Archive of Our Own

“I swear I’m going to ask out the next person who comes in here!” Denki shouts into the empty cafe.

It isn't really an open invitation, but Mina looks up from her phone anyway, more excited than she should be. “You should actually do that!” 

Denki turns to her, flabbergasted, “What?! No, I was joking. I’m not actually going to ask someone out? Are you kidding me? You think I really could?” He laughs stiffly at her. 

“Okay true, you did spill that drink two weeks ago,” she recalls, hand on her chin. 

“We don’t speak of the incident, Mina please!” Denki collapses onto the counter, his face buried in his hands. The memory of it is too much to bear. 

There was a cute girl ordering and he tried to be cool and slide the drink to her, but he went too hard and it slid right off the counter and  made a huge mess. And she wasn’t even looking at him when he did it! Denki can’t tell if that was better or worse. 

Probably worse. 

“How about a bet?” 

Denki peeks up from his hiding spot. Mina’s eyes sparkling with her proposal. She always gets too creative when their shifts are slow. Denki braces for impact—“If the next person who comes in is cute, you have to ask them out.” 

His lips tighten. It is a bad idea. A horrible one even. However, his singleness pulls at the pit of his heart and the boredom. Mostly the boredom. He stands up straight, taking her bait. “Okay, what do I get if I do it?”

“A cute person’s number,” she offers happily.

Denki’s posture falls again. He sighs, “This is the worst idea you’ve ever pitched.” 

“That’s not true! What about when we ate the forbidden brownie?” Mina counters. She does little jazz hands like it was a good idea eating the coffee grounds puck after a busy day. They were both delirious from the morning rush and it seemed fun in the moment. 

He grimaces, shaking his head at the bitter memory and agrees, “Okay fine, second worst.” 

“You still did it though,” she reminds him. Denki blames the group of pre-teens that ordered all different syrupy “trending” drinks. They drained all his good judgement! “And you’re going to do this idea too.” 

“I haven’t agreed yet!”

“Ah-ha!” Mina points a finger in his face. “Objection! You said ‘yet’ which implies you will. Therefore, I sentence you to asking someone out!”

Denki crosses his arms. “You can’t be the attorney and the judge,” he grumbles. 

“Objection, yeah-huh,” she bites back.

He throws up his arms, defeated. “Fine! But only because I’m bored and maybe someone cute will actually come through.” Denki glances at the glass front door. “I’m manifesting now.”

Mina literally jumps for joy next to him. “Yay! And now I have something to watch!”

“ Hey! ”

They’re trying to clean up after the noon rush while it’s still slow. Their longest record of no customers is about half an hour which is great for the cafe, but right now Denki is counting every second until the next person comes in. His future depends on it.

Currently, Denki is trying to get raspberry syrup out of the countertops. Mina’s washing dishes in the back. It’s sticky and soapy work at the front and it’s Denki’s duty to man his station.

His heart drops, dribbling at the pit of his stomach when the wind chimes at the door ring behind him. Denki throws the rag on the counter and scrabbles to wash his hands quickly, hoping whoever’s waiting isn’t horribly impatient (and his age) “I’ll be with you in a minute!” Denki calls out.

It’s now or never.

When Denki turns around to properly greet them, his breath stuck in his throat, it takes everything in him not to gasp at the person there. 

The man in front of him is hot.

Super hot. 

He’s blond and is wearing  black studs in each ear. A large sweater over cargo pants, the kind with too many pockets and straps for style, with a sleek laptop bag at his side. Denki feels his face flush as he is reminded of the wager they made twenty minutes ago. Not that he forgot, but with the confirmation that this guy is hot, Denki is at a loss for words. 

The hot guy’s got this scowl on his face and Denki is so grateful it’s not directed at him as the man scans the menu board. Those eyes would turn him into stone even more than he is now. 

“Hey! I-uh- like your sweater a lot. It’s cool!” Denki opens with a compliment.

“Thanks,” the guy grumbles. 

“Uhm, what can I get for you?” Denki asks, sweat already dripping down his back. He needs to get it together. He doesn’t even have a plan yet, Denki can’t get this nervous this early in the game.

“Just a black tea,” the man spits out. Wow, even his voice is attractive. He’s still not making eye contact with Denki, but somehow it’s still hot and not annoying.

Denki goes through the motions of punching in his order, screaming inwardly. The man shifts where he stands, it doesn’t look like he wants to be here. He hasn’t even said anything yet and his chance is over.

“Is this for here or to-go?”

“Uh—here,” The man responds, shuffling around his pocket for his wallet. 

Confetti and fireworks explode in the back of Denki’s mind. He has time! “Could I have a name, please?”

“Bakugou.” Another one word answer.

“Alright, I’ll have that ready in just a couple of minutes!” he smiles. “You can go ahead and find a place to sit and I’ll call your name when it’s done.” Bakugou grunts in affirmation and turns towards their couches and tables on the other side of the cafe. A new burst of energy courses through Denki’s veins. Cupid must’ve been watching over and felt second hand embarrassment at his attempt at flirting. 

Bakugou’s name and face play on loop as Denki grabs a clean mug. He watches skillfully through the corner of his eye as Bakugou pick the booth by the window  

Boiling water.

Denki has absolutely no plan on how to flirt and even ask out this guy. Not that he ever has a plan when it comes to flirting. “Winging it” and “Going in blind” are Denki’s best friends.

Tea bag.

He hasn’t tried a pick up line yet, but this guy doesn't  seem to receive a compliment well. Bakugou doesn’t look like he’ll take a joke or a pun great either. Maybe words aren’t the way to go here. Maybe something different.

Steep for 3 minutes.

Maybe something creative will impress him.

Denki slides the mug to the edge of the counter with two hands, careful not to spill it like his last flirtation attempt. “One black tea for Bakugou!” he yells, despite no one else sitting in the cafe. 

In his booth, Bakugou seems to have gotten everything set up in three minutes. A laptop and notebook sit on the table. There’s even different colored post-it’s and pens too. Bakugou trudges over to the cashier, moving the mug over to their self-serve bar. 

Tapping on the counter nervously, Denki opens his mouth with no plan. “So, whatcha writing?”

Bakugou looks up, clearly a little peeved that someone's talking to him, but he answers anyway. “A stupid paper.”

“Oh, do you not like the class?”

“‘s not my fault the professor doesn’t know how to do her job,” Bakugou sneers, rolling his eyes. He grabs a pack of honey, opening it with care and pouring half into his tea.

“Dude, I totally feel that. I once had a professor get the dates wrong on an assignment and he still made us use those dates. We lost like four days of work time!” Denki shares. 

Bakugou smirks and laughs, the sight is enough to melt Denki’s heart into a puddle. It’s a cackling laugh and sounds a little evil. And it’s the prettiest thing that could’ve come out of this guy’s mouth. “That’s pretty bad.”

“Yeah, luckily I still passed though,” he chuckles.

“Really, you?” Bakugou teases.

Denki gasps in fake offense, “Hey, I’m plenty smart!” He crosses his arms. “Besides, I said passed not aced.”

That earns another chuckle from Bakugou. Denki feels like he’s floating on clouds with the reaction. He learns that Bakugou is a biochemistry major and goes to the university across town.

“I gotta know. If you go to school there, why did you come out of your way to come to this cafe?” Denki asks, trying his best to look cool, leaning on the espresso machine.

Bakugou shrugs, “Needed some time away. Found this place.”

Feeling a little bold, Denki pushes his limits, “Well, do you like it?”

He looks at Denki, and for a moment Denki convinces himself that Bakugou is checking him out. Bakugou replies after a pause, “I haven’t decided yet.” 

Denki’s face feels warmer at that. He doesn't know what to say, his material has run empty. They both stand there awkwardly until Denki realizes Bakugou has been done stirring his tea for a while now. “Oh, I should probably let you get started on your paper,” Denki stutters, not really wanting to end their little conversation so short.

Pointing the stir stick at Denki, Bakugou smirks again. “See ya,” he muses and stalks back to his booth. 

Was that flirting?

No, couldn’t be.

Denki continues to stand at the espresso machine, staring mindlessly at the grills of the drip tray. Two customers come in and out as Denki zones out, making drinks without thought. Nothing bad happened during that interaction. 

Mina peeks her head out of the back door, her hair sticking to her forehead from sweat. She must’ve been moving some boxes while they had the chance. Denki watches as her eyes gloss over the cafe, then widen comically at the booth. She scrambles out of the back, jumping her full body weight against Denki’s, punching a wheeze out of him.

She slaps his arm repeatedly, “Who’s the hottie with the body? Did you take his order?” Mina’s mouth gapes at him. She elbows him excitedly, waggling her eyebrows in a way that isn’t very work appropriate. “I was just gonna ask if the rush started back again, but look at you!

Denki flushes under the attention. “Uhm, there were only like two people, but school should be out soon.”

Crossing her arms, Mina raises her eyebrow, amused. “My questions must be answered, Denki?”

“Okay, yes, I did take his order!” Denki whisper shouts, not wanting to alert Bakugou in his corner. Mina squeals quietly and grabs his hands. “And we even had a little small talk!”

Mina claps the tips of her fingers together rapidly and nods, congratulating him. “With no spill?”

He reassures her with a nod, “No spill.”

“So, let’s see that contact info you scored!”

Denki’s lips tighten as he looks at Mina. 

“Denki,” Mina says flatly. “Did you get a number?”

He opens his mouth, a finger up to correct her. “So—“

“Denki—no!” Mina drags his name out, burying her face in her hands.

He smiles awkwardly. “In my defense, he’s here working on a paper so I have some time.” Mina peeks an eye through a gap in her hands. She’s got the same hope he does. Or maybe tenfold for him. Mina usually believes in him beyond his abilities, she’s a good friend like that. Denki scratches the back of his neck. “I don’t think pick up lines or compliments are gonna work with that guy…he’s too… grumpy for that.”

“Hm, a hottie with a haughty, okay.” Denki chooses not to respond to her wordplay. Mina clasps his shoulder. “We’ll figure this out, just you wait. We just need to think outside the box!”

“Yeah maybe—“

Before Denki can even start his brainstorming session with Mina, out of the corner of his eyes, he spots them. Teenagers. A huge swarm every Friday comes crashing into their cafe like clockwork. 

He knows Mina sensed them too. “Mina, I’m gonna need extra cups, stat!” 

“Already on it!” She makes a mad dash for the stockroom. Mina yells back, “I’ll be at the hot bar and register is free for all?”

“You got it!” Denki starts washing his hands again and setting out cups like his life depends on it. The afterschool rush is always to be feared, no matter the day. They appreciate the business, but after every syrup filled whip cream topped coffee, Denki’s mental charge percentage plummets further and further.  Sorry hot man Bakugou, he’ll just have to wait a little bit longer. 

An hour later with sharpie smudged fingers and a milk stain on his apron, they’re finished.

Denki groans as he squats down, trying to stretch his locked knees. Mina’s faring no better, swinging her arms in circles and stretching her wrists and fingers. 

“Great workout, huh?” Mina laughs half heartedly. He squints back up at her. “Alright, bad joke,” she giggles. Mina slaps her knees, standing up straight. “So, what’d you think of?”

“Wha-“ De nki slurs, head in his hands. He has to remember that this job pays well and he does like it. And it’s totally worth it when an eleven year old calls him a bitch because they ran out of caramel syrup. 

“Y’know brainstorming for your hottie with a paper copy? What did you think of?”

“I did not think during all that,” Denki groans and he stands up, arching his back to ease any knots. 

She puts her hands on her hips. “Well, now’s the time to start, princess.”

Not that he wants to, but there is no way Denki is getting out of this bet. Even if Mina has to hold his hand the entire way, which she would love. Denki purses his lips, “If words won’t work, what else do we have?”

Mina slumps against the espresso machine, flicking the stack of to-go cups. “Coffee?” she shrugs.

Coffee.

Coffee!

The metaphorical light bulb blinks above Denki’s head.

“I got it!” Denki exclaims, maybe too loudly because Bakugou looks up from his corner booth. He ducks his head, embarrassed, Denki turns back to Mina and lowers his voice, “Latte heart-“

Mina facepalms and smiles wide, “Duh!”

How could they forget the most romantic drink of all time? Everything in this place is coffee and tea related. They just need to take in their surroundings, be innovative. Maybe the espresso fumes are getting to them. 

“Forget thinking outside the box, the box is great!” Mina throws her hands up, thrilled. 

“The box does have everything,” Denk agrees. 

Mina slaps his back. Hard. “Get to work, loverboy! I’m not leaving til I see a heart that satisfies me!” Denki wheezes at the hit, but gives her a confident thumbs up. 

Latte hearts or latte art is usually Mina’s thing or Momo’s. He runs the cold bar, ice drinks and smoothies are more his jam. Of course, Denki knows how to make one, he’s just out of practice. 

Steaming the milk.

Is this too bold?

This is the first time in a while that Denki feels good about making a move. For a while, Denki had a long streak of unlucky lovers and people who didn’t give him the time of day. Not that Bakugou has paid much attention to him when he arrived at the cafe.

Pulling the espresso shot.

But they have some chemistry going on there! With this guy, Denki wants to put himself out there. He wants to try. It can’t be worse than his other flirting attempts. It has to mean something that he’s making a latte heart of all things. 

Pour the milk.

This is going to be the most perfect heart he’s ever made. Denki wills his hand to stay still as he pours the milk into the espresso and drags the pitcher through. Making the heart. He exhales the breath he has been holding; it’s done. He’s still a beginner so he can’t do anything fancy like a tulip or a swan design, but it’s a pretty cute heart if he could have a say.

He writes his number on a napkin before holding his breath and drawing a little smiley face too. 

His work is complete. It’s the perfect cute heart —and he goes face first into the espresso machine. “I can’t do this, Mina,” Denki whispers, but the volume isn’t all that quiet. 

“What are you talking about?! That’s the best latte heart you’ve ever made! You can’t not do it now.”

Denki squats behind the counter, his eyes barely peeking over it as he looks  to where Bakugou sitting in the corner. The sun casts rays of golden light highlighting his jaw and the tips of his eye lashes. His brow is furrowed from concentration and Denki loses his breath, watching. 

There's a pause while Mina waits for his answer. 

“Yeah, no, I can’t do it,” Denki babbles, slamming his head onto the counter with a thud. 

Mina shakes her head and sighs, “Y’know what, I’m proud of you for putting yourself out there and still writing your number down. So, I will do this for you.”

Denki lights up. 

Oh, that means he still has to give his number. 

He hums angrily as Mina takes the cup and napkin with a knowing smile on her face. It doesn’t even matter to her how it gets there, she’s there for the end product he realizes. She pats his head condescendingly with a smirk, “Super proud of you, yeah. Here I go!”

“Wait, no Mina…” he pleads quietly to no one but himself. 

Denki watches nervously, biting at his knuckles and picking at his cuticles, as Mina walks the latte over to Bakugou. 

“This is for you! On the house!” the pink haired barista stands above him, smiling with too much teeth. She’s holding a cup with a napkin in hand. Katsuki slides his headphones off his ears. He already got his drink. What the hell is this?

Before Katsuki can deny whatever sample they’re handing out, she sets the cup down on the table. And it’s—

A latte.

Fucking latte heart. 

“I didn’t order this,” Katsuki complains. Of every cafe item and drink, it has to be coffee. He feels so lucky and grateful in this moment. 

“Like I said–it’s on the house,” the barista responds cheerfully. Katsuki grimaces at her bright attitude. He didn’t come all the way here to talk. If he was any other person, Katsuki would’ve thought she was flirting with him, but he’s not stupid and she’s not that bold. The lesbian pride pin glints in the light. 

Just a latte on the house then. 

“Thanks,” Katsuki grumbles under his breath and slips his headphones on before she can say another word to him. 

Now, Katsuki wasn’t raised to be an ungrateful kid. He ate all his vegetables and took every opportunity for success that he was given. Despite how he looks, Katsuki isn’t wasteful. However, this situation might have to be an exception. 

Katsuki can’t have coffee.

A couple of years ago, he developed an irregular heartbeat from an accident in high school. Everyone made a huge fuss over his health back then like they were worried he was going to explode and die like the sun. But he’s still standing here now, isn’t he? Katsuki is fine, he monitors his physical health like he always has. Just now there’s more perks with his heart. Like he can’t have a lot of caffeine anymore. 

What’s a simple solution here? He obviously can’t drink it. Throwing it in the thrash would be a huge waste and a shit idea anyway. 

Katsuki slides the latte closer to him, the heart wiggles and sways from the movement. The smell of the hot espresso fills his nose. 

And there on the napkin is a phone number. Eyes wide, Katsuki grabs it from the other side of the table, holding it out in front of him. This is an attempt at flirting. The smiley face next to it stares Katsuki down with its dot eyes. It can only be from one person. 

Katsuki swipes a tired hand over his face, he curses, “Fuck, what am I gonna do now?”

So, he does the one thing he can always do, Katsuki sends a text to Izuku:

emergency  

Nothing else with a link to his location. 

It takes a while, but eventually a car parks across the street. From his window seat, Katsuki can see a familiar mop of green hair bob around the car until Izuku waves his arms angrily at him in the window. Katsuki keeps watching as Izuku stomps into the cafe and awkwardly waves and smiles at the baristas. 

He makes a swift turn for Katsuki’s corner and leans over the table. “This is the emergency you texted me for?” He sounds mad, probably because he is. 

“No, but that was the only way you’d come fast enough.”

“No shit, Kacchan,” he sighs and collapses into the chair across from him. Izuku must’ve come from the dorms with the amount he’s out of breath. “What happened?”

Katsuki slides the latte back over the table. 

Izuku raises an eyebrow, Are you serious?

Katsuki stares back, Yes.

Izuku throws his hands up in surrender before taking the latte into his hands. His eyes shine at the sight of the heart and Katsuki braces himself for the questions coming. He did this to himself really, what was he expecting after texting Izuku? Tapping the side of the cup, Izuku stares into the latte. “So, a heart?”

He decides to ignore it. Katsuki looks back at his laptop. “What about it?”

“Well, I know you wouldn’t order this which means someone ordered it for you,” Izuku challenges him. He brings the cup up to his lips, eyeing the heart. Izuku takes a long slurp of the drink. “And you care enough to text me instead of leaving it or saying no. This is so good! I should take Kirishima here.” 

“Gross. I just found this place. Go find your own, nerd.” Katsuki types out a sentence or two and then deletes it again. He can’t focus right with the napkin in his pant’s pocket weighing him down. 

Izuku shakes his head, scolding him, “You owe me for this. Need I remind you that I drove here to save you.” He takes another sip of the latte. “I was thinking of taking a break from my paper so this is nice.”

“You’re welcome,” Katsuki replies with snark, not even looking up from his laptop.

“I didn’t say thank you.”

“Didn’t have to”

The next couple minutes go by in silence. The two of them sit comfortably in the empty cafe. Katsuki, unable to write, organizes his document and tabs, while Izuku taps away on his phone. 

“So, is it the blond guy?”

Katsuki chokes on his spit, fingers come down hard on his keyboard. “Excuse me?!”

“So it is. I was right, okay.”

Katsuki glares. “That’s none of your fucking business, nerd.”

“You’re not really saying no, Kacchan,” Izuku points out. Katsuki turns back to his laptop, burning holes into the screen with his eyes. “I’m excited for you though! Plus, the coffee here is good so that’s a good sign. I have hope that this is gonna turn out well for you, just you wait!” 

“He’s packing up to leave,” Mina notes. 

Denki ducks down underneath the counter at her feet and shoves his face into his knees. “I can’t make eye contact with him, Mina. Not after that. Tell me when he’s gone,” he sighs. 

None of his romantic endeavors have gone well, but to find out that Bakugou had a boyfriend and that boyfriend drank his latte? It is really beating the dead horse that is Denki’s heart. Usually, he’s the one who makes an embarrassment out of himself but this time it’s Bakugou’s actions that take the hit. Tears sting the corners of his eyes. 

It isn't  fair. 

Is it him? Denki wonders if anyone would like him, if any stranger would ever think he’s interesting. 

Mina pets his hair, trying her best to comfort him. “Alright and then after I’ll make you a hot chocolate. How does that sound?”

Denki leans against her leg and nods, tears streaking his cheeks silently. He doesn’t dare to sniffle under the counter, afraid of being any more vulnerable than he already is now. A pick me up did sound good. 

“Oh god, he’s bringing the cup over here,” Mina whispers through the side of her mouth. Defeated, Denki pushes more of his weight on her, hiding his face away in her pant leg. Bakugou is probably coming over to reject him. As if Denki needed to hear it in person. 

He can hear the footsteps coming closer. 

Then a click of the mug hitting the counter. 

Mina’s voice cuts through the silence. She’s smiling, but Denki can tell she’s furious. He can only hope she doesn’t punch Bakugou. “You didn’t have to bring the glass back here. Thank you!” He can tell she’s trying to wrap up the conversation. 

“‘s fine,” Bakugou replies. There’s a pause. Denki crosses his fingers and prays to every god he knows that Bakugou leaves as soon as possible. That Denki never has to see him again. That Denki will never have heartbreak again.  “Listen Pinky, thanks for the coffee. I can’t drink it, but thanks and–”

The response shocks Denki right out of his daze. His eyes go wide, blinking back his leftover tears, and his head snaps up. “I can’t drink it.” That isn’t the rejection he has been expecting. In fact, the story that has been playing out is muddy with this new information. Luckily. Mina takes the words right out of his mouth. “You can’t have coffee?” she interrupts. She doesn’t even try to mask her confusion, all professionalism is out the door. 

“No, health thing–so I don’t drink it. Had a friend come by to drink it—didn’t want it to go to waste.” 

A friend? Denki straightens up under the counter, straining his ears to listen to the conversation. Is this a sign of hope? He shoves at Mina’s knee. She kicks him back. 

Mina opens her mouth, still processing this new information. “Oh, uh, well, thank you so much for telling us–me. I’ll remember that for next time for sure,” she stammers. 

There’s a pause. Denki holds his breath as he waits for something. Anything.

“I hope this is from the blond. Tell him I’m sorry I didn’t drink it,” Bakugou muses. It’s like Denki’s eyebrows shoot up to his hairline. He presses his hands against his mouth, hoping his gasp doesn’t escape. Denki wishes that he could see what the hell is happening, but there’s no way he’s showing his face now.

Then, Bakugou leaves just like that, his footsteps stomping out towards the door. But right before the wind chimes could ring again and Denki could come out of his hiding spot safely, Bakugou shouts, “I’m keeping this number for the coward who can’t face me!” 

The wind chimes jingle behind the door. 

Denki’s in shock. The wet streaks on his cheeks are dry and stiff on his face now. He has given his number to a hot guy. And the hot guy has taken it and called him a coward. 

“Holy shit!!” Mina reacts first, screaming and jumping up and down next to him. She grabs his hands and pulls him into a bone-crushing hug. Mina shakes him back and forth. “I can’t believe that just happened!!” She pulls back on his shoulders, face serious. “If he hurts you, I’ll kill him, you know that, right?”

“Yes, I know that.” Denki blinks back at Mina. 

She laughs and makes a sprint for the fridge. “This calls for some celebratory hot chocolate!!”

Denki wipes his dried tears and cheers, “Hell yeah!!” He grabs two cups for them and Mina’s secret sprinkle shaker. Denki catches a glimpse of the door. Maybe this hasn't been  such a boring shift after all. 

Later that day, Denki gets the first text of many:

Hey coward. Can I get your name

Katsuki has been typing for about an hour. This stupid class is going to be his death, asking for a group paper with the worst classmates he could imagine. He’d rather write with Izuku than this bullshit. It pisses him off. 

“This is on the house!” Denki’s voice cuts through Katsuki’s concentration. He slips off his headphones onto his neck to see Denki standing next to him. 

Denki puts down a plate and a steaming mug. It’s a piece of banana bread crudely cut into the shape of a heart. Next to it is Katsuki’s regular hot black tea. The surprise isn’t unwelcomed at all. 

Without much reflection of their surroundings, Bakugou yanks Denki down by his collar into a firm kiss. He’s earned a squeak of surprise, a noise he will gratefully drink up any day. Denki kisses back with as much passion, wrapping his arms around Katsuki’s shoulders. 

He tastes like banana bread. 

Bakugou pulls away from the kiss and his lips stretch into a sly smirk. “Sorry, I have a boyfriend.” 

Denki rolls his eyes and sits next to Katsuki, glued to his side. Anyone else would’ve gotten a hot cup of tea in their lap, but Denki happily puts his chin on Katsuki’s shoulder, draping an arm over his back. He clicks his tongue in Katsuki’s ear, “Rude. What was that then?”

Turning back to his free snack, Katsuki raises the loaf to his mouth. “My compliments to the chef, obviously,” he teases. Denki snorts into his shoulder as he takes a bite.

Their little bubble breaks when Mina chastises them from behind the counter. “Ew, can you guys not flirt?” 

“No!”

“Nah.”

Denki curls around Katsuki more in response, pressing a loud kiss on his cheek. It’s a little wet. Bakugou isn’t the biggest fan of pda, but anything to annoy Mina is amazing in his book. 

Katsuki leans further into Denki. “This bothering you? You said we could have dates here if I remember right,” he smugly reminds her.

“I said that when you were both still pining and shy! I was doing you both a favor, now you’re rubbing it in my face!”

Denki laughs next to him and starts to rub his cheek against Katsuki’s. He mocks her, “What’d you say?” 

Mina points accusingly at Katsuki. “You’re a horrible influence on him! How dare you?!”

“I’ll set you up with someone,” Katsuki calls out. Mina’s eyes go wide as her mouth goes slack open. She shakes her head in disbelief before saluting Katsuki with a grin and skipping into the back with a whoop.

The two of them cackle at her antics. Denki shakes with laughter, his head buried in Katsuki’s shoulder. His eyes sparkle and crinkle when he comes up. That smile is the brightest thing in the room. Denki admits with a squeeze of his arm, “You make me happy.”

Instead of an answer, Katsuki brings up a hand and lifts Denki’s chin up. They meet each other in the middle easily. Denki’s smile on his lips and his body pressed against his is soft and sweet.

Getting with his idiot was the best decision of his life.