Chapter 9 – Dorm Life Begins
The guys helped me set my room up the way I wanted it while the adults went into the hallway to talk. We pushed my full-sized bed against the right wall, having lofted it so my desk and chest of drawers could fit underneath.
My armoire was against the lofted side of my bed and had fairy lights over the arched top. The left corner of my room looked like a mini-gaming center set with a large TV, bean bags, and a funky rug. Lastly, the leftover space held an emerald green futon with way too many pillows on it and a large floor lamp overhanging.
I plopped down on a beanbag and I felt someone lay across my back and before I could protest, another body plopped on top of that one. Even though I felt like I was suffocating I couldn't find it in me to tell them to move.
We were all so mentally exhausted that it had drained every ounce of energy we had. Eventually, I reached back and smacked them, earning tired groans when they transferred to the seats on either side of me.
I scooted back so I could see both of them simultaneously, gently running my hands through their hair. We all melted, enjoying the release of endorphins that our soulmate bond created. Bakugo adjusted and threw his arm over me, looking like he was about to fall asleep.
I turned to Shinsou and saw him watching us with a strange look on his face. I raised an eyebrow, silently asking him what was on his mind.
Sighing, he sat up and took my hand, rubbing his palm over my shoulder and arm repeatedly.
"Ren, I'm worried about you. I know you've worked very hard to get where you are now and I don't want this to ruin that." I sat up and Bakugo humphed angrily, repositioning himself so his head was in my lap.
"Yeah, I'm with zombie on this one, shorty. What can we do to help you out?"
"This. This right here is what I need. The fact that you're both here, not backing out just because things are getting hard. And trust me, it will only get harder as long as he is involved."
I paused, debating my next thought before laying all my cards on the table.
"He is a pretty big deal. He is a villain with his filthy hands in many different pots. He has friends in very low places. Are you sure you want to get dragged into this? Honestly, I won't forgive myself if he does anything to either of you."
Looking down, I met Bakugo's gaze right as he raised his hand to cup my cheek.
"Stop counting us out. We haven't known each other long but… fuck. I don't know what I would do without you two losers. I don't even have to say anything for either of you to know exactly what I need. This bond, it's evolving and I think we should do some more research on this whole soulmate thing."
The adults walked in and Bakugo shot into a sitting position, yelling at his mother to knock. She yelled right back, marching up to him and smacking the back of his head. Before I could stop myself, I'd thrown up a barrier and pulled him to me, seeing her as a threat.
Bakugo started laughing boisterously as Shinsou explained a few key things to Mrs. Bakugo, making sure to say it in a way that she could read between the lines.
"Back off old hag! I've got my own personal shield now!" He screamed, wrapping his arms around my waist. Shinsou huffed, reaching over and smacking him again.
"Don't use Ren for your own personal gain, idiot." I quickly lowered the barrier, realizing I must have misread the situation.
"So, Mrs. Bakugo isn't… bad?" I whispered to the blond, still giving her a sharp look.
He huffed and rolled his eyes. "Hell yeah she's fucking bad! You better protec-"
Shinsou slapped a hand over his mouth and gave him a look. "Ren. She doesn't abuse Bakugo. Him and her are two peas in a pod. It's how they show their emotions and what not."
I nodded, still not relaxing completely.
Mrs. Bakugo softens and truly looks at me, eyes zoning in on my hand sifting through her son's hair absentmindedly.
"You're a good girl, I can see that. Don't let this brat fool you. He may act tough, and can back it up, but he is a softie. I can already tell that he is softer with you two. Keep my boy safe. BRAT! You better treat these two respectfully or I'll tear your ass to pieces!"
I flinched when she yelled at him and her eyes softened, understanding flashing through them.
"How do you put up with him and his loud personality?" Shifting, I pulled him closer and he didn't fight it, just sent a smug look at his mother while shooting her the bird. I quickly yanked his hand down, huffing at his antics.
"Well, he isn't an adult and he hasn't had any ulterior motives. Also, it's hard not to trust someone that can literally melt away your anxiety. Plus… he doesn't yell at me; he has a lot more control than you would expect."
He rolled his eyes when she turned to him, an eyebrow raised. "I'm not a complete fucking moron, hag. Ren and Shinsou are quiet fucking people. They talk when they have something to say, not just to hear themselves yap. I like them. So, I'll work to keep them."
Bakugo's face turned red as he spoke but he didn't back down, knowing this was important to everyone in the room.
I turned to Hana and Sora, asking what was to happen now. Mr. Aizawa butted in seeing as he was the only staff member present.
"Well, under normal circumstances we wouldn't allow anyone else in yet however, both of you have beds in your rooms already so you can stay. There will be no funny business. This is a school and you will not be having sex or doing anything sexual. Do I make myself clear?"
Our faces heated up and we all nodded quickly, not trusting ourselves to speak.
"Good. We'll be leaving now. If you need anything, I'm just a phone call away and also the number of the faculty member on call is on the counter. It's a rotating system and you will easily be able to figure it out. Some food has been placed in the fridge already, so make yourselves at home. Also, the boy's showers are at the end of the right side of the hall and the female showers are at the end of the left side of the hall. Ren, you're one of the lucky ones that has a small bathroom suite attached."
With that, all the parents said their farewells and we were left to our own devices.
I was starving so we left my room and rode the elevator down instead of walking three flights of stairs. After glancing in the fridge, it was clear that our parentals had been worried because we had an entire week's worth of food separated and stored for us.
We heated our food up and then went back to my room, enjoying the quiet of being the only ones in the building.
We packed onto the futon and started eating, not a word spoken between us, too busy enjoying our homemade meals. Afterwards, we cleaned up and went our separate ways to get ready for bed, saying we would meet back up in my room.
The showers were big and… white. There was clearly no thought on design, just practicality and it irked my nerves. I would definitely be doing something to make this space more inviting.
Maybe I could bring in fun non-slip shower mats. I'll have to ask the other girls when they join.
We ended up piling up on my bed and passing out, barely even talking to each other from the utter exhaustion of the day. My last thought before I fell asleep was how much I would fight to keep this peace; how much I didn't deserve these two souls intertwining with mine willingly.
Waking up, I realized several things immediately. I slept through the entire night without waking up or having a nightmare, that in itself was a miracle. I am still very much smack dab in the middle of two large male bodies and they are plastered to me like a second skin.
Meaning I can feel every inch of them, including the morning wood they are sporting. I tried to stay relaxed, not wanting to make the situation more awkward by waking them up because of my embarrassment.
Bakugo tightened his arms around me, pulling my back into him more, which I didn't think was possible. Shinsou stirred and opened his eyes at the small movement and our orbs lock, him looking confused for a moment before he remembered where he was.
A slow smiled spread on his face before he ducked his head under my chin, unashamedly plastering himself to me once again.
I groaned at how overheated I was becoming, very aware that our alarms still hadn't gone off, meaning they probably would fight to let me escape this cuddle puddle.
"Guys, you are making me so freaking hot." Bakugo huffed into my hair and then chuckled.
"Really, shorty. I didn't know you were that forward." I blushed furiously and started stuttering, trying to wiggle out of their grip.
"Oi, quit the squirming. No doubt I'm not the only one with this morning issue and you're just going to make it harder to calm down. Pun intended."
I froze and Shinsou burst out laughing but didn't make any move to disentangle himself either. Groaning again, I buried my face in the purple locks under my chin, mumbling about possessive boys and awkward situations.
They both huffed at me and then my alarm started blaring, but Shinsou just whirled over and turned it off.
"We don't have to wake up as early since we're literally a minute walk from the class. More cuddle time," he mumbled happily.
Grumbling, I finally managed to sit up, which somehow made my situation more interesting. Now I had both boys using my thighs as a cushion with zero interest in letting me fully escape their clutches.
The shorts I chose to sleep in weren't very long and had ridden up and neither of my companions had any qualms about wrapping their arms around me, palms on bare skin.
I short circuited when Bakugo casually slid his hand up higher, right below my butt cheek.
"Alright, I am going to freak out if you two don't stop this. I can't handle all the freaking butterflies you're giving me! It's TOO MUCH. Off! Off, now!" They both complied immediately, not having an ounce of remorse on their faces.
"I thought we agreed we were taking this slow. How is this slow!? I can't even think straight right now!"
Throwing my hands on my hip and pointing a finger at them, I could tell I was extremely flushed and possibly huffing like a walrus. They both sat up and shared a look before deciding there was no getting out of this conversation.
Shinsou threw his legs over the side of the bed and tried to adjust himself discreetly. I whirled around to give him some privacy, hearing both of them chuckle in amusement.
"You can turn back around, short stack." Grumbling at his amused tone, I turned and noticed Bakugo was now mirroring Shinsou.
Both of them stared at me, expecting me to start the conversation. "I- I'm just- UGH! I have no idea how to have this conversation! I like you both. A lot. You are great guys and I really would like to take this slowly. Almost grabbing my butt is not taking it slowly!"
Shinsou turned to Bakugo and the blond just shrugged. "It's not like I actually grabbed your ass, shorty. Even if it is tempting."
Shinsou leaned over and glanced down, making me squeak and plop down on the futon. I covered my face, not used to such forward personalities. I heard a thwack and I had no idea who smacked whom.
"We find you attractive, that's a no brainer and you clearly find us attractive. I do agree with wanting to take it slow though. We should learn more about these bonds and one another before taking any big steps. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, especially since we'll basically be living together." Shinsou stated, bumping into his seated companion.
"Yeah, yeah. I fucking get it. I agree with the both of you. Plus, I wouldn't actually do anything to fuck this up. Just because I'm a hormonal teenager doesn't mean I can't control myself. That being said, if anyone fucking asks you out, you better tell them that you're fucking talking to someone or some shit like that. Got it?"