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Chapter Text

“I… give up.”

The bird-headed teen’s voice came out soft and defeated. His head felt heavy and it wasn’t just due to his swift defeat at the explosive boy currently straddling him, sweaty palm clamped down firmly across his beak. He had really given it his all; him and Dark Shadow both, but Bakugou and their explosive quirk were simply too much for them. They were a poor matchup, but it wasn’t the defeat at Bakugou’s hands that made him dizzy, his muscles weak and his voice croak, however.

It was their scent. 

That sweet, sultry smell of Bakugou’s nitroglycerin sweat. That oily secretion that powered his explosive quirk and smelled like burnt sugar.

Bakugou smelled like delicious toffee, and Tokoyami knew he was thoroughly and royally fucked the first time he caught a whiff of it. That first time in the locker room where the delectable sight of a sweaty shirt being thrown off to reveal rippling muscles and that first whiff of that strange sweet smell had caused a gay panic of massive proportions. Dark Shadow  couldn't stop laughing and had teased the poor teen all throughout that first week.

And now, towards the end of the sports festival match, that smell had become an overwhelming force. With the other’s sweaty palm clasped firmly across his beak, covering his nostrils, there was simply no escaping it. Tokoyami felt his heart pound in his chest. His head felt heavy. He almost couldn’t breathe. It was as if he had had wandered straight into an opium den.

If he was anything like the boy currently on top of him he’d opt to keep fighting to the bitter end, even with his quirk effectively nullified. Bakugou would never have given up so readily. But Tokoyami wasn’t Bakugou, and the last thing he wanted at that moment was for the other to notice just how hot and bothered their proximity made him feel.

“I… give up.” he repeated softly.

“Tch!” Came the other’s response. “So soon? But we’re only getting started.” Bakugou’s voice was low and sultry. His lips were curled into an excited smile. The bird-headed teen’s face feathers began puffing up as he realised the other boy had just snuck their free hand up towards their neck, fingers wrapping around the red ribbons of their neck choker. He let out a soft chirp as Bakugou began pulling it off of him.

Tokoyami awoke with a gasp and squinted his eyes against the dark purple hue of his nightlight. A quick glance at his phone showed that it was 05:14 in the morning. Too late to go back to sleep, he realized, and groaned as he slumped back down and let his ruffled head-feathers hit his pillow.

Inside of him, something stirred, and the familiar, purple hued form of his ‘twin’ appeared above him, glancing down with a concerned look on their shadowy features.

A look which turned into mirthful bemusement as the bird-headed teen shot him a look that said: ‘Not. A. Damn. Word.’

“Oooh! THAT dream again huh?” the shadow entity purred. 

Having grown up with what was basically a perpetually present younger sibling had had its advantages during those early formative years, when the other kids would shun him due to his ‘evil’ quirk, or his strange, unhuman features. Right at that moment, though, Tokoyami wished that they had been actual twins with separate bodies. He also wished that Dark Shadow wasn’t so damn chipper and active in the early morning, but unfortunately, he could have neither of those things.

Muttering under his breath, the teen rolled himself out of his bed and headed into the shower.

“Why don’t you just tell him how you feel?” Dark Shadow asked.

Tokoyami shot him a glare across the rim of his coffee cup. A similar look he had given the shadow entity earlier. Unfortunately for Tokoyami, Dark Shadow was either oblivious to glares or was feeling energetic enough in these early waking hours to simply ignore them.

“Just do it already. What’s the worst that could happen?” he continued. “Seriously. Go meet him after class and tell them you have the hots for them.”

Tokoyami wrapped his beak around the straw in his cup, and swallowed down a gulp of his Elixir of Awakening. Then he let out a deep sigh. “We’ve been over this. Not. Happening. And I do not have ‘the hots’ for him!”

“You sure? You seemed pretty hot and bothered this morning.” Dark Shadow intoned playfully.

“It’s not…”

“And it’s not like you haven’t had those kinds of dreams before…”

“Dark Shadow…” 

“You’ve been unable to stop staring at him from the moment you met them…”

“So what? He’s a good looking guy, I’m sure lots of people stare at him.”

“Oho!?” the shadow smirked triumphantly. “Good looking, is he? Good looking enough to haunt your dreams and make you wake up with a raging…”

Tokoyami slammed his coffee cup down onto the common area’s kitchen table as his facial feathers puffed up in heated embarrassment. “Dark Shadow!” he hissed, a lot more loudly than he probably should at 05:43 in the morning. He looked around to make sure nobody was around to hear that. Thankfully, they were alone.

“You know it’s true. Why can’t you just admit it?”

“Fine!” he hissed, knuckles tightening around his cup. “I yield. I confess. Cupid engraved the name Bakugou onto their arrow and it hath struck me straight in the heart. I am hopelessly, disastrously and tragically in love with him. I, Fumikage Tokoyami, have a crush on Katsuki Bakugou. There. You happy now?”

Dark Shadow gave him a pat on the shoulder.

“It’s not me you should be confessing to, Fumi.” Dark Shadow intoned mirthfully. “I’ve known from the moment you laid eyes on them.”

Ten minutes into the lecture and Bakugou had already given up trying to pay attention. Even on his best days, having to listen to the screeching parrot known as Present Mic was a sure recipe for tinnitus. Which was to say, insufferable on the best of days, and on the worst of days, unbearable.

Today Present Mic was particularly unbearable. He was prancing around the front of the classroom like a peacock strutting their feathers and went on and on about “Marketable style baby, yeah!?”

What a fucking joke. Bakugou thought. Class 1-A consisted of nothing but fucking chuunis colourful individuals who would have a lot more trouble NOT being recognisable or standing out. With maybe a couple of exceptions, one of whom Bakugou was giving a sideways glance to across his shoulder.

That goth with the bird head, Tokoyami, had been on his mind since early that morning when he had, accidentally of course, walked in on that gem of a conversation the other boy had been having with his quirk.

“I, Fumikage Tokoyami, have a crush on Katsuki Bakugou. There. You happy now?”

At first he had wondered if he had simply misheard, it was super early in the morning after all. And though he was by no means lazy, Bakugou wasn’t exactly a morning person. The only reason he had been standing in the doorway of the common area was because Kirishima had taken to awakening at the most awful hours to start the day with some ‘manly exercises’. Which involved a lot of grunting and other unpleasant noises which, in spite of his perfectly reasonable request to “Tone it the fuck down!” had resulted in him being up and about much earlier than he would have liked.

He had strolled into the common area for a bite to eat before classes started, but had ended going straight back up to his room after overhearing all of that.

Tokoyami had a crush on him.

Bird boy being gay was hardly surprising, of course. They weren’t exactly flaunting rainbow coloured accessories, but with their odd mannerisms, overly dramatic way of speaking and dress choice, there was no way they were completely straight. Then again, the same went for most of their class in one way or another.

Tokoyami being gay for - him - specifically, though? That was another matter entirely. Then again, he supposed that too was not too surprising. He was Katsuki Bakugou after all. The soon to be #1 hero. Of course fellow teenagers would develop idol crushes on him, and in this day and era that meant both girls - and - boys.

Still, it had been a bit surprising, if only because the idea of anyone thinking there was even a snowball’s chance in hell of him being interested in something as utterly ridiculous as a teenage crush was laughable. He was Katsuki Bakugou, he didn’t have time for cutesy shit like that. Not while there was still that #1 spot to claim.

If it had been anyone else he probably would have marched straight into the room and laughed in their face. Because really, even if he had ever entertained the idea of hooking up with anyone in this class, which he hadn’t ever, he could not see himself getting close with any of these losers. They’d soon be eating his dust anyway.

So why hadn’t he done that this morning? Because unlike a lot of his fellow students, Tokoyami fell into that rare and precious category of people Bakugou considered inoffensive. Which in his book, was as glowing an endorsement as anyone here would ever get. Tokoyami was quiet, left him alone, seemed strangely unfazed by his frequently vocalized ambitions and, perhaps most important of all, made absolutely no effort to contest his claims of being best in their class as well as the best damn hero there would ever be.

Not to mention, and again, this was a very rare thing for Bakugou to think about anyone indeed, bird boy wasn’t half bad himself. Sure, that emo thing he had going on was just plain awful, but he had placed third in the sports festival. Their fight had been quick, but only because they were an awful matchup. Bakugou had to admit that Tokoyami had fought bravely and had graciously accepted their defeat when it was over. He had also seen the power of their shadow quirk back at the summer camp where it had utterly wrecked a powerful villain even he and Todoroki, the winner and second best of the sports festival competition respectively, had been struggling with. Seeing Dark Shadow like that, in their unrestrained, rampant and destructive form, had admittedly excited him.

If only that quirk of his wasn’t so useless in the light. I wouldn’t mind going head to head against that kind of power sometime.

Then again, perhaps it was for the best that they hadn’t, considering the shitstorm that happened afterwards where he had ended up being kidnapped by the league.

Point being, unlike most of his other classmates, he could muster up a tiny hint of respect for the silent goth.

An excited screech from Present Mic derailed his train of thought, then brought it back on track with a firm case in point!

Why can’t that damn cockatoo be more like that raven boy?

He tried to envision a quiet, sullen and brooding Present Mic and shook his head. Never in a million years.

Present Mic had been yowling about something involving fashionista magazines and style trainers. Bakugou sighed and glanced at the clock. Still ten more minutes before lunch.

His eyes drew back towards the bird-headed teen behind him, who was sitting stoically and quietly as ever. Either they were really good at tuning out whatever frequency Mic’s voice was on, or they were genuinely paying attention. Looking at their almost serene face now, it was kind of hard to imagine how flustered they had looked earlier that morning. Bakugou found himself smirking slightly at the memory.

Still, flustered or not, bird boy was one of the least offensive people in his class, which is why he hadn’t simply butted into their conversation, and viciously killed any and all notion of him ever reciprocating such a ridiculous crush. Tokoyami deserved a little bit more dignity than that, he decided. Besides, cowardly was one way Bakugou wouldn’t describe them, considering their valiant efforts back at the Sports Festival. He’d come clean about his crush at some point, and Bakugou would have a polite, yet firm no ready for him.

Lunchtime had finally arrived, throwing Bakugou from one annoyingly noisy affair into another as the self-named ‘BakuSquad’ had taken to loudly focus their one shared brain cell on some new mobile phone game. One they insisted he should try too, but thankfully he had become quite adept at tuning them out when needed. Not that he was able to hear much anyway after that onslaught from Present Cockatoo. His ears still rang from their excited screeching.

As Kirishima discovered a new feature, which he had to show to Kaminari, of course, Bakugou was given a few minutes of solitude to eat his lunch in peace. Though once again, he found his attention drawn to the bird-headed boy seated on the far other side of the table. He was quietly conversing with his best friend Shouji while eating their lunch. Or, rather, trying to eat their lunch.

Watching Tokoyami try to tackle today’s noodle-based special turned out to be a surprisingly amusing delight to watch. It was a comedically sloppy and delightfully awkward affair that involved a lot of tilting their head far to the side as they attempted to lower the noodles, wrapped carefully around a pair of chopsticks, into their beak without spilling them over the side.

Their octo-limbed conversation partner clearly found the situation just as humorous as Bakugou did, since frequent annoyed glances were given to them by the bird boy in question. Often in response to something Shouji had said, and usually followed by a sympathetic pat on the shoulder from the taller of the two.

Man, what a sloppy eater. He can’t help it, of course, but damn if that isn’t hilarious to watch. Weird-ass beak face.

He took a bite from his own lunch as he let his mind wander.

I wonder how kissing them would even work. It’s probably possible. If they’re able to say stupid shit like ‘banquets of darkness’ they can probably curl their… mouth… beak… thing somehow. Looks kinda sharp though… Probably would have to be careful to avoid the edges, and he’d have to tilt his head like he’s doing now or else…

A firm slap to his shoulder slapped him back to reality prior to having Kirishima’s smartphone shoved into his face. “Oh my god, they have All Might themed character customisation! Check out this manly attire!”

The figure on screen, or rather, the way they were dressed was anything but manly, but Bakugou decided not to tell the redhead what he thought of the attire in question. One might think this was because even he wouldn’t have the heart to outright mock his arguably best friend, but anyone who knew them would know Bakugou usually had no qualms whatsoever doing just that.

Not this time though, because Bakugou was in too much of a daze wondering where the flying fuck that earlier train of thought had come from!  

Tsukuyomi: …

Lies!

Deception!

Tentacole: Truth!

Tsukuyomi: Error et frustramen!

Tentacole: Tokoyami… I wouldn’t lie about this.

He was totally staring at you.

All throughout class…

Tsukuyomi: No.

Tentacole: And during lunch too.

He kept looking at you looking pensive.

Like

Out of character pensive. For him.

Tsukuyomi: I reject this observation.

Tentacole: Okay… why?

Tsukuyomi: Because

this is Bakugou we’re talking about.

I reject any and all notions that he’d have even an iota of interest in me.

Tentacole: … again… why?

Tsukuyomi: Because they’re Bakugou and I’m a nobody.

Meum nomen Nemo est.

Tentacole: So are we going to actually talk about this, or is this one of your ‘Woe is me!’ moods?

Because nobody likes a brooder.

Tsukuyomi: Harsh!

Tentacole: Hate to say it, but this Prince of Darkness thing? I get it’s your style, but try to look at the sunny side of things too?

Tsukuyomi: What is this dagger I see before me!?

Besides, the sun’s way too bright.

And its name is Bakugou.

And like Icarus, I’d burn if I were to get too close to it.

To him.

I’d rather my love be unrequited than risk being burned.

Tentacole: So that’s what this is? You’re afraid he’ll reject you?

Tsukuyomi: Reject me for the disaster I am.

Better to suffer in silence.

Tentacole: Or… and stop me if you’ve heard this one before…

Nothing ventured nothing gained?

Do you really prefer to keep suffering in uncertainty?

Because even if he does reject you, at least you’ll have gotten this off your chest?

Besides, from the way he was staring at you earlier I’d say there’s a pretty fair chance he’ll say yes.

Tsukuyomi: … He really was staring at me?

Tentacole: As I keep telling you…

Tsukuyomi: But why? What interest could he possibly have in me? Me, that tiny bump in the road on his way to winning the sports festival? Me, that weakling who let his quirk go out of control bad enough that he had to step in.

Oh Fates… he saw me trying to eat noodles during lunch then…

That’s it. I’m embracing the hermit life! Tell my family I love them.

Tentacole: Toko… again… I dig your darkness thing…

But…

As your classmate…

And your friend…

Please…

Just tell him how you feel!

Get this shit off your chest.

Think of how happy you’ll be if he says yes!

Tsukuyomi: That kind of happy coincidence only happens in shoujo manga.

…

But I’ll take it into consideration.

Tentacole: No.

You’ll tell him.

And if he ends up rejecting you, I’ll be here to comfort you.

I’ll make you an apple pie. :)

Tsukuyomi: …

Are you trying to bribe me into baring my soul and making an utter fool out of myself with… an apple pie?

What kind of bribe is that!?

Tentacole: Okay, okay!

Fair enough!

How about two apple pies? :>

Tsukuyomi: :-|

Tentacole: Okay, okay! Jokes aside…

Point is, you’ve got a lot to gain and little to lose.

And while I admit that it’ll suck if he ends up rejecting you…

A: you’ll at least have told him.

B: you have friends here to help you through it.

C: A and B won’t matter because he’ll probably say yes.

Tsukuyomi: So certain you are…

Tentacole: Yes.

Because he’d be a fool not to.

Because you’re brave. Heroic. Smart. Loyal.

And you have this cool dark poet thing going on.

Tsukuyomi: alskjfzlkfj

Wait!

Did you just admit to liking my dark aesthetic!?

Tentacole: If I say yes, will you ask him out?

:)

Tsukuyomi: *ennui intensifies!*

Tentacole: Please?

For your own peace of mind, if not for mine?

Tsukuyomi: Why are you and DS so invested in this?

Tentacole: Because we want you to be happy? That’s kind of what friends do? :>  

Tsukuyomi: …

Fine…

I’ll bare my soul to the sun and pray to the Fates that I won’t get burned.

Tentacole: Atta boy! :D

When will you tell him?

Tsukuyomi: … Sometime?

Tentacole: >.<

Toko...

Tokoyami let out a heavy sigh and put his phone away.

Chapter Text

Now that he had learned about Tokoyami’s little secret, Bakugou had become acutely aware of just how often the bird-headed teen was staring at him.

Most of the times it was admirably subtle. A sideways glance at him across the breakfast table as he was chowing down his meal. A quick look as they strolled past where he was seated in the cafeteria to get lunch. Tokoyami lingering in his seat after class, taking way longer than needed to pack up their things so their eyes could follow him as he exited the room.

The more Bakugou caught on to these little looks and glances, the more he found that Tokoyami was surprisingly expressive. At first glance his bird-like features seemed incapable of expressing anything more than his neutral mood. Stoic and unfazed. But now that he was looking at the bird-headed boy a lot more often he started to notice subtle things. A slight upwards curling of their beak whenever they looked his way. A slight ruffling of their head feathers whenever they were caught staring. A slight widening of those piercing red eyes whenever they met his.

Most of the times, Tokoyami was subtle. Other times, he was not. As Bakugou slipped on the top part of his hero costume in preparation for that morning’s Practical Heroics class, he caught Tokoyami watching him with eyes widened and beak slightly ajar. Tokoyami was downright staring at him while he was changing, with an expression more or less like Kaminari would sport after an overload. It wasn’t until Bakugou let out an annoyed grunt and gave them a stern look that the other boy seemed to realize what he was doing and quickly looked away. It was painfully obvious they were blushing heavily underneath their dark feathers.

Bakugou wasn’t entirely sure if he was supposed to feel flattered or annoyed by it. At first he kind of liked the idea of Tokoyami, or anyone really, having a crush on the walking, talking awesomeness that was himself. But this time? This little exchange had been downright uncomfortable. For both of them, if Tokoyami’s expression was anything to go by.

Maybe I should say something. Call them out, that’ll get them to stop for sure.

With a shake of his head, Bakugou dismissed the idea. As much as he liked his reputation as the class’ asshole, calling them out like that would be too cruel.

But if I don’t say anything then these kinds of moments are going to continue to happen. Maybe I should tell him. End it now instead of waiting for the inevitable confession. Bakugou thought as he watched the flustered teen slip out of their own uniform.

I mean, at this point I’m just leading them on in a way. And they’re not a bad person. I wouldn’t be opposed to hanging out with them. Maybe work out some time together with shitty hair? Man, he’s scrawny. That’s what you get for depending on that damn shadow quirk all the time. Bakugou thought, as he watched Tokoyami engulf their slender frame into that wide, multi-layered outfit of theirs.

He really should work out more, or at least learn some basic hand-to-hand combat? I’d be down to teach him some, but I’m just… not interested in anything more. Yeah, I’ll go with that. But not right now, he already looks like he wants the earth to open up and swallow him. Bakugou decided, as he turned his gaze up to Tokoyami’s embarrassed expression.

As their eyes met for the second time, Bakugou realized he had been staring at the other boy, effectively doing the same thing he had chastised them for earlier. With an annoyed grunt, he turned around and began fastening his mask.

Tonight then, after band practice. I’ll let him know I’m not interested. I kinda feel bad for him, but better to end it soon than let this drag on needlessly.

Once class 1-A had assembled inside the training area for the morning’s class, they were greeted by their instructor. None other than the big #1 himself.

“I AM HERE! To teach you children all about… HOSTAGE SITUATIONS!”

It was hard not to get excited for even the most difficult of tasks so long as it was All Might spurring them on. Even Tokoyami found himself a little excited. Regretfully though, not even All Might’s enthusiasm was enough to put that utter disaster of having endured not one, but two uncomfortable moments of meeting Bakugou’s gorgeous eyes in the locker room out of his mind.

“The most fearsome weapon a villain can wield is the threat of taking innocent lives. In this exercise you will learn how to handle a situation where your teammate’s life is at stake!”

He saw me staring at him. He probably thinks I’m some kind of pervert or freak. Hell, he probably thought that latter part anyway, but now I just confirmed it. Aaaugh, he must have felt so uncomfortable! No, of course not. He’s Bakugou, he’s probably used to people staring at him like he’s Adonis himself.

“We’ll split you into groups of three. One of you shall play the villain, another shall be the hostage and the third shall be the hero. The hero’s goal will be to free the hostage unharmed, while the villain shall try to prevent them from doing so!”

What a disaster. Oh Fates, he’s still looking at me! He looks angry too. I can’t blame him. Stupid, stupid. What was I thinking?

“The first group shall be… Iida as our villain!”

Why Bakugou? Why did I have to get smitten with him of all people? Why couldn’t it have been someone whose level I could actually reach instead of this divine boy among mortals?

“Tokoyami my boy, you’ll be Iida’s hostage!”

What? Oh! Damn, the exercise! Pay attention Fumikage. Heroics now, longing for the sweet embrace of death later!

“And for our hero… Bakugou!”

… Why, fates? Why!?

Leave it to Iida to get way too caught up in these kinds of exercises. The class president had moved them to a theatre deep within the fake model city of the training grounds. He’d put his ‘victim’ right on the center stage and Tokoyami could do nothing but squirm about on the wooden planks as he had been bound hands and feet. Even his vocal protests had been reduced to nothing but muffled grunts and groans, as Iida had wrapped a needlessly large amount of duct tape around his beak. It had happened so fast he couldn’t even utter a single word of protest and no matter how hard he tried, he could not part his beak if his life depended on it.

And, as if to add insult to injury, the heavy and regrettably fully functional theatre spotlights had been turned on and fixed on him, in case he were to, to quote Iida: ‘try anything funny with that shadow quirk of his.’ Tokoyami squinted his eyes against the bright lights as he watched Iida loom over him. The class president had a wide smirk on his face.  

“Struggle all you like, hero, you shall not escape! And don’t think your friends will be able to rescue you!”

Tokoyami wasn’t sure where the line between being endearingly into it and being over the top extra was, but Iida was definitely tip-toeing it.

“Don’t worry Fumi.” Dark Shadow intoned within his mind. “I can’t do anything while that spotlight is on you, but I’m sure your sweet prince will be here to rescue you soon!”

Tokoyami let out a highly annoyed noise and, in that instance, felt deeply grateful that Iida did not have a mind-reading quirk.

I wonder what he’ll do once he finds me. Laugh, probably, because I must look pathetic like this. I should probably stay quiet, maybe try to roll out of the way. His quirk is not really suited for subtle rescues after all, and if I end up taking a blast he’ll lose points for sure. I’ll try to give him some room, I’m sure he can take on Iida if he gets to go full out without worrying about me getting in the way of his explosions.

Tokoyami liked his plan up to the point where Bakugou blasted down the door and entered the stage area.

“Found you, glasses! Release him and I might go easy on you!” Bakugou shouted, a wide, excited grin on his face. He held his hands up in front of him, ready to release his explosive wrath onto the class president. Who, utterly unfazed by their threat, simply placed his foot onto his captive’s side, rendering Tokoyami’s earlier plan of rolling out of Bakugou’s way fruitless as he was pinned in place.

“I think not, hero!” Iida smirked, pushing his glasses up his nose with the tip of his finger. “Try blasting me! See how well that turns out for your friend here!”

He’s WAY too into this. And way too good at this. Tokoyami decided, as he turned his gaze onto Bakugou who looked like he was eager to go full on blastsplosionmurder on Iida. He was holding back though. Hitting Iida with any kind of explosion, no matter how controlled, would put Tokoyami, the hostage Bakugou was supposed to rescue unharmed, in a lot of danger.

If he goes for him now I’ll be in the way. Damnit! I wish there was something I could do.

“If only that spotlight wasn’t on us…” Dark Shadow spoke within his mind.

“What will it be, hero?! Are you going to stand down, or are you going to risk turning your friend into KFC?!” Iida exclaimed.

KFC?

KFC!? He did not just… Oh that does it!

Extra. Definitely extra. Most definitely not endearing anymore! Tokoyami shot a dirty upwards look towards Iida.

In the end, the solution was rather simple. Tokoyami felt angry because villain role or not, making a chicken joke at his expense was just low. Dark Shadow felt angry because Tokoyami felt angry. And Bakugou was always angry at something. Three sets of anger should be enough to handle one class president! If only they could communicate, but with his beak taped shut there was no way he could let Bakugou know he too was eager to go. Unless…

The bird-headed teen met Bakugou’s eyes briefly. He gave him a pointed look, then rolled his eyes upwards towards the spotlights.

Bakugou caught his gaze. Then, much to Tokoyami’s silent delight, he curled his lips into that wide, excitable and gorgeously confident smirk he’d sport whenever an opponent was about to go down. The explosive boy nodded once, swung his arm upwards and unleashed a blast onto the rigging above.

The room went dark.

Something dark and menacing wrapped itself around Iida.

“Gotcha, villain!” Dark Shadow roared triumphantly, while Bakugou strutted forward and slipped the capture tape around the stunned, speechless class president.

After Tokoyami’s eyes adjusted to the new lighting conditions within the room, he was greeted by the sight of Bakugou leaning over him. A sight that was accompanied by the delectable smell of toffee, since the other boy had just released one of his blasts. He was close. Very, very close. And getting closer as he reached a hand towards his beak.

His heart began to race. He tried speaking the other boy’s name, but all that came out was a muffled grunt. That’s when he remembered he was still tied up.

“Oy! Calm down, bird brain! I’m just taking this tape off.” Bakugou scolded him, before reaching for Tokoyami’s beak and wrapping his fingers around the multiple layers of duct tape that were wound around it. The explosive boy hesitated for a moment.

“This won’t hurt if I pull this off, right?”

Bakugou is concerned about that? Well, of course he is. He’s a hero after all.

Tokoyami shook his head and Bakugou pulled the tape clear. The bird-headed teen opened his mouth and took a deep, relieved breath. One that caught in his throat when the other boy leaned over him to start untying his wrists and legs.

“Good thinking there. With the lights I mean.” Bakugou grunted. Tokoyami froze.

He’s… he’s complimenting me? Oh Fates, he’s so close! I could lean my head against his chest and… no! Focus Fumikage!”

“T-thank you.” Tokoyami intoned. “It wouldn’t have worked if you hadn’t… caught on, but I’m very glad you did.”

“We make a kickass team!” Dark Shadow piped up excitedly, reaching as if to pat Bakugou on the shoulder, but thinking better of it the moment the explosive boy’s gaze fell onto him. His host might be infatuated with the explosive boy, but remembering their encounter at the sports festival the shadow beast decided not to push his own luck.

“I think so too.” Tokoyami agreed.

Bakugou leaned back and grunted noncommittally. About as close as an agreement as they would get from him, most likely. Then, as his eyes met Tokoyami’s, he suddenly frowned. Once again, he reached for Tokoyami’s beak, causing the smaller teen to let out a startled gasp! Delicious toffee once again filled his nostrils and made is head swim as Bakugou brushed a thumb across the spots where Iida’s tape had been wound around it.

“Tch! Your beak’s a mess, there’s glue residue everywhere. Oy glasses! You went overboard AGAIN you damn extra!” Bakugou exclaimed angrily, turning his glowering gaze towards the class president, who promptly bolted upright and bowed!

“I humbly apologize, Tokoyami! I got too caught up in my role. And I didn’t mean to insult you with that ill chosen fried chicken remark either, I’m so sorry!”

Tokoyami shook his head free from Bakugou’s touch and tried very hard to smooth down both his feathers and his expression into their usual stoicism. “Don’t worry about it. That glue can be washed off and you played your role admirably. Just… try to tone it down a little next time.”

Bakugou let out a grunt, then got up. “Bunch of extras, the lot of you. Now get moving, the next group’s awaiting their turn!”

A hot shower did little to calm Tokoyami’s flustered mood, but it felt good. He couldn’t help but keep on touching his beak on the spots where Bakugou’s thumb had brushed over it. The glue residue from Iida’s tape had been washed clean, but the lingering scent of burnt sugar remained.

He touched me. And complimented me.

All Might had been full of praise as well, complimenting them both on their seamless teamwork and for resolving the situation without anyone getting injured. He had also complimented Iida on his commitment to the role. Compliments well earned, Tokoyami decided. That chicken remark was hurtful, but Iida had been very apologetic about it. No harm done in the end. In fact, only good things came from this in the end.

Bakugou complimented me. Oh what a wonderous fate!

“He did seem a lot less scary today.” Dark Shadow intoned, as he helpfully handed Tokoyami a bar of soap. “But only slightly. Still… think you’re ready to confess to him now?” he asked as he nudged Tokoyami’s side.

“I… don’t know. I don’t want to ruin things. Especially not after he just complimented me. I mean, I’d give the world to be able to call him my lover, but I’m just…” Tokoyami let out a sigh. “What if he’s disgusted by the idea? What if he’s straight? What if…”

“Fumi, you’re starting to sound like Midoriya.” Dark Shadow scolded. “You’re overthinking this. Besides, he clearly likes you at least a little. I’ve never heard him compliment anyone before.”

“That… really did happen huh?”

“Honestly, I don’t know what you see in him. He’s loud, he’s always angry and he’s super scary…”

“More like he’s bright, driven and ambitious. And he has the heart of a lion. He’s loud, certainly, but… he’s a bad boy with a good heart. Not to mention he’s gorgeous… And his smell… Fates, his smell.”

“Okay, spare me the details Romeo! I get it, you’re smitten. And you’ll keep on longing for him unless you tell him what’s going on.”

“But what if he…”

“Keeping secrets isn’t heroic at all.” Dark Shadow stated firmly, crossing his shadowy arms in determination. “I would be very upset if someone felt that way about me and didn’t tell me.”

Tokoyami paused his scrubbing to think for a moment. “Even when you don’t like them the way they like you?”

“If I didn’t like them that way I’d tell them, but I’d still want to know. Lovers don’t keep secrets from one another. And neither do close friends. If you want to be one or both of these things with your Prince Murdersplosion then you need to tell him.”

Chapter Text

Bakugou hated this song. Slow ballads were so not his style, but Jirou had insisted that they needed at least one slow song in their set list. Both Kaminari and Tokoyami had agreed with her. As such, Bakugou had begrudgingly agreed as well, on the condition that they would end their show with a hellishly fast paced song where Bakugou could go all out. And since that was a compromise the others were willing to make, Bakugou found himself drumming along with this annoyingly slow and overly mushy beat.

Kick… and… snare… and… rest… kick… snare… and… kick… and… snare… and… rest… kick… snare… and…

He was pretty much on auto pilot during their rehearsal. Which gave him plenty of time to think and look around. Jirou was singing wistfully into her microphone. Kaminari’s lead guitar whined along with her notes. And Tokoyami…

Poor Tokoyami was visibly struggling, brow furrowed in concentration. The song was largely in F-minor and didn’t have much variation. Nothing but those much dreaded F-chords.

In spite of what Bakugou was planning on telling them after this rehearsal, he still found himself dwelling on Tokoyami much more than he liked to as he couldn’t help but think back on the earlier events that day.

I touched his goddamn beak! Why!? What the fuck is wrong with me!?

Kick… and… snare… and… fill… and… four… and…

Why the hell do I even care if he gets glue on it? Well, at least he got it off of him. Damn glasses! If he wanted to gag them he could have just… I don’t know! Stuffed an apple into that beak of his?

Bakugou snorted at the thought, which nobody heard as the sound was lost over the noise of his drum kit and they were all concentrating on playing their parts.

That’d look adorable actually. Strung up like a turkey with an apple in his… what the FUCK am I thinking about!?

Kick… and… snare… and… angry... fill... to... chorus...

Okay, focus. Stop thinking about beak-face and get your shit together! Besides, it doesn’t matter. After practice I’ll tell him I’m not interested and then we can all move on. I wonder how he’ll take it? Gods, I hope he doesn’t start crying!

He gave Tokoyami another look over. They were too caught up in their difficult part to notice him staring.

Probably not. That’d be more like Deku’s thing to do. Ugh, I hope that nerd doesn’t develop a crush on me too. If I had to choose I’d sooner pick bird brain here than… AARGH FUCK! I’m doing it again!

Kick… and… snaresnaresnaresnaresnare… and… four… and…

Jirou briefly shot him a look that told him to stop trying to show off and save his uptempo for the other songs.

Fuck. Calm down. It’s not like I would actually. I’m not interested in either of them in that way. Right? I mean, bird brain’s okay but not like… ‘that’ okay. We should work together more often though. Maybe get on that hand-to-hand stuff? He’s got a powerful quirk, but he’d be a lot more powerful if he could stop relying on it. I wonder why he doesn’t work out. Look at those arms. He looks like he’d barely be able to lift that damn guitar of his. He’d look a lot nicer if he had a bit more definition to him. Not like… shitty-hair levels of muscle, but more like… more than what he’s packing right now. I could probably lift him off the floor with one arm. Maybe I should have carried him out instead of untying him. I bet the look on his face would have been…

Kick… and… snare… and… fill… to… solo… and…

Priceless! But no, that would have been too much. He already looked uncomfortable when I touched him. Or maybe not uncomfortable, but… awkward? Then again, that’s what this entire thing has been so far. One big fucking awkward mess. I should have said something right away instead of waiting on him to make a move. Stupid, stupid. But no sense on dwelling on has beens, I’ll tell him after practice. Tell him that… fuck, how does one tell someone something like that? Do I just go like… hey bird brain. Your crush is cute but I’m not interested so back off and stop staring at me in the locker room? Argh, too forward. He’s a nice guy and it's not his fault, I shouldn’t be rude about it.

Bakugou smirked to himself.

Me not being rude. Well first time for everything I suppose. I don’t really know what to say though? I wonder how other people would...

“Bakugou!”

He was startled out of his daydreaming when Jirou’s voice called out to him.

“WHAT?!” he yelled.

“You can stop now… the last measure was six bars ago…”

He looked around. Everyone had already stopped playing. The song was finished.

Fuck!

With a grunt of frustration he ceased his drumming and put his sticks down.

“I know you don’t like this song, but at least TRY to pay attention?” Jirou scolded him, much to the amusement of Kaminari who burst out laughing and to the obvious concern of Tokoyami who was giving him a worried look.

Bakugou let out a noncommittal grunt. “No promises, ballads make me fucking sleepy.”

Jirou furrowed her face in obvious annoyance, then sighed. “Again, from the top. A one and two and three and four and…”

Bakugou felt a little bit better after their final song had ended and Jirou had called an end to their practice with a bright: “That’s a wrap! Good work guys!” Venting out his frustration on the drum kit, finally being allowed to go full speed ahead and keep blasting away had been therapeutic, as well as a good workout. He grabbed a towel and wiped the sweat from his forehead, then took a swig from his water bottle. Then he started putting his gear and kit away, all throughout still thinking about what he’d tell Tokoyami once they were done. In the end he came up with…

Nothing! I can’t think of a good way to tell him. Fuck it all, everybody left already anyway. I’ll tell him tomorrow, after I think of something good to say. Yes, tomorrow. I’ll come up with something tonight for sure.

As he put the last of his cymbals into their bag he felt a tap on his shoulder. When he turned his head Tokoyami was there. And one quick glance across their face told Bakugou all he needed to know. Their feathers were practically on end and he was fidgeting. He looked nervous.

Oh no…

“Bakugou? Can we… talk for a moment?”

Oh no! Why now of all times? I’m not ready! I haven’t thought of a…

“FUCK!”

A flinch from the bird-headed teen made Bakugou realise that he had spoken that last part out loud. Tokoyami tilted his head at him in that same way he had when he tried to eat the cafeteria noodles. “Is… now not a good time? It’s okay, it can wait…”

Bakugou groaned and pinched the bridge of his forehead, then put his arms to his side and allowed his eyes to meet Tokoyami’s. “No, it’s fine. Go ahead. What did you want to talk about Tokoyami?”

As if I don’t already know. Fuck me. Think, what would be an appropriate response?

Tokoyami took a deep breath as if steeling himself. Then, without missing a beat, he said: “I like you, Bakugou. Will you go out with me?”

… the fuck? Just like that? No awkward stammering? No ‘I hope this won’t make things awkward between us’ or ‘I hope this won’t change the way you see me?’ What the fuck do I even say to that? Argh, say - something - you idiot!

Tokoyami had been patiently staring at him, waiting for a response. Any sort of response really. “I know…” Bakugou intoned, then cursed at himself.

“You… what?” came the shorter boy’s confused response. “You know? Then… but how?”

Well, that’s one cat out of the bag now.

“I overheard you talk about it with your quirk the other day. I probably should have said something sooner but I… thought that’d be inappropriate. Fuck.”

Think you oaf! Don’t leave him hanging like that!

“Look. I’m flattered…” Bakugou began. His inner voice screamed at him.

Not like that you idiot! That’s the worst cliched thing you could possibly say!

If Bakugou hadn’t been so obsessed with Tokoyami’s facial features these past couple of days he wouldn’t have noticed the impact of his poor choice of words at all. But he could see the ruffle of those feathers at the back of their head. The slight drooping of their beak. The crestfallen moistening of red eyes. And yet, Tokoyami answered with an encouraging sounding: “... but?” As if to spur him on to get it out. To help him end this painfully awkward moment.

Why the fuck is he being the reasonable and calm one here!?

“But…” Bakugou continued.

But… but what? But what!?

His eyes met Tokoyami’s again and he bit down on the bottom part of his lip, wondering how someone so small, so vulnerable and so clearly nervous could somehow look more reasonable and in control than him at that point.

He’s the one confessing his crush! Why am I the one caving under pressure?

“But…” he began again.

Tokoyami tilted his head the other way, then parted his beak to say something.

“Bakug…”

A hand had come up around their slender upper back, promptly silencing him. Red eyes widened in shock as a pair of lips found their way around his parted beak.

Bakugou then realised they were his own.

His inner voice went completely silent.

Then screamed!

Chapter Text

Tokoyami was in heaven. It was like time had frozen. Like everything had come to a standstill. Like everything had been leading up to this point.

He’s kissing me. Oh Fates, he’s kissing me!

It wasn’t even a good kiss really. Obviously neither of them had much experience with it. It was a clumsy, awkward affair. Bakugou was struggling to find the right angle to avoid getting cut on the sharp edges of his beak, while Tokoyami was trying very hard to keep as still as possible to avoid accidentally doing just that. But it didn’t matter. It was warm. It was tender. It was everything it needed to be. 

It was perfect.

Bakugou’s hand felt warm, splayed across his back. He briefly debated putting his own hands somewhere, anywhere really, to return the gesture but he decided against it. He was too afraid that somehow this was just a dream and that any movement on his part would wake him up.

He took a deep, shaky breath through his nostrils. There it was, that damned delectable smell of toffee. He reveled in it. Deep within his mind, Dark Shadow, initially stunned in silence, began to whoop! Softly, he intoned Bakugou’s name; mumbled it into the other boy’s mouth.

As if struck by lightning, Bakugou pulled away, leaving Tokoyami gasping for breath. He turned his red eyes onto the other boy and froze.

Something was wrong.

This is… the part where you say ‘Yes I’ll go out with you, Tokoyami’... Why is he frowning? Why does he look…?

Whatever expression Bakugou was sporting, it was not anger. Tokoyami had seen Bakugou get angry and this wasn’t it. In fact, their expression was so utterly foreign to him he couldn’t make heads or tails of it. All he knew was that it wasn’t right.

Why aren’t you smiling?

Without saying a word, Bakugou turned away. Before he knew what hit him, the other boy was gone, leaving a stunned and shocked Tokoyami alone inside their practice room. A slamming door and a lingering warmth where Bakugou’s hand had touched him the only evidence that the explosive boy had been there to begin with.

No… Please no...

Tokoyami never called. He’d text him occasionally and they frequently used their phones to chat with one another, but Shouji had never once spoken to Tokoyami over the phone. When he saw the caller id he answered without a moment’s hesitation. Tokoyami never called so this had to be something urgent.

“Fumikage? Hey?”

“Shouji…”

The octo-limbed teen could tell something was wrong just from the way their voice sounded.

“I’m here, Fumikage. What happened?” he asked, as he began to move away from the crowded gym area where he had been working out. “Fumikage?” he asked tentatively, as the other boy took a long time to answer him.

“I… I don’t know.”

“Where are you now?”

“Music room.” Tokoyami replied. Then, as if realising how he must be coming across on Shouji’s end he added: “I’m safe. I’m not in any sort of danger. But I… I just…”

Shouji breathed a sigh of relief through his mouth scarf. “Thank goodness for that. I’m here, take your time alright?” he said, finding a quiet spot inside the locker room.

“I confessed to Bakugou.”

A long silence. Shouji resisted the urge to say something.

“I confessed to him and… he kissed me, but… then he suddenly backed away and just… left. He had this look on his face like… I don’t know.” Shouji heard a soft sniff, as if the other boy was fighting back tears.

“That’s… odd. Did something happen? Did he say something?”

“No. Not a word.”

“Did you say anything to him?”

“No. We were just… one moment we’re kissing and the next he’s… I don’t think he was mad but…” Another sniffle.

“Alright… music room you said, right? I’m on my way now. Don’t go anywhere, alright?”

“Ok…”

“I could be wrong about this, but it sounds like he might have… gay panicked?” Shouji said. They were seated on the floor, their backs against the wall. A blanket consisting of three of the octo-limbed teen’s strong arms and the membrane between them engulfing the smaller, bird-headed boy in a warm and comforting embrace. A position Shouji had immediately assumed after he found Tokoyami inside the room, huddled to himself and sobbing into the sleeves of their hoodie. A worried looking Dark Shadow hovering right above him.

“Gay… panicked?” came Tokoyami’s soft response. HIs sobbing had ceased, but his voice still sounded raw and croaky.

“Yeah. You said he went awfully quiet before he kissed you right?”

The bird-headed teen nodded slowly.

“That doesn’t sound like Bakugou at all. He’s a lot of things, but quiet is not one of them. Is it possible that… maybe he panicked during your kiss and didn’t know how to deal with it?”

“I don’t know, Shouji. He looked… I’ve never seen him look like that. It was like… a mixture of anger and disgust? He probably hates me now.”

Shouji shook his head. “Doubt it. After all, he was the one to initiate the kiss, right? That means he wanted to.” The octo-limbed teen sighed heavily. “Not that it wasn’t a douchey thing to just leave like that without saying a word but… hey!” He wound his arms a little tighter around the shorter boy when he started sniffling again. “Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt eh? I know this isn’t easy, but try to be patient? He’ll come and talk to you about this soon enough I am sure.”

The other boy nodded meekly and buried his head-feathers a little deeper into Shouji’s warm embrace.

And if he doesn’t I’ll kick his ass six ways until Sunday. The octo-limbed teen thought grimly as he started rubbing soothing circles across Tokoyami’s back.

“So... what exactly is the problem here?” Kirishima asked. The red headed boy was sporting that infectious toothy smile of his.

Bakugou hated that toothy smile.

“The fuck do you mean ‘what’s the problem’!?” came Bakugou’s explosive response.  

They were both seated on the Kirishima’s bed. Bakugou still wasn’t sure how he had gotten to Kirishima’s room. His limbs had taken him to their door on autopilot. His mind had had no impact on his destination whatsoever because all he could think about was that kiss. About the way Tokoyami’s beak had felt against his lips. Sharp, a little dangerous, but at the same time warm and welcoming. He found himself touching his fingertips to his lips, feeling the residual warmth, then had been shocked to find out that the bedroom door he was standing in front of was not his own, but Kirishima’s.

Maybe that was a sign of sorts. A sign Bakugou was all too happy to ignore, but no sooner had he started to back away from the door to start heading to his own room than Kirishima had appeared in the door opening to give Bakugou a puzzled look.

Apparently his feet had not only taken him to Kirishima’s room without consulting his brain about it, but he had knocked on their door too.

In the end, Bakugou decided to just risk it and had told the other boy what had happened between him and Tokoyami. What had been happening between them these past couple of days.

After assuring them, of course, that this asking him for advice was a one time thing and that if any of their conversation ever left Kirishima’s room there would be hell to pay.

“I fucking kissed him! That’s the problem!”

“Why is that a problem? Did you not want to kiss him?” came the redhead’s chipper response.

“Of course I wanted to kiss him! I wouldn’t have kissed him otherwise!”

Kirishima shrugged his shoulders. “I’m sorry, Bakugou, but I really don’t see what the problem is then? He confessed his love for you. You obviously like them too, otherwise you wouldn’t have kissed them. Sounds to me like you’re both into one another, so what’s the problem?”

“But that’s the thing! I don’t like them. Not like that anyway.”

Right? I don't. Or do I?

Bakugou groaned and rubbed his face with both hands. “Or at least, I thought I didn’t. I don’t fucking know anymore!”

“Well, sounds like that’s something we’ll have to figure out then.” Kirishima said, as he reached over to pat Bakugou’s shoulder. “I know. Let’s make some lists! Let’s start with a list of reasons why you would want to say yes to dating him? Hypothetically of course.”

Bakugou shot him a wry glance. Kirishima shook his head. “No complaining. You wanted my advice right? So be honest and try to name any and all reasons why you would want to date Tokoyami.”

The explosive boy rested his hands on his knees and let out a deep sigh.

Why would I want to date Tokoyami?

“Well… he’s… smart?” Bakugou began hesitantly. Kirishima gave him an encouraging nod. “He’s smart and… he works hard. Admirably hard I’d say. His quirk is super badass, in spite of its obvious weaknesses.”

Kirishima smiled, leaned back and nodded encouragingly for Bakugou to keep going.

“Honestly? If I had to do any kind of group or team thing I’d probably pick him for it? I mean, he’s competent, he’s quiet, never gets in my way. We work pretty well together. But that’s all just stuff I like about him, right? That’s not really making a case for wanting to - date - them?”

Kirishima said nothing.

“And his bird features. Well… at first I thought they were weird, but they’re like… a good kind of weird? He’s not bad looking, though he could certainly do with a bit more muscle on him. I kind of like how he’s secretly quite expressive too? Like, he does these small little things with his beak. And when he’s tilting his head to the side? When he’s surprised by something or while he’s eating, or when he’s asking a question? It’s kind of… of… urgh! I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it’s kind of... cute. Don’t you dare laugh, shitty hair!” he exclaimed.

Kirishima kept a straight face and simply nodded once again.

“He was doing that earlier before I… kissed him. That cute head tilt I mean. And earlier still when I spaced out like a damn idiot during practice. He looked all concerned, which was… surprisingly nice?”

Bakugou turned his eyes upwards towards the ceiling.

“Surprisingly nice. That’s a good way to describe him? I mean, once you get past that broody, moody goth thing he has going on. He always looks stoic, but he does care. About others and about himself. He works pretty hard to be a good hero and I think he’ll probably become one by the time he graduates? It’s not just hero stuff though. Initially he had a hard time in our band group too, but he’s been practicing a lot. He can keep up with me now, when I up the tempo during the faster songs.”

He turned his eyes back onto Kirishima who hadn’t moved at all.

“But are those things good enough reasons to want to date someone?”

Kirishima smiled. “Who is to say what are and what aren’t good reasons? You’re the one making these lists and you’re the one putting all these under the ‘yes I want to date them’ category. I’d say that makes them plenty good enough. But what about the other list? What reasons can you name that make you - not - want to date Tokoyami?”

“Well… He’s… I am…”

I am what? Straight? No, not really. Never been interested? Well, more like it’s never come up. I’ve always been so focussed on reaching the top, I’ve never had time for this kind of shit!

He looked over to Kirishima, who still hadn’t moved.

But maybe the reason why I thought I wasn’t interested was just that? I’ve never had to think about it before, but after overhearing Tokoyami confess to that quirk of his, I had to? But now that I am thinking about it… really thinking about it...

“I don’t know.”  he sighed. “I thought I wasn’t interested in dating them, but I can’t think of a single good reason why I shouldn’t. I just… I guess I like them?”

After a moment of silence, Kirishima grinned and leaned forward to give Bakugou a pat on their shoulder. “Sounds like you have your answer right there. Don’t worry. Self reflection and revelations are very manly.” He grinned widely, while Bakugou gazed down at the floor with a pensive expression on his face.

“I’ll tell you what isn’t manly, though.” Kirishima added while nudging Bakugou's side. “Kissing a boy you ‘guess you like’ and then leaving them alone without a word.”

Chapter Text

“I’m sorry.” Bakugou said. It had taken him until lunch break the following day before he found the courage to approach Tokoyami and ask to speak with them privately. An entire evening on brooding on his thoughts and the conversation he had with Kirishima had passed. Plus an entire morning of classes during which neither boy had dared to look at one another. But now they were finally alone, up on the roof of the school building.

“I’m sorry for last evening. I shouldn’t have kissed you and just left like that.”

Tokoyami averted his eyes and pushed his hands down his trouser pockets to stop himself from fidgeting with them.

“If you didn’t want to then you could have just said so.” the bird-headed teen spoke in a low tone of voice. Obviously he was still at least a little upset over what had happened and Bakugou couldn’t blame him.

“But I wanted to.” the explosive boy admitted.

Tokoyami looked up in surprise and tilted his head to the side. “Then…?”

“Look, I’ve been giving this a lot of thought. Actually I’ve been thinking about it from the moment I overheard you admit it to that quirk of yours. I thought… I thought I wasn’t interested, but now… Fuck, I still don’t know exactly what any of this is that I’m feeling. And when we kissed I… I fucking panicked like an idiot and ran away like a coward and I’m sorry for that.”

Tokoyami looked away for a moment, eyes closed in thought, then looked back at Bakugou. “You know… Being confused about how you feel? It’s fine. I wished you had told me that was the case, but it’s fine. As for… us…” He gestured between the both of them. “It’s okay if you don’t know for certain yet? Asking you to go out with me is just a yes or no question, but I guess… I guess the implications of it… my feelings for you, our feelings for one another... maybe they aren’t so black and white? Maybe love isn’t a yes or no question?”

“Sounds more sensible than anything I can come up with right now.” Bakugou replied gruffly, then ran a hand through his hair. “I wish it was though. I can deal with a yes or no question, but this sappy stuff? Relations? Dating? Feelings?”

Tokoyami straightened up and pulled his hands out of his pockets. “Did… you like the kiss though?” he asked.

Bakugou nodded. “It was… surprisingly nice?” he grinned. “Just like getting to know you a little better was.”

Tokoyami’s beak showed a hint of a smile. “Then…”

Bakugou took a sudden step forward and took Tokoyami’s hands into his own. “Go out with me.”

Tokoyami blinked his red eyes. “What?”

“Go out with me. Because I do like you and because I’m fucking tired of making this all so needlessly awkward. Let’s go out and… we’ll see how things go from there?"

The bird-headed teen tilted his head slightly, then nodded. “Alright. We can figure this out… together.” he intoned. His heart skipping a beat as Bakugou curled his lips into that wide, confident smirk that Tokoyami adored so much. That beautiful battle-ready expression of Katsuki Bakugou, ready to take on a whole new challenge.

“I want to kiss you again.” the explosive boy said.

“Should I unlock the fire escape for you first, just in case?” Tokoyami replied. It wasn’t until Bakugou noticed the mirthful gleam in their eyes and the hint of a smirk on their beak that he realised Tokoyami had just made him the butt of a well deserved joke.

“Touche, bird brain. Touche.” Bakugou murmured, before he wrapped his arms around the smaller teen and leaned in closer.

Tokoyami closed his eyes and felt the world click back into place.  

Bakugou was surprised to find himself in front of fairly normal looking cafe. A cozy looking affair hidden around the corner of a quiet side street. After their talk on the rooftop they had agreed upon a date and time for their first…

Date? Get-together? Hanging out?

Their first whatever this was. Bakugou had let Tokoyami choose the venue. Admittedly, when he had texted him the address, he had been expecting something more… goth like? Some hidden away underground thing where the patrons wore too many belts, and song lyrics were screamed rather than sang. Some place more… Tokoyami like? Not this quiet, quaint ‘Cafe  Noir’, with flowers out front and a local art exposition inside. Bakugou had also been surprised to find that Tokoyami had swapped their usual black attire for something with a bit more colour to it for the occasion. Simple jeans and a dark purple dress shirt. In fact, Bakugou was wearing more black than Tokoyami that day.

Then again, maybe this was very Tokoyami like? There was obviously much more to them than just their ‘Revelry in the Dark’ thing. In fact, when he thought about it, Bakugou found the place they were at actually suited Tokoyami perfectly. In that it was quiet, unassuming and… surprisingly pretty, just like them.

He gazed across their table and watched his partner take a sip of coffee through a straw.

Still weird to watch him eat or drink with that beak of his. Bakugou thought. But a good kind of weird.  

Tokoyami caught their gaze and gave him their equivalent of a fond smile; softened eyes and a slight upwards curl of their beak. “What do you think?” he asked.

Bakugou let out a noncommittal grunt. “Eh. It’s alright.” Tokoyami decided that was Bakugou speak for ‘I like it’.

“So what happens now, now that we’re… shit… dating I guess?” Bakugou asked.

Tokoyami shrugged. “I don’t know.”

The explosive boy frowned. “You… don’t know? Well shit, bird brain. I was kind of banking on you knowing since this whole romantic stuff is your area of expertise? You seemed pretty smart about it back on the rooftop.”

Tokoyami tilted his head, then let out a soft chuckle. “Oho? Did I give you the impression of being someone who dates a lot? For the record, this is my first time going out with someone like that. And that kiss you gave me was my first too.” he intoned playfully. Then, as Bakugou remained silent, he reached across the table to gently grab the other boy’s hand. “I really don’t know what’s supposed to happen next. But I do know that I want to do this more often. Us sitting, talking, getting to know one another. Hanging out after school.”

Bakugou looked down at the small hand wrapped around his own. “Doesn’t sound like the kind of Romeo and Juliet stuff boyfriends supposedly do together? In fact, that sounds pretty fucking mundane. Which is good. Makes things less complicated that way I guess.”

Tokoyami shrugged. “Who’s to say what boyfriends are supposed to do?” Then he looked away for a moment.

Boyfriends…

“But you are… comfortable with this, right? Calling ourselves boyfriends? Me holding your hand like this?” Tokoyami asked him tentatively.

Bakugou looked pensive for a moment, then curled his lips into a grin. “Do I look uncomfortable?”

Tokoyami chuckled. “No. No you do not. And you have no idea how happy that makes me.” he intoned and gave Bakugou’s hand a soft squeeze. “Boyfriends though… the class is going to have a fit when they find out. That is… assuming you’re okay with that? Being public I mean?”

Bakugou snorted. “We’re fucking hand-holding in public right now, aren’t we? Besides, Kirishima already knows. We uhm… had a long talk right after I freaked out on you like an idiot. I wouldn’t trust shitty hair to keep a secret even if his life depended on it.”

“Shouji also knows since I confided in him.” Tokoyami said.

Bakugou nodded. “Not that I want to, you know, scream it from the rooftops or anything. But we don’t have to be secretive. In fact, the last thing I want is to make this any more awkward than it needs to be.”

“Romance is supposed to be awkward though.” Tokoyami smiled.

Bakugou grinned. “No it’s fucking not. You said so earlier. Who’s to say how boyfriends are supposed to behave? We don’t have to make this awkward if we don’t want to.”

Tokoyami let out a soft noise. “Such determination. But that makes sense. After all, this is you we’re talking about. You’re not one to let something like this slow you down any, aren’t you?”

“Damn straight I’m not.”

“Oho? You’re a lot of things, Bakugou, but straight you are definitely not. And you have no idea how happy that makes me.” Tokoyami smirked.

“Tch! Good one bird brain.” Bakugou grinned back. Then he blinked his eyes as Tokoyami leaned forward across their table.

“I like you, Katsuki…”

Bakugou let out a deep breath, then planted a soft kiss to their beak.

“I like you too… Fumikage.”