that far since Denki rushed to take off his guitar strap and is seemingly walking closer to Shinsou at the same time.
Until they meet in the middle.
Denki has a soft but shy smile on his face, his fingers nervously playing in front of his lower stomach as he glances into dark purple eyes, “Umm…hi–” the blonde tries to speak but is cut off by a kiss.
Shinsou pulls the blonde into such a ferocious kiss, filled with yearning, regret, and bubbling passion that had almost been forgotten. And Denki kisses back, missing the feeling of Shinsou's slightly chapped lips, the way he can feel the coldness of the silver rings that pressed softly into his cheek where Shinsou held his face, chasing after the warmth of each other's lips. Ignoring the hoots and hollers and some whistles from their friends.
When they pull apart, Shinsou speaks, “Hi,” he says with a smile, his hand still placed on Denki's cheek; his thumb goes to wipe a stray tear that fell, “I've been thinking of you too,” he says softly, like there are the only two people in the world right now.
And in Denki’s mind, they are; he breaks into a fit of giggles, happy tears finding their way out of his eyes, thanking his earlier self for putting on waterproof eyeliner. He threw his arms around Shinsou's neck, pulling him in for another quick kiss before just engulfing the other in a hug. Shinsou used both arms to hug the electric blonde back.
“Should we maybe get out of here?” Denki whispered in his ear, and Shinsou could hear the grin in his voice.
“You wanna ditch your best friend's birthday celebration?” Shinsou smirked.
Denki pulled back. “This isn't his party; that's next week! We just needed a good enough reason to get you here,” the blonde laughed.
“Oh well, in that case, I guess we can ditch,” Shinsou smiled still, using one of his hands to brush some of Denki's bangs out of his face.
Denki nods with a smile before giving Shinsou one last peck, then pulling apart, “Thanks, guys, for all the help! I owe you guys one!”
“You heard that! Denki is paying for all our drinks! Time to get white girl wasted!” Mina throws her arms up and runs over to the bar with Kirishima and Sero.
Then Shinsou feels a strong hand on his shoulder. He turns around and is faced with Bakugo, who just looks him dead in the eyes. “Fuck up again, and the next time I'll be playing drums is at your funeral,” he said with a shit-eating grin, his hand tightening on Shinsou's shoulder. Shinsou swears he starts to see smoke coming from his palm.
“Kacchan, no threatening!” Izuku says, pulling his boyfriend's other hand away and walking to the bar as well. Bakugo still glares at Shinsou, but there's a sense of fondness that surrounds his aura. Shinsou has no idea how Izuku has such a hold on that man.
“Okay, I'm ready!” Denki reappears, his guitar strapped to his back, “Wanna’ get out of here?”
Shinsou just can't stop fucking smiling, so different from his usual stoic stare. He takes Denki’s hand, “Yeah, baby, let's go.”
And as they now lay together in Shinsou's bed, two hours later, completely nude under the blanket that keeps them warm, Denki had his head on the other's chest and takes a deep inhale, feeling Shinsou’s hands in his hair.
“This wasn't just a hookup…right?” Denki whispers as he feels Shinsou's hands stop running through his hair, “You want to be with me, right?”
Shinsou actually softly giggles, “If I wanted to just fuck, there was a bathroom at the bar,” he says jokingly, “But yes, of course I want to be with you, Denks, I still…I never stopped loving you,” he whispers. Shinsou was never good at talking about his feelings, but for Denki, he tries his best.
And Hitoshi’s best will always be more than enough for Denki. He raises his head to look at Shinsou's eyes in the dark room, never having turned any lights on as they were too busy eating each other's faces and making up a year's worth of no sex. He gives Shinsou a soft kiss, “Good, I never stopped thinking about or loving you either.”
Shinsou gives a small smile, “Good.”