The squad had taken over the common room and sat down in a lump that had no concept of personal space.
Except for Shinsou, who was unsure of what to do with the cuddle pile that had collapsed in front of the TV. He didn't think he'd ever be able to comfortably have so much skinship, but it made him happy to see the ball of happiness- one pout of distaste included- argue over what movie they'd watch.
"Mina, we watched your pick last time! It's Sero's turn."
"Ugh, but Sero likes those weird dark comedies that get a little too real. That's totally not party movie material!"
"You can't go wrong with a comedy? Or action?" Kirishima suggested.
"Or an action movie with comedy in it?" Sero had given up on defending the, admittedly, upsetting film he was going to choose.
"I'm pulling out three fucking DVDs and you can go play rock paper scissors or some shit and then we are not arguing about it. I'd like to actually watch a movie tonight, you cucks."
Bakugou blindly grabbed some cases from the large library under the tv and passed one each to Sero, Ashido, and Kirishima. As further proof of the hivemind that was the Bakusquad, all of them chose scissors first. Then all of them chose rock. At long last, they came out 2-1 in favor of Kirishima's action flick.
Shinsou had stopped in front of the large comfy sofa chair to watch their antics, and Kaminari followed him for the agreed upon lap sitting. The two boys faced the chair and stood stock still. Both were trying to figure out how best to Tetris themselves on the cushion.
"I'm too tall to sit on it sideways," Shinsou gestured to the space they were soon to share. "You could definitely fit on my lap."
Kaminari was pink in the face and instead of replying directly ended up in a Midoriya-level anxious mumbling.
"Yeah, I totally could. I'm pretty short. I mean, I'm not the shortest, but you're like super giant tall. I bet you can touch all sorts of high shelves and just casually yank out kittens that get stuck in trees. Your hairstyle makes you seem taller too. Maybe I should do the same and I'll finally beat Aoyama. He and I are the same height but I like to think that I just feel taller than him to other people-"
Shinsou calmly sat down and watched Kaminari spiral out of control before cutting him off, "I think your hair looks pretty this way." In fact, you look pretty in general and you being small means it's easier to hug you. Maybe if I play my cards right he'll curl up on my lap and I can pet his hair...
Ignorant to the train of inner dialogue, but very aware of the compliment, Kaminari stopped his muttering. "Y-You think my hair is pretty?"
"Uh, yeah. It looks nice." Shinsou shrugged, realizing he had an extreme lack of experience in complimenting people.
Denki must have been pleased by the answer because he practically threw himself onto Shinsou's lap after hearing it. It knocked the wind right out of the purple-haired male.
"Oof!"
"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry! I got excited when you called my hair pretty. Do you want me to sit somewhere else instead? The carpet in here is pretty nice and I could totally take the floor."
Kaminari was panicking but, to Shinsou's pleasure, remained perched on his lap- laying across him sideways with his legs over one arm of the chair and his back leaning against the other.
"It's fine."
They were interrupted by the angry blonde shouting.
"Will you three stop your fucking whining!? We already chose the stupid movie so get your dumbasses onto the couch and shut up before I blow one of your hands off!"
The two seated boys looked to see Bakugou standing with his arms crossed and yelling at the happily bickering Sero, Ashido, and Kirishima. The three chastised heroes looked ashamed enough to trudge back to the couch, and Mina added a, "Yes, mom," before throwing herself down with a huff. She wasn't fast enough to dodge the DVD case Bakugou chucked her way.
Shinsou tried to focus on the spectacle of his friends instead of losing himself in just how warm and soft Kaminari was in his arms and lap. He had sneakily put one arm behind Kaminari's back and was slightly cradling him, but stayed far enough away that he could blame it being an accident if Denki got uncomfortable.
Kaminari let out a quiet but satisfied sigh and leaned up against Shinsou's broad chest. Both boys knew they weren't going to be focused on the movie.
The credits rolled and Shinsou grew upset that he'd run out of an excuse to keep holding the blonde. The shorter boy had fully rested his weight against him and had even started playing with wisps of dark purple hair. Without really thinking about it, Shinsou nuzzled his head against Kaminari's hand. Denki looked up at him and laughed.
"You're just a big purple cat, aren't you?"
Shinsou kept his expression deadpan as he offered a monotone "meow."
Kaminari gave an extremely unattractive snort and nearly dislodged himself laughing.
"I'm taking a hundred photos, just FYI," Mina was cooing behind her phone and tapping at it vigorously. The two boys had the decency to look embarrassed at being caught.
Upon looking around the room Shinsou saw that a lot of the class had joined in when the movie started and, now that it was over, had begun to collect their things and get back to their rooms. Shinsou figured he should do the same. He thought meeting Denki's eyes with a suitably obvious 'I'm waiting' expression would encourage the blonde to stand up, but Kaminari only held his gaze with a goofy smile. His chest seized.
There is no way I can confess to this boy tonight. I can't remember all the things I wanted to say. Why does he have to look so cute?
"Could you stand up?"
Kaminari's eyes went wide and he leaped from the other boy's lap faster than he'd usually be able to evade an enemy attack.
"Oh shit, I'm sorry! Thanks for being a soft bony chair, by the way!"
"Soft bony?"
"Yeah, cause you were all nice and warm but you also have thigh bones that even Midoriya couldn't break," Kaminari clearly didn't mean it as an insult given the pleased expression he wore.
"Thanks?"
Shinsou stood up as well, his bones cracking from being locked in place for so long, and saw the rest of the squad was doing the same. Mina had some dried drool in the corner of her mouth and had undoubtedly passed out during the movie. Judging by the wet patch that Sero was currently grimacing at, he was the unfortunate person she'd chosen to sleep on. Kirishima and Bakugou were doing their version of making eyes at each other- which is to say Kirishima was wearing a particularly warm expression and Bakugou seemed to be begrudgingly pissed off instead of the usual homicidal.
"Alright class. It is nearly curfew and we must go to bed. Proper sleep hygiene includes 7-8 hours of rest so don't stay up all night playing your phone games!" Iida couldn't name one of those 'phone games' if he was asked to, but he was very serious about the health of his class.
The room was briefly filled with affirmative sounds, and a couple of disappointed whines, as the TV was turned off and the empty cookie plates gathered.
As the group started to leave Ashido asked an extremely important question.
"If you're Dadzawa's son does that mean you can make those weird faces he does?"
Shinsou paused and then answered by imitating the somewhat concerning smile that Aizawa wears, and the squad fell apart laughing. Even Bakugou snorted involuntarily.
"Oh my god everyone has to see this right now!" Before he could say anything Mina was calling the room to attention, "Look, Shinsou can do the Aizawa Smile!" The sleepy teens all turned to the noise and waited.
Everyone is looking at me.
Despite the mounting anxiety, Shinsou once again mimicked the dry-eyed grin that their teacher makes.
The room was silent.
Then Class 1-A collectively lost their minds.
Tsuyu nearly choked on her tongue, Tokoyami made an odd sound purely used by birds, Ochako and Midoriya were leaning against each other and holding their stomachs, and Todoroki had his mouth tilted upwards. It was during this hysteria that Shinsou noticed something that brought warmth to his heart.
This is the first time classmates have laughed with me and not at me.
To the right of him he saw Kaminari beaming with so much pride you'd think he was the one to make the joke, Kirishima was giving him a big thumbs up, and even Bakugou nodded at him with one of those rare soft smirks reserved only for the squad.
He felt like his heart was going to beat out of his chest and he couldn't stop the short laugh that bubbled out of him.
Then the chuckles petered out and 1-A started to fill the hall by the elevator.
"It's so weird having a class that cares. This is the opposite of middle school." Shinsou quietly said to himself. He still couldn't believe it.
"If I ever see your old classmates I'm gonna give them a seriously comprehensive ass kicking. Just hearing about it makes me Bakugou-levels of angry," Kaminari looked just as pissed as he said he was. It made Shinsou's heart flutter to see someone get so emotional on his behalf.
In a further show of protective affection Kaminari grabbed Shinsou's hand and gave it a light squeeze. After the blonde seemed to register what he had done he sputtered something about taking the stairs and flew red-faced out of sight.
Ashido watched the exchange with a laugh before giving Shinsou a pitying expression. "I think you broke him."
"I didn't even say anything."
"Bro, you don't have to say anything. Kaminari is efficient. He'll freak out all by himself," Kirishima nodded alongside his own words as if he was giving out sage advice.
"More importantly...you two were coooooozy tonight," Mina sang. Her joy was cut off by a sharp, "If you didn't fucking take that chance to open your big mouth and ask him out we are disowning you and leaving your corpse outside your fake dad's door."
Shinsou winced, "I was distracted?"
"Was it by his neck? His choker is totally hot. Jirou convinced him to get one with her and I've straight up told him he isn't allowed to take it off." Ashido gave an exaggerated moan.
Sometimes Shinsou wasn't sure if Mina was rooting for him or had decided to take the blonde for herself. Seeing her warm conspiratorial grin reminded him they were a team now. It's time to start being more open with them. I've finally made real friends.
"Shinsou? Did you space out thinking about that choker, because if you did that's a fair reaction." Sero patted his shoulder.
"I have a lot of feelings about that choker…and when he played guitar at the culture festival. Honestly, upon reflecting on these things I think I've become gayer?"
Bakugou, having heard this speech before, gave a long-suffering sigh and ended the conversation with, "Yeah. The idiot has that effect on some people."