The group watched her turn and walk out, before Uraraka turnt to face Izuku. "So Todoroki is super gay for you, dude."

Izuku choked on nothing. "I-he-I-what."

Uraraka and Asui nodded in unison. Kirishima shifted uncomfortably in the corner, staring at his shoes and slowing turning red. "He, he- -yeah, Midoriya. It's kinda...super obvious. All the time. Every time we mention you he lights up. He blushes when you make eye contact with him."

Asui and Uraraka looked at each other, bearing identical bemused expressions.

"Kiri-kun," Asui said slowly, "when did you get so perceptive?"

Kirishima smiled a little bit, coughed, and rolled his shoulders back. "It's super-manly to be perceptive. And in touch with your emotions," he said, the corners of his mouth twitching a little, "but not controlled by them. Very manly. In a non-toxic way."

Asui nodded sagely. "So just do the opposite of what Bakugo does."

"That's always a good idea," Uraraka chimed in, smiling slightly.

"He's not so bad- -" Kirishima protested halfheartedly, then sighed. "Yeah, he kind is. But at least he's in touch with his one emotion: rage."

Izuku would've laughed, had he not been a little stunned.

"Anyway," Kirishima continued, "where was I?"

"Gay."

"Thanks, Tsu. So. Todoroki is into you, dude. Have you seriously not noticed?"

Izuku shook his head. "I- -I-I thought he was just awkward..."

"Well, that too. But awkward wouldn't find so many excuses to touch you. To be near you."

Kirishima took the seat Todoroki had formerly occupied, swung it around so he was sitting on it backwards, and loudly schooched it closer to Izuku. "So the question is...how do you feel about him?"

Izuku was quiet for a long time. He heard the door below close again.

Mom's home.

"I...he's...he's a good guy. A good friend."

He sighed deeply. Buried his face in his hands. His heart was racing. His stomach was twisted. He felt heat creep into his face.

"Is that all?"

Kirishima leaned closer, gently running a hand through Izukus hair. "Because that's okay, man. But you need to be open about it."

"He deserves honesty, Deku. No matter what," Uraraka said gently.

"And maybe a little smooch for his effort." Asui snarked.

Izukus mouth moved several times, before the sound came. Rushing out of his mouth in torrents of words, jumbles of noise.

"He...I mean, god, he's hot as hell, and when he smiles it makes me get butterflies, and, and, and, he's so...he's so sweet, even if he's kinda...and, oh god, Kirishima, I just wanna...fuckin'...kiss him. On the mouth. Gently."

He flung his arms out, pushing Kirishima away as he wildly gesticulated.

"How much do I owe you, Tsu?"

Kirishima turnt to shush the girls before gently hugging Izuku. "Okay, man. So you gotta tell him that. I guarantee he'll be down to kiss you back. Gently."

Izuku laughed a stuttering laugh. "Oh. By the way...I'm gay! Hah!"

"Twenty yen."

"Shit."

His mouth dropped open. "You guys were taking bets on my sexuality?"

"Actually," Tsu said, counting her money, "Uraraka was losing them."

"Go to hell," Uraraka said, mock-glaring at Tsu.

"I...I guess I'll tell him after school, when I'm back."

Kirishima winked at him. "Good plan."

And we shall cut it off there.

This chapter was gonna be longer, but I cut out what I'd written and, well, that'll be chapter 17. It involves more Bakugo, and a lot more Light Yagami. Be afraid.

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