numbertwohero | Prismatica Inbox

[Shouto, meanwhile, is just gonna glance at him, shrugging one shoulder before looking back at the TV.]

I mean, yeah? It used to be a real thing, a few hundred years ago, right?

It's not even remotely the same thing!

[He scoffs and then moves again to lie his head down in Shouto's lap.]

If there was an Illuminati, then why haven't they stopped the League of Villains? Wouldn't that be competition?

[That works, too. Shouto looks down, a hand automatically carding through Katsuki's hair as he gives serious thought to the words. Sorry Katsuki, this is just who he is, you know that.]

Not if they're not actually competition. What if the League of Villains is just a distraction? Or what if they already know that they're not going to win, and they're just getting their own plans together behind the scenes?

[He doesn't actually think any of that, but it's kinda fun to debate about this, anyway, isn't it?]

[Katsuki's eyes flutter shut for a moment, enjoying the sensation of Shouto's hand in his hair like that. He didn't think he'd keep doing it once things were back to normal. Whatever normal was. It's nice, almost nice enough to distract him from this ridiculous debate. But he opens his eyes after a moment, refusing to move.]

So, in your theory, which isn't true by the way, the Illuminati are either villains themselves or a bunch of cowards.

Have you ever considered that quirks were actually their doing?

[Honestly, it hasn't occurred to him to stop, mostly because he's barely aware he's even doing it anymore. He's spent the last three days petting a ridiculously fluffy Katsuki and enjoying the way he looks when he's trying not to look like he enjoys it himself, it's basically habit now.]

You know, that's actually a good point. I guess we can't rule it out. It could be part of some bigger plan.

Do you think All Might's part of the Illuminati?

[Yes, he deadass just asked that. While still basically petting Katsuki and also maybe rubbing him behind the ears.]

[He's fine with Shouto never stopping. He scoffs and leans into Shouto's hand, not even aware that he's doing it. He'll probably start nuzzling him soon.

And then he goes and says that.]

What.

[Fuck it, he's nuzzling his hand.] You fucking serious?

[It feels different, him nuzzling his hand with an actual human face. At least his nose isn't cold and wet, anymore. Much better like this, he thinks absently, and his fingers brush over the other boy's temple, too, tracing his jawline.]

Why not? You're the one who suggested the Illuminati could be behind quirks. Why not All Might? After all, he's the perfect hero. Then again, I guess it'd be more likely they'd just be manipulating him...

[Time to start a conspiracy board!]

[Katsuki shivers, a warm, electric current shooting down his spine. Does Shouto even know the affect he has on him? Probably fucking not. His hand moves to take the one currently free and hold it.]

All Might's an idiot. I've always admired him and I'll never stop, but no one can pull off a sincere and reckless act like that.

[Probably not, honestly. The signs are there, and occasionally he has an idea, but all it takes is Katsuki bolting or flailing or pulling away for him to convince himself that he was wrong after all. It's not like he's got a lot of experience in reading these kinds of signals, after all. And sure, maybe Katsuki doesn't either, and maybe Shouto's not super expressive, but he doesn't hesitate in rubbing his thumb over Katsuki's knuckles as the other boy takes his hand, arm draped over his shoulder.]

An idiot, huh? That's some way to treat your idol. I wonder sometimes if that isn't just an act, too, though...But you're right. He's too sincere for it to all be fake.

What about Aizawa-sensei?

[He knows he's bad at this. Shouto might be new to it, but at least he's capable of opening up. One perceived doubt and Katsuki runs without hesitation. He's quicker to punch someone than kiss them. So it blows his mind that Shouto would still want this.

But Katsuki is selfish and he goes after what, or in this case who, he wants. Which is why he's more than content to stay there, squeezing his hand.]

Aizawa-sensei is too independent. He might be a teacher for our school but he doesn't strike me as having the patience to deal with all of the bullshit of a centuries old fake organization.

[He's trying. He's not exactly great at opening up, either; it's so easy to shut back down at the slightest sign of negative response. Katsuki's seen that, too. But sometimes you have to take that risk, open up even if it means getting hurt. Sometimes you need someone who's not going to let you run.

And sometimes maybe you need someone who'll hold your hand and let you pet their hair while you debate dumb things like this.]

That's true, he's not exactly the bureaucratic type. So if not him, then who...

I've got it. Principal Nezu. Totally Illuminati.

[They can both be bad at it, in their own unique ways. They're both stubborn, which Katsuki is glad about. Most people would have given up at the first glare, let alone all of the other bullshit.

Even if it means entertaining the idea of one of their teachers being in a nonexistent organization. At this point he's not even sure if Shouto believes what he's saying.]

SHIT!!!

[His head snaps up briefly, bumping into Shouto's hand before he slouches down again.]

I never trusted him. He's too happy. And I saw what he did with our two dumbest classmates.

[They both need someone who's stubborn, maybe. Someone who isn't just gonna give up. Especially since they both suck at this.

Honestly, he's just playing along for the hell of it, now. He doesn't necessarily believe in any of this, it's just something that's fun to think about occasionally. What's the harm in keeping an open mind? And after all, didn't this dumb conversation get Katsuki interested, too?

That sparkle in Shouto's eyes is back as he looks down at Katsuki, fingers combing through his hair again as the other boy settles back down, and he's definitely smiling now.]

Right? I saw that challenge. He was way too cheerful about trying to murder them. I'm honestly surprised they survived.

[He is interested. He doesn't believe in any of this shit, but he's having fun discussing it with Shouto. The whole thing is so ridiculous.

But instead of coming up with a clever retort, Katsuki just stares up at him in awe. God he's fucking beautiful.]

He let them live. Maybe it's some sort of initiation process. [Keep talking about murdering his classmates. He didn't realize how attractive that was.]

[You know, Katsuki's eyes are really pretty, he finds himself thinking almost idly as he looks back at the other boy. It's an unusual color, one that might look weird on some people but just seems strangely fitting on the other boy. Even when the look on his face is...not a look he's used to seeing from any angle. It reminds him of the way Katsuki was looking at him just a few hours ago, which reminds him of the context of that look, which...

Hm. Probably better to not think about that, given the way his stomach does a weird little flip.

Instead, he laughs, shaking his head with a huff, clearing it of thoughts that might lead awkward places.]

So does that mean Kaminari's a member of the illuminati now?? That would just be too weird.

[He might be a little disappointed Shouto doesn't go into the gory details, but his laugh is more than enough to make up for it. He's pretty sure he's gotten the Icy Bastard to smile and laugh more in a few days than most people could do in a decade, and he's proud of that. It doesn't hurt that Shouto's laugh is just as melodic as his voice. His voice is soft, but there's a strength there that he deeply respects.

He can't help the way his mouth tilts up into a faint smile.]

He's young enough to be brainwashed and stupid enough to stay that way. I never said they had good ideas all the time.

You never say they have good ideas, period. Pretty sure you're allergic to giving compliments.

[And yet, that smile lingers. Maybe because he likes it a lot when Katsuki smiles, too.]

Compliments are pointless if they're said just because! Besides, I've complimented you!

[He scoffs, but he can't look away from his smile.]

You have? Guess I must have been so shocked I blocked it out.

[He's definitely teasing, now. It feels strange, and also strangely liberating, to be able to be like this, especially with Katsuki. Especially like this.]

Then--!

[His face heats up. Why is he getting flustered? What the fuck did Shouto do to have this kind of affect on him?]

Then I'll just have to compliment you again. I like your stupid smile.

[Is Katsuki blushing? He probably shouldn't feel so strangely proud of making that happen, but he does. He absolutely does--and then it's his turn to blush, too, his heart doing a weird little leap in his chest at the words.

It's just a compliment. And one punctuated with an insult, like most of Katsuki's, but...still. It feels different, when he's holding Katsuki's hand and the other boy's looking up at him like that.]

Usually works a little better without the insults, you know. Like...'I like the way you make me smile.'

[The words are a little quieter. Less teasing, much more genuine, and a little hesitant. He's not sure how Katsuki will react, after all.]

[He notices that pink flush, and the way it makes Shouto's eyes brighter. There's an annoying sound in his head that won't go away, and even though their faces are a good couple of feet apart suddenly the space between them feels a lot warmer than it did seconds ago.

Finally he realizes that sound is his own heartbeat, louder than ever after the silence that follows Shouto's confession. Suddenly he's very nervous. He's nervous and he can't cover it up with anger and screw things up again. Katsuki swallows, but it sounds more like a boulder has been dropped on the floor. Despite the way his heart races and breathing quickens, there's that rush of pride, similar to after winning a tough fight but so incredibly different.]

I...

[Why the hell won't his voice work?] I like it more. And you should like it because what- what point would there be if you didn't?

[Now it's his turn to wait. How badly did he fuck up this time?]

[Is it Katsuki's heartbeat, or is it his own? Because Shouto's pulse is racing like he's just run a 5-minute mile.

Katsuki could run. He could get too flustered and just trade this soft quiet moment for yelling and pushing Shouto away. But it's worth the risk, he thinks. If he doesn't keep trying, maybe Katsuki will stop, too, and he doesn't...

But he doesn't.

And Shouto's smiling again, a little smaller, softer, but a smile, as his fingers squeeze Katsuki's lightly. It'd be an awkward angle to kiss him from, which is possibly the only reason his answer isn't just a kiss. Katsuki didn't fuck up at all.]

Guess I wouldn't mind if you do it more often. But--only if I can make you smile, too.

[He could run. But he's tired of that. When Shouto smiles again and he feels a pang in his chest and all of the tension drain away at once, he's sure he made the right choice. Shouto is strong, and beautiful, and smart but it's not just that. He can't figure it out.

He squeezes his hand in return and he shifts a little to sit up and press his lips lightly against Shouto's, smiling against them, and pulls away a second later.]

Better?

[He's worried for a moment when Katsuki shifts to sit up, but it's only a moment, there and gone as the other boy presses his lips to Shouto's in an achingly light touch. It's a gentle thing, not quite a kiss, but it's enough that he can feel the curve of that smile against his own lips, and he thinks his heart might shatter at any moment from the sheer sweetness of it. Sweetness and Katsuki are not two words that go hand in hand, and he's fine with that, but if he can have just a few moments like this, it'll be worth it.

When Katsuki pulls away, Shouto's eyes open slowly, filled with something he's not even sure he could name. He doesn't know what this feeling is, but he wants to keep it.]

...Yeah. Better.

[It's okay if he steals another kiss, right? Just one.]

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