Chapter Text
“Kats, you should be in bed.”
Although he tried to sound stern, Shinsou knew it wasn’t a battle worth fighting. He could hear the half-assed concession in his own voice. It was too early, and he didn’t have it in him to fuss about it. Besides, if Katsuki set his mind on something, no one was going to stop him.
He tilted his head, keenly observing his friend.
Bakugo was curled up on their weather-worn porch chair, cuddled under his openly acknowledged favorite Red Riot blanket, wearing nothing but a pair of threadbare sleep pants. Each exhale was visible against the frigid winter air. Goosebumps stood prominently on his arms and bare shoulders, but he didn’t seem to notice. His eyes lacked the vibrancy they once held, as if the fire had been snuffed out. Deep purple circles had made a permanent home above his thin cheeks and under his tired eyes.
Despite the torture he had endured, the sunrise still cast an almost angelic glow to his face, making him look just as handsome and fierce as the day they first met.
Shinsou crouched down, extending his own Chargebolt themed coffee mug towards him.
“Couldn’t sleep.” He took the mug from Shinsou, clasping it in both hands. The heat seeping through the ceramic felt soothing against his cold, aching hands.
Staring out over the balcony, he watched the harsh edges of the vibrant red sunrise become muted with gray, as if the sky was trying to swallow up the oncoming winter storm.
Shinsou readjusted himself until he found a comfortable spot on the ground next to Bakugo’s chair. “Red sky in the morning means a storm’s coming.”
“Hm.” Bakugo brought the mug to his mouth, inhaling slowly before taking a sip. He sighed contentedly. “You always make the best coffee. Makes me almost forget it’s decaf. Didn’t think you drank it with sugar though.”
“I don’t.”
Bakugo twisted slightly towards Shinsou, waiting on an explanation.
Shinsou met his gaze. “You do, though, last I remember. I heard you getting up.”
“Shit, sorry. I thought I was being quiet.”
Shinsou pulled his knees to his chest, wrapping his arms around them. “You were. I was already awake.”
Bakugo’s lips curled into a ghost of a smile. “Denki keep you up all night?”
“Not in the way you think. He snores like a freight train,” Shinsou chuckled. “Can’t back out now though. It was in the marriage vows.”
Bakugo barked out a laugh.
The genuine sound brought a smile to Shinsou’s face. “I’m serious! Denks insisted. We literally said, I vow to love you no matter how loudly you snore.“
Bakugo snorted, barely avoiding spewing coffee all over the blanket. His body shook with laughter. It hurt, but it felt good.
Shinsou flashed his rare cheshire grin. The simple moment sent waves of nostalgia rolling over them both. It felt like old times.
They both stared ahead, letting the bittersweet memories pass silently between them. So much had happened, yet somehow, they were all still here. Everyone survived, although the definition of that varied between each of them.
Out of all involved, the two people sitting outside in the dead of winter at 5 a.m. on Christmas morning watching the murky, smog filled city skyline had the closest calls.
Shinsou shook his head, trying to physically ward the images away. Katsuki’s limp body being carried in by Midoriya who was tailed by a distraught Kirishima propping against a battered Denki was a visual he couldn't erase. The moment was imprinted in his retinas, carved into historical records in his long term memory. The smell of blood, sweat and static clung to the air, choking him every time he closed his eyes. Aizawa holding him in his lap like a small child, rocking him back and forth, running his hand through his hair, was something he would never forget.
“Stop it,” Bakugo whispered. “This is real.”
Damn him, Shinsou thought. He shouldn't be comforting me.
“That, too.” Bakugo’s shoulders slumped. “Don’t compare fucked up shit. It was… hard… for all of us.”
“Understatement of the fucking century,” Shinsou murmured to himself.
He swallowed the painful lump in his throat before wiping his hand across his eyes. He pointedly ignored the wetness on his palm.
Exhaling deeply, he replied, “Yeah, I know.”
“Since when did you get a mind reading quirk?” He chuckled, but he couldn’t bring himself to feel the humor. “That’s my gig.”
Bakugo adjusted in his seat, drawing his legs underneath him with a slight wince.
“I don’t. I just know you, Hitoshi.”
Shinsou inhaled a ragged breath, clasping his hands together around his knees. He had been on the giving end of that sentiment many times, but Bakugo had never openly returned it. Bakugo was a man of actions, not words. The last two weeks, hell the last ten years, were a testament to that very fact.
A beat of heavy silence passed before Bakugo asked, “Do you ever wish it wasn’t?”
“You mean, do I wish this wasn’t real?” Shinsou picked a particularly interesting gnarled wooden slat to focus his attention on.
“Yeah.” Bakugo’s brows furrowed, staring directly ahead at the lazy sunrise.
Shinsou exhaled a heavy sigh. “Yes,” he whispered, “sometimes.”
“Me, too.”
“Do you ever regret it?” Shinsou couldn’t hide the vulnerability in his muted voice. He didn’t know if he could handle the answer, but some masochistic part of him needed to know.
Without skipping a beat, Bakugo whipped his head around and pinned Shinsou with a fiery stare. “Never.”
There was no turning back or erasing the past. No amount of apologies or therapy could fix what was forcefully broken. They had both moved on in their own ways, at their own pace. But, the magnitude of love felt for another person couldn’t be quantified on a scale or dialed back at will. It simply shifted, molding itself into a different form.
No matter the odds, they would always love one another. It just wasn’t the type of love neither of them had intended. Yet, watching the sun cast a warm glow over Bakugo's messy blonde hair, Shinsou couldn’t help but think that in some way, this outcome was just as good.
Reaching out, he placed his palm over Bakugo’s blanketed knee, squeezing softly. “Katsuki, I…”
Bakugo placed his hand on top of Shinsou’s. “I know, Hitoshi. Me, too.”
The sunrise continued to creep over the horizon, illuminating the dark grey clouds quickly approaching them. The wind picked up, howling in the distance. If he focused, Shinsou could see the smallest flakes of snow swirling in the air.
He knew that if he called out the fact Bakugo was shirtless and shivering that he would never get his stubborn ass inside. So, he opted to blame the weather. “We should get inside. The news said it’s going to be the worst blizzard in a decade.”
Bakugo grunted, clearly not convinced. “I’m not afraid of some snow.”
The comment carried more weight than either of them were going to openly acknowledge.
“True.” Shinsou stood, stretching his arms above his head. “But, I’m afraid of not being in the room when Denki sees the presents under the tree. He might literally fry all the Christmas lights.”
Bakugo grinned, fondness and calm contentment settling deep in his chest. “Eijirou might burn down your apartment if I’m not there to watch him cook breakfast.”
“Eh, our security deposit is long gone. Denks already ruined the electrical outlets the last time he had the flu. It’s a miracle the owner hasn’t kicked us out yet.”
An almost imperceptible flash of something passed in Bakugo’s eyes, but Shinsou couldn’t quite place it.
“Alright, up you go, princess.” He extended both arms out, giving Bakugo the option to accept the help.
“Not a princess,” he grumbled. Taking one of Shinsou’s hands, he slowly hauled himself up, trying his damndest to keep his expression neutral.
“Kats.”
“Toshi, don’t. I’m…” The hurt in Shinsou’s eyes made him swallow his already feeble pride. “I’m here, Toshi.”
Shinsou averted his eyes, hurriedly swallowing the emotions that threatened to spill over. He nodded his head silently.
“Shit,” Bakugo hissed under his breath. “This is so fucking frustrating.”
Within seconds, he felt a strong arm behind his knees and another wrap around his shoulders. Shinsou looked up at him, a rare, pleading look in his eyes. The request was just as much for him as it was for Bakugo.
“Humor me, please.”
“Fine,” Bakugo grumbled, pretending that he was begrudgingly offering the favor instead of accepting it.
Shinsou scooped him into his arms with ease. “Princess,” he said with a shit eating grin.
He only received a middle finger in response.
The apartment was a welcoming reprieve from the frigidly cold patio. Warmth immediately surrounded them, seeping into their bones. Shinsou deposited him on the couch as gently as he could. “Just a second.”
Bakugo’s brow furrowed in confusion. He watched Shinsou walk back outside only to return with his blanket and coffee mug.
“Thanks,” he mumbled. “Didn’t have to…”
Shinsou held one finger up, walking past him and down the hall. He heard the distinct sound of the dryer closing. Then, Shinsou walked into the kitchen. Bakugo peered over the back of the couch, curiosity getting the better of him. He watched as Shinsou refilled his mug, adding just the right amount of sugar.
“Toshi, you don’t have to…”
Shinou held up a finger again, silently telling him to wait.
He rounded the couch, placing the mug on the table next to Bakugo before disappearing down the hall again. Thirty seconds later, he returned with his blanket. Bakugo watched with misty eyes as Shinsou draped the warm, slightly lavender smelling blanket over him.
“You didn’t have to do that,” he said, voice wavering. “ I didn’t need…”
“It’s not needed. It’s deserved.”
All Bakugo could do was nod, humbly accepting the treatment that he would spend the rest of his life trying to earn.
“Toshi! There’s my night in shining armor!” Denki bound through the hallway and up to Shinsou, all but crashing into his side in a sweeping hug.
Shinsou snorted in amusement. “More like your insomniac peasant in vintage t-shirts, but good morning to you too, Denks.”
“Hm…” Denki kissed Shinsou on the cheek. “I like the shirts, but they look better…”
“Ah, hem….” Bakugo coughed exaggeratedly.
“Kats!” Kamanari turned his face towards Bakugo, never removing himself from Shinsou’s embrace. “I didn’t see you there.”
“Yeah, I figured. You didn’t see me here yesterday either when you and Toshi were in the kitchen and…”
“Oh… kay!” Shinsou extricated himself from his clingy husband. “Enough of that.”
“Ah! Are you embarrassed, Hito?” Denki asked playfully. “You didn’t seem to mind when I…”
“Man, I don’t think I even want to know what you were just talking about.” Kirishima stood at the end of the hallway in Dynamight sleep pants and an old, ratty gym shirt, looking half asleep. He rubbed his eyes with one hand while poorly attempting to stifle a yawn with the other.
“Hey! I’m just trying to…”
“Embarrass the hell out of your husband?” Bakugo questioned. “Since his face matches the shade of Eiji’s hair, I think you succeeded.”
Denki crossed his arms like a pouting child. “You’re all no fun.”
Taking pity on his husband, Shinsou wrapped his arms around him, planting a chaste kiss on the top of his head. “Tell ya what, Denks. For your pain and suffering, why don’t you open up your present first?”
The lights on the Christmas tree flickered sporadically. “Really?”
Shinsou laughed, unable to contain the endearment he felt from such a simple thing making his husband so happy. “Of course.”
“Is that cool with you guys?” Kamanari asked over his shoulder as he padded towards the tree.
“Of course, Denks.” Kirishima settled himself next to Bakugo, just inside the invisible bubble of space that only he was allowed into.
Bakugo snuck his hand out from under his blanket, weaving it between Kirishima’s sturdy, calloused fingers. “Knock yourself out, Denks.”
Kamanari sat in front of the horrendously decorated Christmas tree, looking every bit like a child about to open presents. The genuine sincerity and giddiness was contagious. A thrum of excited anticipation settled over the room.
“The one with the purple ribbon, Denks.” Shinsou sat cross-legged across from Kamanari, pointing at a simply wrapped box nestled in the middle under the tree.
Denki took the box, trying to not choke up from the tag alone. “To my sun, from your moon,” he read aloud. He reverently opened the package, careful to not jostle the box.
Lifting the lid, he sucked in a deep breath, failing to keep the tears from rolling down his eyes. “Hito…” He whispered sacredly. “You… I mean…”
“I thought it was time we made it official.”
Shinsou scooted across the floor until he was kneeling in front of Denki. He cast a quick glance to the audience on the couch for his own reassurance. He was an observer, not a speaker, but having the people that mattered most in this world sitting next to him, all of the nervous energy simply faded away.
“When…” he swallowed, trying desperately to get the next part out without crying.
“When we first got together, I told you that I was broken, scattered into pieces. And you…” He swallowed thickly, love, adoration and awe pouring into every word.
“You said, I like puzzles.”
Reaching out, he took the box from Denki and sat it down gently. Then, taking Denki’s hands into his own, he continued. “I want you to know, no matter what, that I belong to you. You are my sunshine and my perfect storm. Nothing in heaven or hell will ever keep me from giving you all of myself each and every day. Even when…”
He swallowed painfully, blinking through the tears. “Even when there may only be pieces of me left to give. Every botched dinner date, each 3 a.m. movie binge, and every mess cleaned up with anger and laughter, is yours. Out of all the ugly life has thrown our way, this was the easiest decision I have ever made. I promise to give you all of my pieces for as long as you'll have them.”
“Hito.” Kamanari smiled through the mess of snot and tears. “Thank you.”
He picked up the piece of paper in the simply wrapped box, examining it again. “I can't believe you took my last name. It…”
His brows furrowed in confusion for a moment before another wave of fresh tears and an emotion he couldn't place surged through his chest. “Kats, you notarized it?”
“Yep. I got that license before opening the agency. It seemed practical. Definitely saves time doing paperwork.”
Bakugo squeezed Kirishima’s hand, looking at their interlocked fingers, before focusing his attention on the couple in front of him.
“Merry Christmas, Denks.”
Anyone could have made it official, but knowing Bakugo personally sealed it left Kamanari at a loss for words.
“Your turn, Hito,” Denki finally said as he locked up that train of thought for another day.
“Denks, you didn’t have to get me anything.” Shinsou scooted back, giving Denki space to find the present.
“Yes, I did!” Kamanari exclaimed.
“Where the heck did I…” Not seeing the present amongst the gifts in front of him, he crawled on his hands and knees under the tree, sorting through the gifts set aside for friends and family. “Come on, almost…. Ah, ha! Got it!”
Kamanari crawled backwards, careful to not jostle the tree.
“Is this my gift?” Shinosu asked.
“Uh? No, this is your gift.” Finally scooting out from under the last bit of the Christmas tree, he looked over his shoulder to see Shinsou staring at him with an amused and rather mischievous grin.
“Are you sure? Cause I’m not complaining.”
A deep blush raced through his cheeks at the realization of the position he was currently in. “Hito!”
“What?” Shinosu said in mock defense. “There’s even a bow on it.”
“A… how the hell?” Kamanari twisted around, reaching his hand behind his back. Sure enough, he felt a Christmas bow stuck to his ass.
The room immediately burst into chaotic laughter.
“Denks!” Kirishima wheezed as he tried to breath between fits of giggles.
“Ow, fuck…” Bakugo chuckled while holding his stomach, “don’t make me laugh.”
“Hmph,” Kamanari tore the bow off and threw it at Shinsou who fell backwards, clutching his chest in a fit of maniacal laughter.
“I’m sorry, Denks,” Shinsou wheezed, not feeling an ounce of remorse.
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.” Readjusting himself, Denki pulled his legs underneath him and settled next to Hitoshi. “Here, babe. Merry Christmas.”
Shinsou wiped the corners of his eyes and took a deep breath, coming down from the sudden high. With a calming exhale, he took the small, neon yellow box and held it in his hands. Even before opening it, he could feel the thrum of electricity.
“Denks?”
“Just open it, Hito,” Kamanari encouraged softly.
Shinsou lifted the top of the box with a trembling hand. Resting inside, laid on a plush, black velvet pillow, was a smooth silver band with a lightning bolt in the middle. He rested his hand reverently on top. His eyes closed, but the tears still spilled over, leaving tracks down his face. Everything, all of the fear, instinctual anxiety and every negative thought was washed away by the small current of energy emitting from the bracelet.
“I asked Mei to make it. It won’t overload or shock you. It can be recharged anytime,” Kamanari whispered softly. He placed his hand on Shinsou’s trembling back.
“What is it?” Kirishima murmured.
“It’s…” The words died in Shinsou’s throat. A heavy sob wracked his body. He turned into Denki, holding onto his shoulders for dear life and hiding his face in the crook of his neck to cry silently.
“It’s a bracelet that holds my electricity,” Kamanari explained. He pulled Shinsou back gently, cupping his face with his hands. He tilted Shinsou’s chin up, so they could both look at one another. “It’s to keep you grounded.”
Shinsou’s face twisted into an ugly expression, torn between the want of allowing himself to accept the kind of love Kamanari so willingly gave him and the thought of knowing he didn’t deserve any of it.
Kirishima swiped at his eyes while making a rather unappealing sound between a sniffle and a sob. “So manly.”
A chorus of gentle laughter filled the air, shifting the touching moment into a lighter place. They all glanced around the room at one another, exchanging soft smiles, knowing looks and unspoken words.
“Alright, it's your turn guys!” Kaminari started sorting through the other gifts, looking for Bakugo and Kirishima labels.
“Actually Denks,” Kirishima turned his head, locking eyes with Bakugo. He brought their hands to his lips, kissing softly. “We gave each other our presents last night.”
“Gross,” Shinsou deadpanned.
Kirishima’s eyes grew comically large. “That's not… I mean we didn't… Never in your home… Besides, Kats is still…”
Bakugo withdrew his hand from Kirishima’s, placing it firmly over the rambling man's mouth. “Ei, fucking stop. You're only making it worse.”
“Toshi, don't tease my fiance.”
“Your?!” Kaminari's head whipped back and forth between Bakugo and Shinsou. “Hito! Did you know?!”
“Calm down, Denks, or you'll burn out the lights.” Shinsou placed a reassuring hand on Denki's shoulder. “Yes, I knew. He bought the ring at the same time…”
“There's a ring?!” Denki shrieked. He scrambled off the ground, clawing at Kirishima and Bakugo’s arms.
“Hey!” Bakugo growled. “Hands off!”
Kirishima’s warm, contagious laughter filled the room. “Hold up, Denks.”
Reaching inside the collar of his shirt, Kirishima pulled out a sleek black chain looped through a black band. The ring was unassuming, deceptively intricate and the perfect embodiment of Kirishima.
Kamanari inched closer to Kirishima, locking eyes in a silent request to touch the ring. Kirishima nodded silently in approval, but Kamanari glanced over to Bakugo, asking for permission, too.
“Yeah, Denks. Of course,” he said quietly.
Kamanari turned the ring over in his fingers, examining the intricate details. “It’s beautiful,” he murmured. “What is this design?”
“It’s my heartbeat,” Bakugo whispered. His voice carried the weight of a promise made and a promise kept.
Kamanari inhaled a sharp breath, struck silent by the implications.
Everyone sat silently, soaking in the fragile moment that none of them thought they would ever get to experience.
After a few minutes of reverent silence, Bakugo adjusted in his seat. “Toshi, there’s one more present.”
Shinsou’s eyebrows raised. “Who is it for?”
“You and Denks. It’s the green box with the gold ribbon.”
Kamanari shifted off of his knees and sat next to Shinsou again.
“For us?” He asked, clearly confused.
“Just open it,” Bakugo chided.
Shinsou placed the small box in Kamanari’s palm. They both pulled at the ribbon, shifting the lid off of the box.
Shinsous’s throat tightened. “Kats, is this…”
“Contractors called yesterday. They were able to fix the damage to our place. Turns out, I exploded a low bearing wall, so they had to put a set of stairs in to keep the structure sound. Now, it’s a two story loft.”
Kamanari held the small bronze key in his palm.
“This is a key to…” he cried softly.
Shinsou wrapped his arm around Denki, pulling him in close. He looked up, taking in the sight of Kirishima’s arm wrapped around Bakugo, who was leaning against him. They locked eyes, the indescribable depth of his own emotions reflected back in Bakugo’s vermillion eyes.
“It’s a key to home.”