CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR - CRUSH

Kai watched Shigaraki from the corner of his eye, completely distracted from the video game he was supposed to be actively participating in. But he just couldn't concentrate.

Shigaraki was sitting on the floor next to him, leaning back against the side of the bed with his knees drawn up to his chest. He was wearing one of his usual oversized sweaters with the hood pulled up over his head, but his legs were unusually exposed. He was only wearing a pair of boxer shorts and with the way he was sitting the material was riding up high on his thighs, revealing the pale skin below.

Kai could only stare, transfixed, before realizing his heart was beating just a little too quickly for his liking and his face was just a bit too warm. He shifted slightly, trying to edge away, uncomfortably aware of how his body was reacting.

Shigaraki, as if sensing his discomfort, turned his red gaze over to him, his head tilting in curiosity. "What's wrong?"

Kai inwardly groaned. Shigaraki's bed-mussed hair had fallen over his eyes and his lips were slightly parted, he couldn't help but notice how soft they looked. He swallowed and then jerked his attention back to the TV.

"Nothing. Why?"

"You're driving in the wrong direction." Shigaraki said with a little smirk.

"What? Oh shit!" Kai flicked the analog stick on the controller and spun his car back around on the racetrack.

Behind them on the bed, Kurogiri let out a deep laugh only adding to Kai's embarrassment. Shigaraki snickered before his side of the split screen announced him crossing the finish line in first place.

"Oh my God." Kai shook his head. What was wrong with him?

He really should have been focusing on their game, not thinking about how hot Shigaraki looked without pants. They were just legs, big deal, he'd seen plenty of bare legs and they hadn't gotten him all worked up before.

"You want to try again?" Shigaraki asked with another chuckle, cracking his knuckles. The movement brushed Kai's arm and sent a shiver trickling down his spine.

Kai chanced another look at his friend. Shigaraki yawned, making an adorable sleepy noise that he found incredibly endearing, sending his pulse sky-rocketing. This was not good.

Kai wondered why now of all times? He never had any problems controlling his physical attraction around Shigaraki before. Most of the time he didn't even think about it because the time that they did spend together came so easily and naturally. It was comfortable, and Kai liked it that way. So what changed? His brow furrowed in thought until it suddenly hit him.

This was Takami's fault! Surely, his emotions had to be the result of the conversation they had shared the other day. Takami had planted a seed inside Kai, an idea. That there was potential for a relationship with Shigaraki if he wanted it, beyond friendship. He just needed to make the first move and Takami would take care of the rest.

That had to be it, right?

"Kai?"

The sound of Shigaraki's low voice cut through his silent contemplation.

"Want to play again?"

Kai cleared his throat and then pushed one hand back through his dark hair. "After that humiliation?" He scoffed, offering the controller to Kurogiri. "You want in?"

"I am not going to do any better." Kurogiri professed without even looking up from his comic book. He flicked over a page and Kai sighed hard, Shigaraki snorted a laugh. It was normal for Kurogiri to show little to no interest in their video games.

"Great." Kai mumbled to himself, adjusting the controller in his hands." Another chance to look like an idiot. Let's do it."

He was just joking around and Shigaraki laughed knowingly. The sound made him smile and instinctually, he leaned back close to his friend - though his mind was not at all focused on the race ahead. He was still reflecting on Takami's proposition. Of course, at the time of their conversation Kai had immediately turned down the proposal - he thought it as absurd and poorly thought out - but now, with Shigaraki close enough for him to kiss if he wanted too - and he did, so badly - he was theorizing what would actually happen if he followed through. Nothing good, simply put. No matter which way he spun it he always came back to the same conclusion - the consequences outweigh the gains. It was not worth it. And it was just not something you did to your friends. Shigaraki was happy. He couldn't ruin that even if his primal urge was telling him to be selfish and take what he wanted.

"You're staring again." Shigaraki pointed out, his nose scrunching.

"Sorry." Kai lifted his hand and brushed the light hair out of Shigaraki's eyes, fingers trembling slightly. Shigaraki had long eyelashes, dark against his pale skin as they fluttered downwards at the contact. "I think I am a bit distracted tonight."

"We can do something else."

"No, it's cool. I want to play with you." Kai shook his head, his cheeks heating up at his foolhardy words. He was thankful for his mask hiding his subsequent blush. "You're not going to be able to see though."

"I just beat you, didn't I?" Shigaraki replied, flicking his hair away from his face.

"You did." Kai chuckled, and he made to move his hand to Shigaraki's thigh but was blocked when Shigaraki laid his arms over his bent knees, inadvertently preventing the touch. Kai pulled his hand back, feeling bitterly disappointed.

Shigaraki glanced sideways, noticing the sudden look of defeat on his friends face and the way he was staring at him. "Hey?" He asked, clicking his fingers and trying to snap him out of it. Kai immediately averted his gaze. "You sure you're good?"

"Yeah. I'll pick the track this time."

Shigaraki scoffed. "Fine. But you still won't win."

"Hm. We'll see." Kai mumbled, grinning when Shigaraki elbowed him humorously in return. "I'll stay all night if I have to." Which wasn't exactly true. He would have liked to but they only had a couple of hours until Dabi returned from the agency, He and Kurogiri would likely have to vacate Shigaraki's room pronto once that happened so he might as well enjoy the time while it lasted.

Unfortunately, that moment came much sooner than expected.

They were half-way through their next race when Dabi returned to the dorms, entering Shigaraki's room unannounced and with Takami in tow. A double-blow.

"What's going on in here?" Dabi questioned upon seeing the small gathering in Shigaraki's room.

Kai lurched away from his friend, putting a little friendlier distance between them and Shigaraki raised his head, peering up at his boyfriend briefly before returning his attention to the game.

"Playing video games?" Shigaraki replied. It came out like a question, like he didn't quite understand what Dabi was asking him. It was pretty obvious what the boys were doing.

Dabi eyed Kai hard, and then swept his eyes over to Kurogiri before shifting his gaze back to Shigaraki. An intense, protective urge welled up inside him, pressing against his heart. Not only was Shigaraki still unwell but he was sitting on the floor half-clothed and having a fun little get together when he should have been resting. Not to mention the slight annoyance Dabi felt at how close Kai was situated next to his boyfriend. Their legs were touching, and their shoulders were too just a minute ago. He couldn't stop the irrational jealousy or the sudden possessiveness from searing through his veins.

"They're a bit too comfortable, huh?" Takami snickered, feeling Dabi's distress and then flounced over to the other boys. He plopped himself down onto the floor beside Shigaraki in front of the TV.

Shigaraki scowled and tried to tilt away, leaning further into Kai. "Takami!"

"Can I play next?" The bird boy beamed, overly enthusiastic as always.

Dabi followed suit, crossing the room. He ignored Takami's protests when he blocked the view of the screen and leaned down to Shigaraki, lifting his hand to the side of his boyfriend's face. "You must be feeling better then."

"I am." Shigaraki grinned and leaned into Dabi's hand but didn't take his eyes off his game.

"Baby?" Dabi's palm brushed Shigaraki's cheek, fingers faintly tracing the skin as he tipped his head up towards him.

"Mm?"

Dabi turned Shigaraki's head more firmly and then captured his boyfriend's mouth in a sweet kiss, their lips molding and clinging before sliding apart. "Let Takami take over, I want a proper hello." He whispered, pushing his fingers back into Shigaraki's hair.

"Yes!" Takami agreed with no sense of regard for what should have been a private moment between the two boys. "Ha! Kai, you just rammed into him!" Takami laughed. Shigaraki was not the only one who was distracted by the kiss.

"Fuck! Sorry!" Kai mumbled beside Shigaraki, looking increasingly uncomfortable at the crowding.

"It's okay. Here, bird brain." Shigaraki abruptly thrust the controller over to Takami and Dabi grinned in triumph, offering his other hand to his boyfriend to help him up from the floor.

Kai couldn't help but watch them retreat to and his heart sank right down into his stomach. He tried not to be disappointed, he had no reason to feel defeated - it wasn't like anything was going to happen if Dabi hadn't shown up.

Takami shuffled closer to him, having completely assumed the vacant space left by Shigaraki. "I thought you said you didn't like him that way?"

Kai didn't reply and kept his eyes forward. Behind them on the bed Kurogiri dropped his comic. He had been silently listening in.

"Takami… don't start shit." He cautioned.

Takami scoffed. He didn't look over at his classmate but could feel the discouragement radiating off him. Kai's shoulders were suddenly very straight and stiff, his body tense - his posture entirely different to when he and Dabi had first come into the room. How did Kurogiri not see it too? Or maybe he did and just chose to turn-a-blind-eye to it.

"Honestly? You couldn't be more transparent." Takami pointed out with a smirk.

"Shut up." Kai grunted out. Kurogiri echoed the sentiment.

There was a brief moment of silence before Takami spoke again, almost as if he were waiting for Kurogiri to back off, so he could talk to Kai personally.

"He knows, you know."

"Who? Shigaraki?" Kai mumbled, soft enough that only Takami could hear over the sounds coming from the TV.

"Dabi." Takami corrected.

Kai shifted agitatedly.

"So, haven't changed your mind about our… little talk yet?"

"No."

"Too bad." Takami grinned, "You know where to find me if you do."