Loav & Sechs II: Tis The Season To Be Horny

by XeroSanity

The holidays are here. Tis the season for stressful family dinners, ruthless holiday shoppers, and copious amounts of alcohol. Love will be tested like never before as Keigo uncovers the truth about Dabi's past, Izuku finds the root of Bakugo's fears, Shinsou finds love, and Sero is betrayed by the one he trusted most. Enjoy the smutty sequel to The Horniest Mall of America.

86. New Year's II

While Yumi waited for her boyfriend to come home with drinks, she decided to refresh and prepare for an evening of naughty bad fun. Beginning with one of the most heinous of acts. A bubble bath. She hummed to herself as she filled up the tub and dropped in a few bath bombs, turning the water pink and blue. Then she stripped out of her clothes and walked over to the bar to mix herself a cranberry vodka, with what little vodka they had left. When she finished that off, she grabbed the half-full bottle of wine and brought it with her to the bathroom. But not before dumping the last of Sero's brandy down the sink. I think he's had enough of that. Besides…he'll want to sober up for what I have planned.

She lit a few candles and stepped into the tub. Then she activated the hot tub jets and put them on a low setting as she sank lower under the water. The finishing touch to her refreshing ritual was slipping on some noise-canceling headphones and playing Right Where You Want Me by Jesse McCartney. Yumi sighed as she closed her eyes and let the bath work its magic. Hope you're ready, Hanta. Cuz I'm keeping you up until next year.

~.~

At ten o'clock, everyone stood outside the front door of Yumi and Sero's penthouse apartment dressed to the nines and ready to reign in the new year.

"Why aren't they opening the door?" Kaminari asked.

Izuku knocked delicately on the door's shiny wood surface. "Maybe they didn't hear us?"

"We rang the doorbell," Jiro pointed out.

"It could be broken, I guess," Kiri suggested.

"I doubt the penthouse would have a broken doorbell," Tokoyami stated.

Keigo shrugged. "Maybe they're not home."

"They better be," Bakugo growled. "I'm not spending New Year's sober."

"Cool your jets, Katsuki," Dabi scolded. "Just give them a minute."

"Ugggh but we've been standing here foreveeeeer," Mina complained.

Tokoyami smirked. "Yes. I suppose to a simpleton, five minutes would feel like an eternity."

Mina scowled. "Hey! If I were a town I would be very complex with lots of stores!"

Tokoyami sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I should've stayed home."

"Did anyone actually tell them we were coming?" Izuku asked.

"Where else would we go?" Kaminari asked.

"They have a private bar with free booze. Their apartment is the only place that makes sense," Keigo said.

"That's not the same as telling them," Izuku said. "Seriously. Who called them?"

Everyone looked at each other with blank stares.

Izuku's shoulders sank. "None of you - "

" - No wonder they're not answering," Dabi snapped. "They're not expecting us."

"Even if they weren't, they would've answered by now," Kirishima said. "Do you think they're okay?"

"Yeah, they're probably just asleep," Kaminari said.

"Who the hell sleeps on New Year's Eve?" Jiro asked.

"They're ignoring us on purpose!" Bakugo growled. "Hogging all the booze to themselves. THOSE BASTARDS!"

Izuku cleared his throat. "I think both their parents are - WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

Bakugo started throwing himself at the door.

"KACCHAN, STOP!"

"I thought you tamed him," Dabi grumbled. "Katsuki, cut the shit!"

"OPEN UP, NOODLE MAN!"

Jiro pulled out her phone to record.

Keigo did the same to take a picture.

They all gasped when they heard the splintering of wood.

"Crap," Kiri shouted. He charged forward and football-tackled Bakugo to the ground. "Get a hold of yourself, man!"

"I'LL KILL YOU!" he exclaimed, snarling and clawing at the redhead.

"Jesus and I thought I was an alcoholic," Dabi mumbled.

Keigo shot a look at his lover. "You are."

"It's not just the booze!" Bakugo exclaimed, struggling to get out of Kirishima's flawless tackle. "I didn't even wanna be here! I got all dressed up and ready so if that bastard thinks I'm gonna go home now - "

" - We live here too," Izuku pointed out, looking down at his boyfriend indignantly. "All we had to do to get here was ride the elevator."

"NOT NOW, NERD!" he yelled but significantly softer and with less conviction. "What the hell are you, a football player?!"

"Actually he was," Kaminari said.

Kirishima flushed slightly. "Just a lineman. I had more fun as the mascot."

"Linemen are tanks though," Mina squealed. "They're the ones that jump on people and stop them from moving!" She jumped up and down excitedly. "Right, Honeybear?"

Kirishima blushed. "There was more to it than that, but - "

" - GET OUTTA MY WAAAAY!" Bakugo growled.

"I'll let go once you calm down," Kirishima promised.

All at once, Bakugo's body relaxed and he stopped struggling.

Everyone stared at him, confused. "That was fast," Mina mumbled.

"Only a fool would fall for such a performance," Tokoyami said.

"Ask Izuku," Dabi suggested.

Izuku flushed. "Ask me what?"

Dabi crossed his arms. "Is he calm and rational?"

Izuku bent down to look at his face, then gently brushed aside some hair from Bakugo's forehead. The blonde visibly turned red, seeming to melt at Izuku's touch.

"He's okay," Izuku said.

Kiri got up off of him and helped him to his feet.

Then a wicked gleam appeared in his eyes.

"IT WAS AN ACT!" Tokoyami declared, bolting out of the way. "TAKE COVER!"

Bakugo ran for the door.

"NO, YOU DON'T!" Kirishima yelled, running after him.

But instead of ramming into the front door, Bakugo waited for Kirishima to catch up to him. Then at the last minute, he dodged out of the way. But Kiri hadn't reacted fast enough. He ran headfirst into the front door and knocked it clean off its hinges.

Bakugo smirked, wiping off his hands. "I'm always calm and rational."

Tokoyami scowled. "You fiend."

Bakugo laid an arm across Izuku's shoulders and led him into the apartment over the fallen door. "Thanks, Kirishima."

"HONEY-BEAR!" Mina shrieked, kneeling down by her boyfriend's side. "Are you okay?!" She helped him to his feet and brushed off his suit.

Kirishima rubbed his forehead. "I'm alright. I feel bad about the door, though."

"Your invincibility astounds me," Tokoyami said. "But I think I've had my fair share of tom-foolery for the evening."

"Aaw come on, you can't leave!" Kaminari said. "You always leave!"

"And I always depart with my sanity and self-respect intact."

"Well, not tonight!" Mina said, giving him a big hug and lifting him off the ground. "TO HELL WITH OUR DIGNITY!"

"Easy for you to say," Tokoyami mumbled. "You model undergarments."

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

"You have no fear," he stated. "But no such luxury is afforded me. I have stared into the abyss and I, therefore, know fear."

"Come on, Captain Edgelord," Dabi said. "I'll make you a drink."

Tokoyami glanced inside with a raised brow. "With...Grey Goose, perhaps?"

Dabi grinned. "I didn't take you for a vodka guy. I must be losing my touch."

"It's a newly acquired taste of mine, don't take it too hard."

Dabi snapped his fingers. "Wait a minute. You're a Vesper guy, aren't you?"

Tokoyami flushed. "Guilty as charged. But I doubt they've got Lillet Blanc on hand - "

" - I got them a bottle for Christmas, actually."

Tokoyami's eyes lit up. "Perhaps...one or two...wouldn't be so - "

"YAAAAAY!" Mina squealed, picking him up and charging into the apartment.

"I have nothing if not regrets," he whined, clenching his eyes shut.

Jiro followed her boyfriend as he excitedly walked in.

Immediately, everyone knew something was off. None of the lights were on in the penthouse. The entire apartment would've been pitch black if not for the moon's soft glow. There were no delicious smells of freshly cooked food in the air. No decorations alluding to the holiday. No bubbly hostess to greet them or her idiot boyfriend in the kitchen, finishing off their feast for the evening.

Keigo looked at Dabi, managing to make out his form in the dark. "You don't think -"

"- They aren't here."

Kirishima felt the wall by the door, looking for the light switch. Finding it he flipped the switch, turning on the lights. "That's better."

Kaminari looked over at the entry. "Sero's keys are gone."

"They must be out bar-hopping," Mina said, crossing her arms. "Not fair. They should have invited us."

Tokoyami shook his head. "They probably would have, had anyone bothered to confirm plans," he said as he walked over to the kitchen.

"What should we do, Dabs?" Keigo asked. It was too late to make actual plans anywhere, but it felt wrong to stay in the empty penthouse.

Bakugo shrugged. "Turn the lights on and raid the bar."

Dabi nodded solemnly, as this was the natural conclusion to come to. "They haven't left us much choice."

Izuku flushed uncomfortably. "Um…our friends aren't here. On top of breaking and entering, you want to add theft to our list of crimes?"

Dabi bit his lip. "The real crime was leaving such a beautiful piece of carpentry unattended. Sero should've known better."

Kaminari scratched his head. "Wait a minute…if they have a home bar, why would they be going out to drink?"

Dabi paled. "No. It can't be." He bolted across the room and hopped over the bar counter to investigate. His eyes grew wide with shock.

"Dabs?"

Bakugo raised an eyebrow. "What's the problem?"

"T-the bar…i-it's empty."

"No wonder they aren't here. Those fucking bastards!" Bakugo growled, slamming his fist down on the bar counter.

Izuku jumped back, startled. "Kacchan!"

Jiro sat on the couch in the den, letting out a deep sigh. "That dipshit had one job."

Kaminari sat beside her, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. "Maybe we should check the mancave."

"Oh yeah," Kiri recalled. "He's got that mini-fridge in there."

Dabi's face brightened up. "Kid, you're a genius!"

"We shouldn't steal!" Izuku retorted.

Kami shrugged. "When you take something from a bro, it's just…bro-rowing."

"That still sounds like stealing."

Kirishima started walking towards the mancave.

"Noodle arms better come through," Bakugo grumbled.

"You should go with him, Kacchan."

"No way. I'm not stepping through all his crap."

"But you have those manga books to return. Remember?" He pulled the second volume of Black or White out of his bag and held it up.

Tokoyami's eyes narrowed. "If those texts came from the inner sanctum, I suggest awaiting Sero's return. Breaking into an apartment is one thing. But violating a man's library is unforgivable."

"It's literally a closet," Bakugo pointed out. But deep down the idea of going into Sero's mancave alone gave him the creeps. He snatched the book from Izuku and slammed it into the chest of the nearest bystander, which happened to be Keigo. "You do it."

Keigo looked at the book then at Bakugo. "Wait. What?"

Dabi brushed Keigo's hair out of his eyes. "Don't worry, baby. I'm sure you'll find where they go." He gave him a hug but used the opportunity to whisper a side mission. "While you're in there, check the mini-fridge. Bring back whatever you find, but don't tell the others."

"What? Dabs - "

" - Whatever's in there should be enough to give me a buzz."

"You mean us?"

"Yeah. That's what I said."

Keigo pouted. He felt uneasy just being in the penthouse. Looting the alcohol seemed extreme. "But, Dabs -"

Placing a finger under his chin, Dabi tilted Keigo's chin up. "It'll be okay baby. Just do what daddy says."

Keigo flushed bright red as Dabi let him go. Stumbling forward, Keigo made his way down the hall. Looking down at the book he flipped through the pages. The explicit sex scenes caught his eye.

"Damn, Bakugo. You dog," he snickered as he read through the . Focused on the book he walked past Sero's man cave, the bathroom, and Yumi's office. Seeing a door in his peripheral vision, Keigo reached out and turned the doorknob.

To the wrong room.

Keigo turned the light on and looked up. But what face him was not a man cave, but a bedroom. Turning his head, he froze. Standing in front of the closet was Yumi.

Naked.

Feeling like someone was watching, Yumi turned around. When she saw Keigo, she froze up, as if doing so would make her body invisible. Things were quiet for a few seconds. Yumi opened her mouth to shout at him. She was taken back when Keigo screamed and ran out of the room.

Yumi looked down at herself, pouting. "What?! I moisturized!"

~.~

Sero's mind was bouncing in thousands of different directions. I can't believe how wrong I was. Yumi's okay with us staying in, but I need to talk to Jiro. She has to know that I believe her. That I messed up and I'm sorry. But how do I - THE FUCK?!

His jaw dropped when he saw his front door was on the ground, knocked off its hinges. "What the - "

That was when he heard the high-pitched scream.

"YUMI!" He ran across the door, almost dropping his shoebox and cookie tin in the process. He froze in his tracks when he saw the entirety of his friend group standing in his apartment.

"What the hell is - "

"- AAAHHHHHHHH!" Keigo came running from down the hallway, straight into Dabi. It was as if his body had built-in GPS coordinates to his boyfriend's location.

Dabi paled. "Baby, what's wrong?!"

Keigo tried making a cohesive sentence, however, all that was coming out were stutters.

Mina, grabbing the fire poker from the fireplace, rushed down the hall. "I'll handle it!"

Kiri tried to grab her. "MinaBobina!"

Keigo looked at Mina as she was about to enter the bedroom. "NO, WAIT!"

Mina kicked in the door, fully expecting some danger. When she saw Yumi standing there, immediately her guard dropped. Staring at her friend, Mina cocked her head to the side. "Are your boobs bigger?"

Yumi flushed as she reached for her robe. "Get out!"

Hearing Yumi's voice from the front of the apartment, everyone looked at each other.

"I-I tried to tell her," Keigo said, burying his head in Dabi's chest.

The bedroom door opened and Yumi, hair still wet and now wearing a blush-colored satin robe, came out to the living room. Mina followed behind.

"What the hell are you all doing here?!" she asked, seeing everyone in the penthouse. Her attention went to the door on the floor. "What happened to the door!?"

Dabi rubbed Keigo's back. "Not important. Real question is, what happened to all the alcohol?" he asked, gesturing to the empty bar with his free hand.

Yumi put her hands on her hips. "You guys drank it all."

Dabi's eyes narrowed. "Well, obviously. Why didn't you stock it?!"

"We did. Back in September! We weren't planning on going through a year's supply in TWO MONTHS!"

"But…you're usually the ones hosting stuff," Mina pointed out.

Yumi glared. "Between the bar downstairs, the bar at Dave & Buster's, and the liquor store that is Dabi's kitchen, I didn't think our bar would be your enabler of choice! Plus we had double the party guests last time since Team Target ended up coming - "

" - Most of what I had to drink that night was just some dumb tea," Bakugo snapped.

"THAT'S BECAUSE WE WERE RUNNING LOW!"

Sero raised an eyebrow. "Wait, what about the wine and vodka and brandy?"

"Don't know what you're talking about," Yumi said. "But if I did, I'd say I mixed some cocktails for myself and dumped the brandy down the sink."

Dabi paled. "YOU DID WHAT?!"

Yumi glared at her boyfriend. "A certain someone was going overboard with it, so I decided to cut him off."

Sero flushed.

Tokoyami blinked, stunned. "You're serious, aren't you?"

"You guys are completely tapped?" Kirishima asked.

She rolled her eyes. "I can't help it that you went overboard on Thanksgiving….and Christmas….or that the three stooges went on a bender and consumed six bottles of vodka in one night."

Dabi turned his head to where Kami, Kiri, and Sero were. "You idiots drank six bottles of vodka in one night?!" He thought back to the day Kiri and Kami had hangovers.

Kiri groaned, remembering that. "It was a mistake."

Kaminari grinned sheepishly. "To be honest, I don't remember."

"NO SHIT, YOU DON'T REMEMBER! HOW COULD YOU?!"

"Dabs, calm down - "

" - What the hell am I supposed to drink?!" Dabi exclaimed.

"You mean we…right?" Izuku asked.

Dabi gave him a blank look. "Yeah. That's what I said."

Sero scowled. "You guys are here because you thought we were hosting New Year's?"

Kaminari pouted. "You said you'd see us later!"

"I didn't mean later today! I meant later in general."

Kami's eyes widened. "Oh."

"And why is my door knocked down?!" He asked.

"Cuz we couldn't get in," Bakugo answered.

"THAT'S BECAUSE THE DOOR WAS WORKING!" Sero exclaimed.

"If there are no drinks to be had, I will be on my way," Tokoyami said, gliding past everyone and delicately stepping over the door. "I think I've had enough discord for one night."

"But - "

" - My Monstresor and a bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac circa 2003 are waiting for me. Good day."

"Wait! Can we have some?" Mina asked.

"One shot of it costs the same as your monthly rent, so I doubt it."

Tokoyami departed with what was left of his sanity and grabbed an elevator.

Bakugo walked up to Sero and grabbed the bag of liquor bottles out of his hand with a bro nod. "Apology accepted."

Sero scoffed. "What?!"

Dabi zeroed in on the cookie tin. "Where did you get that?"

"Uh…the Jiros' place. Why?"

"Heeeeell yeah," Dabi muttered. He walked up to Sero and snatched the canister, walking off with it.

Jiro gaped at him. "Your dealers are my parents?!"

Dabi made a "chef's kiss" symbol with his hands. "The only people in this damn town with any taste. And connections to a dispensary in California." Dabi's gaze drifted upwards. With a smirk, he looked back down at Sero and wiggled his eyebrows. "Hey."

Sero glanced up and back down with a scowl. "No."

"Pucker up."

"Piss off."

"I don't make the rules."

"I'm not kissing you."

"Fine. Kiss him."

Dabi grabbed Bakugo's arm and swung him around to stand underneath the mistletoe with Sero.

"He was here first anyway."

"LET GO OF ME!" Bakugo fought Dabi off, baring his teeth.

Sero wrinkled his nose. "Not gay enough for that."

Kaminari furrowed his brow. "You kissed Kirishima."

"He's prettier."

Dabi shrugged. "Well get you into some bedazzled skinny jeans. You'll be good to go."

Sero flushed awkwardly. "If you're so into it, you kiss him."

"He's not my type."

"Um…yeah, he is. Blonde. Shorter than you. Cute."

Dabi's jaw dropped.

Sero blushed furiously when he realized what he said. "NO I MEAN YOU WOULD THINK HE'S - I DIDN'T SAY - I DON'T MEAN ME, I MEANT - "

" - Both of you shut up," Bakugo snapped. "Now I really need a drink."

Jiro sighed, shaking her head. "Fine. What's the plan?"

The look Sero gave Jiro confused every last person in the room. It was a look that said, Thank god you're here. I've been dying to talk to you.

"Jiro. I - I wanna talk to you about - "

" - Why did you go to my parents' house?" She asked, looking weirded out.

Sero walked towards her. "That's what I want to talk to you about. They told me - "

Kaminari partially blocked his path. "It looks like we're going out for New Year's," he said, trying to sound lighthearted. "How about we figure out our plans first and then - "

Sero took another step forward. "It won't take long, I just - "

Kaminari put a careful yet firm hand on Sero's shoulder to stop him. Sero looked at it, then up at Kami with surprise.

"Later," he urged.

Whoa. He's never done that before. "Look, whatever she told you - "

" - I'm not doing this right now," Kami murmured. "I want a fun night out with my babe and my friends. So does Kyoka."

Sero scowled. "Since when do you speak for her?" No one speaks for her. Ever. Not even you.

Yumi cleared her throat. "Lev, why don't you check my office for Dabi's present?"

Halfway through a cookie, Dabi looked at her. "Hmm?"

Keigo whined and stomped his foot. "Share!"

Dabi handed him the other half. "What present?"

"It was intended for your birthday, but if things are this dire - "

" - That dickhead knocked down my front door. It's not our job to pacify him with booze," Sero snapped, still glaring at Kaminari.

Kiri put a hand on Sero's other shoulder. "Chill out," he whispered. "Kami's right. Whatever this is, we'll deal with it later. Okay?"

Dabi looked between the two of them, then clapped his hands. "Sero."

Sero held his hands up just in time to catch Dabi's keys.

"Warm up the car. We're going bar-hopping."

"But…how are we going to fit?"

"We'll figure it out," Dabi assured.

Sero finally turned around and headed out the door.

"Bakugo, go downstairs and report the break-in so maintenance can fix the door," Dabi commanded.

The blonde rolled his eyes but complied, leaving with Izuku on his arm.

Kirishima smiled sheepishly. "Technically it's my fault that the door is - "

" - No, it's not. You were played like a chess pawn and that's not your fault," Dabi insisted. "Be the peacemaker until I get downstairs, would you?"

Kiri flushed. "Um…yeah. You got it."

Keigo took a step forward to follow them, but Dabi held him back. "Yumi," he murmured. "Why don't we help you pick an outfit?"

Yumi looked toward the now empty doorway, then back at Dabi. "Oh…kay?"

Dabi pulled them both down the hall, then dropped his voice to a whisper. "It's already happening. We have to move up the plan."

"Shit," she muttered. "How?"

"I'll figure it out. Just follow my lead, okay?"

Keigo looked unsure. "Dabs…if you take on too much, you could have another slip."

"This is different. I can't afford to fuck this up. Not when the kid's involved."

"What do we do?" Keigo whispered.

Dabi looked toward Yumi. "Kiri's keeping a lid on Sero. When Jiro's not with Denki, make it impossible for Sero to approach her. Talk to Yumi. Talk to Sero. Just…keep them apart until I see an opening."

Yumi scowled. "I'll do my best. But Hanta's not stupid."

"Evidence to the contrary. The fact that we have to do this in the first place is a testament to his stupidity," Dabi snapped.

"What I mean is it won't take long for him to sense something's up," she snapped back. "Make sure you're not taking your time, Dabi."

"Relax. I'm on my A-Game. Thanks to our current situation, I'm completely sober," he grumbled with annoyance.

Keigo raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you just have half of a no-no cookie?"

Dabi's expression didn't change. "I will be stone-cold sober for another thirty minutes."

~.~

As they all clustered around Dabi's car to find seating, Sero knew he'd be prepared this time. I was a jerk before, but I can make it up to her. I'll ask Jiro to sit on me and then I can -

"Are you sure?" Jiro asked.

Kami held his hand out to her with a warm smile. "Of course! Come on in, babe."

She flushed and smiled as he helped her up into the car and got her comfortable on his lap.

Shit. What do I do now? He gasped. Wait! If I sit next to them, I can still -

"Heeeeeeey," Kiri said, gliding in front of Sero and shooting him the peace sign. "Excited? I think we'll have a blast!" He took the middle seat in the back next to Kami, effectively blocking Jiro.

Mina blew a kiss to Kiri. "I wanna take the trunk this time. Okay, Honeybear?"

He blushed. "Yeah, sure!"

Sero sat next to Kiri. He craned his neck to look at Jiro. Maybe if I talk around Kiri, Jiro will -

Just as he was about to open his mouth, Yumi plopped herself in Sero's lap and draped her legs across Kiri's. "Haaai!"

Kiri laughed, patting her foot. "Hi, Yumi."

"Hi, Kiri."

"Um…gorgeous, would you mind - "

" - Let's play I, Spy!" She suggested in a chipper voice. "I'll go first! I spy with my little eye something…red!"

"Honey Bear's hair?" Mina guessed from the trunk.

"You got it!"

"YAAAAAY!"

Sero scowled. You've gotta be kidding me.

~.~

So far their evening hadn't been going well. Most places had a line out the door. Dave & Busters' last call was eleven-thirty, and the bars in town were so packed they couldn't even get to the bar counter. It seemed like Happy Valley was hellbent on keeping them sober.

"This can't be happening," Kaminari whined, bowing his head in defeat.

Dabi groaned. "This is the eighth bar we've been to that's reached full capacity."

"There's gotta be other bars in town," Jiro insisted.

"There isn't," Keigo said. "We'd have to go outside city limits to find another one."

Yumi frowned. "We should have gone to Portland. All the best bars and breweries are there."

"That's a half-hour away," Bakugo grumbled. "I'm not spending that long in a car stuck with you morons."

Izuku checked his phone. "We've only got an hour until midnight and we haven't had one drop to drink."

Mina found a snow pile and stood on top of it in her heels. "Is this really how we're going to bring in the new year?!" she yelled at the top of her lungs. "With disappointment, broken dreams, and sobriety?! Hell no! Come on, guys! Think of something!"

Sero clicked his tongue. "We could always rob a liquor store."

Keigo shrugged. "Not the worst suggestion of the evening."

Kami frowned. "Wouldn't we be spending New Year's day in jail then?"

Bakugo scowled. "At least we'd be drunk."

"Maybe we should figure out an alternative so we don't end up in jail," Izuku suggested.

Mina pouted. "Killjoy," she muttered, kicking some of the snow.

Yumi pulled her jacket tighter around her body. "I'm starting to think we were better off being sober and in the penthouse than out in the freezing cold, still sober."

Sero wrapped his arms around Yumi, trying to help her keep warm.

Dabi stood frozen, looking distracted.

Keigo tapped his shoulder. "Dabs?"

"He's probably thinking about which liquor store we're hitting up," Kami joked.

"Easy there, Sparky. Pillaging is plan Z," Dabi said firmly.

"What the hell are plans A-Y?" Yumi asked.

"I'm not at liberty to discuss that -"

"- DABI!"

He raised his hands. "Alright. Alright. I got one last Hail Mary." Dabi stared down at the concrete beneath him with lifeless eyes. "There's only one place I know that has enough booze to get us wasted in thirty minutes."

Izuku raised an eyebrow. "Where's that?"

~.~

"This better be good," Shota Aizawa said when he saw all ten twenty-somethings on his doorstep. His eyes scanned each and every one of their tired, depressed faces.

Izuku waved. "Hi, Mr. Aizawa!"

"Hello, Midoriya," he said in a monotone. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" he asked sarcastically.

"You're our last hope," Keigo admitted.

Aizawa glared at them. "You didn't make plans. Did you?"

"They invited themselves over without telling us," Yumi grumbled.

"Can't imagine what that's like," he said, eyeing her up and down with disdain.

Yumi flushed with embarrassment.

"What made you come here?" Aizawa asked.

Before anyone could answer, a tall man with blonde hair tied up in a messy bun and glasses came to the front door. "Hey, everyone!" He said. "Yumi! You look like a million bucks!"

Yumi grinned. "Thank you, Mr. Yamada."

"What's going on?" he asked. "Is there a party or something?"

"We're sober," Dabi grumbled. "And all the bars are full."

"They didn't make plans," Aizawa clarified.

Hizashi gasped. "That's horrible! You can't be sober on New Year's Eve!"

Mina smiled. "I know! That's what I said!"

"I was looking forward to a quiet night in," Aizawa grumbled.

Hizashi frowned at him. "Awww come on, Shota, it'll be fun! We haven't been to a real party in so long!"

"It doesn't count as a party if we're the ones hosting it."

"Pleeeeasssee?"

"No."

"Pleeeeease?"

"No."

"I promise I'll clean everything!"

"You always say that and then I'm the one stuck doing the - "

" - I mean it this time! I'll make the kiddos help me!"

Aizawa looked between his husband's puppy dog pout and the "kiddos." After staring at them both for a solid minute, he pushed the door open wider. "Take off your shoes."

~.~

Shoto sat in a white suit with his girlfriend Momo at their table in the Todoroki Country Club. His father was away on business, Natsuo went a few towns over to celebrate New Year with his college friends and Fuyumi went over to Mirko's. Which meant Shoto was the only Todoroki left who could represent the family at the annual New Year's Dinner. But he was bored out of his mind. I'd give anything to get out of here. A few minutes later, his prayer was answered.

He lifted his phone when it began vibrating.

"You're getting a call?" Momo asked.

"Yes," he said with a smile. "From my brother." He answered and lifted the phone to his ear. "Toya!"

"Hi, Nugget. We're at Aizawa's for new year's. Just wanted you to know you're welcome to come by."

Shoto looked at Momo, feeling a pang in his heart. "What about Momo?"

"She can come too."

Shoto placed his phone against his chest. "My brother invited us to a party."

Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "How exciting!"

"Don't worry about it, if you're busy."

"I am. And bored out of my mind."

Dabi laughed. "Well, when you're done being bored, head over. You won't wanna miss me drinking Bakugo under the table."

"Understood." Shoto hung up. "We can stay if you're having a good time."

Momo rolled her eyes. "I go to this Soiree every year. Even as a child I found it tiresome." She grabbed her purse and finished off her champagne. "Let's go."

Shoto smiled. He didn't use to smile at all. But Momo changed that. "I'll call Kurumada."

Momo clapped excitedly. "I'll bring my scones!"

Shoto remembered the vivid image of his tattooed older brother throwing back shots as if they were glasses of water. I don't think she understands what kind of party this will be. But I'm glad she's excited.

~.~

Aizawa ushered everyone into the basement as quietly as possible. I hope having these kids over won't give Hitoshi cold feet. He took after his father, after all. Group outings weren't his thing.

Dabi was one of the last people to head towards the basement.

Aizawa examined him, looking for signs that he might have another episode. But so far, it looked like clear skies. He placed a hand on his shoulder. "You good?"

Dabi smirked. "I'm great."

Yeah, right. "Your old man had a message for you. He asked me to pass it along."

His smirk vanished. "I don't care."

"You sure?"

Dabi froze in the doorway. But after a moment, he shrugged Aizawa's hand off and went down the stairs.

Yamada came up from behind him, cocking his head to the side curiously. "Think he means it?"

"Dunno. He's too thick-headed for me to pick up any signals."

Yamada beamed, hugging him. "You're such a softie, Shota."

Shota glanced up the stairs, toward the bedrooms. "How about ours?" He whispered.

"He's jittery," he replied honestly. "But that's to be expected, I guess."

I wouldn't know. I'm not even sure when I lost my virginity. "Mashirao's a good ki - man. I trust him."

"Me too." Yamada clung to Aizawa's arm excitedly. "Do you think…maybe…he'll - "

" - He's already making plans," Aizawa answered. "This morning, Mashirao asked for my blessing."

Yamada gasped. "What did you say?!"

I wanted to say…if he hurts Hitoshi, he'll have Eri to answer too. Mashirao taught her well, after all. I'm sure she's more than capable of kicking his ass now. "I told him I approve, but it's not up to me."

Yamada squealed. "When do you think he'll ask?!"

"After he achieves the fifth rank black belt in Judo. Then he'll be able to run his own classes at his family's dojo. He's still working on building a roster of students, but he's getting more every day. Mashirao is working hard to be the best man he can be. A man that can give Hitoshi a life of luxury and comfort."

Yamada squealed.

Aizawa cleared his throat. "His words, not mine."

Yamada swooned and fell into Aizawa's arms. "I can't take it! He's like one of those knights in Medieval times or something! So chivalrous!"

Aizawa furrowed his brow. He didn't say it outright…but I have a feeling this trip to Kyoto holds more significance than he's letting on. It will be a test. I can only hope Hitoshi is prepared enough to pass.

~.~

"I thought they were going to bed early," Shinsou grumbled as he lay in bed with his boyfriend.

"It's really nice of your parents to let me stay over," he said happily, holding Shinsou's hand. "I don't mind if they make a little noise."

Shinsou snickered. "Are you kidding me? They're ecstatic that I'm dating anyone. You could be a microwave and they'd be asking you to move in."

Ojiro laughed and planted a soft kiss on Shinsou's lips. "I'm ecstatic I'm dating you too," he whispered.

Shinsou flushed from the affection. But he felt frustrated. I wanted you, he thought. Tonight was the night. And now my parents are throwing a party.

"Hey," Ojiro whispered, hugging him close. "There's no rush, remember?"

"But I really wanted it," Shinsou whispered back shyly. "I was ready."

"I know, watashi no ai," he said with a soft laugh. "Don't worry. This won't be our last chance."

Shinsou flushed in the darkness. But I prepped myself and washed the sheets and cleaned my room and got a plug-in thing for the wall… "We're doing it," he said with a shudder. "I'm just...gonna get some water."

Ojiro sat up when Shinsou slid out of bed. "Hito-kun - "

" - Don't go anywhere," Shinsou whispered. "Please. I'll be right back."

Ojiro smiled. "Okay."

"I mean it."

"I know. I won't move, I promise. I'll stay right here."

Shinsou nodded, practically running out of his room to the kitchen. The pads of his feet made small thumps as he walked down the hall. In a long-sleeved shirt and sweatpants, he still shivered, whether from the cold or nerves. I really really like him, he thought, trying to remain composed as he ran the sink. I can't mess this up. I just can't. Everything has to be perfect.

~.~

Kiri slipped behind Aizawa's grand mahogany bar, which was three times the size of the one in Yumi's penthouse. He started with serving what Aizawa had on tap. A brew from Alaska, a stout from Colorado, and even one infused with apples.

Kaminari was checking out the instruments Yamada had piled in the corner, gushing over the electric guitars and keyboard. That was when Sero took his chance. He grabbed a glass of an amber ale and walked over to Jiro.

He took a seat next to her at the bar and held out the beer. "Happy New Year," he said softly.

She shrank away from it. "Um…no thanks."

He flushed awkwardly. THIS WOMAN IS ALWAYS REJECTING ME! "Seriously? Do you really hate me that much?"

"That's not why I - "

" - I swear I didn't do anything to it, I was just trying to be nice!"

"Sero - "

" - Will you ever forgive me? For being - "

" - She's not gonna drink that crap."

Sero turned to his left. Bakugo was mixing a drink behind the bar while Kiri served beer from the tap to his left.

Bakugo strained liquid from a martini mixer into a rum glass. Then he grabbed a soda gun and spritzed something brown into it twice. He slid it across the counter. "Dark and Stormy, hold the lime, with two pumps of coke."

She smiled. "Thanks, man."

Sero's jaw dropped. "That's your favorite drink?"

Jiro shrugged. "Yeah."

He scowled at Bakugo. "How do you know what her favorite drink is?"

Bakugo and Jiro looked at each other before looking back at Sero, and answering at the same time. "Warp Tour."

~.~

Kami scowled as he watched Sero try to talk to Jiro from across the room. He'd been shooting imaginary death lasers at him for five minutes before Kirishima came over with an Amoretto Kiss.

"Hey, man. Take a load off!"

Kami took the drink but kept his gaze fixed on Sero.

Kirishima cleared his throat awkwardly. "So uh…mind if I ask…what's…going on?"

"I don't know," he grumbled. "All I know is he made Kyoka cry and now he won't leave her alone. What could he possibly have to say to her that's so important? Why can't it wait until tonight is over?"

Kirishima's jaw dropped. "Wait - No. Listen, man, I know what you're thinking, but there's no way - "

" - He's my bro," Kami murmured. "And he always will be. But I don't care how he feels about her." He shrugged. "I just don't. You know why? Cuz it doesn't matter." He threw back the rest of his drink. "The only thing that matters is how I feel about her, and how she feels about me. And I love her." He threw down his glass, but since the floor was carpeted, it didn't shatter dramatically like he'd intended.

Kiri paled. "Kami, what are you doing?"

"I…I think…I think I might hit him."

"WHAT?! WHY?!"

Kami cleared his throat and puffed out his chest. "Cuz he's talking to my babe and I don't like it." He took an assertive step forward but ended up tripping over the glass he failed to break. Before he knew it, hands were helping him up and brushing him off.

Sero had a concerned expression on his face. "You okay, bro?"

Kami scowled at him. "Why the hell won't you leave my girlfriend alone?" he snapped.

Yumi saw the impending showdown and began clapping loudly. "Let's play a game!"

Dabi nodded, already on his third whisky on the rocks. "Yes. Games make getting drunk happen faster. Do it."

"Gorgeous, I think you've had enough," Sero said.

Yumi got up on her toes and booped his chin. "Hippo-crib," she grumbled tipsily. "You were fine and dandy with drinking all our brandy BUT IF I WANT TO HAVE SOME WINE - "

" - You dumped the rest before I could finish it," he mumbled.

Yumi spoke so loudly she didn't hear him. Instead, she held her arms up and waved everyone toward the middle of the room.

"You gotta admire her dedication," Dabi muttered.

Yumi started going around, giving everyone a glass. "Come on! It'll be fun!"

"What are we playing?" Izuku asked.

Dabi eyed Keigo up and down appreciatively. "I hope it's seven minutes in heaven."

"Never have I ever!"

Dabi scowled. "Boo."

Kami blinked. "Never have I ever?"

Mina giggled. "Yeah! Someone says something like….never have I eveeeer uuhh…driven a car. If you've done it, you take a drink. If you haven't, you don't."

Yumi smirked. "Yeah. Like, 'Never have I ever kissed Kirishima.'"

There were a few giggles from the group while Bakugo scoffed before taking a drink. Mina and Yumi took a sip.

Sero looked up at the ceiling. "You're on thin ice, gorgeous."

Dabi grinned. "Take the drink, Sero."

Sero muttered something under his breath as he took a sip of his drink.

Kami smiled. "This sounds fun." He took a drink.

The girls, Dabi and Keigo gawked at Kaminari.

"No, honey, you drink if you've done it," Mina said.

Kami shrugged. "Yeah. I know."

Kiri flushed and laughed. "Couch bros."

Kami laughed. "Couch bros."

Mina giggled. "Never have I ever kissed Sero."

Kirishima and Yumi took a drink.

Then, to everyone's shock, Jiro blushed pink and took a tiny sip from her cup.

Keigo gasped.

Kaminari's gaze instantly fell on Sero and twisted into a glare.

"Let me explain," Jiro muttered tipsily. "Um…so…I dunno if it counts, cuz…we were kids. But, well…there was this one time Hanta bit me."

"Did she just call you Hanta?" Kiri whispered.

"How much rum was in her drink, Kacchan?" Izuku asked.

Bakugo shrugged. "A Jiro-amount. Why?"

She cleared her throat and tucked some hair self-consciously behind her ear. "I started screaming and crying. But he explained it was just a dinosaur kiss."

Yumi slowly turned her head towards Sero, blinking.

Sero flushed bright red. "Gorgeous, I swear I don't remember - "

" - We were little, it wasn't…I mean…" Jiro took another sip from her drink. "So…after that, I would bite his hand sometimes and call it a dinosaur kiss."

Keigo teared up. "That's…like…one of the cutest things I've ever heard."

Jiro hid her face behind the collar of her leather jacket. "It's whatever. I dunno. I just wanted more of my drink."

Sero's eyes misted.

"Hanta?" Yumi whispered. "Are you okay?"

Kaminari stood up and walked up to Jiro, taking her hands. "I think I get how to play this now," he murmured. "Never have I ever kissed Kyoka."

Jiro laughed and laid her head on Kami's shoulder. "You're silly."

Kami kissed her hair and held her close, shooting Sero a look over her shoulder.

In response, Sero regarded Kami with a cool look, and took a swig of his drink.

Kaminari stood up.

Dabi slammed an unopened bottle of Jameson on the bar counter. "Drinking game. Now." He looked at Sero. "Tournament style. First up. Katsuki vs. Sero."

Bakugo grinned. "HEEELL YEAAH!"

Sero's gaze was still fixed on Jiro. "What? But - No, I'm - "

Bakugo crossed his arms, wearing a smug expression. "Sorry to disappoint you, Himura. But it looks like Noodle Arms isn't up to scratch. Oh, well. I bet you wouldn't last five minutes anyway."

Sero narrowed his eyes and stood up. "You motherf - "

" - Whoever wins versus me," Dabi encouraged.

Sero smirked at Bakugo and sat down across from him. "Pour the damn drinks."

~.~

When Shinsou made it downstairs, there were already people raiding his fridge. He stiffened, startled by the unexpected company.

"Shinsou?" Mina asked.

The lavender-haired boy flinched. You've gotta be kidding me. Four people sat sipping from glasses and talking in the living room. They all looked at him curiously.

"What are you doing here?" Shoto asked.

Is he serious? "I live here," Shinsou said plainly.

"Really?" Kirishima asked.

"Yeah." Did they really not know?

"Do you sublease or something?" Mina asked.

A mild stab of irritation hit him. Until he remembered it made sense, people wouldn't know. He wasn't a main character, after all. "Aizawa and Yamada are my parents."

"WHAT?!" Mina exclaimed.

Kirishima gasped. "I had no idea!"

"Me neither," Momo said.

"I'm surprised Mr. Aizawa never mentioned it."

Shinsou shrugged. "He tries to respect my privacy." Basically, the exact opposite of what you're doing. "Be careful out on the roads. I heard it's supposed to snow."

Kirishima beamed. "Don't worry! Your parents invited us to stay over."

Shinsou's eye twitched. Are you kidding me? So much for making Ojiro breakfast tomorrow. He'd wanted a quiet, intimate morning, just the two of them. He scowled as he realized he'd probably get stuck making breakfast for every hung-over mooch that spent the night. "I could get you an Uber if you're worried about driving," he insisted.

"Oh, don't trouble yourself," Momo said. "Despite the...humble accommodations, we'll fare just fine."

Shinsou took several deep gulps from his water and accidentally slammed his empty glass into the sink. "Try to keep it down. My sister is sleeping."

"You have a sister?" Shoto asked.

"Onii-chan!"

Shinsou flushed. Oh crap.

"Are we having a party?" A little girl asked as she ran out to greet him.

Mina shrieked. "She's so cute!"

She had deep burgundy eyes that looked almost red. Her white-blonde hair flowed in waves down her back. She wore a nightgown and matching pajama bottoms covered in little red apples. "I'm Eri!" she said, hugging Shinsou's leg. "Can I come to the party too?"

Shinsou picked her up into his arms. "Actually, the party just ended. Everyone's going to sleep. But I'll make you your apple pancakes tomorrow, okay?"

Eri smiled wide. "Okay!"

"Say goodnight to everyone."

Eri turned to the party guests and waved. "Good night!"

Everyone gave little waves.

"Goodnight," Mina squealed.

"Sleep well," Shoto said.

"Enchante," Momo declared.

"Byyyye!" Kirishima whispered.

Shinsou carried Eri back to her room, silently praying she'd get back to sleep.

~.~

"Why does it have to be Jameson?" Sero asked.

Bakugo grinned. "Good point. Make it rum."

Dabi looked around behind the bar. "Bacardi?"

"Obviously."

"Spiced or Superior?"

"Superior."

Dabi sat on a stool next to their card table and placed down two shot glasses. Then he opened the bottle of Bacardi and poured equal amounts of both into each glass.

"Why are we starting with the hard stuff?" Kiri asked. "Normally we chug beer, then do bombs, then - "

" - Because this isn't a Frat House, Kirishima. We're in a high-class establishment."

Yumi raised an eyebrow. "We're in a basement."

Dabi's gaze softened. But just a little. "Shota Aizawa, for better or worse, is the only authority figure I acknowledge."

Sero scoffed. "That sounds like a you problem."

"I will not disrespect him, his hospitality, or the sanctity of this bar by starting a drinking contest with beer-chugging." Dabi pulled out a shot glass from his own pocket and poured himself some rum. "Kanpai." (cheers) He tossed it back and waited for them to follow suit.

Bakugo gulped his down so fast Sero missed it as he was staring at his own. When he looked up, Bakugo was placing his empty glass on the table. Sero scowled, trying his best to do the same. But he couldn't help hitting his chest and coughing. How does he drink this crap?! It's awful! The liquid fire was sickly sweet. Even worse than the brandy he'd heavily diluted with melted ice.

I forgot I'm not used to hard liquor. We should've started with beer chugging. I would've annihilated this idiot. But he'd made the mistake of letting Bakugo choose. Even worse, he hadn't bothered to eat anything. There was nothing in his system to soak up the alcohol except his bloodstream. Shit. This was a bad idea. Why did I agree to this?!

~.~

"I wanna see Mashirao-sensei," Eri said with bright eyes.

Shinsou laid her down in bed and tucked her in. "You will in the morning. He's asleep right now." Like you should be.

"Where is he sleeping?"

"My room."

"Is he your boyfriend?"

Shinsou laughed. "Yes."

"Are you in love with Mashirao-sensei?"

He blushed, clearing his throat. "I don't know."

"I think you are."

He blushed redder. "You do?"

"Yes! And you're gonna get married!"

Shinsou, for the millionth time, silently thanked the gods for the fact he lived in a sound-proofed house. "What makes you think so?"

"Because you hold hands and hug and he calls you my love," she said conspiratively, grinning. "And I saw him kiss you," she whispered.

Shinsou hid his mouth and nose under the collar of his shirt. "You're way too observant for an eight-year-old."

"Your face is all red!" Eri declared, giggling.

"No, it's not," his muffled voice said.

She giggled more. "Then why are you hiding it?"

"You're embarrassing me."

"You're embarrassed cuz you loooove hiiiim and you're gonna be his wife someday!"

Shinsou hid his entire face in his shirt. "Why would I be - "

" - Cuz he's strong and tall and he cheers you up when you're sad!" You're always so happy around Mashirao-sensei!"

Shinsou gasped. "How do you know when I'm sad?"

Eri frowned. "You get quiet. But when you see him, you smile and he makes you feel better!"

He thought about how it felt to be in his arms. Breathe in his scent. How warm and stable Ojiro was. Even Eri's picked up on it. My…yin-ness. He had to admit he felt more comfortable doing stereotypically feminine tasks. Cooking, cleaning, taking care of Eri, teaching her how to read and write. At the same time, it was a weight off of his shoulders knowing Ojiro took care of the heavy lifting, literal or otherwise. When he found me during the blackout…I was so relieved. I knew he'd protect me no matter what. Even though the lights didn't come back on, I felt so safe. Maybe…being a…wife…wouldn't be so -

" - Onii-chan and sensei sitting in a tree, K - I - S - S - I - N - "

Shinsou averted his gaze when he remembered how it felt to make out with him. " - Keep that up and there won't be any apple pancakes."

She gasped in anguish. "I WANT PANCAKES!"

"Shhh you're gonna wake him up," he whispered, smooshing her face with a kitty cat squishmallow. "Be good or no pancakes."

"Okay! Okay! Goodnight, Onii-chan!"

"Good night."

~.~

Bakugo got down five shots. Now it was Sero's turn to down a fifth. But the room was already spinning and his head felt like it weighed fifty pounds. And his mouth was on fire. This shit is even worse than the vodka. At least I couldn't taste it.

Izuku draped himself over Bakugo, nuzzling into his neck. "Kacchan, I want cuddles," he slurred.

The blonde pulled Izuku into his lap and placed his hand on his inner thigh to hold him in place. "Can I take another shot while Noodle Arms is finishing his?"

Sero tipsily flipped him off. "Gimmeuhminnuh."

Dabi motioned for them both to stand up. "Whoever can stay on one leg the longest wins."

Bakugo stood up while holding Izuku.

Izuku beamed, wiggling his feet. "WEEEE!"

Sero leaned on the table to help himself up, but the moment he tried to stand he swayed on his feet and fell to the side.

Yumi blew a raspberry at him. "Bet you regret that brandy NOW, HUH?!" She exclaimed, slurring her words.

Bakugo snickered. "Like you could do any better."

Yumi stumbled forward, wagging her finger. "YOU KISS YOUR MOUTH WITH THAT MOTHER?!"

Keigo squinted at her. "Yoomz, don't you mean - "

"INUHWUDDUHZED!"

Dabi cleared his throat. "Uh…Yumi, do you think maybe you should check on your boyfriend?" And make sure he and Kami don't KILL EACH OTHER?!

Yumi waved her hand dismissively and plopped down on the stool across from Bakugo. "Not now, Debbie," she mumbled. "I gotta drink Bacardi Bombastic under the table," she said with a smirk.

Bakugo smirked back. "You're definitely gonna end up under the table," he agreed.

Sero hooted and hollered. "THAT'S MY WOMAN RIGHT THERE!"

Keigo placed a hand on her shoulder. "Yoomz, you've already had like…five drinks - "

" - So has he," she pointed out. "I got this."

"Didn't you also have wine and vodka cranberries before we went out?" Jiro asked.

Bakugo grinned. "She's in the chair. The only way she leaves is if she's falling out of it."

Keigo blew a rasberry and he tispily stumbled toward the basement stairs. "Whatever. I gotta pee."

Izuku hugged Bakugo tighter. "Kaaaaachaaaaan," he whined. "I want cuuuuddleeees."

With slightly glazed-over eyes, flushed cheeks, and tousled hair, Izuku looked even more adorable than usual. It was very distracting.

Yumi giggled, pouring herself some rum. "What are you thirstier for? Dis juice or dat ass?"

Bakugo scowled. "Nice try. But I'm not railing him while he's drunk."

Izuku giggled. "If we're both drunk then your drunkness and my drunkness will cancel each other out."

"What is that, the new math?" Keigo asked.

Dabi snickered. "No. It's the old bull."

"Izuku, go lay down," he said slightly softer.

"Lay down with me."

"Later."

"Now."

"Later."

"Noooow."

"IZUKU!"

"What?"

"Are you listening to me?!"

"I wanna make out," Izuku grumbled.

"It's eleven-thirty and I'm still not drunk," Bakugo grumbled. "I'm staying." He poured himself another shot of rum and downed it. "Your turn."

Yumi grabbed the bottle of bacardi and shook it upside down. "BARKEEP! BRING US SOME JUIIIIICE!"

Dabi smirked. "What's the lady drinking tonight?"

She scowled. "I'm low-key offended you're even asking."

He grinned. "I misspoke." Dabi went back behind the bar. When he pulled his hands back up, he held the necks of two bottles in each hand, all brands of vodka. "Which of these are you - "

" - Death's Door," she declared.

Bakugo smiled, looking as if he were snarling. "You're on."

~.~

After she fell asleep, Shinsou quietly closed Eri's door and snuck back in the direction of his room. Only to bump into Keigo.

Shit.

"Oh heeeeeey," he said, slightly tipsy. "Sorry, Shinny, I was just looking for the…" he trailed off, squinting. "Wait...you went bar hopping with us?"

"No."

"Oh." His gaze lazily took in Shinsou's appearance. "How come you're in your jampamas?"

Shinsou tried to brush past Keigo, but he kept trying to hug him. "I'm going to bed."

"Oh, okay. You sure? You should come have a drink with us."

"I don't drink, remember?" Shinsou said.

"Oh yeah," Keigo said, giggling. "Don't know why. Drinking's fun."

"Maybe for some people," Shinsou said darkly, working harder to push him away. Leave me alone. You're completely wasted.

Keigo noogied his hair. "What's your hurry, Shinny-Shin-Shin?" His eyes widened. "Wait," he gasped. "Is...is that sexy karate kid here?"

Shinsou blushed. "Judo."

Keigo snickered. "He is, isn't he? That's why you're so jumpy. Hogging him all to yourself, huh?"

That was the plan, but every last one of you are hell bent on ruining it. "Don't worry about it."

"I'm really happy for you," he said suddenly, pulling him into a one-armed hug.

Shinsou flinched, immediately terrified by the contact. The way Keigo hung around his shoulders was the same way his caretaker had at the orphanage. Right before he gave him a black eye or sprained his arm.

"Ever since Halloween, I was worried. You never come to us about anything. You're so quiet and lonely all the time - "

I'm the person people need. Not the other way around. I'M the one who watches Eri while the rents go to dinner. That sweeps the floor. That mans the store while Dumb and Dumber hook up in the back room. I lead Alice out the rabbit hole when she got stuck in the darkness of wonderland. I work behind the scenes. Unnoticed. Forgotten. That's how it's always been. So why is this idiot getting to me?!

Shinsou's heart tightened as a panic began to build in his chest. "I don't need anyone, okay? I never do. So just leave me alone." he ripped himself out of Keigo's hug and ran for his room, shutting and locking the door behind him. Once his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he saw Ojiro's chest rising and falling evenly.

"Mashirao?" he asked softly, walking closer. He got back into bed and snuggled against him under the comforter. But Ojiro remained unmoving with his eyes closed.

Dammit. I took too long. Shinsou pressed his face into Ojiro's chest, hugging himself as tears sprang to his eyes. How could you? You promised you'd be here when I got back. You said you'd stay. But you fell asleep on me.

"Come on," he whispered. "Wake up. You made a promise to me. Remember?"

Ojiro kept sleeping, breathing in and out calmly.

"Please," Shinsou begged. Tonight's the night, you bastard. Don't leave me hanging like this.

But his pleads fell on deaf ears. Never had he felt so alone. Shinsou tried his best to hold them back. His body shook with the effort. But the tears came anyway.

I don't want to feel like this anymore. Before you, I never knew how lonely I was. You made me see this gaping hole I have inside me and you filled it. Please wake up. I need you. I need you!

~.~

Kirishima came back downstairs to see a very drunk Sero rolling around on the floor, trying to get up. Mina bolted past him, cheering and yelling when she saw Yumi chugging Vodka straight from the bottle. He himself had only guzzled down two pints of guinness and half a mojito. Enough to mellow him out, but not too much that he'd have mobility issues.

Kiri swallowed nervously when he saw Kami and Jiro sharing a drink on the other side of the room. Sero doesn't like Jiro…right? There's no way. He'd known both of them since highschool, and there was about as much chemistry between them as baby powder and ziplock bags. But the way he's acting…If things were going the way he believed, his bros might end up asking him to choose a side. I can't do that. But…I still need to know both sides of the story.

He walked over and helped Sero to his feet and then to a bar stool. "You good, man?"

Sero grinned. "Yeah. I kicked his ass."

"Oh. Really?"

"Totally caught him off guard," he insisted. "Dogboy had no idea."

Kiri ushered him over to a couch in a corner of the room that was quieter. "Can we talk?"

Sero scowled. "Are you breaking up with me?"

Kiri rolled his eyes. Shit, he's completely plastered. I might be wasting my time. "Nah, man. I was just uh…wondering what's going on with you and Kami."

Sero's nose wrinkled with distaste. "He's hogging Jiro. But I wanna talk to her."

Kiri's eyes went wide. Hogging….Jiro. Who are you and what have you done with Sero? "Really? What do you wanna say to her?"

"That I'm sorry," he mumbled. "That I miss her, and I wanna be friends again. And that I was a dipshit."

"You kinda still are."

"Yeah. A little."

"But…you're a much better friend than you used to be."

Sero finally looked up at him with glazed eyes. "I am?"

Kiri patted his back. "Yeah! You and I had our rough patch, but bros have those sometimes. We worked through it and now we're closer. You'll work through this too."

"With which? Jiro or Kami?"

Kiri froze. "Yes."

Sero gave him a warm, drunken hug. "Wow, Ejirou. You're so wise. Thanks, man."

Kiri hugged him back. "What are bros for?"

Sero pulled away, suddenly looking very determined. "Jiro is my bro too. I'm gonna apologize, and get her back."

Kiri winced. "Before you do that, I think you should make it clear to Kami that you're not trying to steal his - "

" - JIRRROOOO!"

Kiri rubbed his temples. "Fuck. I need more booze."

~.~

Bakugo was finally starting to look tipsy, but all it did was make him cuddly. He hugged Izuku close to his chest as he tossed back more shots, nuzzling his face into the curve of Izuku's neck.

Dabi placed his hand on top of Bakugo's shotglass. "I'm cutting you off, Katsuki."

Bakugo scoffed. "Why?"

Dabi pushed his hair back and looked into his eyes. "Cuz this is the drunkest I've seen you since Warp Tour of twenty-sixteen."

Bakugo shoved his hand away. "Whatever. I'm fine."

"I touched you and you didn't threaten to kill me. Get off the stool."

"No."

"Now."

"I don't want to."

"Now."

"No."

"You're not yelling at me either."

"Just pour another shot."

Dabi pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's a tie. Okay? Get up."

Izuku's cheek kiss and soft nuzzles melted Bakugo's resolve. He stood up and walked up the stairs, carrying Izuku in his arms.

Yumi slammed her fist on the table. "I'M NOT LEAVING THIS TABLE WITHOUT A VICTORY!"

Dabi gracefully slipped into the bar stool and rested his chin on his hands, smiling at her. "Neither am I."

Mina pouted. "Hey! That's not even fair! You haven't been drinking with the rest of them!"

From behind the bar, Dabi pulled out an empty bottle of Jameson whisky and placed it on the table. "Fair?"

Yumi poked it. "Fair."

Dabi looked amused. "You're a winner, no matter what happens."

She slammed her fist down on the table again. "POUR THE VODKA, HIMURA!"

Dabi wagged his finger. "Nah-uh." He stood back up and pulled out a bottle from underneath the bar counter. An unopened 7-year aged Blue Spot Whisky.

"What's that?" Mina asked.

Dabi shuddered, running his nose along the length of the bottle and inhaling deeply. "Some of the finest whisky this world has to offer." He ripped the plastic casing off with his teeth and unscrewed it, flicking the bottle cap across the floor. "There's three more bottles of this bad boy," he said huskily. "So drink up."

~.~

Shinsou clung to his boyfriend, crying so hard it was difficult to breathe. His sobs woke Ojiro.

Ojiro wrapped an arm around Shinsou's waist. "Hito-kun? What's wrong?"

Shinsou buried his face in Ojiro's shoulder, losing himself in his warmth. The foreign yet familiar smell of his shampoo intermingled with Ojiro's natural scent. I don't want to be a bystander anymore. Not now that I know what it feels like to be the main character. What it feels like to be next to you.

"Hey...why are you crying?" he asked softly, rubbing his back.

"I'm so lonely," Shinsou sobbed, shivering. "I'm so lonely. I don't wanna be alone anymore."

Ojiro sat up and pulled Shinsou into his arms. "You're not alone," he whispered, hugging him tight. "I'm here, handsome. I'm here. I'm sorry I fell asleep." He kissed Shinsou's hair. His face. His neck. Rubbed circles into his shoulders, whispered soft words of comfort.

Shinsou absorbed it all. Like medicine for his soul. Every wall he'd put in place to protect himself dissolved with each kiss.

This is the most exposed I've ever been, he thought. The most vulnerable I'll ever be. It has to be now, when I don't feel like myself.

Shinsou's face felt hot as he placed his hands on top of Ojiro's. His heart pounded as he grabbed them and slowly trailed them down his body, to the hem of his shirt.

"Hito-kun?"

He used Ojiro's hands to pull off his shirt and drop it on the bed. "Take me," he whispered, looking down shyly with a red flush on his cheeks.

Ojiro tilted his head up so he could see his eyes. "Now?"

Shinsou pressed Ojiro's hand over his heart and looked up at him. "Now," he whispered. Can't you feel it? What you do to me? How much I want you?

Ojiro swallowed nervously, pulling off his own shirt and placing Shinsou's hand over his heart.

His eyes widened as he felt the fluttering of his boyfriend's heart. It's...beating so fast...

Ojiro leaned forward and pulled him into a soft, slow kiss. Shinsou shuddered as Ojiro's hands went down to his hips to pick him up and place him in his lap.

"Off," Shinsou begged, pulling at the drawstring of Ojiro's athletic shorts. "Please."

The blonde laid on his back to pull them off, along with his boxers. Shinsou slid off his own, his throat going dry as his nerves acted up. Especially when he saw the equipment Ojiro was packing.

Ojiro noticed the apprehension on Shinsou's face. "We don't have to," he whispered.

Shinsou pulled Ojiro to an upright position and straddled his lap, shyly hiding his face in Ojiro's shoulder. "I'm ready."

"Okay." he locked their lips, kissing Shinsou slowly and lightly. His hands moved up his arms. Over his chest. His torso. His legs. Exploring every inch of him. Shinsou did the same, hesitantly feeling all of his firm muscles, no doubt acquired from hours of training in his family's dojo. When he got to the V and the line of his happy trail, Shinsou groaned as he felt the overwhelming impulse to bite it.

"Are you okay?" Ojiro whispered.

"I'm fine, I...I just...I really want you," he gasped.

Ojiro laughed softly. "Well, you're in luck. I'm already yours."

That's not what I mean. Shinsou felt mortified in doing so but he reached a hand down and began rubbing Ojiro's hard-on.

He let out a deep sigh, gently placing his hand on top of Shinsou's. "Like this," he whispered. He began moving Shinsou's hand at a steadier pace.

Oh, I see. Slower than how I do it. "Aaah," he gasped when Ojiro began giving Shinsou's arousal the same treatment. He trembled in the blonde lap, his breathing coming quicker than before.

Ojiro didn't bother asking if he liked it or not. As Shinsou thrust up into his hand, he got the answer. "We can just do this if you want," he whispered, planting another soft kiss. "I don't mind."

"N-no," Shinsou shuddered. "M-more."

"Alright," he said. "But you're in charge, okay?"

Shinsou flushed. I know I said I'm a switch, but…"Well, I...I was hoping you'd...top me - "

" - That's not what I mean." Ojiro leaned back so he rested against the headboard. "I'll top from the bottom so you can control how far in I go."

Shinsou blushed red as he got a little confused. "Is this another one of those Judo things?"

Ojiro laughed. "No." He took Shinsou into his arms and held his hips up. "Do you have lotion anywhere?"

Shinsou hid his eyes with his hair. "I already prepped myself," he mumbled.

Ojiro blinked in surprise. "Oh, wow. When you said you were ready, you really meant - "

" - What was this bottom-topping thing you mentioned?" he asked, mortified.

Ojiro moved the hair out of Shinsou's face. "I'll angle myself under you. Then you just sink down as far as you want. If it's too much I'll pull you off."

Like with my vibrator. But I'm sitting up instead of laying down. "Okay. I think I get it now."

Ojiro noticed the bottle of lotion on the nightstand and poured some onto his hands. "Trust me, there's no such thing as too much of this stuff." He rubbed more of it onto his erection, hissing quietly from the pleasure.

Shinsou bit back a laugh. Even during sex he's an instructor. But something about that put him at ease. Made him feel less nervous.

Shinsou could tell when Ojiro let go of himself, he did so with reluctance, shuddering as his cock twitched. "Okay," he breathed. "Ready."

Shinsou remembered the number eleven quite vividly as he stared down. How am I gonna fit all that? But to his own horror, he realized he was excited to find out. He slowly pressed himself down.

Oh, wow. His eyes fluttered shut and his mouth parted slightly. He couldn't even think properly, it felt so good. So much better than a fucking toy. Jesus. But when he looked down, he saw he was only halfway. "Shit," he vocalized, suddenly nervous.

"It's okay if that's...all...you can…" the blonde seemed overcome with pleasure himself.

Shinsou clenched his eyes shut. No. I can do better. He pressed down farther, moaning in slight discomfort. It's a lot. But it's not bad. I can do this.

"Don't push yourself," Ojiro gasped, but his body told Shinsou something different.

As if he'd taken his words to be a challenge, Shinsou sank down deeper. He was starting to see stars as his sweet spot got smashed but it still didn't hurt. I want you to feel good, too. You've been so patient with me. So gentle. So understanding. He couldn't hold back a cry of pain as he finally made it all the way to Ojiro's base. At the same time, Ojiro moaned, tilting his head back slightly.

It hurts but...fuck it feels good. "You feel amazing," he moaned, moving up so he could slam down again.

"S-so do you," Ojiro said, placing a hand lovingly on top of Shinsou's.

Shinsou entwined their fingers, pushing and pulling up from Ojiro's hands for leverage.

"Oh, Hito-kun," he murmured, gripping Shinsou's hands tighter.

Yes. I'm doing it. I can do this. Shinsou moaned as he got into a rhythm. First, he rose up quickly and slammed down slowly. Then he rose and sank at the same rate. Finally, he got himself to the point where he could go down to Ojiro's base pretty quickly.

At some point, he forgot to focus on the mechanics. Instead, he relished in the pleasure. His pain became mild discomfort. Then it became a bittersweet finish to his ecstasy.

Dammit, it feels so good. Aaah…

Ojiro kissed his neck. "You astonish me, watashi no ai," he murmured. "You're doing so well."

Shinsou's breath hitched as his body started to to tighten. "I've wanted you so bad," he whined. "For so long."

Ojiro gave him a deep kiss, teasing Shinsou's tongue with his own. "Me too. But now you can have me whenever you want."

The thought of that alone accelerated his heart. As Shinsou picked up his pace, Ojiro's moans got more desperate.

Shit. I'm gonna…Shinsou slowed down, forcing himself to stop.

Ojiro forced himself to stop moving his hips. "Are you okay?" He gasped.

"Y-yes, but I was about to...I was going to…"

"That's okay," Ojiro said. "I was too."

"But I'll get it everywhere," Shinsou insisted, even though his body screamed at him to keep going. "I just cleaned the sheets and it's too late to run the washer - "

" - Hito-kun," Ojiro said with a soft chuckle. "Let me worry about all that, okay?"

"But I - oh god!"

Ojiro placed his hands on Shinsou's hips and began picking him up and pushing him down on his erection.

Jesus fuck! Shinsou cried out. Yes! Yes! YES! AAAH!

"I've got you, okay? Just relax."

"Mashirao," Shinsou gasped, trembling as his release started to build. "M-Mashirao - "

" - Go ahead, Hito-kun. Let go."

"I'm - I'm I'll - m-make a m-mess - "

" - I'll clean you up," Ojiro whispered huskily, thrusting up as he pushed Shinsou down.

Fucking hell It's so much! "Ahh!" Oh god, he feels so good. Once he was on the edge, fear filled him. He wasn't ready for how hard he was going to climax. "N-no, I c-can't - "

" - Let go. Let go." Ojiro groaned as he got close. "Sugoi," he growled. "Hito-kun, p-please - "

" - Oh g-god," Shinsou cried. He couldn't think anymore. All he could do was feel. Everything turned him on to the max. Clinging to the hard mountain ridge that was Ojiro's shoulders. The way his boyfriend's hands felt as they firmly grasped his waist. The insane, inhuman pleasure Ojiro inflicted by touching a deep place inside him only he could reach. "Ah! Ah! AH! AH! AHHH! AHH!"

"Hito-kun! PLEASE! Let….GO!"

Finally, he did as he was told. He'd never felt so full. So loved. So cherished. So safe. So good. "AAAAAH! MASHIRAO!"

It was a gift from God that all of the rooms in his house were soundproofed. He couldn't control the volume of his cries. It was all so intense. A tear ran down his face as his feelings and orgasm crashed over him all at once, blinding him with euphoria. Ojiro clasped his hands over Shinsou's arousal, catching his release while he got lost in his own. He moaned with pleasure, his lips parted and his eye lids falling down.

It turned Shinsou on all over again to see his boyfriend, usually so composed, come undone. Is he really like this…because of me? Was I really enough to please him? He found it hard to believe. Did I do it right? Was it as good for you as it was for me? Or was I bad? These questions swirled in his mind but he didn't have the energy to speak.

I had no idea it would be like this! It wasn't just an orgasm. It was the closest he'd ever felt with Ojiro. Even closer than when he'd sat with him in the car, wearing his mother's kimono. Closer than he'd felt when Ojiro taught him how to wash his hands at the shrine, or when Ojiro shared his deepest wishes. In that moment, it truly felt like they wer eyin and yang personified.

Lines started flooding Shinsou's mind as he climbed down from his release.

Your fire and might

Have burned me inside and out

Now I rise from ash

Once I was empty

Then you filled me and my heart

With light like the stars

Your hands warm in mine

Stealing away agony

So that I can breathe

You've taken control

Conducting my train of thought

Where are we going?

He didn't have the energy to move or speak afterward. Ojiro slowly lowered them both down. He tried to slip out of him but Shinsou clung to him, whining in protest when ojiro tried to move. Please. I feel so good. I wanna stay full. Eventually, Ojiro gave up trying. Instead, he draped a sheet over Shinsou's back and rubbed it up and down with his hand.

Shinsou was already starting to nod off. He felt some of his release on his stomach, but he didn't care. Ojiro's slowing heart thumped below his ear. His warm, strong arms wrapped around him, holding Shinsou in a secure embrace. They were skin to skin, for the first time. The night was quiet. Some part of Shinsou realized he'd probably pass out before he saw the dawn of 2022. But he didn't care.

He didn't have a word for what he was feeling. It was so big and intense it scared him. He'd never felt this way for anyone before. But one word came close to describing it.

Complete.