I was really hoping someone would pick this one. There were two routes I was thinking of going when I wrote this prompt: said in a dumb situation or in a really fluffy/soft moment.
I went with the fluff.
They've both had their fair share of near death experiences. Too many to count, and far too many to be even remotely fair for two firefighters just trying to earn a living.
Buck kinda figured that since Eddie got shot, his turn for another hospital visit was coming up. It's not like he was aiming for it, the universe just hates him.
It goes like this: Eddie is still off, but coming towards the end of his sick leave. Buck is acting way less recklessly because, you know, he has Chris to think of. And yet, he still runs in to a collapsing building so Chimney doesn't have to.
Logically, Buck is only Chris' guardian if Eddie dies. Chimney has a daughter to get home to right now. It takes less than a nanosecond for Buck to make the decision.
He doesn't remember much after that. Concrete crushing your chest and a beam whacking your head will do that. Lights and sounds blur together, but he thinks that's a good thing because he was sure it was dark and silent a few minutes ago, so at least he's out.
The first time he wakes up he can see that he's hooked to machines and an IV sits uncomfortably in his hand. He's drowsy, but he can make out Hen sitting next to him.
'You can go back to sleep, Buckaroo. Maddie and Eddie are on their way,' she smiles warmly.
He wants to say something back, but he doesn't have control over his mouth so he simply shuts his eyes.
The next time he wakes up he actually feels awake. He has two different hands resting in each of his own and he can feel someone running their hand through his hair and over his birthmark.
'How have you survived this long?' It's a small, sad whisper but Buck knows it's Eddie.
'Yeah, the universe really has it out for me, huh?'
Eddie laughs and Buck can see the older man has been crying, so he pulls him close. He tries to disguise the wince - he completely forgot that he was in the hospital, he swears - but Eddie feels it and pushes himself off, with a quick kiss to Buck's cheek.
'What was that for?'
'Not actually dying, cariño.'
'Oh, I'm cariño now,' Buck mimics, purposefully butchering it, just to see Eddie smile.
'Evan. We have been dancing around for a while now because we thought we weren't ready for this, but honestly, I don't think there's ever going to be a perfect time for us. We're just going to have to make it.'
'Very us. Screw the universe.'
'Screw the universe. Besides, it seems like it wanted you dead before we could get together anyway. Fuck it.'
They share a gentle kiss. Eddie is wary of leaning too much into and therefore onto Buck, but he knows there'll be plenty between them once he's fully recovered and far into the future.
Later - days later - when Buck is finally released, they're cuddled in a blanket fort Christopher and Eddie made. The three of them collapsed on a bed of pillows and blankets, with glow-in-the-dark stars stuck in constellations.
Buck traces the constellations in the air, whispering them to Chris to lull him to sleep. Eddie's head lays on his chest, listening for his breathing and heartbeat.
'It doesn't matter how I've managed to survive so far, Eds,' Buck whispers softly, running his hands through Chris' curls as he sleeps. 'Just that I have you two to keep surviving for.'
A quick Buddie drabble sort of going off the @911week Day 1 prompt.
It's normal, he tells himself. They borrow clothes all the time. Mostly because they get mixed up in the laundry but still.
Normal.
Eddie repeats the mantra in his head as he snuggles further into the LAFD hoodie with Buckley stamped across the back.
It just happened to end up on his pile. Even though it's obviously bigger than his own and there isn't Diaz written on the damn thing.
He's managed to keep his back to the couch so Buck hasn't actually noticed that it's his hoodie Eddie has stolen. Not to mention it's the last one he's stolen from Buck that actually smells like him still. The rest are sat in a pile ready to be washed and returned to Buck under the guise of being left around the Diaz household and not purposefully hidden.
'Hey, Eds? Have you seen my hoodie?'
'Real specific, Ev.'
'My LAFD one. I could've sworn I left it here after that fundraiser the other week, but I can't find it now.'
He's in the bedroom from what it sounds like. Probably going through the wardrobe. The wardrobe where Eddie's own LAFD hoodie is hung up. With his name on it. On display.
Buck's already seen him in an LAFD hoodie.
'Oh, wait, I think I got it.'
No. No. No. He does not. He has Eddie's.
He marches back into the living room, Diaz side forward, and stares at Eddie, who sinks further down into the hoodie he's wearing. The hoodie is certainly not his own.
'You've stolen my hoodie, haven't you?'
'Stolen is a harsh word.'
'Can I have it back?'
'When it doesn't smell like you, sure.'
'That's what this is about?' Buck sits next to Eddie, pulling him into his chest, rubbing his arms.
'Yeah. You go to shift, I don't have you around and I miss you.'
'We've only got to deal with that for a few more weeks, though. You'll be back in no time.'
Eddie shrugs, hiding his face in Buck's chest. He doesn't know how to explain it.
'You could just ask, you know that?'
Eddie hums, not moving from his hiding spot. The shame sinking in. Buck pushes his chin up so they're gazing into each other's eyes.
'Babe, if you miss me, you only have to ask. I'll give you my hoodies. You don't have to steal them.'
Eddie blushes. He blushes and he hates it because he already felt like a schoolgirl with a crush by stealing the hoodies. He shouldn't, he and Buck have been together for two months now and probably long before that without confession. But it's new and it's exciting and Eddie has never felt the need to steal something of his partner's to keep around when he missed them.
'I stole your red shirt,' Buck whispers into Eddie's hair.
'What?'
'When you were in the hospital. I just. I needed something of yours and that was the only thing that fit because you'd ordered the wrong size and couldn't return it. So I just kept it.'
'Evan.'
'So, I get it. If you want a hoodie, ask for one. And if I want something of yours I'll ask for it too,' there's a glint Eddie doesn't like the look of flashing in Buck's blue eyes. 'Although, I gotta say my last name looks good on you.'
He winks and Eddie groans playfully, burrowing further into Buck's chest. He's tired and he guesses Buck is too if the loud yawn is anything to go by. He feels a kiss on the top of his head and in return he kisses Buck's pec generating giggles from the younger man, which leads Eddie to join in.
He has to admit that Buck was right. Buckley looks good on Eddie, but Diaz-Buckley would look better on them both.
Am I jumping on the Buddie stuck in an elevator bandwagon during the blackout? Absolutely I am.
- Buck is walking Eddie down to his truck from the apartment when the blackout happens.
- They're two hours out of a 36-hour shift and Eddie wanted to shower before picking Chris up from his Abuela's.
- Buck's apartment was closer to the station - not to mention Eddie had met Buck before their shift and carpooled in the Jeep.
- Either way, they're stuck between the second and third floor when the blackout strikes.
- The elevator lurches loudly, metal grinds and the boys plaster themselves against the wall as it jolts to a stop.
- They're both on their phones in an instant, no signal and the electronic alarm obviously isn't working.
- 'I think my landlord said there was a failsafe alarm built into these that works off its own battery,' Buck says, trying to pull off the panel.
- Eddie hums, sitting down with his back against the wall of the elevator, watching the blonde finally manage to get behind the panel.
- Buck's right, of course. They hear a ringing bell.
- 'Hopefully, landlord hears that and calls dispatch.'
- 'Dispatch? Who also probably have no power?'
- 'I did not think that far ahead.'
- Buck takes a seat next to Eddie and they sit in silence for a few minutes.
- Buck keeps looking at Eddie, making sure he isn't panicking. They've both had their share of small spaces, but he knows Eddie isn't quite over the well.
- Eddie can feel Buck's staring and makes a point to not look at him. If he looks at Buck then he'll smile and Eddie will smile back and all the feelings he's been ignoring dealing with will come out.
- He fails.
- In less than 30 seconds after thinking it.
- 'What?'
- 'Just making sure you're ok.'
- Because of course Buck's first concern is Eddie's well-being.
- 'Are you?'
- 'Coping,' he laughs weakly. 'Did you know we're more likely to die in a shark attack than an elevator?'
- 'Surely that's the other way around?'
- 'Yeah, I think it might be. I was just trying to lighten the mood.'
- And wow, Eddie thinks, I'm such a jerk.
- He'd gotten used to bantering around with Buck. Sarcasm disguising his endless fondness for the younger man.
- Now isn't the time.
- 'I'm glad I decided to walk you down, so you're not in the elevator alone,' Buck starts rambling. 'Not that I wouldn't have come to check up on you if you had gone alone. I would've run out the second everything went dark. Maybe we should've taken the stairs. I mean I know it was a joke 'cause that was your first shift back and you're not quite in the same shape you were a couple months ago and...'
- It's adorable. It is. It's all Eddie can think and focus on.
- He knows Buck is doing it as a distraction from their situation but right now it's making him fall more in love with the man.
- He has to do something. Say something.
- 'Ana and I broke up.'
- Buck stops short. He stares at Eddie for a bit and the older man shrinks under his gaze.
- Neither say anything for a while and Buck tries the failsafe alarm again.
- Eddie stares at Buck's back, straining his eyes at the height. He's trying to telepathically get Buck to speak because he doesn't want to have to explain.
- He doesn't know how to.
- It was an inevitable event.
- 'Not long after I was shot, actually. Maybe two weeks?'
- Buck spins on his heel and stares at him.
- 'You have been single for a month and a half? And you didn't think to tell me until we got stuck in here?'
- 'You were with Taylor?' Eddie knows it's a weak defense.
- 'Why does that matter?!' And Buck sees right through it.
- 'I don't know. I just thought that maybe you'd want to focus on your own love life for once, instead of getting dragged in to the end of mine. Again.'
- Buck is silent again, judging Eddie from the corner. Feeling out what he should say next.
- Except he doesn't.
- Silence again.
- Eddie complains a lot about needing peace and quiet, but now that he has it, he's not sure he wants it.
- He'd give anything for one of Buck's signature smiles right now.
- That hasn't happened since the elevator first stopped and god how long has it even been.
- Eddie checks his phone. An hour. It's been an hour.
- His background of Chris and Buck smiling and building Lego together mocks him.
- He realizes he would never have made Ana his background and isn't that what couples do?
- 'Hey Buck? What's your cell background?'
- 'You and Chris tackling that pancake stack at Ellie's your last birthday?'
- 'Not Taylor?'
- 'Why would it be Taylor?'
- 'Because she's your girlfriend?'
- 'She's not.'
- Buck sounds exasperated. Like he's had to explain multiple times.
- Eddie guesses he has, back before they were a thing. But he told Eddie she kissed him after he was shot and that the two were going to try dating.
- 'I thought...'
- 'You thought wrong. I couldn't. Don't like her like that anymore.'
- 'Wow you sound like one of Chris' friends with a crush,' it comes out before Eddie can stop it.
- Hurt fills Buck's eyes and Eddie has to look away. He can't deal with being the reason for it.
- 'And if I told you there's someone I'm in love with but can't have? There's someone who actually thinks I'm worthy and deserving of love? But for two months I thought they were taken and I couldn't keep hurting myself anymore so I thought I would move on?'
- Eddie gulps. He can't. He can't be talking about Eddie. Life doesn't work that way. Not for him.
- 'Except I couldn't. It's too soon. I still love him and I can't imagine life without him and now that I know he's single it's all I can think about. Us. How well we work together. How beautiful we could be. Do I sound like an adult again?'
- Buck's glaring but it doesn't have as big of an effect when there are tears in his eyes.
- 'Evan.'
- His face softens. He's smiling at Eddie again.
- Granted, Eddie may have taken some liberties with calling Buck by his first name.
- It was only reserved for serious conversations. Times when Buck needs to listen and believe what was coming out of Eddie's mouth.
- 'I love you, too.'
- 'You do?'
- 'How could I not? I broke up with Ana because I was trying to deal with my feelings for you. I wasn't sure, you know? You're such a big part of my and Chris' life and I was trying to rationalize it as appreciation for you. You do so much for us and never ask for anything in return. But I was wrong. It's love. It's been love for at least a year and I was just too afraid to accept it.'
- Buck just smiles, reaching out a hand.
- Eddie takes it easily.
- He leans into Buck's side, pulling the other's arm around him.
- He knows that Buck is feeling for a heartbeat, Eddie's listening for Buck's too.
- They stay like that until the doors creak open and Albert's face pops between the gap.
- 'Hey, they're not dead!'
- The team gets them out pretty easily and they both agree to come in on shift to help with the fall out of the blackout. It's mostly going to be driving around in the rig, trying to spot problems as they occur.
- Buck walks Eddie to his truck and grabs the extra LAFD hoodie he keeps in there for emergencies.
- The same hoodie that Eddie has stolen on some of the harder nights when he was alone.
- He realizes just how entangled Buck had become in the Diaz's lives. Buck keeps a change of clothes in the truck, Eddie keeps a set of his own in the Jeep.
- Buck has his own drawer at Eddie's house, but Eddie doesn't have anything at Buck's.
- Buck spends more time living on Eddie's couch than either of them spends in the apartment.
- Buck belongs at home. With Chris. With Eddie.
- 'You know, if you moved in with me, you wouldn't get caught in an elevator in a blackout again,' Eddie tries.
- 'Yeah?'
- 'Yeah.'
- Buck moving into the Diaz residence was an inevitable event.
- Eddie was right - the next blackout, Buck didn't get stuck in an elevator. He was surrounded by candles and blankets, cuddled up with his boyfriend and son.
There is not a bone in my body that can accept that in any other universe they wouldn't be perfect together. Post 4x14 so SPOILERS for that. This got so much longer than I thought it would be. Sorry in advance, there's much more under the cut.
· Eddie tells him about the will. Chris goes to Buck if anything happens to Eddie. Which it very nearly did.
· It causes Buck to actually stop and think things through before rushing into danger.
· The rest of the team question it while Eddie's recovering but he just says there's someone relying on him now.
· They take it to mean Taylor - well Chimney and Albert do, Hen and Bobby are more clued in.
· Buck talks about Eddie and Chris like he did when they quarantined together - like they're living together again.
· They are.
· Buck moved in to help Eddie and his recovery, with Ana stepping in when he was on shifts - even if she tended to undo everything Buck had done.
· He tells himself it's because she's not used to the way he and Eddie do things - yes that one singular bowl and plate live in the lower cupboard, it's so Eddie can reach them easily. Chris always picks the movie on movie nights, Eddie and Buck alternate when he's gone to bed.
· Eddie is stubborn as always, but has managed to allow Buck to help him dress and shower - Ana is very much not allowed, despite her protests they're barely in a relationship.
· Eddie explains to Buck that yes, they've been together for six months but they've not really been togetherand he quietly admits that he regrets telling Chris so soon.
· Buck calms him and says that it was right to introduce Chris to the idea of Eddie dating, but yeah, maybe it wasn't smart to spring Ana on him so early - especially because she decided she had to be a bigger part of his life now he was aware.
· Chris manages to get to the station once while Buck is on shift.
· Buck comes back to Albert making him pancakes and Chris scribbling with the things they keep for the school trips.
· 'What are you doing here, bud? Does your dad know?'
· 'Kinda.'
· 'What does kinda mean here?'
· 'He knows I wanted to see you. I don't think he knows that I came here.'
· Albert quickly jumps in saying he's texted Eddie and he and Carla are on their way, it just happens that the rig got back before they got there.
· Buck sits down with Chris, leaning his head on his arms and looks at the picture. It's him, Eddie and Buck with Carla and her husband in the background.
· 'What's wrong, Chris?'
· 'Ana.'
· 'Ok, what did she do?'
· 'Tried to get me to bath before I ate and then said I had to do my homework before TV time.'
· 'Buddy, you always have to do your homework before TV time.'
· 'But she tried to help me.'
· 'Your dad and I try our best to help you. She's a teacher, she's better use than us.'
· 'No that's not it.'
· Chris has tears in his eyes and a death grip on his crayon.
· 'She told the poor boy his handwriting was ineligible and took his pencil, tried to get him to tell her the answers and that she would write them for him.' Carla sighs.
· She stands with her arms open and Chris runs into them. Eddie looms behind them, looking sad.
· Well, neutral really, but Buck knows his micro expressions well enough.
· After that Ana is banned from the house in the afternoons/evenings and Carla steps back in. The new problem is Ana turning up when Buck has days off - their schedule was she was here when Buck wasn't, for multiple reasons.
· Ana's great, there's just something about her that Buck doesn't like and she definitely doesn't like Buck. Maybe it's because they're just opposites.
· Eddie tries to gently tell her that he barely gets to see Buck anymore and he needs it for his mental health. Ana starts pestering about the fact that he should want to see his girlfriend more than his best friend.
· It's one of their biggest fights and turns into a screaming match one night (Chris is at Hen's with Denny but Buck is hiding away in the guest room) where Eddie shouts that she had decided that she was his girlfriend without asking Eddie if that was what he wanted and she was suffocating.
· She leaves pretty quickly after that and Buck is incredibly happy as their paths never cross again.
· There's an emptiness settling in his chest when he finds out that the two are still together and are treating the relationship as though they're just dating again. He hates that he really doesn't like the idea that it's working out now that they're on even footing.
· He decides to push it away and starts getting reckless again. Taylor's hanging around the station more like she wants more from Buck, but he'd given up. She liked being chased and now that he's tired of it, she wants him. He knows she'll get bored if he shows interest again.
· It's interest he doesn't have. Eddie had called him Evan and told him he deserved more. How was he supposed to go back to normal after that?
· Why doesn't Eddie see how life changing that was?
· Eddie does. But in typical Eddie fashion, he pushes it deep down and replaces it with his content being with Ana. She makes his parents happy, which makes him happy. She gets along with Pepa and Isabel and his sisters, but they act a lot more familial with Buck.
· It makes sense, he tells himself - they've had years with Buck.
· Nothing really changes for Buck until TK and Judd find themselves in LA. Buck hastily explains to TK that he wasn't asking him out back in Austin, he just wanted a friend and really he wasn't attracted to guys.
· TK just straight up laughs at Buck.
· 'Buckley, you checked me, Carlos, and the barista out in the span of like five minutes. You're a little attracted to guys.'
· 'Wait, you mean you and Diaz ain't datin'?'
· Judd's question throws Buck through a loop.
· 'What? No...we're just...we're friends. Best friends.'
· TK laughs again, patting Buck on the shoulder.
· Once they're on their last day, TK takes Buck out for a drink like he'd promised. Buck tries to ignore the fact he's brought him to a gay bar.
· He gets hit on at least three times in an hour, not to mention the building collection of beers for both him and TK and he decides he doesn't actually mind it.
· 'Ok, I want you to do something for me. Scan the crowd and pick a guy, any guy, and tell me what you find attractive about him.'
· Buck picks out a shorter man, tanned skin and dark hair.
· 'He's got a cute smile.'
· 'Oh boy, you have a type.'
· 'Huh?'
· 'He looks like Eddie.'
· And he does. Like a Walmart version of Eddie though. He didn't laugh like Eddie, didn't have the same laugh lines. Or frown lines. His eyes weren't as warm when he met Buck's nor did he smile as fondly. And...
· 'Fuck.'
· 'You just now realizing your feelings for him?'
· 'Yeah. How did I not know?'
· 'Honestly, it was probably such a subtle shift. From what you've told me you've basically been a couple for a year and a half, so you didn't realize anything had changed for you.'
· 'I've never denied it.'
· 'I mean you clearly must have.'
· 'No. I meant that there have been so many times people assumed Eddie and I were a couple and I never denied it, I went along with it all.'
· 'Shit man, you had it bad before you even realized.'
· Buck groans as TK throws an arm around him, leaning against his shoulder.
· Things change after that. Buck is hesitant with physical touch with Eddie - it's his main love language and he needs to make sure he's not overdoing it and making Eddie uncomfortable.
· Eddie notices because of course, he does. Buck has pulled away from him for seemingly no reason. The second Eddie can dress, shower, and reach the high cabinets himself Buck is talking about going home.
· He is home.
· Eddie doesn't say it, he just hums, not really agreeing. He's gotten used to Buck being around and so has Chris. They'd easily fallen back into their quarantine routine and now Buck would be leaving again.
· A quick thought of getting shot again fills Eddie's head. Though this time it's nothing to do with his PTSD and more so that he doesn't want Buck to leave. So he exaggerates just a little.
· 'You know, my PTSD is still acting up. Maybe, you could stay until it balances out a little?'
· 'You'd want me to?'
· 'Yeah, you're great at getting me out and calming me and Christopher down.'
· 'You don't think Ana should start taking up some night shifts?'
· 'I don't really want her to deal with that side of me yet.'
· 'Okay.'
· 'Okay?'
· 'Yeah, I'll stay.'
· Eddie keeps an eye on Buck just as much as he keeps an eye on Eddie. He quickly realizes that Buck is holding in his own troubles. He knows from experience that Buck does not think his problems are anywhere near as bad as everyone else's. He has a lot of unlearning to do.
· Subtly, Eddie starts talking to him about his mental state, his worries, trying to let Buck know it's ok to do the same.
· When he and Ana inevitably break up not even a month later, it's Buck that he tells first.
· Buck, who has his back.
· Buck, who loves Christopher as his own.
· Buck, who is insecure about everything he does except saving people.
· Buck, who thinks he is unworthy and undeserving of love.
· Buck, who shows his love through acts of kindness and physical affection.
· Buck, who Eddie is so unapologetically in love with and probably has been for years.
· The revelation doesn't shock him like he thought it would. More so, it was a natural progression of their relationship.
· Friends. Best friends. Co-parents. Co-habiting. Partners. Partners.
· Eddie sees a future with Buck, a future he'd only ever seen with Shannon but it's so much brighter.
· He comes home from his first shift back - Buck wasn't working and offered to look after Christopher so Eddie knew he was safe - to find Buck on the couch, staring into an empty beer bottle.
· 'Hey?' it's broken and Eddie drops his things to rush over to him.
· 'You good?'
· 'No. I'm not.'
· Buck looks up, tears in his eyes, cheeks red and puffy.
· 'What's going on, Evan?'
· That's all it takes. He breaks. He babbles about watching Eddie die over and over in his dreams. How sometimes the shower will splash his face just so and he's thrown back with Eddie's blood on his face. How he was trying to get through it with Dr. Copeland but it wasn't helping.
· Nothing was helping.
· 'It's ok. I'm here, I'm okay.'
· 'You weren't. You died, Eds. You died on me.'
· 'You saved me.'
· 'What if I hadn't? I don't know a life without you anymore. I can't lose another person I love.'
· 'You love me?'
· 'Of course I do. Why wouldn't I?'
· Buck registers his words, quickly backing away from Eddie and tries to make a break for the open door. Eddie isn't letting him run away anymore. His wrist snakes around Buck's.
· 'Evan. I told you there wasn't anyone else I'd want to look after Christ. I told you you weren't expendable. I said that because I love you and you needed to hear it. You had to learn you deserved love. Love that Chris shows you. Love that I can show you. I love you so much, Evan Buckley.'
· Buck crumples in Eddie's arms, Eddie rocks him gently until the sobs subside.
· It's not an immediate or obvious change. There are still things the two need to work through.
· It's different but the same. There's more contact now; hugs, tactile hands on waists, and backs at work. Kisses in the bunk, soft and slow.
· It's new and exciting. Especially when they finally get together, officially and exclusively.
· Chris loves telling everyone about his two dads.
· Eddie and Buck are happier, closer.
· Buck had always been a Diaz. He'd always had a family who loved him. The big change was he got to love them both endlessly in return.
I don't know if that's actually the ship name but that's what we're going with. Found a new rarepair. Had to write fluffy headcanons. I don't even know whether there's a shipname to be honest.
So it's basically canon that Kaminari holds/plays with Ojiro's tail when anxious.
It works both ways though, Kaminari has learnt to pick up when Ojiro gets anxious or panicked and he instantly starts playing with the tail.
For Kaminari it busies his fingers, he has to keep his quirk in check and playing with Ojiro's tail grounds him.
For Ojiro, having Kami's hands and fingers drift through the fur, tracing shapes, is familiar and comforting and drags him out of his head.
Sometimes when either of them are really down (before they get close) Kami will just straight up hug Ojiro's tail, clinging to it like a lifeline.
The reason they get so close is due to Bakugo's kidnapping: Ojiro sought Kami out both immediately after the kidnapping and while the group went to rescue him.
He didn't really have to think about it, it was more just an instinct of 'Kaminari is upset and worried, he needs me.'
When he finds Kaminari, the boy is on the brink of a panic attack and Sero is by his side, not necessarily useless but definitely struggling. It doesn't help that Kaminari's quirk is going a little haywire.
Ojiro doesn't think twice, sitting next to Kaminari and offering his tail up. Kaminari latches on, his quirk calming down far sooner than he does himself. He cries for a while before passing out.
Ojiro props Kaminari up with his tail, holding on to him before turning to Sero.
'You know, it might help.'
So Sero digs his hands into Ojiro's tail himself, and it does help. Even if it's just for a moment and not as much as it helps Kaminari.
'I think it's because it's like Bakugo's hair. Well, right now at least.'
'Huh?'
'Bakugo has only ever let us touch his hair once. He was docile enough, half asleep against Kiri. And good god, it was soft. I think, right now, Kaminari needs something to remind him Bakugo isn't gone.'
They don't speak of it after and neither dare to suggest it to Kaminari himself.
Beyond that there isn't really an explanation of why the two find it so comforting but you can bet if one of them is stressed the other won't be too far away.
Another occasion of instinct is when Jiro announces she and Momo are dating - they have been for a few months - and Kaminari congratulates them before silently making his exit. Ojiro stays for a cup of tea before making his way to the blonde's room.
They developed a knock in times like these, something to know they didn't have to talk. Kaminari opens the door in an exhausted state, but it's not as bad as Ojiro was expecting.
'It's not even that I still like her, you know? It's just...it...was a lot.'
Ojiro hums quietly as Kaminari buries his head into the fluff of his tail, his words drifting into mumbles.
'I thought we were friends. I thought she would've told me.'
'New relationships can be scary, maybe they were just taking their time, figuring things out.'
It's Kaminari's turn to hum, becoming a koala around Ojiro's tail. He stays that way as he falls asleep, only clinging tighter when Ojiro tries to leave.
It goes like this: Ojiro and Kaminari are studying for Mic's English test. Kaminari helping Ojiro every so often and the latter offering up his tail when Kaminari needs a break. During one of the breaks Ojiro offers up a tidbit of information.
'Hagakure is dating some boy she knew from middle school.'
'Oh, good for her.'
'Yeah.'
'But not good for you. Sorry, man, I know you liked her.'
His fingers work their way in deeper, trying to give the sense of comfort he knows Ojiro needs.
'Yeah. I just. Sometimes I'm not sure whether I liked her or whether it was because she was the first girl who didn't scoff when I told her I liked men too.'
'Huh? You like guys?'
'Well yeah, don't get me wrong girls are beautiful and kind and warm, but then there are guys that are like that too.'
'Yeah, no. I get that. I just didn't know we were the same like that.'
'Wait, you like guys?'
English work forgotten they quickly catch each other up to speed on previous crushes, celebrity crushes, and ranking their own hero rankings based on personal taste.
It's when Ojiro laughs at Kaminari's hurried confession of his week-long crush on Bakugo that he realises he's kind of gone on Ojiro.
Kaminari doesn't know how or when it happened but the feeling settles in his chest, warms him through, and stays there.
Might already be in the process of continuing this. To be continued.
I'm sorry (not really) this is probably a bit long but I've already started writing this fic and these are just outline bullet points.
Anyway, what I mean is after a short reprieve following the submission of my assignment: I'm back and please take this poor persons Harringrove AU.
First - Billy isn't as big of an asshole (my AU so I say so).
Second - modern day, pretty much exactly the same setting as Love, Simon.
Third - Neither of them have their cars, this is important later.
Fourth - I have complete control over characters so if I say Barb lives, Barb lives.
Moving on.
Steve is Simon, Billy is Brahm but also not really.
Steve is the one to kick things off, he places an ad in their school paper, not blog because he knows fewer people read the papers and the kind of people Steve wants to meet are the kind that pick up the papers.
He intends to communicate through the ads but the editor adds the email address he'd created to send in the submission.
Hi, lets get things straight: I'm not. I'm gay. I'm not expecting advice or a congrats or whatever. Hell you don't even need to publish it. I just, I needed to get it off my chest somewhere. I've spent my whole life either not knowing, or hiding when I realised. I don't know why I'm even doing this. I don't wanna be alone anymore, I think that's it. I can't be alone. I'm gay, that's normal, I'm fine the way I am. I'm sick of hiding, but I don't think I'm ready to truly come out.
In comes Billy, reading Steve's little piece, obviously not knowing its Steve. And against his better judgement Billy finds himself writing a reply.
I'm like you. Gay that is. I've known since I was thirteen and I kissed a boy in the bathroom of a dingy movie theatre. I've been hiding ever since. I've always been scared of what it meant. But maybe I'm not so alone. If you want a friend in this, I can be one.
It's the first time Billy's admitted it out loud, even if it is only on an electronic document. It's his first admission that he's not the son his father wants him to be so desperately.
Max is still his step-sister, but he gets along with her far better in the AU. She's still a little shit of a sister but she knows when to back off and Billy knows to not take his anger out on her. It's not her fault.
They don't have a good sibling relationship in the slightest but they're doing ok.
Steve still drives around the nerd herd. Still babysits Dustin - though it's less babysitting more making sure he doesn't accidentally kill himself.
Steve reads through the reply, the only reply he'd gotten and he's thankful. He wanted a friend so badly. He had Robin, of course, they were both gay but it was kinda difficult to give each other advice, dating or general LGBTQ+, when they didn't like the same gender. Steve could give a few tips but his track record left nothing to be desired. And Robin barely interacted with boys.
Steve has Jonathon and Nancy, but they don't know so it's not the same. Not really. Besides they're usually too coupley to give a shit about his poor sad single life half the time.
Billy and Steve are hesitant friends, they're both friends with Jonathon so are civil to each other, they're around each other a lot but they're not friends.
So Steve writes something back, and so does Billy. They ask the stereotypical icebreaker questions: favourite foods, colours, places etc. But they both want to dig a little deeper.
After a few emails, Steve suggests fake names to sign off with, a way to get closer.
Billy agrees but only if they can be named after their absolute dream cars - Billy is stuck driving Neil's beaten down pile of crap and needs to remind himself what he's working towards.
So they become Beemer and Camaro and boy does Billy have a field day with Beemer.
Regardless, having names to address each other by leads them to open up more. The person on the other side of the screen becoming more real.
Steve talks about how he's not doing so good academically but he wants to be, he's trying but it's never enough. How nothing is ever good enough for his parents but they're never around to see him either.
He mentions that there's this kid he looks after and how he's basically the little brother he never had and how much his mom wants to adopt him. Steve admits if it wasn't for appearances he's sure his parents would jump at the chance.
Billy admits that as much as he can get along with his stepsister she can be such a little shit. He's supposed to look after her but 'she's 13 for god's sake, she has her own mobile phone, and I can't do anything' and how his dad will beat on him if she's not home by a certain time.
It frustrates Billy to no end because even she's home by curfew she'll offhandedly mention something else that Billy did that his dad didn't like him doing. His dad finds a lot of reasons to punch Billy black and blue.
Steve finally gets given his own walkie and he feels honoured. He uses it to communicate with everyone, but Dustin informed him there's a special channel just for Steve that is one on one if the others ever need him and only him. Steve teared up a little bit.
Billy's been happier than ever talking to Beemer and Neil notices, starts finding even smaller reasons: not placing his plate in the dishwasher, not picking up after Max, not helping Susan unpack the groceries (he wasn't even home, how was he supposed to know?).
Max isn't an idiot. And one night she hears a resounding thud and Neil storming off and the shattering of glass. An engine rumbles and roars down the street. Max races into Billy's room, only to find the boy unconscious on the floor. She screams for her mom but Susan pretends not to hear, so she does the only other thing she can think of.
Steve has been having worse bouts of insomnia so he's awake, trying to be productive when his walkie goes off. Imagine his shock and horror when Max’s voice heaves out between sobs that Billy isn’t waking up. So of course he grabs his keys and goes running.
Billy wakes up to Max’s heavy breathing and an unfamiliar pressure just below his left eye. He struggles to open them but then hears a familiar voice telling him to ‘relax, don’t force it. You’re gonna have a great shiner in the morning but other than that you’ll be ok.’ And Billy knows that voice, that’s Harrington. Why is Harrington in his house?
An hour later, both eyes open and a few scratches patched up, Billy and Steve sit on the end of his bed, Max on the floor in front of them. None of them say anything, but Steve holds out a pinky to Billy and Billy takes it.
A few days after Steve takes a moment to think. Camaro said his dad beats on him. Unless Billy got in a fight earlier and it was a delayed reaction it could only be his dad.
So Steve tests the waters, admittedly his most stupid mistake.
I was trying to be productive a few nights ago. You know how my insomnia is getting. Anyway one of the friends of the kid I babysit called me and said her brother wasn’t waking up. I go over there, patch him up and then we don’t really say anything else. I’m glad my first aid training came in to play, lord knows I’ve patched the kids up too many times. But it was the weirdest experience of my life, honestly.
Camaro drops off the face of the earth. So does Billy. The only reason Steve knows he’s alive is because both Jonathon and Tommy text him updates from time to time. Tommy doesn’t go into detail, doesn’t really give a shit, just a thumbs up whenever he sees Billy.
But Jonathon. Steve is very thankful for Jonathon’s friendship. He tells Steve whenever there’s a new mark on him, how Hopper picked him up and Joyce had bailed him out. How Will was getting along with Billy so well since he’d camped out on their couch a few weeks ago.
It’s been so long. Months. And Steve is so lonely. Even before Camaro, he didn’t realise how much he and Billy actually interacted, how much time they’d spent together. It was back to just Steve and Robin. Which wasn’t bad, but wasn’t the same. Steve had given up hope.
Look. I know we know who each other is now. I know that’s not good English, I’ve had a couple beers so forgive me, King Steve. I like talking to you, I really do. But I meant it when I said I was scared. I can’t do this. Just give me a week or two, I’ll be back in school and we can go back to how it was. I’m sorry.
Steve doesn’t think it can go back to how it was.
Billy doesn’t want to go back to how it was. He doesn’t want to lose Steve now that he has him. But his body felt like it was falling apart most days. The only reprieve was the few nights every couple weeks he spent on the Byers’ couch. Even if he did get a worse beating after.
Steve tries to make life easier on Billy in the ways that he can. Brings Max back at least fifteen minutes before curfew, he offers to help Susan here and there when he sees her, offers to babysit Max if he’s looking after the rest of the nerd herd.
Neil likes him, Steve hates Neil. But he never sees Billy.
It comes to a head one day. Steve has to pick up Dustin when he hears arguing. Heading out to the back he sees Max stomping about, yelling at Billy and god, Billy just looks tired. So Steve heads over, places himself between the two and tells Max to wait with Dustin in the car.
He turns to Billy, sees his glassy eyes, and sees how much weight Billy has lost. And did all of this stem from him and Billy not talking or was there more.
Billy takes one look at Steve and breaks. He babbles nonsense about how he would never hurt Max, would never lay a finger on her. Steve shushes him, carefully placing his hands on Billy’s shoulders. Billy doesn’t notice.
Steve wonders where it came from, what was going through Billy’s head. He pulled him closer until Billy’s hands fisted in his shirt, a patch on Steve’s chest dampening.
I really fucking like you. You’re so good. And I’m scared, I’m so scared.
Billy. I really fucking like you too. It’s ok that you’re scared. I get it. I just want us to try. It doesn’t have to be now. It’s only ever gonna be when you’re ready but I’m going to be here.
Billy has only ever wanted someone who tried. Someone who was going to stick around for him. There Steve was, making promises. Being way too good for Billy.
Steve doesn’t let him go.
There’s gonna be a few scenes in the fic that weren’t mentioned, mostly because I will be writing this fic at some point and I want a few mysteries and extra stuff. Likewise for the emails, they’re all gonna be included.
Also, currently I’m not sure I like the ending, I was planning on doing a few fluffy, epilogue one-shots once the fic is done but I don’t know whether to keep the ending I’ve got or whether to stick more closely to the Love, Simon (Steve trying to do something big and public etc.). But for now, take what I have and be on the lookout for either the first instalment or just one long-ass fic in the near future.
I wanted it. People wanted it. The first round of disgustingly domestic OiHina Headcanons:
Hinata invites a lot of his old team for their housewarming, as does Oikawa. And a few select people outside their teams. They end up having to have a housewarming afternoon and evening just so everyone they want can come and see it.
Oikawa just invites MadDog, Mattsukawa and Hanamaki, but MadDog just brings along Yahaba. All of his old teammates are in Argentina but promise to swing by the next time they're in Japan.
Hianta's guest include but are not limited to Bokuto, Akaashi, Atsumu, Sakusa, Kenma, Kuroo, Lev and Yaku, as well as the Karasuno team barring Kageyama. Oikawa recalls Lev from a few shoots Oikawa has styled, for both him and his sister.
At work Oikawa actually finds himself spending more time with Lev, and enjoying it. Even if the model can never simply fit into a borrowed suit and has to have them custom tailored if they know he'll be on shoot.
Oikawa also enjoys spending time with Asahi, even if he doesn't see him as often as he travels with Nishinoya around the world. He does infuriate Oikawa sometimes because sometimes he'll look like a slob and other times 'he'll look like the most sophisticated, well put together person I've ever met. And he doesn't even realise he's doing it, Sho!'
That being said Asahi is the only person Oikawa trusts for a second opinion outside of model requirements. And tea recommendations. And all around genuine conversations. Asahi is slowly becoming Oikawa's best friend, though he'll never admit it.
Hinata loves this because it means he can spend some time with Nishinoya if he's in Japan while not having to exclude Asahi completely. They've once been mistaken for being on a double date...but with the wrong coupling combination.
Hinata really...really...really wants a dog. Oikawa wouldn't mind one, but has to be the voice of reason. As it stands Oikawa is not home enough and Hinata probably won't be once he finds a job.
'No, no, I swear, Ukai offered a job at his place, which isn't too far from here.'
'Sho, you cannot work at a convenience store your entire life just so we can get a dog.'
Hinata breaks out the puppy dog eyes - which have worked for everything else, in his complete defence - it doesn't work. Oikawa won't break.
They start planning their wedding. In South America, Brazil specifically. They knew it would be expensive - Kenma has offered on numerous occasions to foot some of the bill, Oikawa has been more than willing to say yes, Hinata absolutely refuses to take his friends money - but Oikawa has been saving a little since before he proposed, and once Hinata gets his job they'll both save (Hinata ended up accepting Kenma’s offer, promising to pay him back, Kenma sends Hinata a little bit of the money back every now and then without him noticing.)
Oikawa's parents are indifferent, and aren't exactly showing any signs they'll even be attending, which hurts but Hinata's parents love him. So does Natsu. They accept him as a person - and as Hinata's life partner - it fills Oikawa with a warmth he didn't even know was missing, too used to being in the shadow of indifference.
Oikawa and Iwaizumi rekindle their friendship. It's slow going, but that bond just couldn't be broken. It's not love, hasn't been for over half a decade, but it's cherished. There's a few differences, no more Iwa-chan, no more flirting. Unfortunately Shittykawa stayed.
Iwaizumi and Asahi are great help at suit shopping, finding a black suit that's so horrifically Oikawa it's like it had been fashioned with him in mind. They're also great at keeping secrets, Asahi went suit shopping with Hinata and Kenma and refuses to give up even the colour of the tie, just promises they'll be a beautiful pair.
Lo and behold, Oikawa waits at the alter, black suit and orange tie. He resists biting at his nails as he turns to Hinata walking up the aisle. In an all white suit and aqua tie. Aoba Joshai colours. It brings tears to Oikawa's eyes - Hinata has never looked more beautiful. He cannot believe he got so lucky as to marry him.
Nishinoya stands as Hinata's best man, with Kenma and Lev as groomsmen. Oikawa will be forever bitter he couldn't convince Lev to join his side. He does have Asahi as his best man, with Iwaizumi, Mattsukawa and Hanamaki by his side.
It's a beautiful affair, gorgeous beach ceremony, wonderfully boisterous reception. He discovers that Bokuto and Akaashi are finally engaged and Oikawa is shocked they weren't already secretly married. Aside from that everyone is happy, drinking and catching up. Of course Hinata smashes the cake into Oikawa's face but he wouldn't have it any other way.
They honeymoon in Brazil, hitting up all their old favourite places and playing a few rounds of beach volleyball. Although they enjoy their time reminiscing, it solidifies their reasoning for living in Japan - they no longer have anything to run from.
Oikawa is apparently less of a drama queen at work - Lev's words, not his own. Although he will admit to not being as uptight. He's even shown up to work with his glasses and no make-up/skin care whatsoever. Not often. But it has been known to happen. His co-workers have learnt if there's no make-up or skin care Oikawa needs an extra shot in his coffee and maybe a secret nap.
Hinata scours the job market like crazy. He works as a temp for a while, trying out a few different things. He settles on working in the Tanaka's restaurant for a year or so, training as a professional chef. He's always liked food, never really tried making it beyond the basics. Now he wants to try anything and everything.
Oikawa comes home to experimental meat buns, onigiri and cakes more often than not. He would never complain, even if a few of the flavour combinations are questionable. Hinata enjoys it and decides to go to culinary school. He's never been happier.
When Oikawa comes home he knows there'll be fresh meal waiting for him, or left overs from whatever Hinata made that day. Oikawa himself can and will cook, but Hinata has a tendency to cook in bulk so they're never left wanting.
The collage of Oikawa's first shoot is moved to hang on their living room wall, Hinata's old competition posters line their hallway. The game poster for the Argentina vs Japan Olympics match hangs in their office. Their bedroom is where all of their coupley photos reside, they line the walls, the drawers, bedside tables. Oikawa insists that the room be full of love, just for themselves.
They make movie nights a mandatory Thursday night event. It's the one day Hinata will allow takeaway over home cooking, or Oikawa puts his foot down and cooks for Hinata. It always ends with Hinata asleep in Oikawa's lap as Oikawa plays with his hair.
They go out to a restaurant twice a month - once Oikawa's pick and once Hinata's. They each pay at their respective choices. Hinata always picks the most refined places, with 'a diverse culinary experience, Oikawa, really don't mock it until you've tried this'. Oikawa picks classics, things that bring him comfort. He wants to share these comforts with Hinata. Hinata knows this, and even if he sits and thinks of one hundred and one ways he can elevate the ramen or whatever they may be eating, he can't deny the simple pleasures.
The two aren't big on PDA, but definitely play it up when they're around their friends who complain about them being disgustingly cute. Mostly though it stays in their apartment, in the way that Oikawa will rest his head on Hinata's shoulders as he's cooking, or the way Hinata will rest his head in between Oikawa's shoulder blades when he's had a busy day at the culinary school's restaurant.
They're both beyond happy, beyond content. Oikawa never knew that life could come this easily. He hasn't felt restless in years.
Hinata's energy simmers, he channels it into his cooking. Though there's no controlling him when he gets involved with Tanaka, Nishinoya and Bokuto.
Oikawa would never dream of trying to control Hinata. He's just happy beaming at their matching, shimmering golden rings.
Aizawa isn't stupid, he's also a teacher. He knows when kids are lying to him, making light of a serious situation. This kid in front of him has his wings tensed, despite the easy smile on his face. Hawks has only just turned 18, which gave the Commission full rights in making him a licensed pro hero. Which is why when he manages to coerce Hawks away from his handlers long enough he gives him a spare key.
"No, no I can't accept this. I don't want to come barging into your life."
"Kid, I'm never there. Sure, I crash every now and again if I'm out too late but I've tended not to be in the area that late anymore. I have a home to get to. You'd be doing me a favour."
He tries to smile in a warm way, tries to differ from the fake praising smiles he imagines Hawks has only gotten his whole life. He likes to think that Hawks knew it was genuine, that he trusts him as an adult figure who actually wants what's best for him, not what's best for his career and appearance.
***
The first time Aizawa finds him, Hawks is smoking on the fire escape.
"You know, when I said this apartment was empty and free to use, I didn't mean to satisfy the cravings the Commission won't allow you."
Hawks turns around and Aizawa realises just how much he'd needed that smoke. His facade has fallen, no smirk on his face, just apathy. Hawks doesn't just look exhausted, he looks tired, in the way that no matter how much rest or sleep he'd gotten he would not be able to shake the bags from his eyes.
"Yeah, well, sometimes you just gotta give in, right?" Aizawa noticed the bloody polystyrene tray balanced on the railings.
"Not the only thing you've given into tonight?"
"Or the past week."
"Hawks?"
"I appreciate the apartment space, Eraser."
And like that he's gone. Hawks is only 19, it's not the first time he's stayed in the apartment. Aizawa had seen the subtle signs. It's the first time Aizawa had caught him, looking as tired as he did. He looked far older than 19, like he'd seen too much too soon. Aizawa couldn't help but think that Hawks wasn't too much older than his students, those who'd just graduated and those about to, nowhere near being a pro hero. All in the makings for sidekicks, or being introduced at a lower level, so young they'd have to work their way up. Hawks had been thrown in head first, so quickly Aizawa wondered if he'd ever gotten the chance to just be.
***
The second time Aizawa runs into Hawks is an accident, he swears. He'd been caught pretty badly by one of the villains quirks and muscle memory swung him to his old apartment's balcony. It also sent him crashing directly into the bird who was smoking there.
"Shit, ow." Hawks quickly stood up, brushing himself off, before noticing the state Aizawa was in. "You know I could've sworn that your capture scarf was not red the last time I saw it."
Aizawa didn't dignify Hawks with a response, simply choosing to locate the closest of the first aid kits he kept in the apartment.
"Thought you said you had a home to go to," Hawks laughed as Aizawa slowly peeled off the sticky scarf.
"The home does not like it when I get back injured," the gruff voice responded, before wincing as his scarf caught on one of the entry points.
"Oh my God, stop. You're just going to hurt yourself more," Hawks grabbed at the scarf as Aizawa tried to bat his hands away. "Please just let me."
Aizawa scrunches his face up, slowly dropping his hands as Hawks takes over. Hawks is surprisingly gentle, choosing to nimbly loosen the scarf as he finds wounds it's stuck to. It doesn't hurt.
Once Hawks is done he retrieves a first aid box that is distinctly neon yellow. Not one Aizawa had left. Hawks rifles through, throwing aside bandages and patches.
"This is the good shit. Not exactly promoted by hospitals and it'll make you loopy for a bit, but there's a sofa for you here."
Hawks lifts out a vial of blue liquid, alongside cotton pads and some larger dressings for the worse of the wounds. Aizawa pulls himself away, trying to locate his own first aid kits.
"Oh come on. You can't go to the hospital 'cause you definitely didn't get those doing legal work," Hawks sighed. "This'll do it's job, I swear it's not dangerous. I use it all the time."
"That's not exactly a glowing recommendation."
"Well, at least you're okay. You still have the energy to insult me at least."
Aizawa laughs lightly, the younger man bandaging his wounds, he still makes a show of batting away Hawks' hands every now and then but is mostly resigned to letting the bird do his work.
"I'm not going to like the answer if I ask how you knew how to do that, am I?"
"Depends on your definition of like. I got used to patching myself up after training sessions."
"So, no. I do not like that."
"Nothing to do about it now," Hawks shrugged.
Aizawa took Hawks' hands into his own. They were shaking, but rough and calloused. His knuckles were red and raw. Aizawa grabbed the blue liquid and begun to return the favour.
"I'm always here. I'll always be there to help, Hawks. Just because nothing has been done, doesn't mean something can't be done."
***
The third time Hawks is lounging around the apartment in what looks to be the comfiest pyjamas Aizawa had ever owned. Aizawa had let himself in with his key following a text from Hawks asking if the man wanted a 'movie day'. Aizawa responded with a '?' but made his way over anyway, relaying the excuse of a stake out to Hizashi.
A glaring light from the TV fills the room as it begins to get dark. Hawks had played action film after action film before Aizawa put his foot down and coerced Hawks into watching a period piece.
"I never had this growing up," Hawks whispered, eyes wide. "Tokoyami was saying they do it at the dorms all the time. I just, I wanted to know what this was like, so thank you."
Aizawa didn't say anything else, just let Hawks pick out the next movie, the next snacks. Hawks picked their takeaway. They both fell asleep at what Aizawa would consider a normal hour, but others ungodly.
Hizashi asked how well the stake out had gone when Aizawa returned at 6pm the following day. Aizawa found he couldn't lie to his husband. Hizashi was upset at the initial lie, but understood. Hawks was trying to be normal, just a regular guy. Hell, even a regular pro-hero makes time for a movie every now and then. Who were they to take that away from him?
***
The fourth time Aizawa catches him is the worst time. By this time Aizawa was aware of Hawks' mission with the League of Villains, he knew that the pro hero had been neglecting the commission because of it. The commission had been acting harshly towards Hawks in retaliation, Aizawa wasn't sure how that differed from their usual treatment but he wasn't sure he wanted to find out.
He'd knocked on the door before letting himself in. Hawks was curled up in a long black jacket that Aizawa pretended he didn't recognise, his red feathers scattered around him on the floor, a few droplets of blood on both the floor and Hawks. The younger man was asleep, a blanket had been gently dropped over him, probably by the owner of the coat. Who, based on the apartment temperature in comparison to the window being open, had only recently left and had not had a chance to clean Hawks up.
Aizawa takes it upon himself to finish the job. There was a worrying amount of feathers, more than Aizawa had anticipated. He didn't want to jump to conclusions but based on the blood he feared the worst. Once he'd collected the feathers, not throwing them away because he couldn't bring himself to take that away from Hawks, he sat on his sofa, lacing his fingers together and just watched Hawks. He watched as the bird drew breath, gently as an opposite to the loud gasping sobs Aizawa was imagining. He'd seen Hawks sleep before, there had been some crossover stakeouts, but the sight in front of him was different. Hawks was just 22, young, scared, controlled and trapped. Clearly it had caught up to him. The boy, that's all that he was to Aizawa, on the floor in front of him was different to the man he'd worked patrols with. Aizawa couldn't help but think that this is who Hawks was underneath the mask, the person he wasn't allowed to be.
"I tried to stop him," a gravelly voice sighed at the window.
"You know I should arrest you on the spot." Aizawa would not admit his shock at being snuck up on. He'd let his guard down within his worry for Hawks and Dabi had managed to return undetected.
"You should, but you won't. You and I both know that won't do him any good," Dabi jabbed a thumb at the sleeping mass. "I just, I tried to stop him. He was fuming, screaming, ripping out his wings."
"I was worried about the impact on his mental health."
"What mental health? He's just as fucked up as I am," Dabi yelled, quickly lowering his volume once more, he sighed. "I know, and I know you know. I'm starting to think he knows I know. It's a lot, it'd be a lot for anyone, but it's really taking it out of him. I'm...worried."
It's then Aizawa remembers, Dabi is mixed up in his own things too. Not really following the League anymore but reluctant to leave his found family, a family that now included Hawks, even if he'd joined for the wrong reasons.
"He needs a break, or just to stop."
"He wants free from the commission and I don't think he'll stop at anything to get that. It scares me. Eraser, Aizawa, I haven't been this scared since Endeavour first got hold of Sho."
It's then Aizawa remembers, Dabi may be older than Hawks but he went through a traumatic childhood all the same. He was also just a kid, robbed of the chance to be a child and now he was a scared adult that didn't have a hold of how to process his emotions, just like the young boy sleeping in front of them.
"Here," Aizawa shuffles around in his pocket. "It's my key to the place. I gave a copy to Hawks not long after I met him, used to swing by every now and then to check on him. But you need this place more than I do."
***
The fifth time Aizawa walks into the apartment it's a few years later and it's because one of his problem children had called him there. He had not expected to find Bakugo Katsuki rocking back and forth, with Dabi seemingly stroking soft shapes into his arms. Midoriya was mumbling to himself, while Hawks and Todoroki were making tea.
"Aizawa-sensei, I'm so glad you came," Midoriya broke from his mumbling.
"You called me, Midorya. What's happened?"
"Kacchan. His hearing blew out in a fight. Villain let off a grenade right next to him."
"We've only just managed to get him cleaned up," Hawks sighed. "Absolutely refused the hospital."
"I hate to break up this nice catch-up," Dabi cleared his throat. "He's signing something...but what the fuck is a K shark?"
"Kirishima," the teacher and his problem children sighed.
Aizawa wasn't going to ask how Dabi knew sign, he was sure he wouldn't like the answer he'd receive. Instead he turned on his heel, ready to set out to find Kirishima Eijirou. It was a well known fact that he grounded Bakugo in a way that no-one else had managed.
The sight he returned to was far better than the first. Bakugo was now wrapped in Dabi's arms, the pair lying on the sofa. Midoriya had calmed considerably and was making small-talk with Hawks while Todoroki was attempting to subtly reconcile with his older brother who's identity still remained anonymous to most. Kirishima immediately ran to Bakugo's side, linking their fingers together. It allowed Kirishima to slowly pull Bakugo into him until the blonde boy broke down in sobs.
"He'll be okay. Nobody mentions this to him," Kirishima glared at Midoriya specifically, as he ran a hand up and down Bakugo's shirt. "We knew this was coming, just happened a little sooner than we thought."
"His hearing aids?" Todoroki asked.
"They'll have to be adjusted," Aizawa answered.
"He won't wear them unless it's absolutely necessary. They've caused him far more pain than good," Kirishima shook his head.
"He won't be able to be a hero," Midoriya looked close to tears.
"He'll find a way." Kirishima smiled fondly, Aizawa felt as though he was intruding.
So he removed himself, intending to brew more tea. As he was doing so however, both Hawks and Dabi made their way to the bedroom. Aizawa quickly glanced at his problem children, before edging closer to the doorway, just until he could make out a conversation.
"We're not adopting another one."
"Hawks..."
"Those were your exact words when I said about Jin."
"He's just a kid, Hawks. He's been told his entire life he needs to be the best, the strongest, no flaws allowed."
"Dabi, we're not doing this. Who's gonna look after him? He's a goddamn livewire."
"Just please, can we this once, Keigo?"
"Touya, no." Aizawa wasn't aware that Dabi had revealed his identity to Hawks, or that Hawks would use his given name so freely. Likewise for Hawks, who kept his name incredibly close to his chest.
"Kei..." Aizawa recognised that. An undeniably, unbelievably soft voice from Dabi. The tone that his husband had used too many times and the tone that Aizawa had used only once. Aizawa knew that if Hawks truly loved Dabi there would be no more saying no.
"Fine, but this one's your kid."
***
Aizawa was going through the motions, the usual setting of his routine after a patrol. He didn't break out of it until he felt his husbands hands on his shoulders.
"Shouta?"
"Someone asked to buy my apartment."
"Well, that's good isn't it? You're never there anymore, you always come home after a patrol now...Oh. Hawks."
"Hawks is the one who offered to buy it."
"But Hawks has his own place."
"Yeah paid for by the commission, right next to the commission and his agency. Which makes me question why he wants to move so damn far away."
"Shouta, we're not adopting another one."
"If we did, we'd have to adopt another 4. Well, 3 really, I guess along the way I did adopt a few of the problem children unofficially."
"What?"
"He's got his own little family. I'm starting to think he picked up the habit of adopting strays from me. Two villains, a vigilante and a hero."
"Sounds like the beginning of a bad joke."
Aizawa just hummed, knowing that somehow Hawks' rag tag little family would make their own way.
Some Brazil/TimeSkip OiHina headcanons that became a little bit of a fic, I'm not sorry:
Oikawa is definitely already operating a what happens in Brazil stays in Brazil mentality before he even runs into Hinata again.
The first time Oikawa sees the tangerine he's playing beach volleyball as Oikawa and the rest of his team take a well earned day off.
Oikawa wouldn't be sure it even was Hinata if not for the way he still managed those freakish jumps on soft sand.
However the first time he speaks to Hinata the two are in a club, both celebrating different things, a few days later.
Hinata spots Oikawa and beams, grabbing a second drink and taking it over to him.
Hinata starts recalling all the things that happened in high school, what he'd learnt and continued to learn, even mentioned a few things about Iwaizumi.
Oikawa smiled, drinking in the praise and the alcohol. And really who gave Hinata the right to look so damn precious.
The first night both are adamant that it's a one night thing, they both have people waiting on them in Japan of course. But they don't lose contact.
Hinata somehow worms his way into the hearts of Oikawa's team and therefore their practices. He claims as much as he loves beach volleyball and how much he's learning from it, he misses the solidity of the court beneath his feet.
Soon enough Hinata starts joining in Oikawa's practice and vice versa, both picking up skills that are beneficial to each of them.
It becomes more at some point, the two start hanging out, showing each other their favourite cafes, shops and parks. Hinata talks about everything and anything, he actually keeps up with everyone back in Japan so Oikawa knows that Iwaizumi is coaching, Kageyama is still playing competitively, Kenma is a very successful gamer.
Oikawa also knows that the Karasuno coach and teacher supervisor got married. Hinata very quickly shut his mouth, covering it and blushing wildly trying to back track. Oikawa laughed and said it didn't bother him, he wouldn't tell, but was also trying to conceal his staring at the flustered boy.
The second time it happened they were both drunk, both sad and both missing their exes. It hadn't been like that first night where the adrenaline and surprise had ruled. This one had be slower, softer, closer. Both of them desperately trying to replace something they hadn't quite lost.
Hinata stays. He sleeps on the sofa, but he stays. He makes Oikawa breakfast in the morning, cup of coffee in hand, saying they needed to talk about this and where it was going.
'I like you, Oikawa. I just need to know whether this is just going to be a thing or not?'
‘I think it could be a thing. A friends with benefits kind of situation, right?’
'Ok, from now until I leave.'
That was another thing. Hinata would be leaving. Oikawa knew he wouldn't stay forever, part of staying in Brazil was to try and find himself outside of his past. He never expected Hinata would stick around. He never expected himself to want Hinata to stick around.
They work out they have around a month and a half before Hinata heads back to Japan and they make the most of it. Sure there's a lot of fooling around, but the pair seem to take the friends part seriously too.
Hinata reveals how scared he'd been of everything in high school. Feeling like the whole team relied on him. Sure he'd built himself up to be like the Little Giant but the pressure that came with it often tried to drown him.
Oikawa admitted the problems he'd had. The reason he'd nearly punched Kageyama in middle school. The stupid knee injury that he still tests the limits of. The panic attacks that still hit him out of nowhere.
By the time Hinata has to return, neither one really want him to leave. Oikawa reminds him it was always supposed to be temporary, Hinata likes to say the friends part will always be permanent.
Neither admit it but they both cry at the airport as Oikawa sends Hinata off with a soft forehead kiss and tight hug.
Time passes, Oikawa is selected for the Argentinian national team. Iwaizumi begs him to come home, but Oikawa isn't finished.
They stop talking for a while, but Hinata fills the space with random anecdotes about his new teammates, about how Kageyama is suffering on the same team as Ushijima. And, when Hinata knows Oikawa is in a good enough mood, updates on Iwaizumi.
There's one day, in a cold November, that Hinata facetimes Oikawa at an unreasonable hour in Japan. Oikawa's just on his way to practice but he accepts the call.
'Why are you awake?'
'I needed to make sure you'd be with people. It's about practice time in Argentina right?'
Oikawa is shocked that Hinata even remembers, and then he realises.
'What do you mean with people?'
'Well, Kags and I made the Japan national team. We also broke up so things haven't been so great.'
'Ok, that's fantastic about making the team though. Can't wait to kick your ass at the olympics.'
Hinata laughs: 'yeah.'
'What?'
'Well, we had our team dinner where we met our coach and his fiancee...it's Iwaizumi-san.'
Oikawa hung up. Tears brimming in his eyes. Hinata was the one to tell him Iwaizumi was engaged. He broke. Didn't show up at practice, claimed mild food poisoning. He just needed a day.
Of course Oikawa didn't really expect Iwa-chan to wait for him forever. They hadn't spoken in a year or so, but he thought Iwaizumi would have told him about his engagement at least.
He shoots off a blunt 'Congratulations' text. Quickly followed by an 'I'll be ok' text to Hinata.
Oikawa really tries to put the engagement out of his mind but the Olympics roll around and of course the first person he bumps into is Iwaizumi.
'I hope you'll be very happy together.'
It's all he says, it's all he allows before running to find his original destination.
Hinata opens the door to a red faced, puffy cheeked Oikawa who's trying his best not to fall apart in the corridor.
They don't talk, Hinata just holds Oikawa close, being the big spoon until he falls asleep. Iwaizumi knocks once, but the cursing out Hinata gives him is enough to scare him away. Hinata may like his coach enough but he liked Oikawa more, he was the priority right now.
Oikawa woke up to Hinata scrolling through his phone, he peeps at the screen seeing pictures of Hinata and Kageyama, obviously taken when they were a couple.
'I was so stupid to think it'd be the same once I came back.'
'We both were. I'm stupider, cause I thought he'd wait forever.'
'Do you still love him?'
'Not like I did, doesn't make it hurt less though. Do you still love Kageyama?'
'I don't think I did before I even arrived back in Japan.'
That was a loaded sentence. Oikawa sat up straight, searching Hinata's face for any kind of sign.
'Once more for old times sake?'
'Does it have to be only once? I'd like to do it a lot, and all the other things that come with it. Like dating, yeah, that, um cuddles too I guess...' Hinata was losing it, Oikawa noted down that he would have to keep making the younger boy flustered.
'I would like that too.'
'Shōyō.'
'Tōru.'
Hinata nodded. They both laugh awkwardly before Oikawa leaves for his actual room, promising to meet him back on the court.
When Japan wins their match Oikawa rushes Hinata, kissing him square on the lips in congratulations. Kageyama frowns as Iwaizumi leads him away from punching Oikawa square in the jaw.
Oikawa moves back to Japan for Hinata. Which says something. He didn't ever think of moving back specifically for Iwaizumi. It's coupled with him retiring from volleyball finally. His knee was really starting to give him trouble a lot more often, much to Hinata's frustration.
Hinata continues playing, and Oikawa finds a job in the fashion industry. As much as he'd liked to have been a model he finds that working as a photoshoot stylist has it's benefits. One of them being seeing a few old friends of his.
The main benefit of course is having time for a relationship. Hinata and he get their own apartment together a year into dating, and it's cosy and homely and everything Oikawa had always wanted. It's warm.
Oikawa did most of the decorating, even though Hinata definitely sneaks a few volleyball posters in. He also snuck in a framed collage of Oikawa's first ever shoot he styled solo. Oikawa announced he loved him that day.
Hinata said I love you first the day that Oikawa announced he was retiring. He'd say he just wanted Oikawa to know, that he didn't expect him to say it back, but Oikawa knew Hinata had been in love with him since Brazil, a part of Oikawa had been in love with Hinata then too.
Oikawa proposes. Much like their first kiss at the Olympics, its four years into their relationship. They'd been speaking about it. Hinata was talking about finally retiring and it was his last competitive match.
His team had won and as their friends and family swarmed the court Oikawa blended in, reaching Hinata and sliding down onto one knee. It was a private moment just for them, the team hiding them from the crowd.
Of course Hinata said yes.
I might do a part two to this of OiHina and their disgustingly domestic married life, haven’t quite decided.
This is a DaiSuga angst drabble and I am so sorry. I just had to get the idea out.
It had worked out so well for Asahi. Suga held his tears as he clenched the button tighter in his palm. It was supposed to work out well for him.
The team joked about Sugamama and Dadchi. Asahi and Noya used the two's communication and relationship to help build their own. Even Ukai and Takeda had mentioned it seemed like Daichi and Suga had been married for decades.
So why?
Why was Michimiya beaming in delight as Daichi handed her his second button?
Why was Suga left trying to crush the useless button of his own?
The two both blushing heavily, the happy couple of Karasuno.
A warm, heavy hand sat on his shoulder. A small pair of arms wrapped around his waist as he felt a head nuzzle into his chest.
'He's an idiot, Suga-san.'
It didn't matter much. His heart was splitting in two. But he had Asahi. He had Nishinoya.
