"Oh, so what are your parents' quirks?"

As they walk to the alley with all the cats, Kaminari has been asking Shinso questions nonstop.

"My mom can move stuff when she looks at it and my dad can control the way people feel. It's weird, but really cool."

Kaminari opens his mouth in shock, about to say something, but deciding not to.

"You got any close relatives?"

Shinso smiles at his crush. Yes his fucking crush. He has the biggest soft spot for this idiot.

"My uncle on my dad's side and my grandma from my mom's side are people I'm really close to. My uncle doesn't have a quirk, but my grandma does. She can inflate anything with air. It's not exactly cool, but it was very amusing as a kid," he says.

Kaminari had reached out for his hand once they left the burger place, so now they're back to that as they finally reach the alley.

As soon as they get there, a swarm of cats crowds them and they both let go of each other's hands to pet them. Both miss the feeling, but it's for cats.

"Your grandma and uncle sound cool. Do they live near you?" He asks, looking over at Shinso as he pets the really dirty cats.

"No, but they visit all the time. It's nice," he shrugs.

Kaminari smiles at that. Shinso has something good in his family. They seem nice, and Shinso likes them, so that's really good for him. Kaminari is happy for him.

"That's really cool," Kaminari says, and he means it with his whole being.

Shinso's family isn't fucked like his and Kaminari is happy knowing that.

"What else? What about them do you like most?"

"Okay, my grandma is the most annoying person you can meet, other than you of course. She will go on and on about how she wants to see me on the news saving people all the time. 'It would be good seeing someone so boring-looking get recognition', she tells me every time she visits," Shinso rants.

"She also loves messing with my hair since she has no idea how it stays up like this," he laughs.

Kaminari doesn't realize, but he's smiling so wide as Shinso goes on about his grandma, and then his uncle who has the most annoying lisp apparently.

He can't even find it in himself to be jealous over the great family Shinso has because he likes Shinso.

And Shinso deserves this happiness.

~~~~~

Mina would not shut up when they got back. It was already past midnight, and yes Shinso was the first person to say Happy Birthday.

He had an unfair advantage since he practically kidnapped the blond for the whole night.

Of course, they all surprised him when he got back to the dorms.

He didn't want to celebrate it before, and there's still a little feeling in the back of his head that doesn't want to, but now he's kind of looking forward to when the whole class gets together and celebrates with him.

Anyway, Mina would not shut up about the two when she finally got them to herself.

She asked so many questions and just made the two teens turn so red, Kirishima's hair dye would have to quit its job.

After a long ass time of embarrassment, Bakugo saved them to give them a knowing smirk that felt just as embarrassing before making sure everyone knew he was leaving.

"Say hi to Todoroki for me," Kaminari called which made Bakugo slam Sero's door harder than needed.

When it was finally time to get to bed, Shinso walked Kaminari to his dorm door, which, okay, yes they live in the same building, but Kaminari was literally on cloud fucking a thousand or something cause fuck, he was so happy.

"Goodnight, Kami."

Said blond had to stop himself from fist bumping the air.

"Goodnight Shinso."

And with that, Kaminari opened his door and waved goodbye to Shinso who also looked way happier than Kaminari expected him to.

Shinso likes me.

He could not sleep for a long time, thinking about how much he got to know Shinso.

Yes, he already knew quite a bit, but he got to know a lot more than he did before.

It was a win.

His first date, and he already felt really good about their relationship in the future.

Sure, it would move slower than most, but Kaminari smiles, happy that he can actually see himself dating Shinso in the future.

Something he was never able to imagine before.

It seemed impossible for him to think about liking because why would his partner sacrifice so much and worry so much about Kaminari?

He couldn't fathom a relationship where his partner wouldn't mind not having sex or being considerate of Kaminari because Kaminari is a lot of work. He knows that, but here Shinso is, being respectful and considerate.

Shinso who has made Kaminari feel worthy of being in a relationship.

Shinso who had convinced Kaminari that his boundaries are important and are okay to have when seeking a relationship.

"Oh my god I hate him."

Kaminari doesn't hate him.

Far from it.

Dammit.

~~~~~

Shuffling noises surround him and it's for his birthday, but damn, he doesn't want a lot.

Something simple is more ideal.

It's fine.

He just feels weird that his classmates are having a whole thing for him.

Kind of a nervous feeling fills his stomach, but he doesn't say anything.

"Kaminari!"

Said blond jumps, looking at Iida who is waving his hand robotically. He didn't expect Iida to be so close, and Iida is also loud sometimes.

"Yes?"

"You look quite upset. Is something the matter? Do you feel unwell?" He asks, voice full of concern.

Kaminari shakes his head. "No class rep, I just don't want a big thing. Think you can convince them to make it less intense?"

Iida nods and turns with once goal in mind.

They were putting up streamers and balloons and setting up lights. That along with the insane amount of dessert that Sato was making. Sure, the class is big and that's expected, but he's making way more than what's needed.

He feels guilty for having this.

Feels like he doesn't deserve it.

There's also that tug in his chest he feels that his mom hasn't come today. Even just to tell him happy birthday.

Even if she comes and embarrasses him in front of the entire class.

He just wants to hug her.

He didn't get to do that last time he was home because he left out of anger. It was stupid now that he thinks about it, and now he just wants to hug her.

The only thing he's scared of when it comes to thinking about seeing his mom is that he might have to see his dad.

It's scary.

Yesterday when he and Shinso went out, in the back of his mind, he was nervous about seeing his parents. He kept checking around in case either of them showed up out of nowhere. His dad is out, and both of his parents are obviously adults, so they can be anywhere.

"I have informed our classmates to tone it down!"

Kaminari jumps in surprise once again and scolds himself for reacting like that.

"Thanks Iida," he says, smiling at him.

"I cannot wait for the presents. I hope you like mine," Iida says excitedly.

He looks like a little kid who was promised buckets of candies. Well, if a kid also acted like a 30 year old adult. Basically Iida looked kind of constipated, but in a... good way?

He doesn't fucking know, just that Iida was excited.

"I'm sure I will," Kaminari nods.

With a smile and a wave, Iida leaves Kaminari alone before Midoriya comes strolling along.

"Hey Kaminari!"

His voice is so high.

"Oh, hey Midoriya," he greets back.

He feels like he should be helping or something but instead he's just sitting around and talking to Iida and now Midoriya.

"You look overwhelmed. I heard you went on a date with Shinso, though," he smiles.

Kaminari can't help but smile either.

He didn't even have enough time to bite back the smile before he was crushed by a huge amount of happiness at the thought.

He went on a date with Shinso.

"Yeah."

"Sooo, how'd it go? Mina was screaming her lungs out. She was so happy for you two. I am, too."

Kaminari sighs happily.

"It was really great. I- he's just really cool. I hope I don't mess anything up," he says, worrying he might by being too much work.

"If it's any help, I really don't think you could mess it up if you tried. Shinso is a good guy, and you are too. I wish you two the best. I have to go meet up with Todoroki now," he sighs before leaning in and whispering to the blond, "he's nervous about talking to Kacchan more. I'm rooting for them, too."

"Bakugo loves it when Todoroki compliments his hard work like his muscles or grades," he says, helping Midoriya help Todoroki.

Kaminari looks around, making sure his usually-angry friend isn't around to hear.

He'd actually kill him.

"Thank you, Kaminari!"

And with that, Midoriya is gone.

Deciding that sitting around is only filling him with nervousness because he feels like he should be doing something is pointless, he stands up and tries to figure out a way to help.

He goes to Momo, Ojiro, Tokoyami, and Sero who are setting up in the common area first, but they turn him away saying that he should be upstairs and doing nothing.

Then he goes up to Uraraka, Jiro, and Koda who also tell him to relax today.

He physically feels unable to do that, so he goes over to Sato, Mina, and Aoyama.

"We're pretty much done. Thank you for the offer to help, though," Mina says and waves to him as he nods and leaves.

He knows that Asui and Kirishima tagged along with Bakugo to do some last minute shopping, so he goes to bother Shinso, like always. He feels like they purposely left Shinso with doing nothing except staying in his room so that he could distract Kaminari, but better for him.

After getting to his floor, he drags his feet as he makes it to his friend's dorm, knocking and yawning slightly. He already feels somewhat better about relaxing now that he's closer to seeing Shinso. Ugh, what are these feelings?

"Hey, Kami. Come in, you look gross. Are you dying?"

His idiocy never fails to make Kaminari smile.

"Yeah, yeah. Let me sleep here. They won't let me help," he half pouts.

"I wouldn't let you either, I bet you'd suck at everything," he laughs, moving books from his bed to let Kaminari sleep.

Kaminari just stands there tiredly, waiting for the taller teen to get everything off.

"Whatever. At least Smushy likes me," he brags.

"You did not just go there," Shinso frowns, turning to the blond, pretending to be ready to fight.

"I did. Let me sleeeeeeep," he groans dramatically.

"Okay, fine. Only cause I know you actually like me," Shinso winks, jabbing the blond with his elbow so that he moves towards the bed.

"As if."

~~~~~

After Kaminari falls asleep, Shinso moves around his room quietly, picking up trash and organizing like he had been earlier.

Every now and then he allows himself a five second break to look at the sleeping teen.

He is so damn amazing.

That's what he things every time he looks at his crush.

It's unfair how much he likes him.

His so strong and brave, going through so much and getting through it.

Sure, he's still healing, but Shinso sees how strong he is. Going through what Kaminari went through for so long and at such a young age? God, Shinso would have probably broken long before this.

Kaminari is strong, even when he shouldn't had to have been.

Getting back to his earlier tasks.

His room is never messy, but it does get a bit disorganized. He's a teenage boy, but since Kaminari, his fucking crush for god's sake, is here a lot, Shinso usually has the place looking tidy, or just not too messy.

The goal is to not disgust Kaminari.

Once he's satisfied with how his room looks, he grabs his phone and sits in a comfortable chair, using his phone as he allows his friend to rest.

He scrolls mindlessly through headlines. Clicking on the ones that interest him or have a hero he's been looking into.

After getting bored of that, he googles what steps to take when learning to skateboard. They've already gotten safety shit for themselves.

It's always fun going shopping for stuff with Kaminari, and when they were around the skate shop buying the helmets and elbow and knee pads they needed, Shinso found Kaminari's birthday presents.

He decides to give them to the blond when he wakes up from his nap.

He has another other birthday present for him, but that's for when everyone else gives him his presents downstairs in the common area.

So yeah, Shinso got him multiple presents because he's that great.

He smiles at himself proudly.

Obviously, gifts don't prove how much you appreciate someone, but gift giving is something that Shinso loves doing, especially when he knows that it's something they'd like or enjoy.

Even simple things like a chocolate bar or a drink that he gives to his friends, brings him joy.

He likes giving people things.

Well, he likes giving people he likes things.

And boy does he like Kaminari.

His face heats up at the thought of liking the blond so much. It's ridiculous how great his feelings are for him.

"You look like a fucking creep staring at me while I sleep."

Shinso jumped at the first word and just looked at Kaminari.

"Jesus, fuck, damn you scared the shit out of me."

"Wow, your vocabulary is very limited," Kaminari jabs.

Shinso rolls his eyes.

"You're one to talk," he replies.

The blond sits up, obviously still tired, but rested enough to be a functional human being for a bit.

"Whatever, you gonna tell me why you were staring at me?" Kaminari smirks.

Willing himself to not turn red, he huffs.

"I'm giving you one of your presents now," Shinso says, going to his closet to dig for said present.

Technically, it's presents, but whatever.

The blond 'hmfs' and crosses his arms happily. Sure, he doesn't really like for people to spend a lot of money on him, especially friends who he feels he owes so much to, but receiving things from Shinso makes him giddy.

Sue him.

When the taller teen turns around with wrapped stuff, the blond frowns. "Damn, you actually wrapped them?"

Shinso shrugs as if it was more big deal but he feels overwhelming embarrassment. Should he not have? Is it too extra? Shit.

He had wrapped and rewrapped each thing at least three times each because the first few times he'd wrapped them, they had looked sad, really.

"Why the fuck are there so many? You said one."

Kaminari is taken aback by the amount of gifts. He only expected one, but Shinso brought out three.

"Three isn't that many," he plays off, feeling proud that Kaminari was so surprised.

"If this is anything other than cheap food I'm not keeping it," Kaminari warns.

Shinso is worried that the blond might actually not take them, but fights back. "I got them for you, why would you not take them? That's so rude," he tries.

Kaminari dead pans and rolls his eyes.

Shit, he should've known that wouldn't work.

"Fine."

Oh.

Too easy.

Finally setting the presents next to Kaminari, he nods, motioning for the blond to go ahead and start tearing them open.

He does, first present being a hoodie.

The blond gasps, smiling at the piece of purple clothing, liking the small skeleton drawing on the top right of it. It's just lying down and Kaminari is absolutely in love with it.

"Purple," he smiles dumbly.

"Purple," Shinso echoes. He swears the blond will be the death of him.

Shinso motions for the other gifts and Kaminari nods before opening another present.

It's dumb in Shinso's opinion, but the blond seems to like it.

The next ones he opens are just socks. Some stupid design on them that reminded him of Kaminari especially since Kaminari seems to love socks.

Has about two drawers filled with them and even then, he barely has enough space for them. Hopefully these fit in that dresser.

Kaminari smiles dumbly at them.

Cat drawings are on them and they look so cool. There's about 10 different pairs in the package, and Kaminari loves every single one.

Is it weird to wear ten pairs of socks at once?

He'll have to google it later.

"Cat socks," Kaminari says.

"Cat socks."

Kaminari scrunched his nose at Shinso and it's so couple-like that it has both of them turning red.

"Alright, and now for the last one," Kaminari announces.

He unwraps the last one to reveal some sweat pants. They're black and have a small hand throwing a peace sign on the bottom left leg, but look and feel so damn comfortable. Kaminari gasps and keeps feeling them, looking over at Shinso who's been watching with a smile and a warm feeling in his chest the whole time.

He feels so proud of himself and happy that Kaminari likes them so much. He just hopes that he likes the other present just as much if not more.

"These are so soft, what the fuck," he says, rubbing his face on them to feel them.

"You look like a cat," Shinso scoffs, pushing the blond.

Rolling his eyes, Kaminari puts the clothes down.

"I liked em all. Thank you," Kaminari nods.

Shinso turns red as he goes to admit something to his blond friend. Maybe it's cheesy, or maybe it's just because they're best friends, so that excuse could justify what he's about to admit.

"Yeah, well, maybe you won't like em as much when I tell you that I have the matching sweater to those sweats and the matching sweats to your hoodie," he says.

Kaminari's eyes widen and he smirks at Shinso's embarrassment, deciding to mess with said teen. "No matching socks with me?"

Shinso flips Kaminari off.

"No."

***
Word Count: 3,092
I am so disappointed in myself because the chapters in this fic are so short. Like you look at my first two and there's like 5,000+ words each chapter like ☝🤨 what happened? I'm not gonna say I don't love my writing now because I think I write better now, but the chapters are too small. I do want to make longer chapters and I will, but yall are gonna have to deal with a lot of ~~~~~ 😭😭 anyway, i hope y'all liked this chapter 😼😼😼(i love using cat emojis ironically but im scared ima start using them fr😭) the next chapter will go up next Sunday at 8pm Central time. I love you all<3