Author's note: So I'm sticking with Takuto for a little while, I kinda took a liking in his and Denki's dynamic. I even tried to draw a portrait of him, but it is not doing him any justice XD

A hormone driven moment awaits you in this chapter, but nothing too graphic… for now. Kinda not ready to make them take that step yet!

I began to write the end of this chapter first, the scene and one specific sentence getting stuck in my head. That was kind of fun to do, and I hope it doesn't come out clunky in the end.

Enjoy and see you soon!


"So, Kyoka, huh?"

Denki rolled his eyes at Takuto's smug grin. Ever since that afternoon, his friend kept bringing the same subject each time they were meeting.

And since they were hanging out almost everyday, it was getting old.

He had already told him about their first meeting, about how they got together, about their first date… Geez, even his mother had not doted on him this much when he had called to told her of his relationship, only asking him if he was happy…

She had made up for the lost time since he had been home, but always in a delicate manner, waiting for him to initiate the conversation.

Unlike the dummy in front of him.

He took a sip of his canned ice-tea and smirked as an idea popped in his head.

"So, Miwa, huh?"

The flustered blush and surprised look in Takuto's dark green eyes almost made him choke on his drink from laughter.

"I knew it!"

"Stop right there, Mr Chargebolt, that's not very heroic to try and change subject like that."

"I think that it is totally irrelevant… Besides you already know everything there is to know…"

A flash of realization hit Kaminari as he watched his friend mumble to his himself, his cheeks still crimson.

"Were you trying to get some hints on how to confess to Miwa?"

Takuto groaned in frustration and buried his head in his crossed arms that rested on the wooden table they were seated at in the park near Denki's house.

"You're not supposed to be that perceptive… But yeah, I don't really know how to handle whatever is going on with my feelings, and since you're the only person I trust enough to talk about it…"

"Ah, youth…"

Takuto's hand went flying to shove the blonde boy across the table lightly, Denki sticking his tongue out at the gesture.

"I'm serious here, ya know? It never happened to me before, with all the shit that happened in middle school. Do I really like her like that? Is she interested in me in that way?"

He sighed loudly and ran a hand in his dark locks, his elbow resting on the table. The faraway look in his face reminded Denki of his own struggles, past and present.

"It's time for Denks-sensei lesson!"

"Tskk!"

Takuto redirected his eyes toward Denki, ready to bark at him to leave him alone, but stopped in his tracks when he saw the earnest look of his friend.

"So, you're not sure about your feelings?"

Takuto nodded silently in response. "To be honest, I'm not sure I'll be able to clear everything for you, because I'm not here," he said while pointing his friend's head, "nor there," he pursued and moved index toward his heart.

"It is a bit of a mess right now, even messier than your room…"

"Hey, I tidied it up a huge deal since I came back… Ermm, back to our main subject. What made you think that she was different from the other girls?"

"Well, there is a lot more of girls who are talking to me since the first year of high-school, but I'm not very comfortable with them. I mean, it is like how you felt the other day with those two girls, I don't feel a genuine interest with who I really am. But Miwa never gave me this kind of vibe. She is an earnest and kind person, who is not afraid to speak her mind. We bonded around sport and movies, and it just feel natural to talk to her."

Kaminari nodded, smiling inwardly: Takuto got it bad and he wasn't even aware of it. They weren't friends for nothing.

"And when did you thought that things were changing? Because they have, right?"

"That's the problem: I don't know when it shifted. But it has, because I just want to spend more time with her, and to get closer to her, and I do stupid jokes to make her smile..."

"Your jokes are always stupid."

"So are yours. Well, you have the big picture… almost, because there is the tiny problem of her own feelings..."

"You're always pestering me about the fact that I overthink everything, but you are the same… You obviously like her, idiot. You have all the symptoms, so stop running around in circles and make a choice."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because."

Takuto was ready to retort, but Denki eyed him seriously.

"I'm sure you know the truth already but you are afraid, and it's perfectly normal. I've been there too, and I've decided to put my feelings aside and just enjoy Kyoka's presence near me in the beginning, because I felt like I wasn't good enough."

It was Takuto's turn to glare and eye Denki earnestly, his facial expression clearly showing his disapproval at what he had just heard.

"But, as you know, I was a big idiot since the beginning, and it never crossed my mind that she viewed things differently. So, it is just about letting your fear have the upper hand, or not. And I'm pretty sure you're getting on the idiotic highway like me, so you really should ask her out already."

"You're saying that like it is super duper easy to do."

"What could happen in the worst case? If you lose her friendship, it wasn't that deep in the first place. It could be awkward at first, but if you really care and talk it out, it will work out in the end. And you'll be free to get over your feelings, because you'll know the truth. And there is still the possibility that she is feeling the same way about you, that you are voluntarily avoiding to consider."

"When did my little Denks became so wise?"

Denki flicked his forehead playfully, and finished his drink in one gulp.

"I just did another trip on idiotic highway, so I got a long way to go before becoming someone a little bit wiser. Let's just say that I have a little more experience than you..."

"Speaking of that… I'll need a battle plan, and you won't let a friend in need down, right?"

...

It had been two weeks since his return in Saitama, and the need to go back to the home he had chosen for himself made itself clearer one night.

He was washing the dishes after dinner, casually talking to his mother about his day and the latest news he had from Eijirou from UA.

They were planning a trip for the summer vacation that combined hero work and free time at a resort near the Pacific Ocean, and everyone was hyped up: he had to admit that he looked forward to this too, imagining the crazy shopping trips led by Mina, the complains of Bakugou about everything, the overly protective rants of Iida…Kyoka in a swimsuit…

Focus, Denki, focus...

A sigh he wasn't aware of holding escaped his lips has he put down the last plate, that didn't go unnoticed by his mother.

"Missing your friends?"

"Yeah… I mean, I'm glad that I went home and could spend time with you, I thing that it was the right thing to do, but…"

"Your mind keep wandering elsewhere?"

He silently nodded, averting his gaze.

"Then it is probably time for you to go back to UA."

His grip tightened around the plate he was holding as he exhaled slowly.

"I… I'm afraid to breakdown again. I feel better and I know what I should improve for preventing it to happen again, but I don't feel confident enough in myself to actually do what is necessary."

His mother put down the rag she was holding to dry the dishes ans ruffled his hair.

"You know, you'll never be confident enough. It's not just you though: nobody is confident enough to avoid mistakes, because nobody is perfect and able to control every aspect of their lives."

"So how do you deal with hardships as an adult? I mean, you and Dad had your fair share of hard times and you overcame it, right?"

"For starters, we don't have the pressure of being a hero, so we can't really compare. But there had been times where we struggled a lot, and we didn't know what to do. When you were born, we had no clue how to raise you in a good way, so we sought for advice. As you grew up, we were helpless to help you having a better self-esteem no matter what we tried to do: that's why we thought of asking help from a therapist. And do get me started about the fear we have about your hero studies…"

Kaminari stayed silent, taking in the new side of his parents story he was discovering. He never really thought about how they were feeling about his issues and how it affected them.

"Don't go feeling guilty, Denki."

He gaped at his mother, as she had pinpointed exactly what was rising in his head. "It is a parent duty to take care of their child and to help them grow. And it is not only roses and butterflies, we knew it. Yet we chose to do our best and do what we thought was right, like you are doing right now as a young adult and hero."

He let his head rest on his mother's shoulder with an understanding hum.

"It is time for you to be proud of yourself as much as we are. You are really a good kid and I'm so glad that you entered my life sixteen years ago."

A muffled sob followed by a "Thank, mom" echoed in the kitchen as she patted affectionately his head.

That night, he face timed Kyoka for the first time since he had left UA, to properly announce his return in a few days, and to have the conversation they should have had weeks ago.

...

"Forty-eight, forty-nine, fifty!"

Denki sprawled his exhausted self on the ground, his shirt drenched in sweat and riling up on his stomach: he had tried to maintain a work-out routine in place of his usual training, mainly consisting on runs, push-ups and sit-ups. Takuto was regularly tagging along after school, sometimes joining him. The latter was grinning mischievously, launching a bottle of mineral water in the air and catching it repeatedly.

"You're getting rusty my dear Denki…"

"You're one to talk, Mister I gave up after the third series."

"Hey, I'm not the one training to be a hero… But you've got a point, I didn't went all the way."

Kaminari got up on his feet, reaching for his own bottle. The sunny weather and the small breeze brought a lot of people outside on this early May afternoon, and the park they had chose to train was filling up, mostly with families strolling around the pond or walking their dogs.

He thought of how this peaceful vibes were fragile, wondering how the cities destroyed by Gigantomachia looked like before being targeted, and if the people that lived there would regain a sense of peace one day.

"Earth to Denki!"

"Sorry, I tend to space out sometimes…."

"Your gears are grinding again… You're sure you were not a windmill in a past life?"

Kaminari threw his arms around his friend's head and messed with his raven hair.

"I was just thinking that it was quite peaceful, and that I wanted to keep things that way…"

"What are the most difficult things to deal with when you are a hero in training?"

"Seeing people suffering without being able to do anything. We got tangled in a massive web of messed-up events since day 1, and the helplessness is what was the worst thing to overcome."

His amber eyes drifted to the blue sky, flashes of every moment spent struggling alone and with his classmates invading his mind, the pain and laughter, the losses and the victories.

"I always thought that being a hero required strength: a good Quirk, a strong body. But I understand now that it above all means a strong spirit."

"You make it sounds like everybody can be a hero", said Takuto in a whisper.

"Because it is true. Sure, it is easier if you have some predispositions, but if you want to do something to save someone, you can just do it."

The dark-haired boy took a sip of his water, deep in thoughts. In a way, Denki saved him 3 years ago without doing anything Quirk-related… His own Quirk wasn't that useful, but he sometimes surprised himself by thinking that he could do something for the people near him just by being considerate.

Ever since his best friend enrolled in UA, he often wondered how fair the whole situation was. Not that he didn't trust Denki, but putting so much responsibilities on teenagers even if it was the path they had chosen didn't sit right with him.

And with the whole Paranormal Liberation Front shit, his uneasiness regarding how this world was working only grew. Seeing the heroes everyone praised before being lynched at the first big ordeal made him cringe: wasn't it a bit too easy to put all the blame on the one who were actually trying to do something?

Kaminari's voice brought him back from his musings.

"You know, I think that this world won't be able to go on as he is now… Villains are not born this way, they choose at one moment to become like this, for various reasons. So we won't be able to do any progress if we turn a blind eye on what is not working in this society…"

"Wow, that was deep… But I see what you're getting at. I found so unfair the way everyone treated heroes after all this mess. Maybe something good will emerge from this crisis..."

"That's what we're working for in UA at least. It's our hope for the future."

Takuto sighed theatrically.

"Man, I'm so envious, I totally want to meet all of your classmates, and Jirou-san too…"

"Huh? You're not calling her Kyoka anymore?"

"Well… I thought that it was a bit too familiar, ya know, since I don't really know her…"

Denki deadpanned and eyed his friend quizzically. "And you're only thinking about this now…?"

Takuto ruffled his hair furiously, obviously frustrated.

"I know, I acted on an impulse back then, because I couldn't stand seeing you this miserable and I didn't knew her surname," he said in a low voice, his eyes cast downward, "besides, I don't think that… that I'd like you calling Miwa by her first name so casually."

"Heeeeeee….," Denki grinned like a madman and pinched both of his friend's cheeks playfully, "That's so cute, a jealous Takuto… By the way, when are you going to unfold our perfect plan?"

"You're calling it a plan? We planned nothing at all… But we are both on cleaning duty tomorrow at school so…"

"Well, I hope you'll be able to tell her before I leave."

"That what was I intended to do, it will be up to you to could console me if I end up rejected, Denks-sensei."

"Or to celebrate with you around a slice of cheesecake…"

"You know how to keep a guy motivated…"

"What can I say? I just want you to be happy, 'cause you saved me countless times before. It is only fair that you have your share of the happiness cake", said Denki casually as he began to walk back to their neighborhood, his arms crossed behind his head.

Takuto stood there, dumbfounded. He had always thought that he had been the one being saved, so hearing that he actually did something good for someone close to him made him kind of fuzzy inside.

But it was particularly how open Denki was with his thoughts that made him feel proud of his friend. He had made so much progress since their first meeting, and had not seen his typical tortured gaze for a few days now.

He sometimes had wondered how things would have turn out without Denki in his life… But Takuto wasn't one to dwell on what if's: it had been the first decision he had taken when he stepped out of his own darkness, and so far, it had been the best decision he had ever taken, all thanks to that dumbass electric boy he was honored to have as a friend.

"I'm the one that was saved by your kindness first…", the teenager muttered to himself, before jogging toward the blonde-haired boy.

One of the last thing Denki did before boarding the train to Musutafu is sharing a slice of cheesecake at Takuto's favorite cafe, the latter experiencing a new kind of panic attack before his first date at the movie theater with Miwa in the afternoon.

...

Ever since the door of his room had shut behind them, they couldn't let go off each other, Denki pulling her in a tight hug, his face buried in her hair and breathing in her scent.

All she did was gripping his shirt like a lifeline, nuzzling his neck at first and then slowly pressing her lips against his collarbone. A second later, his lips captured hers in a searing kiss, him biting her lower lip to seek entrance, their tongues dancing with one another. As soon as he pulled back, she held his face against hers by treading her fingers in his blonde hair, kissing him anew.

She had stayed too long without her own personal sun: her warmth deprived self couldn't get enough of him now that she had him back, and the few hours that went on since his return UA had felt like days for her, the intensity of her desire of being just the two of them growing like a wildfire.

She had tried to tell herself that it was normal thing after three weeks of being apart and the emotional roller-coaster they had experienced for several months. She chastised herself for being so greedy, so impatient, as everyone greeted him, Eijirou grabbing him in a bone-crushing hug, Sero and Mina jumping on him screaming how much they missed him, Deku fist bumping him and expressing how glad he was to see him.

Even Bakugou emitted a grunt of approval at his entrance, proclaiming that "he had sure took his sweet time to come home."

She was even envious of them to freely express their feelings, because her inner thoughts weren't really appropriate to reveal to all eyes, and she hid her blush the best she could all afternoon, battling against the storm of mixed feelings: jealousy, need, shame, desire, love, relief, fear.

But right now, everything was melting from the warmth they shared, their locked lips dissolving every doubt and fear.

They were losing track of space and time, and reality came back as Denki suddenly fell with a loud "thump" on his bed, securing Kyoka against him during their fall by embracing her.

A soft chuckle made his chest rumble under her ear, and she helped herself up to come at his eye-level, straddling him in the process, suddenly hyper aware of the intimacy of their position.

His golden eyes were lively and animated, a sign that he had recovered and really came back. The hungry hue in them made her shiver, as she took in the sight of his messy hair and slightly unbuttoned shirt, exposing his neck and collarbone.

One of is thumb grazed her bottom lip, his other hand reaching behind her head to bring her closer to his face.

"I've missed you so much…"

"It is supposed to be my line."

Boldness took over him as he licked his bottom lip in anticipation, exhaling hotly the next words.

"Take it back from me then…"

She crashed her lips against his mouth again, fiercely, and he felt his mind blank with the fire running in his veins.

He never thought that their reunion would be this intense, but as soon as he landed his eyes on her and saw the smile she kept for him and him only, he felt a strange surge of emotions, and a blinding need he never experienced before.

He had appreciated every display of affections from his friends that he also missed dearly. But a part of him couldn't help but be impatient to receive her affection and love, and he was currently drowning in bliss as he met every of her kiss with the same passion and need.

He felt her moan as he deepened their latest contact by changing the angle slightly, tilting her head to the side, warm goosebumps running down his flesh.

Hearing that kind of sound from her always send shivers down his spine, a sense of pride welling up in him at the fact that he was the one making her feel that good. It was empowering and his brain was running wild, wondering how he could make her sound this blissful again.

She ended the kiss and headed south to reach his neck, placing open-mouthed kiss along his throat, sensing the vibration from his own moan, her mind hazy with warmth. She let her lips travel to his collarbone, licking tentatively to taste his skin.

He hissed and reached for her hip in retaliation, caressing the exposed milky skin revealed by her riled-up shirt. As she nibbled slowly on the spot she had targeted, Denki let out a low growl and tilted his head to grant her a better access, and allowing him to see her pinked-colored ears.

Two could play this game, and he licked her earlobe while securing one of his hand on her lower back, the other ghosting on her stomach. The low and long moan she uttered against his neck send heat across his whole body, pooling in his lower region.

She was shaking in his arms, her breath short and hot against the mark she had left on him, her hand clutching at his shirt to brace herself.

The hand that rested on her hip went up, cradling her head gently, as he kissed her temple.

"I'm sorry, Kyo, I didn't think that this would be so sensitive."

She nuzzled his neck, humming "S'nothing" and began to slide to his side, her arm draped around his torso, the feel of his body lingering on her tingling skin.

They stayed in this comfortable silence, listening to their heartbeat gradually slowing down, hearing their breathing evening slowly.

"I'm home…", he whispered against her hair, his right arm surrounding her shoulder still, his other hand linked with hers on his stomach.

"Welcome home, Denki."

"That was a great welcoming gift", he jokingly said, as the previous tension dissipated.

"Idiot… Way to run the mood…"

"I really think it is a good thing that the mood is ruined, for I don't think my poor heart is able to take it... yet.", he said as his face reddened from embarrassment.

She felt herself blushed too, heat still overly present in her system, the reminder of his own excitement against her as she was getting off of him eliciting a myriad of feelings. She marveled at how they were able to jump from being the boldest they had been with each other to feeling this shy.

Hormones be damned...

She exhaled slowly and her whispering voice sounded foreign in her ears, laced with a huskiness she had never imagined possible for her.

"That is one of the thing that I like the most about us... How we can speak rather freely about how we feel, our limits, our doubts... I'm not ready either, but I guess that I needed to feel closer to you. Sorry if I went overboard."

"Don't be, I needed that too, to feel close to you again. Let's just learn what we're comfortable with together..."

His smile was contagious, and she felt the prickle of joyful tears at the corner of her eyes, the sight before her was the best proof that he had let some of the shadows behind.

Her phone buzzed suddenly, and she reluctantly sat up to reach for where it landed on the bed after their fall.

She read the text, her cheeks getting red again.

"Momo's telling us that dinner is ready soon..."

"I suppose that she added something else for you to blush like that..."

He was now sitting next to her, a playful smirk on his lips as he poked her cheek.

She stuck her tongue at him, and her gaze landed on the bruising mark she had left on his collarbone. She extended her hand to caress it slowly, embarrassed and amazed at the same time at her move.

His own hand covered hers, as he lost himself in the various expression she was making.

"Does it hurt?"

"Nope. And I shouldn't have a hard time to hide it from prying eyes."

A surge of pride and possessiveness overrode her previous shyness.

"A part of me doesn't mind it... I mean, that anyone could see that you're mine."

Denki's felt the previous warmth rise again, the need to mark her too making him groan lightly. He reached for the nape of her neck with his free hand to pull her into a last kiss instead, that left her a bit dizzy.

"We really should prepare for dinner, or Kacchan will be complaining about how we mess-up his schedule again..."

His hoarse voice broke her trance and she watched him gather some comfy clothes for the night from his suitcase. She chuckled at the sight of his brand new T-shirt he was brandishing, with a glittering Pikachu on it.

"I kept it especially for tonight, courtesy of Takuto. He'd like a picture of all of us by the way, and I hope he would be able to make it to the cultural festival this fall."

"It reminds me that I have to thank him for watching over you."

"I guess that making a little trip down memory lane helped me put things at their right place. It was great to spend time with him."

She got up and hugged him lightly. "Good persons attract each other, so they say... I'll get going, see you downstairs!"

He squeezed her softly and let her go with a soft look in his eyes as she waved at him.

The words his mother told him that night resonated with what Kyoka had just said, as he headed for his door: in the end, it was once again a matter of choice…

But for now, a rather cold shower seemed to be a good idea.