Kirishima POV:

'God he is so hot. Wait... Where did that thought come from? He literally just barely got broken up with and I'm already starting to get feelings. That is so uncool.' My gay panicking quickly stopped when I heard a knock on the front door.

"That must be the rest of the group. We should go meet them down in the game room. My mom will bring them there to put all of their stuff down. I bet we could start a wicked game of truth or dare once they're settled in." I got up and started going to the stairs that bring us back to the first floor of my room but got stopped as Izuku grabbed my arm.

I looked at my friend from my standing up position.

"C-can we stay here for a couple more minutes? I was kind of enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and I know it won't be quiet once we go downstairs." He looked into his lap nervously.

"Of course. Do you want me to sit next to you for the next few minutes?" I asked him softly so as to not make him more nervous.

"I would like that. Could I also sleep in here later tonight too? I know it would be an invasion of your privacy, but I really don't want to be near anyone else while I sleep." A shock went through my body at his words, and I almost didn't answer him.

"O-of course Izu. I invited you here to get your mind off of things. If sleeping in my room will help, then do it. I can sleep on the floor next to the bed." Before Izu had a chance to respond, there was a shout from downstairs.

"KIRI ARE YOU HERE? YOUR MOM LET US IN BUT I DON'T KNOW WHICH ROOM YOU ARE IN!" Kami's voice came ringing loud and clear throughout the house.

"Guess that's our cue. We can figure out the sleeping arrangements later." I walked down the stairs with Izuku and went into the game/movie room.

Izuku POV:

'I just wanted to be alone with Kiri. He was bringing the peace I have been longing for since I found out what happened.' I pouted and followed behind Kiri. We entered the room everyone else was in. Only, I got tackle hugged by a grinning Kaminari. We both fell to the floor with an oomph.

"Midoriya! I'm so glad you came to the sleepover! We can totally play Super Smash Bros and have a pillow fight!" He seemed to be really excited to see me for some reason. I just smiled at him and hugged him back.

"Yeah. I didn't really want to be at the dorms, and I didn't want to go home either. A weekend with new friends seems like the perfect way to relax and forget a little."

Mina smiled at me from her spot over on the gaming chair by another gaming pc. I want to ask how Eijiro has so many gaming devices, but it's probably because he has a lot of money.

"Izuuuuu, give me attention." Kami pouted at me from his place in my arms. I just smiled at him and gently ran my fingers through his hair. It was actually pretty soft.

"Kami, you already have my attention. You don't see anyone else in my arms, do you?"

He just continued to pout, and I just laughed and looked up at the others. Though I was met with everyone just staring at us and Mina giving me a look. It wasn't a bad look either. I couldn't actually tell what she was trying to do or say.

"Let's play a game of truth or dare. It's a great way to start off the night and then we can all go play Super Smash Bros." Momo suggested with a smile. We all readily agreed.

"Since it's Kirishima's house, he should go first." Nods were given as a response.

Kami and I both got up and went to go sit down on Kiri's couch. When we sat down, Kami snuggled up to my side and smiled up at me. He seemed really clingy today. I wonder if something happened or if he has a bad background. Glancing up at Kiri, I tried to communicate my thoughts.

'What's going on with him?'

'Bad childhood with both schoolmates, bullies, and his family.'

I frowned at the response I got. How could his family neglect him? Especially with how he had bullies and classmates that he didn't get along with. Maybe I should keep watch over him. I don't want him to go through the same things over and over again. Although, based off of what I hear around UA, it is still happening. Yeah, it's nice that his friends have nicknames for him, but making fun of his quirk drawback is mean. No one has perfect control over their quirk. That's one of the reasons we attend this school. We want to grow into amazing heroes and have full control over our quirks. God. I am getting really irritated about this.

I wrap my arm around Kami's right shoulder and pull him closer to me. An overwhelming feeling of protectiveness came over me as I gave him a small kiss on the head. Kami just looked at me again, smiled, and then just crawled into my lap. He then wrapped his arms around my waist and nuzzled me where my shoulder and neck meet.

'He's almost like a kitten. That is absolutely adorable.' A cough caused me to come out of my thoughts and I looked in the direction it came from. Iida was standing there with his awkward smile.

"Are we going to start this game or am I wrong in assuming everyone still wants to play?"

An embarrassed laugh came from Kiri. "We are still playing the game, no worries, Iida. Um... Truth or dare?"

Iida looked surprised for only a moment before he readily answered. "I am going to choose truth as I feel that it will be the safest route."

Kiri thought for only a moment before he asked his question. "Who do you have a crush on?"

A flush came over Iida's face and we all grinned. Kami was even paying attention now too. "Uh... well you see... I have particularly strong feelings towards Todoroki."

My mouth dropped. This was absolutely perfect! Sho has the biggest crush on Iida, and they would make the cutest couple.

"That's great Mon Amie! Hopefully he returns your feelings." Aoyama smiled at him and clapped his hands in support of the new ship that was sailing.

As the game went on, a few more secret crushes were revealed, Mina and Tsu became a couple, Kami pulled a prank on Sero without his friend noticing, and Kiri admitted that he secretly loved to stream on twitch and was known as RedRiotGaming on it.

Oddly enough, I wasn't dared or asked anything, and no one tried to do so either. Maybe they just thought I would rather stay on the couch. They wouldn't be wrong either, but I wanted Kami to be with me too. Just knowing the little bit of his past that I do, makes me want to keep an eye on him constantly.

Thank you for reading this week's chapter of 'Does Gender Matter' ! This chapter was dedicated to DynaBOOMight on AO3.

Also, there is a relationship forming between Kami and Izuku. Should I keep it more sibling centered or would you readers like to see them with Izu? Leave your vote down in the comments! The options are down below, though if I don't get any votes by May 23, I will be doing whatever one my heart desires.

KamiDeku

KiriDeku

KamiKiriDeku

Word Count: 1219