Work Text:
Hitoshi doesn't expect to fall head over heels as soon as he joins the hero course, but here he is, watching Kaminari Denki describe something enthusiastically with his arms and wondering what his mouth tastes like. His brain wanders often, and, like now, he often ends up wondering what kissing him would be like. He tries to shake himself out of it but to be honest, most sleepless nights are spent staring at the ceiling and imagining the way that Denki’s hand would definitely feel like touching a static piece of fabric, and how that would feel like the best thing in the world. It’s been this way since his first week here, and now, almost 5 months later, he is still sat here lusting after a boy who may not even like guys. It's fine, being his friend is amazing enough, he tries to reason with himself, but he can't help but fantasise about more. He sighs minutely, and when he turns his head Denki is grinning at him, entirely too close to him for his own good.
“Hitoshi! Why are you staring into the distance like that?” Denki exclaims suddenly, and Hitoshi takes a moment to realise that he has finished talking to his group of friends and has now fallen next to him on the sofa. So that’s why he is so close. Hitoshi spends more effort than he would like to admit trying not to choke on his own spit.
“Thinking?” Hitoshi offers awkwardly, and Denki raises an eyebrow at him. Hitoshi tries not to let his mind wander to the little smirk he has on his lips, and how that tiny peek of pink tongue that darts against chapped lips would probably taste like cinnamon. He fails miserably. Denki chuckles a little, and his thigh brushes against Hitoshi’s. It’s so casual, so friendly, that Hitoshi’s heart squeezes. He’ll never be yours, his brain teases, and he blinks harder than necessary.
“What about?” Denki asks casually, stretching a little, slinging his arm along the back of the sofa. Hitoshi doesn’t miss the tiny spark that travels down his neck. Would he do that again if I kiss the spot under his ear? He wonders, and then silently curses himself. He shrugs at the question Denki just asked, running a hand through his already messy hair. He yawns.
“I haven’t been able to sleep,” He finally mumbles, and despite it being true, he feels guilty when Denki’s face falls a little, worry creasing his mouth into a frown.
“I thought you were looking more tired than usual,” Denki says, and the concern in his voice makes Hitoshi ache. He shrugs awkwardly and looks at his own feet.
He worries about all his friends,
his brain points out before he can even get his hopes up, and he kind of wants to escape.
At least he’s my friend, it's better this way
he fires back at his own brain, glad when it actually shuts up for two seconds. Denki sighs a little and puts a hand on Hitoshi’s back. Hitoshi feels hot under his touch, and when he looks next to him, Denki still has the concerned look on his face. Hitoshi swallows dryly and looks back at his feet.
“I get nightmares a lot. It was easier when I was sharing a room with my sibling y’know…” Hitoshi offers, kind of wanting Denki to remove his hand off of his back, but simultaneously wondering if there is a way he can get him to rest his stupid spiky head in his lap so he can stroke him. He wants to scream at himself but instead rubs a hand over his face. Denki rubs a small circle on his back, and it takes all of Hitoshi’s self-control not to shiver.
“You don’t have nightmares if you are in the same room as others?” Denki asks, and Hitoshi nods without preamble, leaning his head back onto the couch. Denki looks at the ground for a second, before looking back up, catching Hitoshi’s eyes in his own yellow ones. “So I guess you haven’t slept great since you moved into dorms then…” Denki mumbles, mostly to himself, and Hitoshi tries his best not to stare at his slightly chapped lips. He mostly succeeds. Then Denki blinds him with one of his trademark sunshine smiles, and Hitoshi squints a little.
“Why are you smiling at me?” Hitoshi asks, too tired to consider the implications of the hand that is still rubbing circles on his back. Denki somehow smiles wider.
“I have a super great idea,” Denki says with enthusiasm, and Hitoshi begrudgingly accepts that this sunshine child is going to kill him.
-
When Denki guides him up to his dorm room, all gaudy animal print and clashing colours, Hitoshi almost has a heart attack, for two main reasons. Firstly, because he has somehow fitted a double bed into the room and has covered it in enough blankets and pillows for eight people. Secondly, because Denki throws himself onto the bed and pats the space next to him with so much innocence that Hitoshi lets out a small wheeze. He feels like he has been shot through the heart, but instead of acknowledging this, he just sits next to Denki and lets him fuss around. His heart protests. He feels like his eyes have weights attached to them and he watches passively as Denki draws the curtains and turns on some string lights that are shaped like tiny stars. Hitoshi kind of wants to comment on how this may be pushing the boundaries of what friends do for each other, but he doesn’t have the energy. When did he get a double bed into his dorm room? Hitoshi wonders, but decides he is too tired to think about that right now. When Denki finally stops fussing and sits down on the bed next to him, Hitoshi belated realises that he is nervous, and raises an eyebrow at him. Denki blushes a little, before motioning him to get in the covers. Hitoshi does as he is told, and spends a moment getting comfy. When he turns over onto his side, Denki has gotten under the covers too, duvet tucked under his chin. So adorable, his brain whispers, and for once he can’t disagree.
“I thought if you slept here…” Denki starts, but Hitoshi’s eyes are already dropping a little, and Denki giggles. “Okay ‘Toshi, go to sleep now, I’ll talk in the morning,” He whispers, and, like they were waiting for permission, his eyes fall shut. Sleep takes him almost immediately, but not before his brain points out that Denki just called him ‘Toshi. Hitoshi falls asleep with a dorky smile on his face and doesn’t notice Denki watching him.
-
pinky: denks, you are insane
rockhard: yeah i gotta admit bro this is super crazy
pikapika: but he was so tired, and he can’t sleep alone, and it’s not like i didn’t have the money for the bed and i was going to upgrade anyway so it’s not like it was for him???
pinky: right, cause you definitely arent head over heels for eyebags
blasty: i like that nickname
pikapika: you guys, you are supposed to support me wtf
tapeman: that was before you spent like 150,000¥ on a bed for a guy you barely know
pikapika: actually it was 143,500¥
pikapika: and its not for him ?? it was just like a waste not to let him sleep here
rockhard: god you are so pure
rockhard: but you are also a disaster
pikapika: you guys are so mean to me
pinky: i mean yes
pinky: so he is sleeping right next to you now?
pikapika: yes?
pinky: oh god that’s so freakin cute im gonna vom
tapeman: how come Denks hasn’t bought any of us beds?
pikapika: IT WASN’tT FOR HIM!!!!!
rockhard: you keep telling yourself that
blasty: just fucking kiss him ffs
rockhard: i mean, it’s not the worst idea ive heard come out of baks mouth
blasty: it’s the best idea wtf
pikapika : that is literally the worst idea i have ever heard of
tapeman: it’s better than spending 150,000¥ on a bed for him
pikapika: its!!! not!!! for!!! him!!! I was going to buy it anyway!!!
rockhard: sure you were
pinky: sure you were
tapeman: sure you were
blasty: what they said
pikapika: fuck you guys i’m going to bed
pinky: please cuddle him for all of our sanities
pikapika went offline
rockhard: god he really likes him doesn’t he
blasty: fucking obviously
pinky: i mean, baks isn’t wrong
blasty: never call me baks again
pinky: how come kiri can call you it and not me wtf
blasty went offline
tapeman: lol
pinky: i hate this fucking family
pinky went offline
rockhard: well i guess it’s time to say night guys
tapeman: night kiri
rockhard: night sero <3
rockhard went offline
tapeman: <3
tapeman went offline
It actually doesn’t take too long before Denki falls asleep, the warmth of another body in his bed being surprisingly comforting. He dreams of abstract purple shapes and swimming in steaming blue lakes that cover him in warmth. Soft hands guide him to the shore and he lays in warm sands and smiles up at shadowy purple eyes. He feels safe.
When he wakes, he has to blink several times before he realises where he is, and almost squeals when he realises that a warm arm is slung over his waist. He then almost squeals again when he remembers who that arm is attached to, and blushes violently, shoving a hand across his mouth so he doesn’t wake the boy. Hitoshi shifts gently and mumbles something, and it takes Denki a moment to realise that he is still asleep.
“I just like lookin’,” Hitoshi slurs, before a soft sigh comes out of his mouth. Denki wants to lean closer, listen harder, but instead, he stays put, trying to control his breathing. “You are more…” He mutters and interrupts himself with a tiny snore that makes Denki’s heart squeeze. “Most beautiful boy… The world…” He gets out between heavy breaths, and Denki’s stomach flips violently. Beautiful boy? His brain points out, and it takes a lot of effort for Denki to control his breathing. “Kiss you,” He whispers, wretching Denki out of his thoughts, and then rolls in a way that traps Denki even further, head gently resting on Denki’s bare chest. Denki holds his breath for a second, and when Hitoshi lets out another tiny snore, he lets his breath out in a slow huff. God, I’m so fucked, Denki’s brain mutters, and Denki is resigned to agree that, yes, he is fucked. “Too pretty,” Hitoshi whispers, still asleep on Denki’s chest, and Denki lets himself stare at the gentle face sleeping on him. He looks so relaxed and contented, that Denki’s hand is reaching out before he can stop himself, and he brushes a chunk of purple hair out of his face. Hitoshi sniffles, but doesn’t wake up, and Denki internally curses himself. “Denks…” Hitoshi mumbles and Denki freezes, thinking Hitoshi has woken up, but instead he makes a grunting noise and snores again. “Pretty eyes,”. Denki can’t move, stomach doing something strange. He thinks I have pretty eyes? His brain wonders and he swallows dryly, he might just be mumbling random words, he reasons with himself, but the hopeful part of him is dancing, alight with electricity. Or, he thinks you are handsome! It exclaims hopefully, and Denki runs a hand along his face. They stay this way for another twenty minutes or so, most of that time Denki spends trying to memorise every inch of the beautiful face resting on his chest. Hitoshi mumbles some nonsense words but is mostly quiet. Denki manages to grab his phone and take a quick photo before Hitoshi starts to stir, and in vague panic, Denki pretends to be asleep, chucking his phone somewhere under his pillow. Hitoshi yawns, before removing himself gently off of Denki’s chest. Denki tries not to let himself miss the feeling.
“You awake?” Hitoshi whispers, and when Denki doesn’t respond, he obviously assumes he is still asleep. He sighs, and suddenly there is a warm hand tucking some hair behind his ear. “Such a pretty face,” He whispers, and Denki fights the blush that is trying to make his way up his neck, he shifts a little, and Hitoshi shuffles back. Denki opens one eye, trying to feign waking up, but not entirely sure if he is succeeding. Hitoshi looks up from his phone and smiles gently. He must have grabbed it off of the side table to make himself look busy, his brain points out, and somehow that’s endearing to Denki.
“Huh?” Denki says eloquently, and Hitoshi chuckles. “You been awake long?” Denki asks, even though he knows the answer, and Hitoshi shrugs.
“Not really, but we are up before my alarm,” He answers, running a hand through his hair. It’s even messier than usual, and Denki tries not to imagine nestling his face into it. He fails.
“Did you say something? When I was waking up?” Denki asks innocently, sitting up a little and brushing his hair out of his face. He doesn’t miss the blush that runs up Hitoshi’s face and hides a small smile as he ties his yellow hair into a low ponytail. He looks up expectantly, and Hitoshi shrugs.
God, he is so fucking cute when he has just woken up,
his brain supplies, and he mentally slaps himself.
“N-No, I don’t think so?” Hitoshi lies, before glancing at Denki, raising an eyebrow. “But I can sleep talk sometimes, so maybe it was that?” He suggests, and Denki stops himself from mentioning anything else. He just nods in fake acceptance, before standing and stretching. He doesn’t miss the way Hitoshi’s eyes are glued to his chest. He feels vaguely naked but doesn’t say anything, ambling over to the bathroom, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. Hitoshi makes a strange noise in the back of his throat, and when Denki looks back, his eyes are glued back onto his phone, face a lot pinker than Denki remembers. He is definitely pushing his luck with this flirting, but he can’t stop doing it. What’s the worst that can happen?
Hitoshi watches the smaller boy go, eyes focusing slightly too long on his ass. He wonders what it feels like gripped in his hands, then promptly shakes his head and sighs harshly. He needs to control himself.
insomnia: whY dID I AGREE TO DO THIS
you’ll float too: what did you do?
Small Might: Are you okay?
insomnia: i mean physically yes, but mentally omg that ass
shouto: what a mood™
Small Might: shouto!!!
you’ll float too: i’m giggling
insomnia: have you seen it?? how can one person be so perfect ?
shouto: i know…
insomnia: i’m not talking about Izuku
shouto: oh then sorry can’t relate
Small Might: SHOUTO!!!
you’ll float too: god you need to do something, this is getting desperate
Small Might: yeah I mean… as much as we support you I don’t know how much longer you can describe denki's butt to me before I can’t look at him in the same way anymore
shouto: I agree
insomnia: you just agree with everything Izuku says
shouto: and?
insomnia: you guys are the worst at moral support
Sonic: If you require any assistance, it would probably be best to go to the couples in the class and ask how they confessed to each other. As the only couple here are Todoroki and Midoriya, and we have already heard that story multiple times, maybe it is best to try other couples.
Small Might: i think that was shade
you’ll float too: lmao yes iida
Sonic: What is shade?
insomnia: ughfine whatever ill go suffer now cause denki is getting out the shower and he’s gonna be all wet and adorable and fml
Sonic: Don’t be late for class!
you’ll float too: i dont need the mental image of Kami naked thanks
insomnia: ur welcome
Small Might: god i’m never going to look at denki the same again am i?
shouto: i agree
insomnia: oh my god stop it
insomnia went offline
shouto: he’s got it bad
you’ll float too: it’s almost as bad as when you two were circling around each other
Sonic: I agree with the above statements.
Small Might: it wasn’t that bad
Sonic: Yes it was.
you’ll float too: it really was
shouto: yeah it kind of was
Small Might: betrayed™
Sonic: Please can we focus on going to class now?
Small Might went offline
you’ll float too went offline
shouto went offline
Sonic went offline
“You okay ’Toshi?” Denki asks and Hitoshi looks up guiltily, locking his phone and shoving it back on the side table. Denki grins at him, towel resting ridiculously low on his hips and making Hitoshi’s brain short circuit slightly. Hitoshi swallows dryly, and stand on wobbly legs, nodding. He manages to tear his eyes off of Denki’s chest, who, despite his small stature, is surprisingly ripped. He isn’t sure he is old enough to be having chest pains.
“I’m good, thanks for letting me sleep here,” Hitoshi mumbles, looking anywhere but Denki’s bare chest. Denki steps forward in the crowded room, and Hitoshi could have sworn that the temperature in the room has increased by at least ten degrees.
“You can sleep here every night if you need too,” Denki offers, looking a little shy but still grinning, and Hitoshi’s heart skips a couple beats. He smiles back gently, running a hand through his hair. Is this flirting? His brain inputs and Hitoshi feels himself blush heavily. He looks at his feet intently.
“I…” He starts, about to refuse, but his mouth works before his brain forms words. “I might have to take you up on that,” He jokes and doesn’t feel any regret when Denki’s face lights up, the trademark sunshine smile blinding him again. Denki bounces a little on the soles of his feet, before going to his wardrobe and rummaging through the clothes there. Hitoshi decides to leave before that towel goes any lower and his self-control goes out the window. He reaches for the door handle, but turns back, mouth dry.
“Do…” He starts, and Denki turns to him expectantly, eyes blinking in a way that makes Hitoshi’s words catch in his throat. He swallows dryly, cringing at the clicking that comes out of his mouth. “Do you want to come with me this weekend to the aquarium?” He gets out, averting his eyes to the floor, and he can see some sparks flash over Denki’s feet.
“T-That would be awesome!” Denki exclaims, bouncing towards Hitoshi excitedly, all static and smiles. Hitoshi can’t help but grin at that and feels a blush spread up his neck a little.
“I’ll see you in class then,” Hitoshi mumbles, opening the door and stepping into the hall. Denki grabs the door and waves, shutting him out with a decisive click. Hitoshi wonders if jumping from the third floor would be easier than explaining what he’s just done to people.
-
“So, let me get this straight,” Uraraka says, a look on her face that looks vaguely exasperated, “You asked him on a date, but didn’t tell him it was a date?” Hitoshi feels himself blush up to the roots of his hair and doesn’t lift his head off of the desk. Iida awkwardly pats his back, and Shouto makes a noise that sounds suspiciously like a giggle, but then he gets elbowed by Izuku and he stops. “God, you are such a disaster,” She mumbles, and Hitoshi can’t disagree.
“Just tell him the truth tonight? You’re going back to sleep with him again right?” Izuku suggests innocently, not noticing the way that Uraraka’s eyes widen and how Hitoshi splutters below him. Iida is about to scold them, but then, thankfully, Denki stumbles into the room and everyone takes the hint to stop talking. However, Bakugou turns in his seat and looks straight at Hitoshi. Hitoshi mentally starts planning his own funeral.
“If you hurt him, I will fucking kill you,” He says calmly, and Hitoshi wonders how long he can sustain a blush before his arteries explode. Iida goes to say something, but Hitoshi gets there first.
“You can’t tell him,” Hitoshi begs, and Bakugou gives him a look that borders between anger and confusion. It’s the most emotion Hitoshi has ever seen in his face at once.
“If you are sleeping with him, I’m sure he already fucking knows,” Bakugou comments, and decisively turns back to the board, ignoring the way that Hitoshi is having chest pains behind him.
“I’m not sleeping with him!” He moans, mostly to himself, as the rest of the class settles down as Aizawa walks in, already looking pissed off. Hitoshi doesn’t take in a word of the morning's classes, and at lunch, he decides to hide in the library and avoid human contact until this evening where he can crawl into Denki’s bed and go the fuck to sleep. Or he would have if Denki himself didn’t wander in, looking lost. He spots Hitoshi instantly and makes his way over, a look on his face that Hitoshi reads as relief.
“‘Toshi, yo!” He exclaims, and someone shushes him. He makes a face that Hitoshi can only describe as adorable, before sliding himself into the spare seat next to him. Hitoshi rubs his eyes roughly and wonders how much it costs to hire a hitman to kill you. Denki squints at him for a moment, before Hitoshi realises he hasn’t said anything. He blinks awkwardly for a moment.
“I… I’m,” Hitoshi starts, wondering where his own train of thoughts is going to take him. “Were you awake this morning?” He asks, voice quiet. Why did you ask that? His brain scolds him, and Hitoshi mentally shrugs. Denki blinks and promptly blushes from his neck to the tips of his ears.
“W-What makes you a-a-ask that?” He stumbles, too loud in the room, and someone shushes him again. He ignores them and Hitoshi wonders if he is really going to do this to himself.
“I… I don’t know I just…” Hitoshi mumbles, before looking back at the textbook on the desk. “I just said something I kind of wanted you to hear, but I’m too embarrassed to repeat it,” He says honestly, and Denki swallows dryly next to him. Here goes nothing.
“I…” He starts, before lowering his voice to a whisper. “I did hear what you said, and… I…” Denki hides his face in his hands, embarrassed. “I think you have a pretty face too,” He mumbles, voice muffled by his hands. It’s Hitoshi’s turn to blush up to his ears, and when Denki looks up, Hitoshi has his forehead against the desk.
“I asked you to the aquarium as a date,” Hitoshi gets out, mostly speaking to the deck below him, but Denki makes a weird squeaking noise beside him and he isn’t sure how to interpret it. “But then I was too shy to tell you it was a date,” He mumbles and suddenly he has a small yellow sunshine on his back, attempting to hug the air out of his lungs. He can’t weigh more than 60kg but Hitoshi still feels breathless and his brain tells him that’s it probably more the proximity rather than the weight.
“Yes,” Denki mumbles into his ear, not letting go of Hitoshi. “Yes I will go on a date with you,” He adds on, and when Hitoshi sits up, he is still clinging onto him.
“I… Thank you,” Hitoshi says awkwardly, still blushing heavily, and when Denki rests his chin on his shoulder and his breath tickles his neck, he feels the rest of his body warm up by a couple of degrees.
“Y-You are still going to sleep with me right?” Denki asks and Hitoshi hides his face in his hands, somehow blushing harder.
“Denks…”
“I didn’t mean it like that!”
“... Yes."