Obviously, I don't own BNHA. This is part of an AU I'm working on, so there's a lot of context not really covered but I wanted to share it still. But a few things to note: This is a band au. It's in America, so characters are referred to by first names. Kaminari doesn't know that Aizawa and Present Mic are Shinso's parents. Characters are ethnically diverse, but if you have questions about who is who and what is what don't be afraid to ask.

Denki still has his lips wrapped around his straw, waiting for Hitoshi to open the door to his apartment. It's fun hanging out with the singer-songwriter and Denki can't believe how high strung he had been over this because being with Hitoshi ─ falling into step next to each other, picking up conversation ─ had been easy. And he could push the blame on Hitoshi's stoic and undemanding personality, but Denki had never been put off by those traits before.

He had been one of the few to force his way past Katsuki's harsher traits. And even the "creature of the dark" Fumikage, who is possibly the most reserved and focused person Denki ever met, caved under Denki's genial disposition.

So, no, the extra tingling in the pits of Denki's stomach were unnecessary because Hitoshi has this innate ability to start up conversations despite his reserved nature. It's blown Denki out of the water. He had come to their date with sweaty palms and jelly legs running through any possibly way to get Hitoshi talking since would just be them two and not an entire group.

Unneeded.

Hitoshi had picked the dinner spot ─ as agreed because all of Denki's favorite restaurants were little shacks with greasy items. (They are bomb but it's not the first date Denki wanted with Hitoshi.) Hitoshi's pick is a family owned Spanish store, where black tables line the textured walls, disembodied lyrics of Selena music swirling from the back kitchen with tomatoes, corn, and chicken following the melodies.

Denki had felt the heat on the back of his neck when Hitoshi laughed at the burn in his throat and the sting of his eyes. "That'd be the chile." The purpura male explained with a giant gentle hand guiding Denki to a seat. "It's pretty strong at first but you'll get used to it."

The taller male had taken to explaining the dishes when Denki admits he doesn't really eat Latin foods. Mostly the K²DFM squad goes to Red Robin, or Pho, or Korean BQQ, or the China Village, or the Takashi Bar. Denki has never been so thankful that they tended to avoid Latin shops when Hitoshi sat a little closer to explain it all. Especially when Hitoshi's lip upturn into his slight smirk at the blond's stumbled pronunciation of the names.

After Hitoshi had mentioned a small snack bar down the street from his place. "It's within walking distance, I'll park, and we can go." Denki hadn't refused, wanting to spend more time with him.

Fruta Crush was an even smaller store than the mom-pop and looks quite popular with college students.

While they had waited in line, Hitoshi pointed out his favorites, "Eri and I will normally get the Fresas con Crema but without the raisins." He says the foreign words with such ease that there's no argument of him not growing up speaking the language. "Pop normally gets the Cream Churro, but I think that's only because he likes teasing dad with it. It's like an old joke between them." And how close he is to his parents makes Denki warm inside. "I personally like the Chamango ─ ah, it's like mango ice cream with chamoy, lime, salt and mango bits ─ and the Diablito. It's similar but with shaved ice with half mango and half tamarind."

Denki had asked for the Chamango and Hitoshi, the latter so Denki could try it. His pink tongue sticking between his lips at the after taste and decides to stick with his own drink. "Yeah, it does taste a little weird if you hadn't grown up with it."

Hitoshi tosses his lanyard to catch his keys in his hand. "Welcome to my crib." He says before crouching to catch a white puff as they try to escape through the door.

"This must be Neve," Denki coos as he scratches between the soft ears and takes a first glance at the apartment.

The kitchen is to their immediate left. Small with dark walls and two parallel counters with dark cabinets and white tops. Where the sink, wall cabinets, stove, and a prep area are on the opposite is the fridge and then the table bar with stool on the side that opens to the matching living room. The coat closet to their right where Hitoshi is storing his coat while Denki places his over one of the stools.

"This is really nice, Toshi." Denki compliments as he ventures toward the dark blue couch that separates the dining and a dark wood coffee table. "You afford this?"

Hitoshi's broad shoulders shrug, "Not alone at first. Dad and pop helped while I went to school then when I graduated─"

"You play guitar?" Denki cuts in now that's he's round the couch. Gazing at the acoustic guitar resting in its stand. "I knew you were talented but how much can you do?"

The apartment renter finally joins his guest. Denki is in the space between the couch and coffee-table, fingers curling into the furry rug under him.

"Ah, yeah, pop is really into music. I can play guitar and piano." Hitoshi admits, "I didn't really start until I was fourteen, but pop is a really good teacher."

"So, you play guitar, piano and speak Spanish, English, Japanese, and are fluent in sign language." Between Kyōka and Hitoshi, Denki starts to think he definitely has a type. "Talented!"

"You're pretty talented yourself though."

"I mean sure but, like, I'm at a lower level for sure. Hey, can you… can you play something?"

"Right now? You're not tired of hearing my voice yet?"

With a smile a mile wide and heart racing Denki nods. Not mentioning that he could never get sick at the low adverb of Hitoshi's vocals.

"Alright, hand her over." That Denki hurried to comply eager to see large hands cradle the cedar body and long fingers to wrap around the mahogany neck. "Any requests?"

While asking for Young & Free or Hear Me would showcase Hitoshi's baritone in the best way, Denki doesn't want to actually die. There is one song that has a rich history and numerous covers that Denki does want him to sing.

"Hallelujah? You know it?"

"Do I know it?" Hitoshi asks in fake offense. "You really have no idea who my pop is."

The anticipation is felt at the high point on the back his neck, his breathing slows to match Hitoshi's key signature, and at one push Denki could fall headfirst without any words being sung.

"I heard there was a secret chord that David played it pleased the Lord," and Denki is plummeting, "but you don't really care for music, do you?" The blond's adoration thrives in the crescendo. "Well, it goes like this: the fourth, the fifth, the minor fall and the major lift. The baffled king composing Hallelujah."

Denki had made the best-worst mistake requesting this. The beautiful constructive melody evolves and slips back, tugging the musician's heart strings strung along the fret board, resonating with absolute reverence in the singer's tone.

"Baby, I've been here before. I've seen this room and I've walked this floor." Hitoshi follows Denki's movement as he goes to rest his head in the cross of his arms against the seat cushion. "You know, I used to live alone before I knew you." Denki's whole attention still on his private concert and golden eyes as the spotlight. "And I've seen your flag on the marble arch. Love is not a victory march, it's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah."

In every phrase down to the single note, Denki can feel Hitoshi's will. Realizing that the singer's real aptitude is in the sentiment he puts behind his music. Putting his experiences and being behind each chord to make his own. He could have played anything, and Denki would have ascended.

"And the holy dove was moving too? And every breath we drew was Hallelujah."

It had been a joke, that first time watching Hitoshi on the rooftop stage and his baritone enthralling Denki, when it was said he fell in love with Hitoshi's voice. The violet haired man's singing had already put pleasing chills in Denki, Hitoshi's regular speaking voice had been just as enchanting. The beautiful timber had just been the tip of the ship sinking iceberg.

Hitoshi is attractive and gifted, but he's also clever and determined with a strong conviction. He didn't let his harsh past hold him back but instead used it to propel himself forward. Always spoke about his sister in an adoring tone and his dads with a similar nuance.

"And it's not a cry that you hear at night, it's not somebody who's seen the light. It's a cold and broken Hallelujah. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah," At some point Hitoshi had closed his eyes, focusing on the song instead of Denki's gaze. "Hallelujah, hallelujah," and the last drawn out word drawing Denki even closer. "Hallelujah."

The blond sets a palm on the top of Hitoshi's knee, whispering, "That was so good," before going for it. Lighting zapping under his skin, Denki uses Hitoshi's broad shoulders to steady himself as he straddles Hitoshi's lap. The instrument shifted to the side as a large hand settle on Denki's side and another wrapped around his throat like it had the mahogany.

Denki knew it would be easy. So easy to lose himself in Hitoshi and create a world where it'd be the two of them. Callused fingers brushing smooth skin and threading through soft colored hair.

Until the door opens, forcing the two apart, golden amber and Elizabeth Taylor eyes meet with a soft "oh" between them.

"Hey, babe, I stopped by In-and-Out," and Denki is off Hitoshi before the person even spots them. "Oh, ah… hi."

Denki is jittery for a whole different reason now. "I… hi." He runs his tongue over his lips feeling the lead in his gut. "I should go."

"Denki," Hitoshi breaths attempting to anchor against the table to follow.

"No." Denki flinches at the sharpness of his tone. Heart hammering against his chest and panic burning in his shoulders. "No, it's late. I should leave. Kyōka is probably wondering where I am."

Namedropping his ex is a bold move, knowing uttering it will at least slow any pursuit down. Snatching his denim jacket where it's draped, and zipping past the threshold.

He pauses outside the building, shaky breath being collected into trembling hands as rickety thoughts tried to line up. He doesn't… he can't believe. There's a Fresh Market and a park five blocks down and if he stays there any longer Hitoshi might follow. Denki doesn't think he could handle that right now, so he moves.