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"Bro! I need your help."
"Sure man. Anything you need."
Kami smiled up at the tall boy next to him. He knew Sero was the right person to ask. He was his best friend after all. And it wasn't like he could ask Kiri. Not since him and Bakubro had gone and made their relationship official.
So, Sero it was. What a great bro. His plan wouldn't work without him. At least he knew his bro was willing to help. He just had to get the words out.
"Will you fake-date me?" Kami asked, the words flying out of his mouth rapidly before he worked himself up too much and didn't ask.
Kami didn’t miss the way Sero’s eyes widened a fraction, the quick intake of breath. For a long minute, Sero doesn’t say anything. Kami isn’t sure he’s even breathing for a second there.
“Uh, Sero? Dude, it’s cool if-”
“I’ll do it.” Sero spits out, cutting Kami off.
“Really?! You will? Thanks man!”
“Really. But why?” Sero replies, s perplexed look on his face.
Shit. Kami knew he was gonna have to explain, but he was sorta hoping that Sero would just roll with it, no questions asked. Not that he blamed the black haired boy, it was probably a weird question. It wasn’t like he’d been broken up with Hitoshi for very long. A couple weeks at best.
~~~~~
He’d been with Hitoshi for months. Months longer than he wanted to dwell on, and longer than he thought they’d last. But that had come crashing down when he’d gone to see the purple haired boy at his dorm in the 2B building. When he’d gotten to his then- boyfriends room, he found the boy completely wrapped up in the wrong shade of blonde. They were on his bed, Monoma of all people in his lap. They were half dressed and already so consumed in each other they hadn’t heard Kami open the door.
They stopped when he’d dropped to the floor. A heavy thud against the carpet. But when Hitoshi had looked over at him, he didn’t even look sorry. No, he almost looked smug. Had he been toying with Kami this whole time? He wanted to scream, to cry.
Now, Kami could've thrown a fit. Gotten mad and demanded an explanation. Nobody would’ve blamed him for it, but he didn’t. After taking a minute to collect himself, to be sure he wouldn’t cry right there in front of them, he stood up and brushed himself off. When he stepped back towards the door, he turned around.
“Sorry to interrupt. Shinsou, I think it should be pretty clear here, but we’re over. Don’t speak to me again.”
After that, Kami walked out without waiting for a response. He went back to his room and texted the squad for a movie night. He knew that he’d be fine as long as he had them with him. He’d cried through the movie, but no one said anything. His bros were the absolute best, and no one could change his mind. They were all kind to him. Hell, Bakugou had offered to tell ‘Mindfuck’ where to shove it, and blast him to space. Though Kami was sure some of that was just purely Bakugou wanting to blast Shinsou anyway.
~~~~~~
“Uh, Kami?” Sero’s voice broke him out of his thoughts. Shit, he spaced out again didn’t he?
“Right, sorry. Anyway. I want to make Shinsou jealous. It’s a great plan! We pretend to date, and he’ll see how easily i got over him. Hah! That’ll show him, right?!”
Sero gives an uneasy chuckle. “Right. That’ll show him.”
“See. I knew you were the guy to ask!”
“Well, you couldn’t really ask Kiri or Bakubro, so…” Sero trails off, the implication made clear.
“Ouch. First off, how dare? You know you’re my favorite. (Just don’t tell Kiri, he’ll get upset with me.) Second, I wouldn’t want to do this with either of those two. You’re my very best bro!” Kami was flailing his arms almost wildly trying to get Sero to understand that he wasn’t just a last ditch option.
“Okay okay. Geez. I get it.” Sero laughed. Kami let out a sigh of relief. He didn’t want his friend to think he was second rate. Sero was one of the coolest, most chill guys Kami knew. He was glad to have him for a friend.
Now that Sero had agreed to help him out, they sat down and got to planning. They had to make it believable. Holding hands, given names, the whole nine yards. Well, almost the whole nine. There were some things that they didn’t need to worry about. Sero had had some reservations about anything too romantic. Kami understood of course, it wasn’t like they were actually dating.
~~~~~
The weird thing in all of this, was that they didn’t really act all that different. Sure they sat closer during breaks and lunch, and they called each other by their given names. Which, admittedly, was fairly awkward the first few times. Kami had stuttered something fierce the first time he’d called Sero “Hanta”.
Sero had just looked at him, a quiet fondness in his eyes, or was it sadness, before copying Kami and calling him “Denki” with ease. Kami wondered if maybe Sero was just sad that Kami was holding him back from being with someone he actually liked, but was scared to ask, for fear that maybe he was right. That he was preventing his friend from truly being happy.
So, they continued on. Both acting practically normal as always. Minor differences here and there, to keep up the charade. They would snuggle close in the common room, Sero’s arms wrapped comfortably around Kami’s shoulders or waist. They’d hold hands on the way to school.
~~~~~
Weeks went by like that. Denki and Hanta would walk to school together hand in hand, chatting with their friends like they always did. Kami would intertwine their fingers without realizing.
It was a comfort to be this close, to be able to touch like this. Kami didn’t realize at first how much this calmed him. When the electric currents were racing through his blood, buzzing in his ears it was nice to have that physical contact to ground him. He was surprised, when holding Hanta’s hand he felt this, but simply holding hands hadn’t had the same effect before.
And when they sat on the couch shoulder to shoulder, or with tucked in close under Hanta’s arm, the static stopped. It was a peaceful feeling. He wasn’t afraid that he’d shock his friend.
Not like he had been with Shinsou.
Of course, Shinsou. The whole reason he was sitting this close to Hanta in the first place, the whole reason he was allowed to even call him ‘Hanta’. The constant reminder that he was replaced. Every time he saw a hint of that purple hair or tired eyes, he scooted in closer to Hanta, or laughed just a little bit louder. But the damned jerk never seemed to care.
Oh he definitely noticed. That’s for sure. But he didn’t seem to care one bit, and that made Denki irritable. That was the whole point of this, he was trying to show the boy that he had no hold on him. And if he wasn’t showing any sign of being bothered then why bother?
So late one evening, when they were all hanging out in the common area, of course Shinsou was friends with a number of his classmates in 1A, so he had been invited to movie night. It was during the intermission between movies when Denki decided to do something new.
He didn’t know how Hanta was going to react. He only hoped his friend would forgive him after it was done.
From his position snuggled up against Hanta’s side, he looked up at the black haired boy.
“Hey Hanta,” he mock whispered, loud enough to get the boy’s attention, and possibly a specific audience.
“What’s up, Denki?” Hanta asked as his head turned towards Denki’s face.
And before Hanta could say any more, before Denki could ponder why hearing his name said like that made his heart race, Denki reached a hand up to the back of Hanta’s neck, effectively holding the taller boy in place as he leaned up and pressed his lips firmly against his not-boyfriends.
For a brief second, Denki thought Hanta was gonna pull away, upset at him for initiating such an intimate gesture. But that thought was quickly replaced when Hanta held him tighter, and brought his other hand to Denki’s cheek, kissing him back fully. With so much care and affection seeping into him, he couldn’t help losing himself in the feeling of Hanta’s lips softly dancing across his own.
Reality seemed to slip away in that moment. There was no Shinsou, no other living soul in that moment except for Denki and Hanta. The world around them simply ceased to exist.
All too soon, the moment ended, Hanta pulled away with a heavy sigh. Denki kept his eyes closed a moment more, half afraid to see the look on Hanta’s face. Denki knew he’d crossed a line, but in that moment couldn’t bring himself to feel any remorse over the fact.
And that. That lack of remorse, that jolt of electricity that wasn’t from his quirk. That was when he realized why all those touches had felt the way they did. Why that kiss had felt like so much more than just a means of petty revenge.
Denki was falling for his best friend. Hard.
~~~~~~~~~~
Holy shit, Hanta thought to himself. Holy shit. Denki just kissed him.
~~~~
Hanta had been skeptical when he agreed to help the blonde out. He knew that this could only end terribly for him. How could it not? But he’d do anything for Denki.
‘Denki’ Hanta repeated it again in his head.
He was able to call him that now. God he loved that. It had been so cute when the blonde had said his given name the first time. He’d stuttered and tripped over it, as if he was actually nervous to say it. Like it was a big deal.
And yet, it had hurt, to hear the boy say his name so sweetly. To hear it, and know that it meant nothing to the other boy, when it had meant so much to him.
So he smiled when Denki said it, tried to cover his hurt. He had no plans to tell Denki about any of this. His feelings weren’t part of the arrangement. And he wanted to help his friend. His best friend.
That didn’t mean that his feelings didn’t pop up at every chance they could. Every time he held Denki’s hand he swore his heart raced. And when Denki started lacing their fingers together, fuck, Hanta wanted to cry. For joy? Sadness? He wasn’t sure. But the ache in his heart remained a constant reminder that this was just a glimpse of what he could have. But after this? His chances were probably pretty slim.
He kept up with the small touches easily. It wasn’t hard to sit close or hold hands. No matter what his heart seemed to believe. And he enjoyed the contact. How could he not? It’s what he’d wanted for so long. And if this was his chance, he’d enjoy it while he could.
He relished the times when Denki would curl up against his side, under his arm. He knew it was for show, but he couldn’t help the way his arm would rest across Denki’s slender shoulders. The boy wasn’t small by any means, but he was smaller than Hanta by a pretty noticeable margin.
He’d enjoyed getting to be so close with the boy he loved, even if it was a farce. Even if it was just to piss of some other guy.
However sitting there in the common room that night, Hanta didn’t know what to think, to feel. He rolled with the punch and let it happen.
Denki kissed him. And his mind went blank. What should he do? This hadn’t been part of the plan. It didn’t take long before he allowed himself to get swept into it. Even if his heart was breaking the whole time.
The kiss was perfect. Everything he had hoped it would be. Soft and sweet. He could taste the chocolates Denki had been eating on his lips. Soft velvety lips, that had fit to his utterly perfectly. And for a moment everything else fell away, the other people in the room, his aching heart. Nothing was left but the feel of Denki’s lips on his. The moment stretched to eternity before reality crashed back onto his shoulders like a two ton ball of lead.
And fuck if the look on Denki’s face didn’t kill him. His eyes were closed still. His lashes fanned across flush cheeks. He looked every bit a dream to Hanta. And god. When he opened his eyes? The way they looked still partially out of focus and hazy with what might’ve been something deeper.
Hanta couldn’t take it. His heart was breaking. He knew this was just an act. Something they agreed to to help Denki make a point. Hanta knew that he’d end up hurt, its why he’d put up certain barriers at the start.
He knew he had to wait before he could leave. He knew there was no way he could run off now and not force Denki to take the brunt of so many questions about what had just happened. So he stayed. With Denki right back against him, under his arm.
And when the next movie was well underway, he excused himself under the guise of a bathroom break. And hauled ass back to his room.
~~~~~~~~~
Things were different after that night. Denki didn't know what Hanta done after he left, but he hadn't come back.
Hanta still played along, still held his hand and played boyfriend. But he was distant, like he was lost in his own head. Denki couldn't help but feel that that was his fault. That he shouldn't have kissed him.
Just remembering that kiss had Denki's cheeks warming. It hadn’t felt like any other kiss he’d ever had. It fogged his head with sensation, but also cleared it. Finally putting to words, what h’d been feeling anytime he was with Hanta.
The way Hanta had reacted to him had made him believe that it had been okay. But now he wasn't so sure. Had he messed up? Was their friendship ruined now? And holy crap did that worry Denki. He was only just figuring out how much he truly liked Hanta. He didn't want to lose him.
And his feelings, those had hit him like a ton of bricks. When he'd kissed Hanta he hadn't expected to be rushed with so much emotion. It was overwhelming. And now he didn't know what to do about it.
He knew he needed to talk to Hanta. And normally that was easy. Why was this so daunting? Why was he so worried over what needed to be said?
Because he fell for his best friend. That's why. Because he doesn’t want to bring up something that could cause irreparable damage to their friendship. Of course, hadn’t he already done that?
It was time to man up. He had to if he wanted to save his friendship. Having Hanta next to him, by his side, mattered more than some petty attempt to get back at his shitty ex.
~~~~~~~
So with all the nerve he had, he walked up to Hanta’s room. It didn’t take long before Hanta answered his knocking. Granted he’d probably sounded pretty persistent. His knocking erratic and stuttered.
“Hey, Denki. Whats up?” Hanta asked, his voice just on the edge of rough.
“Hey uh, can I come in? I wanted to talk to you about something.” Denki wasn’t sure if it was just him, or if his voice really did sound shaky.
“Yea man. Sure, come on in. what’d you wanna talk about?” Was that nervousness in Hanta’s voice? Denki wasn’t sure.
He followed Hanta into his room, and sat down on the other boy’s bed. He waited until Hanta had sat in his hammock, and took a deep breath. When they were both sitting and comfortable, Denki let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
“So-”
“What-”
They both started at once.
“Go ahead.” Hanta amends.
“Okay.” Denki takes another slow breath. God he was nervous. Staring at a point just behind Hanta’s head, he continued. “So. I'm sorry. I know I crossed a line. And I'm seriously so sorry dude.”
“You regret it?” Oh shit, his voice sounded so hurt. But why? Did he make Hanta feel like he didn’t like the kiss, or that Hanta himself wasn’t good enough. Gods, Denki felt awful.
“No!” Denki practically yelled.
“No. I don’t. I really don’t, man. It gave me a lot to think about, but I don't regret it at all. I was worried about what you thought. What you were feeling. You took off afterwards. Then you didn’t answer when I texted you either.”
Denki paused there for a moment and looked at Hanta directly for the first time since he started talking, and he could tell, Hanta was trying to keep himself together. His whole body was rigidly tense, hands balled in his lap, lips pursed in a tight line. And he was looking anywhere but at Denki.
“I’ve been kinda worried. You’ve been really distant the last few days, ya know… I thought that maybe you were upset with me, Ha- Hanta? Sero?”Did he even have the right to use his given name anymore?
“I’m not upset with you, Denki. Never with you. I’m sorry you thought that. I didn’t want you to think that. Man, you’re my best friend.” Hanta replied. His expression hadn’t changed. It was still solemn and drawn.
“I’m upset with myself.” Hanta adds quietly. Denki wasn’t even sure if he’d heard Hanta correctly at first.
“Wh- what do you mean? Hanta?” Denki asked, speaking softly for fear of sounding demanding.
“Can I be totally honest with you? 100% up-front and real for a minute?”
Denki didn’t know if he should be concerned or scared. But he was most definitely nervous. Was this where, his best friend dropped him? Whatever it was, it must be crazy important for Hanta to preempt it like that. And for lack of better response, he nodded.
“Okay. look, before I say anything, I don't want things to change between us. You mean a lot to me.”
Oh thank god, Denki thinks, Hanta doesn’t want to stop being friends. But it feels like there may be a ‘but’ to that statement. Denki’s mind was reeling. What could he possibly have to say, that he thinks would change that?
“Of course. You’re crazy important to me. Nothing could change that.”
“Okay,” Hanta starts, seeming nervous, “the thing is, Denki, I… I love you. And I've loved you for so long now. Feels like I've always loved you.” Hanta took a shaky breath.
Denki remained quiet. He could tell, Hanta had more to say, and he’d be damned if he interrupted him now. His mind was in shock from the declaration though, and he had to fight to give Hanta the attention he deserved.
“That kiss,” Hanta continues, “was everything I had hoped it would be. Just not how I wanted it to happen. Under these false pretenses? It just hurts more. I genuinely care about you and want to be with you. But this fake relationship has to be over. I thought I could handle it, maybe even enjoy finding out what it might be like to finally be with you. But it just hurts too much. I’m sorry.”
Denki takes a deep breath. He doesn’t know what to say. Hanta had simultaneously confessed his love for him and broken up with him all in one go. He feels like he could cry, but he won’t. He doesn’t deserve to feel like this. He hurt his friend without ever realizing.
“Hanta… I’m so sorry. I- I never realized I was hurting you like that. I feel horrible.” Denki takes a shuttering breath, trying to contain his tears. By the looks of it, Hanta is doing the same. His shoulders are shaking, and he won't look away from the floor. As Denki watches him, a single tear drops to the floor.
“Hanta… I- I haven’t been thinking of Shinsou for a while now. I-” he pauses, lost for a way to speak his thoughts, this certainly isn't how he imagined saying any of this, “I’ve been thinking of you, Hanta. God, since then, I’ve only thought of you. I- I like you. So much.”
Hanta’s head whips up to look Denki in the eyes. Hurt and shock evident in his glassy eyes. “You’re serious? Don’t lie to me!” he shouts, voice hoarse and thick with the sobs Denki knows he’s not letting out. “This whole shtick was to get back at your ex . You say you like me. But what the hell man? If there’s even a single part of you that’s still hung up on that asshole then you need to back off. I can’t keep doing this. I can’t keep hurting myself for you. No matter how much I love you. I can’t do this. Don’t fuck with me man.”Hanta is full out sobbing now.
Denki is speechless. He moves from his spot on Hanta’s bed, to the floor in front of the boy. He’s on his knees kneeling in front of the boy he cares about most in this world. How on earth is he supposed to convince him that he means what he says.
“Hanta,” Denki starts, his voice barely above a whisper as he looks up into Hanta’s tear filled eyes. “Please. Please believe me. I don’t love Shinsou. This whole idea was stupid. The only good to come from it was being close to you. I didn’t realize it at first, but when I’m with you, I feel things that I never felt with anyone else. You stop the buzzing static, Hanta. I’m not afraid of my quirk with you. You make me feel calm. Like I’ve never felt before.”
Denki reaches a hand up to Hanta’s own fisted hands. His knuckles are white from how tightly he’s clenching them. Denki grabs one balled fist and slowly coaxes it open, rubbing a thumb in slow circles on his palm.
“I don’t want to lose you Hanta. You mean more to me than anything. I want to be with you. I’m beyond sorry for hurting you all this time, and I hope you’ll let me make it up to you.”
There’s a hitch in Hanta’s breath, like he hadn’t expected to hear that. He doesn’t say a word, not yet. He sniffles some more, but they seem to be slowing down. Denki is thankful for that much. Maybe Hanta will forgive him. Even if he shoots down his confession, at least. maybe, he’ll still have his friend when this is all over.
“You mean it?”
“Every word.”
Before Denki can take another breath, he’s suddenly scooped up and finds himself placed on Hanta’s lap, his knees on either side of Hanta’s hips.
The position is somewhat awkward because of the hammock, but they manage it. Without missing a beat, Denki is engulfed in another of Hanta’s passionate kisses.
But before Denki can respond, or deepen the kiss, Hanta pulls back.
“Yes. I want to be with you too. For real this time.” Hanta doesn’t say another word as he slots their lips together. This time the kiss is slow, but just as potent as the first two. Their lips slide together like satin, eliciting small breathy moans from Denki. This kiss is so like their first, and yet worlds different. Where the first was unsure and sweet, this was heady, full of passion and desire. Hanta’s tongue swept along Denki’s bottom lip, eliciting a needy moan, and granting Hanta access to deepen the kiss. Their tongues slid together languidly. Both boys breathless in their pursuit of the thrills that came with truly being together, knowing that this wasn’t some farce.
Before long, they pulled apart. Denki looked at Hanta through half lidded eyes, to see his eyes still closed, his cheeks flush and a satisfied smile on his face. When Hanta finally opened his eyes, Denki was taken aback by the adoration in dark hues.
With little effort, Hanta leans back, bringing Denki with him, into the hammock. Denki couldn’t help the smile as he lay on Hanta’s chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. They lay there together for what feels like hours, just enjoying being with the other.
He felt the words rumble through Hanta’s body before he heard them.
“I’m so glad. I don’t expect you to say it back yet, but… I love you Denki. So very much.”
Denki let out a quiet, happy hum. He was right where he wanted to be. He was pretty sure Hanta wouldn’t have to wait as long as he thought he would, to hear those few little words in return. Denki knew as he was dozing off to the sound of Hanta’s heartbeat, that what he felt wasn’t a fleeting thing. This was true. This is what he’d been looking for.
“Mmm… I love you too Hanta.”
end <3