They're My Friends

My touch is black and poisonous
And nothing like my punch drunk kiss

I sat in an American security office with my friends. I held a bowl, which already had a swirl of rank smelling spit in it, with a pen in the other hand. I could barely keep my eyes open, and the nausea was just as bad as it had been. I knew I should eat something, but just thinking of it made me want to puke again.

"Ugh." I slid the paper I was supposed to be filling out to Midoriya, "Every time I try to focus, I wanna puke. Fill it out."

He frowned, "That's so gross. I will if you..." He looked up, "Go sit over there, ok? Leave your wallet, it should have everything I need."

Eijiro snorted, and signed his name with a flourish, "There we go. You think that hot security babe will come back? I'm betting her quirk is something cool."

Midoriya leaned over my statement, "Your quirk is just 'explosion'? That's not descriptive enough..." He trailed off into full mutter mode.

"Don't try and get.." I coughed, "God. Don't get fancy."

"Yeah." He wrote some more, "You're sure you want the name 'Shatter'?"

Eijiro laughed again, "No! Put 'King Explosion Murder'!"

"You're going to get me deported, smart ass."

He chuckled, "Nah. I heard the American heroes all have weird names."

I put my face back on the cool desk. "I'm starting to feel sweaty. They'd better come back soon."

Midoriya jumped up, bringing the paper and the pen back to me, "Sign it," he prompted before knocking on the door, "My friend is sick, and his quirk is not friendly." His English was better than he let on.

A different security person came in, his skin looking like pebbles, "Is he on something? We thought he was just airsick."

"He had to take tranquilizers to board in Japan. I think he's going through some bad side effects."

The pebble guy took our papers, "You're all licensed?" He looked again, "Provisional? Okay. The law's the same here. Villain captures only." He turned toward me, "California has strict laws on burning. Keep it under control, son. Also, you will need to register with the Feds. There's an online form with a lot of options if you plan on working while you're here. The American government won't pay you, but private firms will if you want to join up." He smiled, the skin making a rough noise, "Welcome to California. You're free to go."

We left the security office, but I was stumbling over my own feet. Eijiro slid under my arm, "C'mon. Let's get you to baggage claim. From there, a taxi to the hotel."

I nodded. Izuku studied the map, "We're supposed to get the bags off 'E'. But we need to wait for Uraraka-chan." He chewed his thumb, "I suppose I could wait, you guys can leave." He looked at a glowing arrivals list. "She's..." He pointed, "She should be here in maybe 40 minutes or so."

"You're looking at the wrong flight, Izuku-kun."

I turned slowly, Eijiro pivoting to help, "No."

Uraraka's face fell, then she tipped her head, "Oh my god, Katsuki-kun, are you okay?"

"He's not well." Eijiro explained, "He's also heavy, and I'm no lightweight. Let's walk and talk, okay?"

"Tell her to go, I'm gonna puke."

"Shut up, moron, she can hear you."

I struggled against Eijiro's hold, but then the floor moved, making me fall heavily against him, "Not this way," I hissed as quietly as I could.

"Kirishima-kun? Maybe I can help?" Uraraka slipped off a set of thin white gloves, "I can make him lighter, at least?"

Stop being afraid of being perceived as soft... Those words slammed into my brain, and I nearly whimpered for the pain that sentance caused me. "Okay." Midoriya stood at my other side, looking between us.

He nodded, and Uraraka quickly touched all my clothing, then my shoes. I wasn't floating, but I felt lighter. Eijiro gave a nod, "Thanks."

We made it down to baggage claim, and Midoriya grabbed our bags, the last ones on the carousel. Uraraka ran to where her luggage would be waiting, claiming her bag, and dashing back, it's pink plaid sides thumping her legs with every step. She volunteered to get a taxi, and when it pulled in, she slid in the back, and Eijiro shoved me in before sliding in behind. Midoriya sat up front, directing the driver to the Imperial Arms.

The ride was the worst in history. At first, I just closed my eyes and concentrated on the fact that I could crash in a bed soon. Two things happened: Ochaco released my antigrav while almost simultaneously the taxi hit the last speed bump on the way out of the airport. "I'm..." I gagged, and grabbed Ochaco, forcing her to accept holding me, as I moaned into her shirt.

"Shh, now, hush." She slid one arm around me, and stroked my hair with her other hand. "What happened?"

"He had to take tranquilizers. I guess they must not have known exactly the dosage or something, because he slept for almost six hours after we boarded. When we gave him another pill he slept almost all the way here." Eijiro patted me, "He's been dizzy and nauseous."

My nose was pressed against her generous cleavage, and I'll admit, it was the first time I'd felt anything beside wanting to vomit. Well, I still wanted to puke, but not if it would mean moving. I felt my lips curve, and my brain short circuited. "I'm sorry I said those things," I whispered.

"I know," She whispered back, "we'll talk later, okay?" She moved her hand, rubbing two fingers down my neck, nearly stoking my adam's apple. "This should help." She continued her ministration, "Kirishima-kun," she lowered her voice, "Maybe I can switch with someone tonight? If he doesn't want to go to a doctor, maybe I can help."

Burgundy eyes widened, "Uh? You want to sleep in our room?"

"I have a king bed. You have two twins and a pullout, right? Someone can switch. That's fine."

Midoriya turned, "Just take him with you. He's too sick to try anything. Not that he'd try anything. I'm just saying.." He turned around, "I'm going to be quiet now."

"Please," I breathed into her shirt.

Her hand stilled, then continued, "Okay." She smiled shakily, "That's fine."

I managed to keep whatever was left of my stomach inside for the rest of the ride. Ochaco kept stroking me, on the back, the neck, even massaging my hands with hers. Her gloves were on, so I couldn't feel the slip of her skin, the raised pads that activated her quirk.

I thought about what she was doing here. Hadn't she said that she didn't want to work with me? I groaned, knowing she'd just take it for being sick, but I knew it was a groan for me. I am such an idiot. I'd gotten scared and angry, and let me stand in my own way. I had to stop.

When the van stopped for the final time, Eijiro helped me out, and together we stumbled inside where he left me propped against the check-in. This was the plan, loosely, since I was the best English speaker here.

"Welcome to Imperial Arms, how can I be of service today?" The desk attendant looked like she just had a mutant quirk, she had bright blue hair and curling antenne that bounced adorably when she talked. I stared at them, swallowing a blush, "Check in for Bakugo. And Uraraka too, I suppose."

She asked some questions while typing, "Ah. Here you are. Oh? Young heroes, how exciting!" She smiled, and another blush crawled across my face even knowing that the guys and Uraraka were standing beside me. Oh, my god, she must have some kind of charm quirk! I looked at Eijiro and my suspicion was confirmed since he was smiling dopily at the fairy girl. "Look, if you can help it, stop it." I slammed a credit card on the counter between us.

"You'll need to sign for insurance due to your quirks being high level." She gave me a look that said she'd gladly stab me if she could have. "You've already pre-paid, though, so as soon as you finish," she handed me two key cards, "you can go up to your room. Whomever Uraraka is will have to sign for thier own room."

I shook my head, she was done playing nice for a fat tip, eh? She had light years to go before she hit a power level we couldn't deal with. "Uraraka-chan?" I switched to Japanese as she frowned at the fairy as well, "You have to sign. Do you have a credit card?"

"No." Her eyes fell, "Midoriya-kun got the room for me. He said everything was already paid for."

Of course he did. Just like I would have, had I known. "It's fine. Just sign here." I motioned to my credit card and continued in English, "You go ahead an put her room under mine."

She sighed, "Of course." She slid the card back, "Welcome to Los Angeles. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call down. Just dial 422 for the front desk."

"Right." I turned away, and took a step before Uraraka caught me as my knee buckled.

"Can you walk?" She leaned in close, whispering.

My heartbeat nearly broke a rib having her breath slide past my ear, knowing her lips were so close. Now? Of all times to get love sick, I had to pick now? I gritted my teeth, "If we go slow, then yes."

She nodded, and took my hand in hers. I felt the uncomfortable dampness of my gloves against my skin. I looked at her. Her eyes never changed. She was offering me help in a way that no one would think twice if they saw it. I gripped her fingers and took a step, then another. Slowly we made it to the elevator and then our rooms.

Ochaco

Katsuki had gotten to the room only to drop heavily into the humongous bed. He was wearing a white tank, his gloves, jeans this close to being painted on, and he was laying on white puffy bedding. He looked like a fallen angel.

"I have a little money, Katsuki-kun. When we get back," I studied my hands as I twisted my gloves, "I can pay you in time."

He lifted his head, "It's fine."

I looked at him, his skin a little waxier than usual, his shoulders slumped. He didn't need a confession right now, so I just shelved what I wanted to say, "Okay. How can I help?"

He held out an arm, "Gloves? Just put them in the sink, and I'll see to them."

"I've noticed it before, but..." I frowned a little, "You always smell a bit like scorched caramel." I yanked off one glove, it's weight surprising me, "But not so much right now."

I pulled on the second glove as he explained, "Nitro smells like burned sugar when it's pure. When I am forced to use medicines or eat too much garlic or..." He paused to gave me time to dump his gloves in the sink, "stuff like that, stuff that changes my body chemistry for awhile, then it's different. Smells worse. I'm thinking I don't exactly remind you of burned sweets now, right?"

"Burned sweets?" I snorted a laugh through my nose, "Sounds just like you."

"Shut up."

I shook my head, "No, I don't think I will. I slept on the plane, too. I'm going to order room service, okay? For both of us. I know you need to eat."

"Just thinking about it makes my stomach turn."

"Well, I could let you stay here, go eat with the boys."

"I'll try."

"Good."

...later

I gathered up Katsuki's half eaten bowl of chicken tortilla soup and put it out with my picked clean salmon dinner. I sat on the edge of the bed while Katsuki busied himself in the bath. I could hear water running, the edge of the tank he'd been wearing under the door. The water turned off, but he'd not taken a shower. Instead he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand as he slowly made his way back to the bed.

"I tasted like the inside of Asui's footlocker."

I snickered, she was forever getting both wet and muddy, so it had smelled a bit swampy. "Maybe not that bad?"

"Nah." He managed to get all the way to the bed before collapsing on it again. "Are you going freak if I take off my jeans? I don't want to sleep with them on."

"N-no! I!" I jumped away from the now small seeming bed, "It's fine! You seem fine. I'm going to go sleep in your..." I took a breath, "I'm going to go!"

I stood, but he shouted, "Sit your damned ass down!" He continued at a more normal volume, "You said you were going to take care of me, didn't you?" I sat gingerly on the bed. "Better. Now, jeans."

"What?" I stood again, feeling my eyes widen and a blush creeping up my neck.

"Look," He popped the button, and pulled the fly, "I'm not here for a peepshow. Get your mind out of the gutter." He giggled. GIGGLED. "You pull, toss them on the floor, and I sleep."

I bit the inside of my lip. I'm grown! I'm an adult! I gathered up some courage, "Okay." I grabbed the ankles, and steadfastly refused to look above his knees. I pulled, and they stubbornly stayed on. "Maybe lift your hips when I pull?"

Katsuki laughed, "You got it."

I pulled again, and they came off, throwing me backward with a whomp. "Ow!" I stood, and tossed the stupid jeans on the floor, and watched him wriggle into the covers.

"Aren't you coming back?"

His claret colored eyes followed me as I sat back on the edge of the bed, "I thought I could be a grown-up, but seeing you smile and laugh..." I stopped, I couldn't tell him that he was so cute I wanted to cuddle him to death. Not yet, anyway. I had too many unresolved things running though my mind.

"What the hell do you want from me, Uraraka?"

"Shut up. Just..." I turned on him, "I want you to shut the hell up!" Took another long look at him before turning my back again, "Don't say anything." I closed my eyes and folded my hands into my lap, "I'm always reacting to the things you say. I think I'm just 'saying what is on my mind', but that's an empty excuse. I should have listened. You said 'I love you'. You said 'come with me'. I fought you." I felt my lip crinkling, my eyes stinging as I fought again to hold back useless tears, "Then you did just as anyone would have predicted, you reacted to my thoughtlessness. In the car, you said you were sorry about the things you said. I don't know if you meant today, or whatever, but I'm the one who should be sorry!" I let a breath shudder in between us, "Can you forgive me for being a coward?" I opened eyes that were teary now, "Here I am. I came for you, Katsuki. I'm sorry I was too scared to tell you what I was really thinking." I felt a sob bubble up, and I let it spill free, "I love you, I love you," I drew a breath, "I love you, Bakugo Katsuki."

I didn't see him move, I was so lost in my confession I didn't feel him until he wrapped strong arms around me. His chin resting on my shoulder as I tried to stop crying. His arms tightened as he softly knocked his head against mine.

"Can I talk now?" I nodded, feeling warmer in his embrace than I ever had alone. "We both have the same problem, I guess. I'm not sure if it's a recipe for disaster, but," One hand moved to cup my cheek, the blade of his fingers wiping away my tears. "I do love you. Ochaco."

His hand provided a gentle pressure, and I angled my face, so that I recieved my first kiss. A soft peck against the corner of my lips. It wasn't enough.

I turned, his hands sliding down my shoulders until he could grip my hands, "Ow, sorry." He looked, one hand had a round red blister mark from the last time he'd held them. He frowned, but I tightened my grip, very careful to keep my pinkies extended, "It doesn't really hurt."

He didn't say anything, his ash blond hair shining in the light of the sunset pouring into our room as he bent his face toward me. "Is this okay?" He said it softly to my lips. I'd have to open my mouth to reply. He really was all instinct.

AN/ Ha! Finally, a reason to use a Star Wars reference. Klonopin has a HOST of terrible (hilarious) side effects. I picked confusion, dizziness, nausea, and increased libido. Which made me genuinely giggle. I hope you laughed. I hope you like a teary confession as much as I do!